Hi Maggie and all,

It's time for us to day goodbye to our much loved allotment.Thank you so much for the opportunity of learning and eating delicious veg that we had the pleasure to grow.

We are going to try our luck in a much bigger scale at our farm in Portugal.

Please pass the space to someone else on the list and hopefully they will enjoy it as much as we did.

All the best and keep growing

Barbara,Alice &Reg

Thanks Barbara and good luck!

Phil and Louisa and I watered all the plots on Tuesday evening.

Mark, have you managed to get another top for the tap?  Best, Maggie

HI Maggie, 

I have tried the hardware shop near to my work, however they would only sell me the entire tap! I'm not sure if Moran's on Kilburn High Road would be a better bet.

Mark

Hi there,, I went to the allotment this morning and could not water at all. I found a tap but did not manage to fix the hose on to the tap...thinking it may be the tap problem..hopefully, we can fix the tap problem soon..

Hi Nilufer, I can't leave the tap top up there as it belongs to the park and I can't lend it out. As per previous posts, I am trying to buy a spare one. Mark has tried too. Any other thoughts on this welcome. Meanwhile, Phil and I topped up the water butt with the hose and there is water in there - or at least there was n Tuesday evening.  Cheers, Maggie

Hi all,

I couldn't get a spare top for the tap. The hose fittings are now in the tennis hut along with the only tap top. If anyone forgets to return it, that's the end of the matter as the tap is archaic and spare tops are not available. You have been warned! I have also put a padlock in the tennis hut set to 1945 and asked Mick Guerin to sort out the shed door again.

I wanted to get these things done before letting you know that I am leaving and that the group will need a new coordinator. My mother died a month ago and I am incredibly busy. In any case, it is probably time that someone else took a turn at the wheel. Will one of you (or two of you) step forward? The role involves organising 'garden together' dates, liaising with Richard Gentry and Mick Guerin and letting would-be members know when a plot becomes free. 

I am giving up my own plot from now, so it is vacant, together with Barbara's plot on the other side of the pea wire netting, so someone could have the whole bed. First come, first served, so do post if you would like to take up the whole bed.

I'm happy to give growing advice if needed and also to plant the beans again on the tennis fence next year. By the way, there are beans coming on to pick there now if anyone wants them...

Best wishes to all, Maggie

That's great Jenna! I hope others step up to help too, although it's probably better if just one person liaises with Richard Gentry and Mick Guerin. Would it be OK for me to give them your email? (They are not allowed to look at our website in working hours!) If OK, can you email your email to me at maggieturp@googlemail.com and I will pass it on... Best Maggie

Dear Maggie,

I have just returned from 2 weeks holiday and am very sorry to hear your news, my sincere condolences.

Jenna, I am happy to help you with the coordination of the plot going forward. I will be at the park on Thursday as I deliver Richards veg bag to him each week. Please call me to discuss how i can help; my number is 07896 484286.

Ian. 

Hello Ian,

It was nice to see you in the Queens Park festival last weekend with exciting raw food alternatives. As I mentioned there, could we get together one Saturday morning to learn a bit of soil and how to look after the plots better with your direction (we could all decide what people prefer to learn)...What do you say?

Nilufer,

Yes it would be good to get everyone together, maybe we could combine a big clear up of the allotment to prepare for winter?

I could do the the first  Saturday in October?

Ian. 

Yes, I also express my thanks to Maggie for all your dedication and hard work, and to Ian and Jenna for stepping in to co-ordinate our gardening community.

Unfortunately, I can't make it on Sat 3rd, but I usually pop up there on Sundays, and will probably be able to go on the 4th.

I would like to continue my plot next year. I like Nilufer's suggestion of help in improving the soil, how to look after the plots better and what vegetables grow best? My potatoes were successful this year, but not much else!

Best wishes,

Julienne

dear all, this Saturday, I think that we mostly have a problem with bugs and unhealthy looking leaves...Can we also talk about what we can do to "PUSH AWAY" these little creatures from eating away our crop..

Dear Jenna,

I am sorry that I couldn't make it yesterday, and am pleased to hear it was a good gardening day for all. I was able to go up today to tidy up my plot.

Just to confirm that I would like to continue with my plot next year.

Kind regards,

Julienne

Hi Everyone,

Sorry that I could not get over there on Saturday, but did yesterday and tidied up my long bed by the fence and  weeded the path in front of it. I will be planting Broad Beans and Garlic next Sunday.

Ian.

Hi Ian, jenna and I and later on with Kate and her mum had nice few hours at the park last Saturday. Hopefully we can meet you next time to get a bit of your wisdom in terms of looking after the soil and veg...

