Some more news from Richard - see his email below.

I have been sowing tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and herbs - parsley, chervil, chives and thyme. You really need a propogator to get these started. Worth getting one if you don't have one already. They cost about £20 and work just by plugging them in and they use very little electricity. That having been said, I will have some plants over when the time comes if anyone would like any. Looking forward to March 21st. All best Maggie

Maggie,

Mick will arrange for the removal of the tree by the end of February 2015.

Mick Guerin is in the process of getting a length of chain which will enable you and us to have two padlocks on the door. Let me know when you have purchased a lock and we will put in on for you.

I am waiting for the outside tap to be fixed by the toilets, this will give TT access to an external tap and the facility for attaching a hose. This is currently with my city surveyors dept. A hose can be run through to garden from this point.

Richard

Conifer now gone, thanks to Richard and his team! I'm meeting Richard next Friday at 4.00 at the cafe to talk about watering and hope to find some solution for the coming summer.  Looking forward to seeing you all again on March 21st for the Big Dig.  Maggie

Dear Maggie,

Looking forward to coming along on March 21st for the Big Dig.

Have bought some seed potatoes which are in a chitting tray at present, ready to plant on the 21st. I have a rhubarb crown which I also want to plant in my section. If space allows, I would like to put in a few of your herb plants as well?

All the best, Julienne

I'm going to plant some potatoes as well, Julienne! The herbs will have to be planted out a bit later I think, in case of any late frosts...

I have some pieces of patio board - quite short but useful for making and repairing paths. Would anyone with a car (I don't have one) be willing to help me get them to the plot between now and the 21st?

Richard has had the conifer removed from the corner and I'm thinking that if anyone wants to move large herb or flower bushes out of their plot to give more space for growing, they could be moved on the 21st into the space vacated by the tree.

Meeting Richard tomorrow and will report back on any progress on the watering issue.

Looking forward to seeing you all and getting started again. Maggie

Great 'Big Dig' day last weekend! Hive of activity and brilliant atmosphere. Thanks to all who came and to Richard for the Park's support and the welcome refreshments! I will be popping up between showers at the weekend to plant a few potatoes at the front of my plot. I have some spares. Would anyone like them? If so, text me to fine-tune a time when we see what the weather's doing. 07986 599848

I'm away for two weeks in April and two in May. Will post a 'Garden Together' date in second half of May. I'll have squash and courgette seedlings to hand out then, unless they die during my absence! Meanwhile happy gardening!  Maggie

Hello - I am a new member and got to meet some of you briefly last weekend.

Hope to meet you all over the next few months.

Thanks Maggie, Phil and Richard for helping with making up the space - I really appreciate your hard work and effort!

Louisa

Hi all and great to see you last Saturday and work together to sort out the plots for the new season. As the person for whom we quickly set up a bed at last year's Big Dig hasn't reappeared, I've now planted that bed - small wedge-shaped plot opposite the raised beds - with chard and potatoes for all to share.  Still working on hose/watering issue - to be continued...  If we need help to install the fixed run of hose Richard and I have agreed on, would anyone (preferably someone handy with hose cllps, fixings etc and comfortable working on a ladder) be able to spare a few hours? It will make such a difference if/when a dry spell arrives.  Away for next couple of weeks. Happy Easter to all...

This one for Barbara...

I've taken away the path between our plots, Barbara, and replaced it with some plastic netting that will support the peas I've planted if they decide to grow! I hope that's all right with you. I thought it would be a clear enough divide and give us both a bit more space.  Hope to see you up there sometime. Maggie

hI Maggie,

How are you? That sounds great, we stayed in portugal for a bit longer as the weather was nice and just returned to Uk a few days ago. I need t get some time to think what to plant, probabbly some potatoes/onions etc and will be coming soon to have a look at the plots, hard to juggle uni and baby but will find time :) . Hope you all well x

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for the note about completing the survey and the new capital growth plot sign.

I am planning to did my plot and remove more Horseraddish this Wednesday and will try to catch up with Richard this week re the hose pipe install.

Cheers,

Ian.

Hello Maggie,

I am buying some seeds and need some advice please :)

What best grows from seeds? I am getting some lettuce(that by experience grows really well ) and maybe spring onions? Do you still have some potatoes?

Hope to see you soon and start planting.

