WELCOME

The Newsletters help to keep you up to date with all that is going on in Edinburgh's Allotment Scene. Once again it contains a selection of news items and dates for your diary. FEDAGA is pleased with the progress at Edinburgh's newest allotment site which is also completely organic. Read more under Bridgend.

George Sutherland.

BRIDGEND - THE FIRST YEAR

The Bridgend Allotment Site opened in April of last year. It is the first organic allotment site in Scotland. The site is well designed, the shed roofs drain into water butts and paths were ready for the new plot holders on their arrival. We are located in Craigmillar Castle Park, off Dalkeith Road and with a wonderful view of Arthur's Seat.

Four of the plots are used by the Bridgend Community Allotment Health Project who assist a wide variety of people to experience the benefits of digging and planting. The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society also has a demonstration plot and members of the Society are sometimes on hand to give help and advice.

The year has been a lot of hard work turning bare earth into productive plots. The weeds have been a hard opponent in this first year, but we are winning. The many different styles of gardening demonstrated by our plot holders are creating a fascinating and varied site. Good crops have been produced despite the short time we had to prepare. We have also been blessed with a scarcity of pests. Some rabbit and pigeon damage was evident but the best thing was the lack of slugs and snails. They are starting to become more evident now though, and I'm sure that next year they will be our main enemy, as they are to all gardeners.

Andrew Glass

BRIDGEND COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT HEALTH PROJECT

This project, managed by the NHS and funded by the Big Lottery, has had a fantastic first season and a great harvest. It has been great to be part of Scotland's first organic allotment site, and to see a completely new site take shape. We have had a lot of interest from across the City and beyond, and participants of all backgrounds and abilities have joined us to make the project a success. People of all ages from 3 upwards have learned about growing fruit and vegetables; local schools have started to get involved and we are helping to get growing projects started, working with local groups and agencies. To find out more please call Anne or Amy on 07789 500388 or 07789 65087.

Anne Jepson

BRIDGEND POTATO DAY

From 11 until 2pm on Sunday 25 February, Bridgend Allotments will be hosting its own Potato Day. Potato expert John Marshall will be giving a talk and seeds plus Alan Roman's new book will be on sale. For enthusiasts there will be a sale of many less common varieties of potatoes. Organic ones are: Abbo, Arran Victory, Bambino, Cara, Charlotte, Colleen, Cosmos, Desiree, Duke of York, Edzell Blue, Epicure, Golden Wonder, Maris Bard, Maris Piper, Milva, Nicola, Orla, Pink Fir Apple, Premiere, Record, Red Duke of York, Remarka, Robinta, Romano, Roseval, Sante, Valour and Verity. Non organic are: Caberet, Cultura, Lady Balfour, Maxine, Osprey, Pentland Squire, Royal Kidney and Yukon Gold.

The team are looking for volunteers to assist with refreshments, manning the stalls and taking in money.

BORDERS ORGANIC GARDENERS

As well as Bridgend’s own potato day, BOG will be holding their usual one on Sunday 4 March from 11 to 3pm on the Race Course in Kelso. Talks, refreshments, stalls and, of course, about 100 varieties of potatoes on sale at about 12p per tuber. Potato Guru Alan Romans is expected with his usual offering of micro plants of the really unusual potatoes.

FEDAGA SHOP

Located just inside the west gate of Inverleith Allotments is FEDAGA's own shop, open from 2 to 3:30pm every Sunday in March and April. On sale at £2:50 per bag is a variety of potatoes, onion sets and shallots, a range of vegetable seeds from Kings, a variety of composts including Rock Dust and Rock Soil, other fertilisers and sundries.

George Sutherland

VISITS TO DUNDEE FLOWER SHOW

Once again FEDAGA will be running a coach to the Dundee Flower Show on Saturday 1 September 2007. Look out for the flyer coming with the Summer Newsletter for booking details.

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The Royal Caledonian Horticulture Society is having their Spring Show at the Royal Botanic Gardens on 24 and 25 March 2007. Scotland’s premier show 'Gardening Scotland' at the Ingliston Show Ground is on 1, 2 and 3 June 2007. The Ayr Flower Show is on 3, 4 and 5 August 2007. FEDAGA's own show is on Saturday 8 September 2007.

TRADING

Once again it has been a good trading year. To be expected, Edinburgh's biggest site, Saughton, has earned discounts and commissions of £294:67 and Lady Road has earned £131:07 for their 32 plot holders. These sites, and others, use the proceeds to hold communal barbecues. All seeds have now been delivered to sites and the potatoes and onions are due in mid February.

George Sutherland.

ALLOTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

The regular CEC/FEDAGA liaison meetings have been particularly successful this year. Many of you will have noticed completed projects on your site and there are still a few projects from this Financial Year to come. As usual, the emphasis has been on site security and many fencing projects have been completed. Hutcheson Loan, now the only site without a water supply, is due to have one installed soon and a major upgrade to the supply pipe to Carrick Knowe is also coming soon.

George Sutherland. FEDAGA ON THE WEB To see more about FEDAGA, the latest news, links to other sites, Edinburgh's Allotment Strategy. Photos of sites (spot your plot!) and more visit www.fedaga.org.uk.