I would like to ask everyone here whether you would like a cob oven built around our allotment area where we can have pizza and handmade bread once a month maybe. Once people are interested we can ask for funding maybe with few organizations. I will send you some pics of last cob oven I was involved in building near Trellick Tower (ladbroke grove). WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE 3RD ONE IN THE PARK

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the weather!!

An oven sounds like a great idea, is it really possible in terms of practicalities?

I would love to get involved in something like that.

And by the way, I would love to keep my patch for another year....

This is the oven we built last year..its been used by locals now..

We can have mobile cob oven and built a cover to keep it dry and have a lock for security etc.

A happy new year to everyone and thanks to all of you for nice comments back in the autumn. I felt very overloaded in the lead up to my mother's death and afterwards but my situation has changed again now and I've very much like to have a mini plot again. Are there any available, Jenna? With regard to the cob oven, I'm not against it but, realistically, don't have the time to put into it. All best Maggie

Hi Maggie, my condolences for you mum. 

I am glad you are coming back. Not sure who is arranging the plots now!! Today I saw a mobile oven outside the Coffee Shop. Apparently they are building one for the summer to make fresh Pizza. Maybe we can use the oven too sometimes.hoorrreyyyy

Dear Maggie,

I am pleased that you feel you have time to be involved again - great news.

Shall we try to arrange a Big Dig in March again, to begin to prepare our plots for the new season? And I would be interested to hear what people are thinking about planting in their mini-plots this year?

All the best,

Julienne 

Thanks for the welcome back. I'd be happy to have my old plot back, as Jenner suggested, and also to take on Louisa's little ex-plot - the one almost opposite the tennis hut that Phil and I make for her last year - if no-one else has his or her eye on it.

I still have a bit of house-clearing and other stuff to do, so would be grateful if you could take care of the Big Dig, Jenner, and organise one or two 'garden togethers' before you go off to Oz in August. It sounds as though Julienne would probably give you a hand if you need one. I'll think about taking back the leadership in autumn but I'd really rather someone else did it, as I've had a long stint already. Anyone interested?  I'm happy to been hand to support/advise. All best, Maggie

Dear All,

There is "URBAN FEAST" at the Granville Plus Centre, NW6 5RA on 29th January Friday this month.

There will be Food tasting, planting activities, free community dinner, story telling. Diabetes risk assessment and BMI testing  etc. 

It would be great to promote and inform the people of allotment pleasures and importance of allotments in communities. Would anyone like to come and talk to people about allotments, I can help make a leaflet and give out on the day, as I will be helping with Diabetes BMI tests. Pls let me know anyone interested..Nilufer

Hi Everyone,

I have covered Louisa's ex-plot with weed surpassing fabric now, to save it from disappearing back into the grass. I don't really need my old plot back, though I will work it rather than see it go to waste if no-one else wants it. But maybe one of you would like a bit more space? Or knows someone who would like the plot? It's a nice plot - the one with the wire netting down the middle which is useful for growing peas.  Any thoughts? Any takers?  Best Maggie

Hi all, great session the other night with Rob. I would love to get more involved with the allotment. My daughter and I loved helping to build the spiral in the middle ages ago and we would both love to plant potatoes or peas...is there any room for two keen amateurs? leo

Hi All,

yes, it was a really good Transition Town gathering on Wed with Rob at the library.

If there are no extra plots available for more people to join, I am  quite happy to share my plot with you and   your daughter, Leo.

All best,

Julienne

that is so kind of you Julienne. She will be delighted! do you have a number or email where we could connect? am on leojohnson1@gmail.com.....all best, Leo

Hi Leo,

In fact you can have a plot all on your own, which Jenner has confirmed is free. It is the one I gave up at the end of last year. Kate, I think it's right to give this plot to the new people - sure you will agree. But maybe there is more space available? You need Jenner to advise you on who is continuing and who not and whether there are any empty plots...

Leo, I'll describe where the plot is that you are getting. If you look towards the growing spaces from the golf course, there are two rectangular beds. One of them has wire netting down the middle (for peas). The empty plot is the one on the golf course side of the wire netting? Does that make sense? 

that is great news!! thanks so much for letting me know Maggie

Hello everyone! I've just joined the group, it's nice to meet you all. I'm just wondering when the next gardening meet up is that I can come along to!?

Hi Kim and welcome! A member called Jenner is co-ordinating the group at present. Do you have any thoughts on a 'garden together' day, Jenner! Look forward to meeting you Kim.  Maggie

Dear All,

I would like to use the spade in the shed but its locked, I used to have the pin code and open and use the tools, but someone changed it... If anyone knows the pin code for the shed could you please send it to my mobile for security reasons. 07436 102 924..many thanks..nilufer

Hi Nilufer,

I don't know it either, Nilufer,but the person to contact is:

Mick.Guerin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Let us know how you get on.

