It was the year of the cactus. The strikingly tall pot plant dominated the tables for the summer show. In spite of some very mixed weather in the weeks just before the show there were still some good crops to display. The cakes for tea were as good as ever- and enjoyed in the outside sunshine. Thanks to Tony and Mariangela Renshaw for running an entertaining auction (above). A lovely relaxed event.
So much sun this year – so we hope all grows well on your plot.
Now’s the time to see what you can put into the Summer Show on Saturday 13th June.
The Schedule of classes tells you what to display. View it here: we hope you find something that suits your crops.
Print and fill in the entry form here, or do this on the day as you bring your entries.
Even if you don’t enter plan to bring friends and family to see the show – and enjoy our home made tea and cakes and plant stall.
On a beautiful sunny morning members of the RGS gathered at St Margaret’s church to remember Jeannette Sweetland, a plotholder on Site 3, who died a few weeks ago. Jeanette was known for her gardening expertise, interest in art and the natural world and beautifully kept allotment plot. She is much missed by her allotment friends and neighbours. We joined her friends and colleagues from St Margaret’s to share reminiscences of Jeanette’s many kindnesses and planted a lovely rose in the church grounds in her memory.
The RGS chose to plant a Gertrude Jekyll rose, named after the famous plantswoman and garden designer, in remembrance of Jeanette, pictured here painting happily on her plot.
Photographs: Ben Speedy, Patrick Crawford.
Sound for Plants: Do your plants love a good tune?
Are you interested in supporting a research project looking at plant growth and music? Do you ever play music to your seedlings?
Studies show that 63% of home gardeners play music for their plants. Did you know that certain sound frequencies influence plant physiology. For example, some boost growth, some deter pests, some strengthen roots, whilst others increase yield!
Join Isaac Igbokwe, a london based researcher and engineer, exploring how sounds backed by plant-science can be an organic alternative to chemicals and GMOs. He need’s gardeners, farmers, and greenhouse owners to test his soundtracks for free this season!
Preview the sound tracks here (more to come): https://untitled.stream/library/project/Pibo3FhoIowxf80Kpz91k
Interested in helping? Could you participate?
Email Isaac at Imperial College: ii624@ic.ac.uk with the subject line “I’m Interested – Sound for Plants.”
Please include:
Art-K of Putney came to the allotments on Sunday 12 April and gave a most enjoyable Art Taster Session using watercolours to 12 RGS members. Many thanks to Sue for organising the event and to Steven, the teacher from Art-K.
“Thank you for arranging this afternoon’s art session. I really enjoyed it and found it ever so relaxing. Stephen was lovely and it was well organised” Amanda Flint.
Art K offer adult and children’s classes at their premises in Lacy Road.
Photographs by Amanda Flint and Jackie Savage
Shan K writes:
As you will know we have been unable to source unbagged deliveries of horse manure for some time now. Carriers are understandably reluctant to use their ( relatively new ) ULEZ compliant trucks to transport fresh horse manure. However, we have found a riding stable off the Kingston Road with a plentiful supply for those willing to go and help themselves. All the stable ask in return in a voluntary contribution to a charity they support. Take your own bags / trugs and spades and help yourselves !
in addition, a local lady has offered a supply of guinea pig bedding on a weekly basis. The guinea pigs are fed only vegetables ( no meat derivatives ) and the bedding material is either hay or flax. As such it would be suitable for mixing as “brown” into compost bins on site and balancing out the mainly green material we generate on our plots. Please contact Shan K ( plot 127a ) karwatowski@gmail.com if interested in this material.
Katy on site 3 enjoyed the composting workshop from South London Urban Growers: she writes…
I thought the composting workshop was very interesting and definitely worthwhile, despite the 4 hours on a cold, windy rainy day….I am still warming up.
Alice, the trainer knew her stuff and described it as a sharing not a lecturing format as she was keen for everyone to contribute their own experience, which we all did. And learned a lot from hearing about the involvement and roles others had in helping out or running garden communities.
It was very valuable to be given the chance to build a hot compost from scratch, all of us chipped in to build the basics for the new compost to take off once more brown and green is added.
The attendees were really keen and interesting people, some with a lot of experience in gardening projects thanks to council grants – created a very warm and friendly vibe. Age range was anything from 30 to over 70….
Read more about the workshops
S.L.U.G plan more of these workshops – keep up with them on Instagram… Here
Our volunteers are manning another sharpening day. Bring your blunt gardening and kitchen tools to Site 2 (the Pleasance) from 9am on April 25th.
PLEASE NOTE CASH payments ONLY.
This is how the day will work:
These annual reports show what happens each year on our Allotments. The committee manages the RGS and the allotments, events and general maintenance.
Please read the reports and bring any questions to the AGM on 20th November, or submit by email to rgs.sw15@gmail.com.
Nominations for the Committee 2025
Committee Reports
The very hot weather this summer couldn’t discourage some wonderful entries for the Autumn Show. Read the full report from our Show Chair Carol Martinez, complete with results and pictures. See the Autumn Show report here
Our Autumn Show will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, on Saturday 30th August.
Please have a look at the schedule and see if you can enter the show. Everyone will have something to enter: flowers, fruits, vegetables or cakes!
DONATIONS OF PLANTS, PRODUCE, PRESERVES FOR OUR POPULAR STALL WOULD BE VERY WELCOME.
We will be taking entries at the Church between 9.30 and 12.15 on the day and you will have till 1pm to arrange your display. If in doubt, ask on the day we will be there to help.
NEWS FLASH! You can now enter any number of exhibits in each of the classes (except the collections nos 19, 54 & 55). For example if you have 2 varieties of white potatoes or dessert apples you can make 2 separate entries in those classes.
VOLUNTEERS 🧓🏽🧑🏽🦰👩🏽🦳🕵🏽👩🏽🌾👨🏽🍳 WE NEED PEOPLE TO HELP WITH OUR SHOWS! Can you spare an hour on Friday 29thAugust from 5pm to move the tables (we have a truck) from the store and into the church? Or some time on the Saturday to help with the set up and/or jobs needed to help with the stalls during the show? Can you stay at 5pm to help take the tables down? Usually completed by 6pm. If so, please email rgs.sw15@gmail.com.
TEAS 🍿🍕🫓🍪We need home made CAKES to slice and serve in the afternoon. Please bring your contribution to the Church on the Saturday morning after 9.30am
A hot but very successful day for our show and open allotment.
See pictures and a full report from Carol Martinez, our Show chair here
Open Day on Site 2
