Ashley Vale Allotments Association

The BBC are making a documentary about allotments and would like to film some allotment holders in Bristol, through the seasons. If you would be interested in getting involved please contact Harry on the e mail below.
Harry Kaufman Harry@wildpictures.co.uk

The annual seed swap and spring social will be on wednesday Feb 22nd, upstairs at the Miners Arms, St Werbughs from 7.30pm.

Everyone is welcome, and especially all our new plotholders. You don’t need to have seeds to bring, as much as anything it’s just a good opportunity to get together and chat about what we’re all thinking of planting.

Some of our saved seed comes in huge quatities so there is always plenty to give away. For example I have enough parsnip seed, african marigold, and perpetual spinach to supply half the site. There’s usually lots of French bean and runner bean seed too, and rocket, and leek and and and …… So don’t be shy just pop in and join us

We hope to be getting regular deliveries of spent hops to Ashley hill gate every few weeks from now on. The first two deliveries proved popular. If everyone takes a couple of bags at a time there should be plenty to go round.

We believe that they make an excellent soil conditioner.

One gardening forum ( http://www.growsonyou.com ) quotes this paragraph from Geoff Hamiltons Organic Gardening Book:-
‘….. direct from the brewery, spent hops will be wet and can either be dug in fresh or spread over the surface. They can be composted but it is not necessary. If you do use them fresh, keep them well away from the stems and leaves of young plants to avoid scorching them.’

Help yourselves, first come first served but have a thought for fair shares too. With luck we may be able to get quite regular deliveries, every few weeks or so

Here are some other opinions – drawn from a google search:-

if you leave it on the surface of the soil the winter wind can dry it out and it blows about a bit

_’These have very little food value, but are useful as a soil conditioner if they are available in your area cheaply. They can be used at any time

‘ – they add organic matter as well as a small amount of nutrients.’

Nutrient Content
Nitrogen 0.5 per cent
Phosphorus 1-2 per cent
Potassium 0.5 per cent
Trace elements Full Range

‘The residue from the brewing industry, spent hops have a distinctive strong smell, although this soon disappears when the hops are left out in the open. They make an excellent soil conditioner and are particularly good for mulching. The problem is that spent hops are very difficult to get, but if you are fortunate and live near a brewery, then it is worth calling on the brewery and asking for a few bags. If bought direct from the brewery, spent hops will be wet and can either be dug in fresh or spread over the surface. They can be composted but it is not necessary. If you do use them fresh, keep them well away from the stems and leaves of young plants to avoid scorching them.’

It is possible to buy spent hops dry but, in this form, they are really more a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen – about 2.5-3.5 per cent. Coverage: 1-1.5 Kg (2-3 lbs.) per sq. meter/yard.

From The Organic Garden Book by Geoff Hamilton (1987, Dorling Kindersley Ltd.)’_

The site water cocks are now off for the winter.

We are aware of a leak above gound on the tap near field 3 plot 85 and will sort it over winter.

Bulk compost purchases from Hills Organics will restart early in the new year – anyone interested please contact Keith via the contact link on the website. (if you’re already on his mailing list you should expect to hear from him early in the new year.)

A resounding well done to the clean up crew who shifted this lot over the weekend!

The skip has been exchanged and is half full in the lower yard and will stay till it is full, as usual please follow the Waste Disposal good practice guide and let’s get rid of as much junk as we can off the site.

Leaf bunkers 3/4 full.

Woodchip – 2 local teams know we want some – just waiting for them to be in the area. Can’t find any team prepared to deliver to gate 8 (Ashley Hill) – I think the traffic frightens them off.

Manure – bed by gate cleared and levelled – drops coming every 3 weeks or so. But you have to move quickly if you want to get in before the tip field crew!

Store – awnings, marquee, and chairs now in lock up store, similarly beekeepers kit. Light fixed (thanks Dave Ab.)

Committe room clear now for tidying and prettying up. New tubes and starters in lights.

As per 2 year old committe resolutions a builder is at last quoting for a new door frame, solid core door, lock, barge board, window board, and sealing of leaking roof on the old committee room. If the cost is ok that will give us a clean dry secure space with electric power, just need to think of a use for it! (answers on a postcard please – a free turnip voucher to the most imaginative)

Hope to see you all at the social.

lots of interesting articles, details of courses running locally, events, conferences, seminars & workshops:-
Bristols Local Food update