ROEHAMPTON GARDEN SOCIETY
FOUNDED 1873
MONTHLY BULLETIN
July 2010
www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk
SUMMER SHOW 2010
President Justine Greening with Judge George Scandrett and John Horrocks from the Putney Society.
Congratulations to Pat Davies who scooped nine first prizes for her roses.
Pat Davies’s winning red HT rose also
Best in Show.
David Rossiter’s winning vase of 3 HT roses.
Pat Davies’s winning bowl of any number of roses arranged for an all round effect.
Winning Flower Arrangement around a Poem
by Pip Melotte
Poem by A.E Houseman
Into my heart an air that kills
From you fair country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills
What spires, what farms are those.
That is the land of lost content
I see it shining plain.
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.
Children’s winning painted flower pictures
First prize: Ben Saber, Alexander Chamberlain and Sophie Saber.
Fruit and Vegetable Winners
David Rossiter’s mangetout, also Best in Show
J Compson’s winning dish of 15 gooseberries
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
We had a wonderful and successful Summer Show. As always seems to happen and despite our worst fears, the weather came up trumps and the display of flowers, particularly roses, at the Show on 12 June was spectacular. Congratulations to all the prizewinners and many thanks to all of you who took the time and trouble to enter and make such a display for the visitors. It was heartening to see the cookery classes well subscribed to – we have had empty spaces in those classes for too long – and to have the delight of art for sale. Thank you to all the contributors who made the Produce Stall such a success and those entrants who allowed their produce to be auctioned at the end of proceedings. And thanks to our President, Justine Greening for joining us, in spite of her very busy schedule.
My most heartfelt thanks however are reserved for the band of volunteers who make it all happen – without them there would be no Shows. And this time, although our brilliant cake makers and tea servers, Pat Davis and Judith Glaysher, were sadly unable to help on the day (although they very kindly made some cakes for us) the cake quality was high and the tea flowed. So thank you to Janet and John Long and their daughter Sophie; Ann and David Rossiter; Jenny Cobb; Georgina O’Reilly; Carol Martinez; Barbara and Dave McCall; Christine Wolski; Sheila Konig; Mariangela and David Renshaw; Pat and Rob Dark; Raj Patel; Charles Gillbe and his daughter Katherine; Pip Melotte; Charles Held; Owen Lobben; and our judges George Scandrett and Marion Rivenell.
I hope that each of you reading this will try to enter at least one class in September and join in the fun of this quintessentially English event.
Our next plot inspection is imminent, timed to precede Wandsworth’s ‘Best Plot’ competition. This is an important review of plots as it is carried out at the peak of the growing season making it obvious to us who is struggling to cope with their allotment.
The Summer Party will be held on 4 July from 12 – 2pm on Site 2, The Pleasance. We hold it there so that, should the weather prove inclement, we can retire to the Store. Please come and join us for a glass of something refreshing and to meet the Committee and fellow allotmenteers – children are welcome, as are (friendly) dogs: we ask only that both are prevented from going onto plots other than their own.
My personal thanks to Tom Hancock who has volunteered to reactivate the website. Please email me (root@roehamptonallotments.co.uk) with ideas for content – and if you feel like writing a little something for the site, that would be excellent.
Happy gardening. Shirley Gillbe
SUMMER PARTY
12.00 NOON ON SUNDAY
4 JULY. SITE 2
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
DRINKS AND NIBBLES
Plot Inspection for RGS Best Plot Competition
This will be judged the first week of July.
At the time of printing we do not have a date for Wandsworth Council’s inspection date for their competition.
Water
Could everyone be very responsible and make sure they limit the time they spend watering their plots so everyone has access to stand pipes.
Our gardening experts George and Raj say that you can over water and stop plants from developing strong roots.
Store News
The store, open Sundays 10-12am is exceptionally well stocked at the moment. Our prices are as low as we can keep them, with only a small mark-up over our suppliers prices. Here are just some of the items that are useful at this season:
Hose connectors. These are the connectors necessary to attach your hose to the screw thread on the brass taps. Many have “gone missing ” in recent weeks. We can replace them at the store. Other hose attachments, extensions etc are also available.
