New Tenantry Down Website Set Up!

www.tenantrydown.org.uk is the new official website for the allotments.

There is information on how to join the Association, seed swaps, how you can write for the site, recipes, the weather and other resources.

Looks great!

New Keys at Tenantry Down

So what do people think about the changes in terms of keys? How well was it managed? How big was the security problem (I had nothing happen and I'm right by a gate and the fence)? Has this solved it?

Incredible Shed!

This isn't my shed, but its on the plot just down from me. Its the most amazing shed I've ever seen. It doesn't seem to get any worse each time I go up there.

Christmas View over Brighton

This is the view from Tenantry Down over Brighton at Christmas. Peaceful but somewhat bleak. My new raspberry canes are in the foreground, in front of some blackcurrent bushes. The new canes haven't shown any sign of life yet, but I'm hoping. In front of these is the wild strawberry plantation - it is out of control and spreading all over the plot. What a problem: lots of strawberries.....

A Leek's Eye View

This photo is taken at Christmas - you can see my flourishing leeks in the foreground and the gooseberry bushes behind them. These have now started to come back to life, so I'm looking forward to a nice crop of berries this year!

My aged greenhouse is in the background. Its currently being repaired and once that is completed it will be possibly the finest greenhouse on the site.

New Website

Check out the website for Tenantry Down Allotments!

The Summer BBQ

The Shed

Some of us took a little time out from hard work and enjoyed a BBQ up at the allotments near the shed this summer.....

What are the Most Successful things that have grown on your Plot?

If you click on 'comment' you will be able to reply to this post.

The most successful things I've grown in my short time as a plot-holder are tomatoes, leeks, rocket (in greenhouse), pak choi (in greenhouse) and strawberries.

Someone suggested to me that the chalky SW facing plots we have would be ideal for growing grapes - anyone tried this? Tenantry Down wine.....

Hosepipe Ban

THE HOSEPIPE BAN – information from Southern Water

The full hosepipe ban does not apply to allotments but, for the sake of good relations with the general public and of the environment as a whole, TDA Association asks that you do not leave hosepipes running unattended. Spraying systems are very wasteful, as only a fraction of the water reaches the plants’ roots.

To make the best use of water

· install water butts for collection of rain water if you have a shed.

· use mulch and compost to retain moisture in the soil.

Good watering practice includes

· using a hosepipe to fill up tanks or barrels around your allotment and then watering by hand from these.

Giving plants a good soak, e.g. half a can per plant in the early evening once a week, will produce far healthier plants than a quick splash of water several times a week. A quick splash just encourages shallow root growth and makes plants more vulnerable to hot sun and prolonged drought. If you have never checked your watering before, after the water has soaked in, scratch the soil back to see how far it has penetrated the dry earth; this will convince you that an occasional good soak is better than frequent splashes!

Please use the following link for more information -

http://www.southernwater.co.uk/beatTheDrought/default.asp

Supply Shed

Tenantry Down Allotment Association runs a Supply Shed, which is half way along Tenantry Down Road, on the upper side.

The Shed currently opens on the first Saturday of every month, from Spring to the end of Autumn, from 10am to 12 noon; why not come along to see what is on offer and have a cup of tea?

If you would like to help open the Shed more frequently, please contact the storekeeper, Bill Burton, on 07939721502.

To ensure that we operate within the law, we can only sell to Association members; subs are excellent value at just £1.00!

Should you be interested in items that are not on this list or unable to come during normal opening hours, please contact Bill and he will see if he can make special arrangements for you.

Supplies Available

Prices as of Spring 2007

CANES: 8 feet are 20p each; 4 feet are 12p each

FISH BLOOD & BONE 25 litres £8.70

GROWMORE GRANULES 25 litres £5.50

GROWORGANIC FERTILISER 40 litres 35.00

6X PELLETS 8kg £5.00

CHICHESTER GRIT 25 kg £3.00

JOHN INNES NUMBER 2 £3.00

50 LABELS 75p

GREEN TWINE 75p

VERMICULITE 1kg 25p

POTTING SAND 1 kg 25p

GARDEN LIME – FREE! (old stock)

SUPERPHOSPHATE – FREE! (old stock)

Applying for an Allotment

If you are interested in getting an allotment in Brighton or Hove then email:

allotments@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Please note that this site is not council owned or sponsored and we can do nothing to aid your application!

Tenantry Down Allotments

Photo by Simon Tobitt used in his article:
http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/allotments_introduction.htm

Finding this blog

soil compost plants vegetables growing tomatoes leeks onions strawberries canes apples garlic greenhouses sheds tools strimmer grass weeds weedkiller raspberries gooseberries artichoke sprouts lettuces cabbages rocket pak choi corriander herbs basil fork spade netting potatoes digging manure seeds seedlings planting greenhouse shed asparagus mint carrots carrot tomato onion strawberry apple herb plant vegetable organic sprout lettuce cabbage radish allotments allottments plot plots allotment soil compost seed fertiliser allotment allotments brighton brightons

Holding Comment

This blog will be the temporary website for the Tenantry Down Allotment Association. Prices for allotment equipment such as canes, compost, slug pellets etc will be shown as will social events and anything else.