Saw it there just before I went to Glasgpw, Kirsty. No idea what’s become of it. You could try asking a park keeper if there’s one in the hut. They are mostly friendly and take an interest. Maggie

Hello Kirsty,

I know what happens with the potatoes. I saw them a few times before and on sunday I decided to plant them on the same bed they were, in a potato row gap.

It might not be the best execution as I dig the whole with my bare hands....but there it goes, the mystery of the walking potatoes is resolved!!

It’s the communal potato bed, Kirsty - has nothing I. But potatoes.  Organised it at Big Dig as not enough refugee gardeners hung in with us. Hoping to have some of the children with us to harvest then share out the spuddies. Fausto did a helpful thing as they were growing out of their bag I’m sure by now and needed space. Glad the mystery is resolved and hope you’re ok with the sharing scheme. 

Oh yes totally fine! I didn't realise there was a communal potato bed. Thanks :)

And thanks Fausto for planting them!

Great to hear you've got help, Colm. I'd noticed not a lot was happening... 

Dry times. Do you think we should organise a watering rota?

Any volunteers?

GARDEN TOGETHER next Sunday afternoon, June 17th. It is Queens Park Open Gardens day and we are one of the open gardens, so a great opportunity to both sort out and water the plots and chat to people coming by about what we are up to.

Can you please post if you can come and, if so, between what times?

Any time in the afternoon is good but if I have an idea when you will be there, I can try and make sure the afternoon is covered one way or another. All best, Maggie

Hello,

Unfortunately, we are away on the 17th. 

All the plants seem to be growing very well!

Barbara.

Thanks a lot fir watering Helen. Are you and Daniel around next Sunday afternoon?

Please reply if you haven't already... Can anyone spare an hour on Sunday afternoon to chat to people who visit the allotments as part of QP Open Gardens? (You're allowed to garden too!) It is from 1 - 6 and so far there is only me, Phil and Helene to cover 5 hours. So, please, if you possibly can... Maggie

Hi Maggie,

I will be there around 12 but could stay until 2 if help is needed.

That would be great Tiffany, if you could cover 1.00 to 2.00. I will be sure to be there by 1.50 or so, before you leave. Thanks! Maggie

Watering Rota?

With the prolonged drought and high temperatures forecast for next week, it's getting a bit do or die. A couple of years ago, people paired up to throughly water all the plots - 6 people, once a week each pair - and it really worked. Can you post if you're up for being part of a similar watering team this summer?

Hi Maggie! Good idea. I'm happy to do some watering for everyone - I live so close! I am actually going down tonight so will give a sprinkle to all (if I can get the tap and hose to connect!) I am away from Saturday to Tuesday but after that I'm free. 

Have you got a tap top, Kirsty? The other connector you need is on the hose already, tucked under the door. Suggest you keep the tap top in your pocket rather than leaving it on the tap while you're watering, just in case a child walks off with it!

Thanks for being the first watering rota volunteer. Hoping others will follow... Maggie

I don't have a tap top - I don't normally use the hose. I'll have a look in the shed to see if there is one for tonight.

Brilliant Kirstie. Thank you 

I'll be away for a week but can water when I'm back next Sunday but will need to buy a tap top.

Thanks for watering, Kirsty.

Tiffany, I used the tap top that was in the shed (on the shelf on the left hand side). Took a bit of wiggling to get the hose attachment on, but when I did it worked a treat!

Thanks Tiffany. Still need more people to sign up if we’re to have a good rota and no one having to do more than once a week. Who else?

Managed to figure out how to work the tap so watered the plots yesterday with some help from the family. The shed was unlocked without a padlock about.

Is anyone in the watering group not on the WhatsApp? Thinking that if everyone's on it, easier to use it for rota-related stuff. Maggie

yes please Maggie---always have trouble getting on the website so that would be great, please count me in for doing some watering too, thanks Leo

Brilliant, Leo. More the merrier in this weather! You need to text me on 07986599848, then I can put you in my contacts and invite you to the WhatsApp group. Maggie

Hi Maggie (and all), thanks for your message, are you looking for new volunteers ? and if so what do you really do in the group ? thank you ! Marie

Hi Marie,

Changeover time as far as the plots are concerned is in February or March. Some people continue on and others give up their plots for various reasons and we then allocate people from the (currently short) waiting list. A trawl through the comment board is the best way of getting a sense of how it operates. We also have a WhatsApp, which we are currently using to co-ordiante a watering rota! 

If you would like to be put on the waiting list for your own mini-plot please post your request here.

If you would just like to join in with 'garden togethers' as and when as a volunteer, you can post that here as well and then watch this space for notice of gatherings. You would be very welcome!