Stem ties: These are the versatile plastic ties that will attach any climbing plant to canes, poles, wires etc. They can be re-positioned and re-used from one season to another. We also have a new supply of good quality raffia for those who like to do their own tying.
Canes: Of all sizes – 8ft, 6ft, 4ft and 3ft plus split canes (at only one penny each) for propping up plants in pots etc!
Plant labels: In 6 inch and 4 inch sizes. These come direct from our suppliers which makes them really cheap – 4″ – 10 for 12p and 6″ – 10 for 30p.
Garotta: After a long absence we have managed to get another supply of Garotta, the compost maker. We sell at £1.35 per kg. Also Vitax compost maker in 2.5kg packs and there is the even cheaper Sulphate of Ammonia at only 50p per kg.
Poultry manure: This is one of the few products that has actually been reduced in price in recent months. We can sell at £6 per tub, or loose at £1 per kg.
Tomato fertiliser: From the well known Doff manufacturer 1 litre of concentrate for £3.80. We also have Levingtons in smaller sizes – 500ml , 250ml etc We also have the ever popular Maxicrop in litre and 500ml sizes.
Garden Lime: Our garden lime is incredibly cheap at only 20p per kg.
Insecticide: For those who like to mix their own insecticide spray we have Bugclear which is systemic and effective against all aphids, and scaly and mealy bugs.Also organic insecticide sprays harmless to predators.
Alan Rake
Freecycle Wandsworth
George Casley suggests you look at the web-site below.
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycle-wandsworth
George and other fellow allotment holders have gained free plants, gardening tools, soil, turf etc etc via freecycle – all for free. Computers, bicycles and lots of furniture also come up regularly – it really does work very well – and is a great way of reusing things locally and cutting down on landfill. May thanks for the suggestion.
Discount with RGS membership
The Adrian Hall Garden Centre, Upper Richmond Road, Sheen will give 10% discount on production of your membership card.
RHS Monthly Advice
1.Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds;
2. Be water-wise, especially in drought affected areas;
3. Pinch out side shoots on tomatoes;
4. Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes;
5. Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside.
July Recipe
My red currants are nearly ready. I always freeze some for adding to other summer fruits when making a compote or summer pudding or to decorate a cheesecake. I am also very fond of red currant jelly to serve with roast lamb or pork.
Red Currant Jelly
Redcurrants
Sugar
Sterilized jam jars
Wax tissue & cellophane tops
1. Wash the fruit but do not remove from stalks as the juice and pulp is strained.
2. Put the fruit in a large heavy saucepan or jam pan and just cover with water.
3. Stew the fruit until broken up and soft so the pectin is extracted (so the jelly will set).
4. Strain the juice through a sterilized muslin (boil in water). I spread the muslin in a colander over a large bowl and then pour in the pulp and juice. This can be done overnight.
5. Measure the juice and add 450 g (1 lb) sugar to each 570 ml (1 pint) of juice.
6. Put the juice and sugar into a large pan and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
7. Boil rapidly until set. Test with a jam thermometer or by putting a teaspoonful onto a very cold plate, It should wrinkle when ready.
8. Pour into jam jars and cover with waxed tops and seal.
REMINDER: The Store is open each Sunday morning between 10.00 a.m. and noon.
DATES FOR 2010 DIARY
RGS Summer Party: 4 July at 12.00 noon on Site 2
Hampton Court Flower Show (RHS): 6-11 July
RGS Autumn Show: 4 September
2010 AGM: 25 November at 7.30 pm
Please note there is no August Bulletin.
The next Bulletin is available from the Store on Sunday 5 September
Comments, questions to Chair & Committee via the website: www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk
Comments and copy for the next bulletin, by 25 August please, to Pat Dark (tel. 8789 7568) 19 Westhorpe Road, SW15 1QH. Or by email to patdark13@yahoo.co.uk