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GOSPORT ALLOTMENT HOLDERS & GARDENERS ASSOC.












Gardening NEWS - SPRING - 2007


'CHAIRMAN'S CHATTER'

Hello all. Well by the time you read the contents of this news letter spring planting will be in full swing. At this time of year it is my duty to inform you of the Annual General Meeting on April 10th 2007. If any member would like to place an item on the agenda it must be presented to either myself or any committee member two weeks in advance of the meeting. Items for the agenda will not be added on the night. In the last newsletter I asked for volunteers to help out with the Gosport entry into the Southsea show, however there was not much response. I have recently attended a Stake Holders meeting at the Council offices and was informed that the Southsea show will only be a flower show and we are invited to enter. Again, we are asking for volunteers to sow a few extra seeds, such as peas or let us borrow some fruit. The Lee on Solent allotments will also be joining forces with us with the aim of putting on a good display. Please contact me on 02392587662; your help will be really appreciated. Talking of shows our annual show will be on the 18th August 2007 at the Alverstoke Parish Centre Last year we had twenty eight exhibitors and we aim to get over thirty this year. The show committee have added extra categories this year, for example a single gladioli stem for more colour and a photo of your garden or allotment, so get planting and snapping. In addition, I do have the odd spare giant onion plant and giant cabbage, so if you would like any do please ring me. Unfortunately, Peter and Jackie Guiness had to step down from their committee post as the Association*s Public Relations Officers. I would like to personally thank them both for all that they have done on behalf of the Association in their short time with us. Their dedication and energy will be sadly missed. Furthermore, I would also like to thank Beryl Saunders who has stepped in at such short notice to produce this news letter and yet again has produced an excellent annual show schedule. Finally, I was recently reading a book with tips from old Victorian gardeners. One amusing tip that they often employed, in order to check that the ground was suitable for spring sowing was, *if you want to know when to sow, take your trousers off and sit on the ground* Not recommended in this day and age and on that note all that remains for me to say is have a good growing season.
Steve Broughton MBE. Chairman.

'BARGAINS GALORE'

We have still got a small selection of seed potatoes in store Prices reduced from £1.85 to £1.50 for 2.5kg for Earlies, 2nd Early and Main crop. Salad types reduced from £2.35 to £2.00 for 2.5 kg. Fancy taking a gamble with late shallots? These are available from some stores down from £2.00 to £1.20 per kilo or from 90p to 50p per lb. Onion sets down from £2.00 to £1.20 per kilo or from 90p to 60p per lb. All sizes of canes 8, 6 and 4ft are in stock at the same price as 2 years ago. Please support your site store you may be surprised at what items are available. Can't find what you are looking for? please do ask. Happy bargain hunting Bill Nickerson - Stores Supply Officer

'ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW'
To be held in the Alverstoke Parish Hall on Saturday 18th August. 2007. Show schedules are now available from your site stores or contact Steve Broughton on 023 927662. Or pick up your copy on 13th March at the Spring Gardening Talk 'Vegetables and Vegetable' Growing at HEDCA. Coombe Road. Gosport.

'SUBSCRIPTIONS' A reminder that subscriptions were due for renewal on the lst January. If you would like to continue to enjoy the benefits of being a member and have not already done so please renew your subscription as soon as possible as this will be the last Gardening News you will receive. Many thanks to all our volunteer 'foot sloggers' for delivering the Gardening News. If you feel you could help with this then please contact Val on 023 92583047

Can You Help? We currently have a vacancy for a Public Relations Officer. This position would include arranging two annual talks and producing the Gardening News. For further information please see attached AGM page or contact Steve Broughton on 023 927662

'LOCAL WILDLIFE'

Alver Creek and Workhouse Lake are great places to go bird-watching. It is surprising the variety of birds that can be found around this area. Local people are familiar with the Swans which last year on Workhouse Lake managed to rear six cygnets. They could be seen daily gradualy growing up into adulthood. Now of course the parent birds can be seen driving them away to fend for themselves and being very aggresive towards them. Another bird being seen more and more often is the Little-Egret, which is like a miniature Heron. It is white in colour with a small crest on it's head and may be seen at the waters edge trawling for food. Various ducks including the common Mallard, several Little-Grebes and a pair of Mergansers which are very shy and dive frequently to escape. They are a colourful bird, green and white body with a serated crest on it's head. Other birds frequently seen in the area are Cormorants, Black-headed Gulls, Herring-gulls and the occasional Coot which is easily recognised by being similar to a Moorhen but is black in colour with a white shield on it's forehead. Why not go along to Alver Creek and Workhouse Lake and see for yourself.
Birdman of Alverstoke!

'Cooks Corner' - Everyone's favourite - 'Rhubarb Crumble'. Delicious using the first tender young pink stems.

Incredients.
10 sticks of rhubarb. 4 tbsp water. 8 tbsp caster sugar 1 tsp powdered ginger 110g/4 oz butter, softened 110g/4oz demerara sugar 180-200g/ 6-7 oz flour
To serve. Ice cream or double cream

Method.
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 Cut Rhubarb into 3" long sticks and place on an oven tray, sprinkle with the water and caster sugar and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove from oven, sprinkle over the ginger and mix well. Fill an overproof dish about 5cm/2" deep with the rhubarb. Rub the butter into the flour and sugar to make crumble topping. Sprinkle over the rhubarb and press down lightly. Bake in the oven for 20-30 mins or till golden brown. Cool slightly before serving with cream or icecream.

Growing Tips for early Rhubarb In January place a generous amount of well rotted compost around the plant, leaving the centre crown clear. Add some straw to create warmth then cover with a black dustbin or large container to exclude the light. Place a brick on top to prevent being blown over. Pull stems when they are about 10-12" long.

Quiz

Answer the following questions then re-arrange the first letter of each answer to complete the name of one of Gosport's Allotment sites.

1. Delicious but not from the frozen north. 2. You won*t need a plumber to grow this popular vegetable. 3. This tomato will keep you solvent. 4. In a pickle? This herb will soon sort you out. 5. A frilly edge to your salad. 6. One of the *Seven Little Men*. 7. A favourite for Burns Night. As known north of the border. 8. A distinct liqueur flavour. 9. This will make you weep. 10. You had better get your skates on. 11. Not one to put in a vase. Answers at the bottom of the page.

'Words of Wisdom'
A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows. ------------ Compost is best aged a little like a fine wine. I mean, would you prefer to drink a nice 97, or something that was made last Thursday. ------------- The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig. ----------- Every garden is unique with a multitude of choices of soils, plants and themes. Finding your garden theme is as easy as seeing what brings a smile to your face.

'My Wife'
She dug the plot on Monday, the soil was rich and fine But she forgot to put the dinner on, so out we went to dine. She planted roses Tuesday, she says they are a must. They really were quite lovely, but she forgot to dust. On Wednesday it was daisies they opened with the sun, All pinks and whites and yellows, but the laundry wasn't done. The poppies came on Thursday all bright and cherry red, I guess she really was engrossed, she never made the bed. It was violets here on Friday in colours she adores, It never bothered her at all, the dirt upon our floors. Saturday I hired a maid, I'd not admit defeat, She can garden all she wants now and the house will still be neat It's nearly lunchtime Sunday I cannot find the maid, Oh I don't believe it. She's out there alongside my wife with her own spade!

Answers: to Quiz 1) Iceberg Lettuce. 2) Leek. 3) Moneymaker. 4) Dill. 5) Endive 6) Dwarf Beans. 7) Turnip. 8) Fennel. 9) Onion. 10) Runner Bean. 11) Cauliflower. MIDDLECROFT.


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