Do you know if Jenner's organising anything? She seems to have gone off the radar...  Best Maggie

Thank you maggie, i have sent him an email. We'll see what he says.

Hi there, It looks as if Jenner has left us. She is not responding... (Not too late, Jenner, if you see this...)

So we need to think what to do. I am having a hand operation in April and will be out of action for a month or two, then my daughter is having a baby up in Glasgow at the end of June and I will be away until mid-September.  So I'm not in a position to step n, not this year at least. We either need someone to co-ordinate this year or to organise for different people to take on different tasks.

I could organise one garden together before my hand op and I don't mind being the contact person for the Mick Guerin and liaising between the Park and the group via the website.

Would someone else (or several people between them) undertake to organise garden togethers over the rest of the summer?

Is anyone willing to co-ordinate so that we can be part of the Queens Park Gardens Open Day in June? (I have received a request but will not be in London.)

Is anyone willing to organise a watering rota for when it stops raining?

Meanwhile, it is important to have all the plots cultivated, so can you post right away to say whether or not you want your plot this season? If you don't post, I guess we will have to assume you don't want your plot and it will be re-allocated. (Kim, are you looking to have a plot when one becomes available?)

PLEASE POST SAYING (1) WHETHER YOU WANT YOU PLOT AND (2) WHAT YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE PROJECT KEEPS GOING.

All best, Maggie 

Hi Maggie,

I want to keep my plot please. I would also be happy to take on another plot if one became available (there seems to be an empty one next to me already??). I'm happy to organise a garden together in the summer as I will be around. I'm not sure I can commit to a watering rota however as I am already very busy with my young children.

We come to the allotment every sunday from about 2pm onwards so would be happy to join in with anyone else at this time...

Congratulations on your daughters pregnancy - i made a film about babies i would love to give you to show to her. its called "babyhood". (www.babyhood-film.com)

Thanks maggie

Thanks Kate. I will get back to you about another plot when everyone has posted. Not sure at the moment who is continuing and who not... And thanks for the film! I shall send it on.  Maggie

1. I can come on 16th. Thought I wasn't back but find I am! A bag of wood chip/shreddings to fix up the path would be useful as well as the (welcome) manure. Park are usually amenable to supplying...

2. Map - great idea. Being a bit of an idiot in these matters I couldn't edit it. I know Eve and Jacob are active on the other part of Nilufer's plot. Leo, a new member, has taken over the other half of my rectangular plot, so they could go on map. I also have the plot Phil and I made for Louisa (who then left) last year. It is right by the path on the way to the tennis courts and at present covered with weed-proof fabric. 

Hope others will post soon and stake their claims and tell us about the other spaces that seem to be available. I think a new member Kim may be waiting for a plot if one is free. Glad that Kate can have her second plot...

I am planning to make a start on Sunday March 20th at 2.00. I think Kate is usually there at that time and maybe others would like to come along and we can make it a bit of a 'Garden Together'. What do you think?  Maggie

Dear Maggie,

I would like to keep my plot as well, please. I have bought several types of seeds,which I am hoping to sow indoors soon (where required), then in the allotment when they are ready to sow outdoors. I have extra seeds, if anyone wants to use them?

Jenna - my plot is the one without a name on your map, next to Fausto.

I can come along on Saturday afternoon to start to dig the plots, so see you then. I can probably come on April 16th as well.

All the best, Julienne

That's great, Jenna. I think one of the up for grabs spaces is the one I made for Louisa then took over from her when she couldn't keep it up. I have put my name on it. It looks as if there is still one up for grabs. If you want to come along at 2.00 on Sunday, Kim, I will show you where it is. Maggie

PS Will check whether I am in Portugal on Wednesday 13th April unfortunately. Hope someone else can make it... 

Ian, will you be there? And also do you want to continue with your mini-plot this year. Best, Maggie

Hello all! 

Apologies for the complete non-response on my part, I'm in Australia at the moment. Unfortunately it means I can't come along this weekend though I would love to, though I can definitely come along on the 16th of April to lend a hand - I fly back into to the country on the 11th.

And if there is a spare plot going then I would love to take care of it! - Kim

Sorry I can't do wednesdays, otherwise i would definitely be there...nilufer

Hi everyone, 

Looking forward to meeting you all at the Big Dig next Saturday. Just wondering if there is anything I need to bring?

Cheers

Kim