All the best

Barbara

Hi Barbara (and everyone...)  Just yesterday I gave the last of the potatoes away. What a shame! They usually have smallish bags in Homebase. Charlotte - salad potatoes - have a lovely flavour and they usually have them. If you grow potatoes, you won't have room for a lot else. Lettuce is good around the edges of the plot. I like 'Salad Bowl' red and white, cut and come again lettuce. People had success last year with beetroot if that's something you like. I will have tomato plants to give away when the time comes to plant them out. Plenty for whoever wants them (unless they die while I'm in Portugal!) Hope this helps. Maggie

Hi Fiona (and everyone...)

Snapdragons in the Pyrenees! You couldn't make it up, as they say... But sounds really fabulous and I hope you have a great time. Do get in touch if you come back to Queens Park when your fieldwork is done. Regarding your plot, I don't have anyone on the waiting list.

Two possibilities come to mind...

1. We use Fiona's plot to put up a bean wigwam and grow runner beans for all. (I see the bean trellis on the tennis court wire netting has disappeared... no idea why but it would be nice to grow some beans, wouldn't it?)

2. One of you has a friend who would dearly love to have a plot and would be committed to the project - in which case please ask the friend to sign up and get in touch via the comment board.

Can you post please and let me know what you think?  Maggie

The plot is there for them, Kate, and it will be great to welcome them. They do have to put a comment on the board requesting the plot though before I can activate it. Sorry to hear about your appendix! I hope you're making a good recovery. 

I've now heard back from Richard that the trellis on the tennis fence was blown down! They are going to re-fix it, so we will be able to grow the beans there again.  All best, Maggie

Hi Maggie,

That's great news! They are awaiting approval from the admins to be able to post a comment. Thank you

Hi Maggie, Fiona, and Kate

I'm Evie, my partner Jacob and I would love to have the plot. Jacob and the children went to the site yesterday to have a look and we are all so excited! We have two young children who will greatly enjoy spending time there.

Welcome to Evie, Jacob and children! Do go up and get started as soon as you like. I'm actually in Portugal for two weeks but look forward to meeting you when I get back. We have a few tools in the shed next to the tennis hut, although I noticed it has got very full of other stuff and it's hard to get to them. (I must have a word with Richard, the Park Manager...) A park-keeper will open the shed for you if you ask and our things are on the right. I will give you the padlock code when I see you as I prefer not to put it up on-line. Happy gardening! Maggie

Shall we have another 'garden together' session soon? We could have it on either Sunday May 24th or Sunday May 31st at 3.00 p.m. By that time it will be safe to plant out the 'tender' plants - courgettes, runner beans, tomatoes, etc. I'm hoping to have some plants to hand out, having planted some seeds in pots in my greenhouse. 

Can you let me know which Sunday of the two is better for you?  All best, Maggie

Sunday the 31st is best for me Maggie, but if not good for others please go ahead with whatever is best for the majority.

Doubt there will be a majority this Thursday!

31st is best for me too as i'll be out of town the weekend of the 24th.

I popped up at the weekend - things are growing well!  : )

See you all soon,

Mark

24th May Sunday is best for me...c u soon...

Hi Maggie

I would prefer the 31st:)

Checked my patch yesterday and the peas and chard are en route....

See you soon,

Louisa

I Offer plastic seed/seedling pots & trays- please collect from front garden of 34 Lynton Rd, NW6 6BL. Otherwise they will go in the bin.

Hi maggie,

I can't come on either 24th or 31st as I am away on a retreat. I usually go up every Sunday to water and pull out the weeds on my plot! The potato plants are doing well, but the rhubarb plant died - would it be possible to plant some of your 'tender plants' in the section on my plot which  has nothing growing in it?

All the best, Julienne 

Sorry you can't come Julienne. Hope you can make it Jenny but understand you may not. Let's go or 31st 12.00 to 2.00. I've broken a finger and hand in cast for 6 weeks so my role looks like being advisory! Meanwhile, enjoy your plots and let me know if you need any help.  Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Sorry for my late reply. I can make the 31st. See you then! I don't know whether anyone has talked about this before - but is there any way we might be able to create a small pond?

Thanks,

Kate

Glad you can come Kate. Nice idea about pond but still trying to get a hose connection! Park people helpful but things move slowly, slowly, so a pond may be a long-term thing... Best Maggie

Hi guys,

Next sunday 31st is good for me. 

I would like you to consider the central plot with herbs. Would you think we should DO something with it?

It is getting too big in my opinion...

Looking forward to catch up with guys..

Glad you can make it Fausto. Shall we think about the cent bed when we are on site? I agree it's a bit of a sprawl...

