If you haven’t come across this organisation – who run an active website with lots of useful information on it, the Wildlife Gardening Forum is a national charity, committed to protecting garden wildlife and promoting sustainability ingardening. There is an active Facebook group, which now has over 80,000 members! They offer a quarterly newsletter which you can sign up for on their website at www.wlgf.org.
If you want to stay up to date with wildlife and gardening their latest newsletter makes interesting reading:
It’s long been recognised that gardening can make you feel happier and more relaxed, but it may de due to more than just enjoying the open air. Neuroscientists are interested in the anti-depressant effect of soil microbes on the brain. Mycobacterium vaccae, found in soil, is thought to improve serotonin levels.
The north of England is host to a number of Gooseberry Societies where the annual contest for the ‘heaviest’ gooseberry is hotly contested. Bryan Nellist of the Egton Bridge Gooseberry Society won their competition this year by a fraction of a gram at 26 drams 18 grains. The variety grown was ‘Belmarsh’, a white gooseberry.
The current world record was set in 2019 by Graeme Watson of the same society at 36drams 12.5 grains for a yellow gooseberry – variety ‘Millennium’ .
Egton Bridge (near Whitby) was delighted that the show could go ahead this year after last year’s Covid cancellation was the first in a 220 year history. The Gooseberry Society competition still strictly abides by the hand written rules from 1823.
Sadly, on the other side of the Pennines, Terry Price of the Goostrey Gooseberry Society in Cheshire, found that his prize bushes had been poisoned ahead of the competitions. He suspects by a rival grower!
There are lots of Tiger Moths on the wing at the moment – creamy white and black fore wing patterns, the under wing is a pinkish red. Easily identified from a butterfly, when at rest the wings are at 180 degrees, butterflies wings are at 90 degrees. They are beautiful creatures – enjoy.
Adult Tiger Moth
Tiger Moth caterpillar
Contributor: Bill Young
Key information
The garden tiger is a stout, hairy moth. Its forewings are chocolatey-brown with cream patterns, whereas its hindwings are orangey-red with black spots. Its bright colours warn predators that it tastes unpleasant.
The garden tiger is a widespread species and can be found throughout the UK, however numbers have decreased in recent years.
Its brown and black, exceedingly hairy caterpillar is often called a ‘woolly bear’. The hairs are irritant and protect it from predators, such as birds – be warned in case you pick one up! Garden tigers overwinter as caterpillars.
What they eat:
Adults drink nectar from flowers. Caterpillars eat low-growing, herbaceous plants.
Who would have thought there were so many weeds on our Allotments?!!
Some of us were lucky enough to accompany Roy Vickery, Associate Scientific Officer to the Natural History Museum, on a walk along a path on plot 2. Roy worked as a botanist at the Natural History Museum for over 40 years and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of plant folklore. His eagle eyes swooped down and plucked specimens from the path and borders and he held his audience with tales of yesteryear. Knowledge he has collected by word of mouth, spanning back to the beginning of the last century. Some tales of country superstition, others of medical uses of common plants, but all fascinating and delivered with an obvious love of subject and dry sense of humour. We felt privileged to have learnt so much from an hour in the company of a very knowledgeable and interesting man. Thank you, Roy.
In spite of the double challenge of Covid and the coldest April this century, the RGS will hold a Summer Show by the store on Site 2 on Sunday 13th June. Many allotmenteers may not have entered the show previously, so the ‘preparing exhibits’ section below may help. Find the forms you need on this page. Even if you don’t enter we hope to see you there from 3pm. The auction of produce will start at 4pm.
There will be a Plants and Produce stall and Tea and Cakes to enjoy. If you have some spare plants/seedlings or produce, or could make a few cakes (in paper cases, like muffins, please) please bring them to the store between 10am and 1pm on the day. Please do wear a mask, and bring cash for the tea and cakes stall.
Entries and Staging 11.30-13.30 – Judging 14.00- 15:00 – Open to All 15:00
Summer Show Classes and Entry Form
FInd a printable copy of the classes and entry form here
How to Enter
Entries for the Summer Show 2021 are to be made
At the store on site 2 between 11.30 and 13.00 on the morning of the Show (13th June)
Staging
All exhibits are to be staged between 11.30 and 13.30 on the day of the Show.
Wherever possible give the name of the variety with each exhibit
All exhibits should be removed at 16.15 on the day of the Show (not earlier) or it will be assumed they are for donating to the auction.
A sticker will be available to put on entry card to say the item is not for the auction.
Be careful!
Please study the rules governing entry to the Society’s shows.
Failure to follow the rules and regulations will result in disqualification.
Thanks to a generous bequest from Sonia Sawyer, a new tea cabin and social space, “The Potting Shed”, is now open for all on site 3. A very welcoming place to take a much needed break. Many thanks to all the volunteers that worked so hard to create this lovely spot.
Adam of Surrey Sharpeners will be working next to the Store on Site 2. Please bring your tools, kitchen knives and scissors to be sharpened from 9.30 am. You may have to come back to collect them later. There may be time for some mowers, but this can’t be guaranteed. Full Price List here
Join the panel of gardening experts as they discuss the benefits of growing, cooking and eating food as a community as well as giving their top tips on creating and maintaining a productive patch.
Our plant sale will have two sessions to avoid queuing. Similar plants will be on sale at 2 pm and again at 2.30 pm outside the store on site 2. Bring your own bags. Masks must be worn. Please pay by contactless card or cash into a bucket – but we are not able to give change. All proceeds go to the Wandsworth Food Bank.
We much appreciate your plant donations. Please leave them, clearly labelled, on the tables outside the store on Saturday morning between 11am and 12 noon.
Starts again for 2021 on Saturday 24th April at Carshalton Community Allotment
The course and runs over 6 consecutive Saturdays. From beginners to the more knowledgeable gardener, you’ll have the chance to learn eco-friendly gardening methods, including crop rotation, no-dig methods and organic planting techniques. Teaching is a mixture of theory and practice, allowing students to try out the skills they learn, understanding how to plan, so they can make the most of their veg patch at home or their allotment. Our course is Covid-safe, with theory taught live via Zoom and students learning the practical elements outdoors, with social distancing observed on the Community Allotment.
The course is organised by EcoLocal, a Carshalton based charity. For further information and to book visit: www.ecolocal.org.uk/highlight/organic-food-growing-course/ or facebook.com/ecolocal Enquiries email: food@ecolocal.org.ukor telephone 020 8404 1522 Cost £80 per person