Hi Maggie, thank you for your answer. If you could add me on the waiting list that'd be great ! :) thank you.  if you organise any gathering i'd be happy to join as well.

Hi Marie and Tom. You are now on the list. You are 2nd and 3rd - one person ahead of you. Maggie

Anyone want to be famous? Richard, the Park Manager, passed this on to me.

Good afternoon to you all,

Channel 5, as you can see from the email below, are looking for gardeners for a new competition.

If you are interested please reply direct to them using the link below.

Best wishes

Anne

Gardening Competition for Channel 5

TV production company Crackit is looking for pairs of brilliant, enthusiastic, amateur gardeners with serious green-fingered talent to take part in a brand-new gardening competition for Channel 5.

If you’re up for an exciting challenge or would like to nominate two people who would be, we want to hear from you!

The pairs:

We’re searching for pairs of gifted gardeners from across the UK who are passionate about all things horticultural – and are willing to showcase their amazing gardening skills.

Both of you must have already created at least one fantastic garden. It could be your own back garden, a friend or relative’s plot, or a community space – as long as you are not a professional gardener.

You should have a genuine relationship with one another – whether that’s because you are partners, siblings, friends, colleagues or otherwise.

Both of you must be available to film on the weekends between 25th and 26th August and the 29th and 30th September.

How to apply:

If you think you fit the bill (or know someone who does) please get in touch via the email address below – ideally with good quality photos of your garden!

gardeners@crackitproductions.co.uk

Hi all! 

Hope this finds you really well. My partner and I are moving into the area this summer, and would very much like to be added to the waiting list for a mini-plot. We're avid gardeners (though still beginners!) and would love to be part of your community if there is space in the months to come. Any help much appreciated. Thanks!

Best,
Manori

Hi Patrizio and Alison!I I don't think you found your way to this part of the website before - the QPA group, so I could register your interest until now.

Changeover time as far as the plots are concerned is in February or March. Some people continue on and others give up their plots for various reasons and we then allocate people from the waiting list. A trawl through the comment board is the best way of getting a sense of how it operates. We also have a WhatsApp, which we are currently using to co-ordinate a watering rota. It has been, and still is, a dry summer!

If you would just like to join in with 'garden togethers' while waiting, then watch this space for notice of gatherings. The next thing is a shared potato harvest this coming Thursday evening at 6.30. and you would be very welcome.

Maggie

Meanwhile, the waiting list has built up over the year and it may be that by the spring some people will have moved on or found another space to garden in.

I will put a post here in January to find out who is still actively 'waiting' and then see what we can do. We are rather oversubscribed at the moment so it might be worth looking at some of the other Transition food growing projects and see if anything suits your needs. I know some of them have space for people to start gardening right away. Maggie

Hello 

I live in Queens park and would like to be added to the waiting list for the allotment space. 

Thanks 

Lily Bunker 

Welcome to the group, Lily. We will be thinking about re-allocations in early spring 2019, so this is just to acknowledge your message and confirm that you are on the waiting list. Currently there are five people ahead of you. All best, Maggie

Hi Maggie and QPA group!

I hope this finds you well

I registered for this group last summer and requested to be added to the waitlist for an allotment space (on 17 July 2017, now on page 15), but I think that message may have been missed as I didn't receive a reply.

I live in the area already but am moving closer to the park next month. I have been growing vegetables on my balcony this summer but our new place won't have any outdoor space so I would really love to have the opportunity to be able to continue at QPA if/when a space opens up!

If you could please add me to the list and let me know when this has been received it would be greatly appreciated.

Best

Sarah

Hi Sarah, 

Usually I put up a comment in the early spring to see who wants to continue and who not, and which people on the waiting list are still interested, as some people move on or find another place in the meantime. Because the list is quite long and I am stopping coordinating at the end of the year, I am doing now instead. Another message to follow...

Are you on the waiting list? Please remind me if you are on the list but your name isn't below. (The comment board is not very user friendly!) Please also tell me which date I confirmed your request for a plot. 

I have found Marie and Tom, Manori, Patrizio and Alison, Lily and Sarah as people currently on the list. Can each of you confirm whether you want to stay on the list?

We have no vacant plots at present - this is just to make sure I have an accurate list. Thanks, Maggie

Hi everyone. It's time to ask you if you want to continue with your plot next year. 

Because we have a long waiting list, I have chatted to a few people and we think it right to reallocate the plots of people who have done very little this summer. Mark and Nilufer, I hope it's OK to reallocate your plots, so that we can get some people off the waiting list and give them a chance. Look forward to your replies. Maggie