Maggie 

Copy of email to Richard, so you are all in the loop...Hi Richard,

All best, Maggie

Hi guys,

We will be leaving london behind for a while and venture in a new project.

We are trying to develop and eco farm in a property in Portugal that belongs to my family already(I know, i m so lucky). I am graduating as a naturopath and nutritionist and have lots of friends that teach yoga, permaculture, african dance etc.. so planing to have retreats, workshops and people coming and going,that can give us some knowledge and sweat, volunteering and spending some nice time with us and help us grow.

Our plan is to go off grid completely but I know its not realistic in the beginning .

I meet Maggie and promised that would leave the website here, it's in Portuguese and quite dated, does not talk about the project we have in mind, but at least you can see a few pictures and get in touch if you want to come and visit for a holiday or to work with us.

WWW.cortexeira.com

All the best. Barbara

Looks stunning, Barbara! What's the bright red prickly think? Would love to come, though we've had no car for years now and rarely drive. 3 hours from Lisbon might prove too much for us. Is there a bus to anywhere closer?

Since (sadly) you'll be leaving us, can you let me know when you would like to vacate your plot? No rush, naturally. Just so I can say to any enquirers when one will be free...  Maggie

Hi Everyone,

If anyone enquires for a plot when you are up at the allotment, please tell them to join QPA on the transition website and post a comment enquiring. The website address is on the notice boards.  Thanks, Maggie

Thanks to all who came on Saturday and especially to Fausto and Claire who did a lot of weeding of communal areas. Phil and I put beans in on trellis on tennis court wire netting. The beans-to-be are for everyone. Can you please give them a bit of water whenever you are up there? They are thirsty beasts...

Hi All, it looks like we have lots of little insects on vegetable leaves and most our vegetables actually have them...

this is the video how we can get rid of unwanted insects on them...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adf1bLlJLvs

Hi everyone, I now have the wherewithal to run the hose from the tap at the front of the cafe onto our plots. But  we can only do this after the cafe closes due to the trip hazard. Can anyone come and help water one evening next week? I could do either Tuesday or Wednesday, Meet at 7.00 and take it from there...

Please post to say which evening(s) you can manage and I will opt for the more popular...   Best, Maggie

Maggie,

why don't we all put £10 each in a kitty and buy our own hose that will run all the way behind the cafe to our plot and put a timer on it?

Ian.

We have a hose, Ian. Bought it year before last - that's not the problem. Need to check - hopefully next week - that it is still working. Can't leave it on on a timer because of park regs. Will explain possibilities when we meet next week. Can you come?  Maggie

Maggie I could do Wednesday after veg bag packing.

Where is the hose we have stored?

Hose in shed, Ian. Can anyone else come on Wednesday at 7.00 p.m.?  Maggie

 I may pop into the park on Sunday with my girls, if i do i will take a look at it, we probably need about 50 meters to reach the plot.  

I think that's the length we bought, Ian. You're welcome to look of course. I'm a bit worried about the kinks in it for such a long time but hopefully we will be able to sort it out.  Maggie

hose testing   -  7.00 this eve wednesday - or 7.30 if you can't make 7.  please come and meet at the allotment...  maggie

I can come at 7.30pm and need to leave about 7.45/50.

See you then,

Louisa

Hose initiation! Mark, Louisa, Phil and I managed t set up a hose run last week. It is now quite easy to hose your plot. You just need to see where the fittings are and how the set-up works. Would anyone like me to come an show them on Sunday morning? I can make any time so leave a comment as to what would suit you...  Maggie

We're planning to be there on Sunday but we've got houseguests so I'm not sure what time we'll be able to get there. We are usually there in the afternoon, is that too late? Happy to faff and figure it out though....

Hello everyone - we went to the allotments on Sunday afternoon and really struggled to water as the water butt was low, and the tap didn't have a key. The golf shack guy said that one of our members had the tap key - how do we access the tap when we're there? It's going to be a scorching week and we want to keep up the water on our new plants!

Dear Eve, Sorry about that. I'm actually waiting to hear from Mark whether he has managed to get a second tap top. I have bought a second set of hose fittings. Any news, Mark? When we have all the stuff, I will leave on set it in a small bag in the tennis hut and keep the other set myself, just in case anything goes missing (which in my experience it always does, sooner or later...)  

Meanwhile, Phil and I are planning to hose at around 8.30 tonight. Hope some of you can come along and you can take a turn with the hose and water your plots...

Maggie