HILLINGDON ALLOTMENT AND HORTICULTURAL FEDERATION

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17 June 2011 Dear Allotment Gardeners, Welcome to the summer edition of The Watering Can. As I peer out of the office window whilst writing this update I notice that it is raining outside and I am sure all allotment gardeners are pleased to see this after the very dry spring we experienced! The ability to provide crops with enough water is an issue that clearly preoccupies the thoughts of many allotment holders at this time of year and I have been approached by numerous allotment holders over the past few months about the possibility of installing additional water tanks at their site. As I am sure most of you appreciate, the council does not have the funds available to carry out work of this nature at the moment so I thought I would take this opportunity to make some general points about this very topical issue which may be of use to you all: � If you have a shed or a green house on your plot consider fitting guttering and a water butt so that you can harvest rain water. � If possible, water your crops early in the morning or later in the evening. This will reduce the amount of water that is lost to evaporation. � If you are able to get to your allotment during week days (Monday to Friday) you will find that there are fewer people using the water facilities so you will be better able to draw water from the tanks. � Consider having your own water reservoir on your plot. You can fill this up with water from the communal water tanks and use it as and when you require it. You can obtain black, plastic water tanks from DIY shops for this task. � It is more effective to water your crops thoroughly just a few times a week than it is to spray a relatively small amount of water all over your plot every day. � When irrigating your crops try to direct the water to the roots of your plants. Try to avoid just watering the foliage. � Consider mulching your plot at the appropriate time of the year. This will help to retain moisture in the ground. 2
� Be aware that if you decide to have raised beds, the ground dries out quicker than it does when you grow crops in the traditional fashion. � Consider growing crops that are drought resistant. � Finally, and very importantly, if you notice leaks and problems with the water tanks at your allotment site report them to the council (or to your site managers in the case of fully devolved sites) as soon as you possibly can. This will ensure that a swift repair is carried out the unnecessary loss of water is kept to a minimum. Water leaks on council managed allotment sites should be reported to the Customer Contact Centre on 01895 556000. I hope you find this information of some use and I hope it helps you get through the summer months. Best wishes, Nicholas Porter – Allotments Officer The Green SpacesTeam Planning, Environment, Education and Community Services T.01895 277765 F.01895 250646 nporter@hillingdon.gov.uk London Borough of Hillingdon, 4W 08, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW 3
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Page 5 and 6: GO GREEN by C.Bottello This summer
Page 7 and 8: JOB’S TO DO July Action Plan �
Page 9 and 10: Careful handling STORING YOUR HARVE
Page 11 and 12: 1. Buy/find a baby bath, washing up
Page 13: MEETINGS Federation evening meeting

HILLINGDON ALLOTMENT AND HORTICULTURAL FEDERATION

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