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We are fortunate in Edinburgh in having a Council with a greater commitment to allotments than other areas. After the publication of the Strategy, this commitment was recognised by COSLA and the Scottish Executive. They have asked Edinburgh to produce a "Best Practice" guide for allotments. We expect to be involved. Planning and implementation of the new allotment site at Bridgend Farm is now within the remit of the Strategy implementation group. The intention is to create an innovative site incorporating the recommendations of the Strategy. The additional funding for the increased costs is now being sought. We still have concerns about the private site at Spring Gardens. Read more in Sam Murray's item. Both Jim Mckay and John Munro have retired from the Council. After working closely with them for many years we look forward to a similar relationship with Ian Parks, promoted to fill John's post and, from Fife, Stephanie Ann Harris. Work on site improvements continues. Security work, toilets and site huts are among the projects completed at Claremont, Inverleith, Ferry Road, Pilrig, Redhall, Restalrig and Warriston. Other sites with work planned for next financial year are: Claremont, Craigentinny, Ferry Road, Lady Road, Leith Links, Midmar, Pilrig, Redhall, Saughton, Warriston and West Mains. Funding for 2006/2007 is still being considered. George Sutherland FLOWER SHOW 2004 At the AGM I said that I had statistics for the show, so here are some of them.
Exhibitor numbers were the lowest since 1996 (46); I don't have earlier records. Admittedly the weather in the six weeks before the show was atrocious. All my sweet peas were bashed and my onions got neck rot. The show is our main showcase to the public, and we need the public on our side when allotments are under threat or we need more money for capital improvements. So it is in all our interests to do better. Some suggestions to generate more entries:
Peter Wright KEEP EDINBURGH GROWING GARDEN COMPETITION At the inaugural awards ceremony in September, David Watt from Saughton Mains was crowned winner with the best allotment plot. Ian Woolard, the judge for allotments, was greatly impressed by the range and quality of produce on his plot. These included vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. He was also pleased to see a range of things to encourage wildlife including bird boxes and a pond, an integral part of the competition. This was the first time a competition of this scale has been run in the Capital and it will be held again in 2005. After a number of requests there will be a category for the best allotment site. Karen Hay, the competition organiser, explains " the whole event was a great success. All the judges were struck by the enthusiasm of the entrants. They showed a passion for their gardens whether they were old hands or beginners. We are urging more gardeners to take part next time". There is a range of categories. As well as allotments there are schools, pubs, front gardens, wildlife gardens, churches, community gardens and streets. Anyone wishing further information should contact Karen Hay by phone on 0131-469-5196, or by e-mail or visit the Keep Edinburgh Growing Website Karen Hay SPRING GARDENS AND OTHER PRIVATE SITES The 2003 Application to build housing at Spring Gardens was refused by the Council. An appeal was dismissed by the Scottish Executive in 2004. As expected, a new application was made in October. FEDAGA continues to support the retention of this site for allotments, and has lodged material objections. The case is likely to be heard in January and will be reported on the FEDAGA website. If approved this will set a dangerous precedent for other private sites. Edinburgh's Local Plans, upon which planning applications are decided, are being amalgamated into a new City Plan and FEDAGA is keen that all sites are recognised. We know of some sites but if you know of others, even of only a few plots, please let me know by e-mail Other known private sites are: Dean Gallery, Midmar, Morningside Station, Portobello, Roseburn Cliff, Scotland Street, Slateford Green, Succoth Gardens, Telferton and Wester Hailes. Sam Murray FLOODING AT LADY ROAD Within a year sewage flooding will be a thing of the past, only to be talked about as "The bad old days". In times of flash storms the Victorian sewer system used to surcharge into the Pow Burn and would often breach the banks to dump raw sewage on the plots. In November 2004 Scottish Water started a 6 month project to build holding tanks and filters upstream. During flash rainstorms the excess water will be diverted into the holding tanks and then let out gradually, thus preventing surcharging. When completed not only will Lady Road be protected but the beaches at Portobello will be healthier. . Scottish Water say that surcharging could still happen during extreme conditions. Many thanks to our local MP Nigel Griffiths who has consistently supported our case. The next challenge is "The dreaded Giant Hogweed". Peter Wright BORDERS ORGANIC GROWERS POTATO DAY Potato day is on Sunday, 6 March 2005, 11am to 3pm, at Borders College, Old Melrose Road, Galashiels. There will be 100+ varieties of seed potatoes on sale by the tuber, a selection of micro plants for order, potato and gardening information and advice, speakers and refreshments. Looking forward to seeing you then. Dave Allan FEDAGA SHOP The shop, open 2pm to 3:30pm every Sunday from March to May, is situated at Inverleith Allotment site, East Fettes Avcnue. Early in the season we have onion sets, shallots and 15 varieties of seed potatoes. We also supply seeds from Kings, grow bags, compost, fertiliser, Rootrainers and other sundries, all at bargain prices. George Sutherland INCREASED ASSOCIATION FEE Costs keep rising, and FEDAGA's costs for postage, photocopying, printing etc. are no exception. In earlier years we had no Public Liability Insurance for our activities and were fortunate that no claims were made against us. The Committee considered that cover had become essential so last year a policy was taken out with costs being met from reserves. At last year's AGM the delegates voted overwhelmingly to raise the fee to £2:50 made up of three elements: increased payments returned to Associations raised from 50p to £1:00, the FEDAGA payment similarly raised plus 50p for insurance. The Council have advised us that the increase can't be added to your bills until 2006 so, once again, increased costs will have to be met from our dwindling reserve fund. George Sutherland POTATO ROOT EELWORM While probably not completely true, I've heard it said that every allotment plot has eelworm infection. Certainly my own plot had a moderate infection when I took it over. That's the bad news. The good news is that control is relatively easy. How do you know if you have eelworm? The signs are there but are not easily visible. Most noticeable is early yellowing of leaves and a poor crop of small potatoes. If the tubers have visible holes then that is not the tiny nematode. The worm lays its eggs inside the roots. These develop into round cysts much smaller than a pinhead but visible with a reading glass as they stick to the outside of fine feeding roots. When mature they fall into the soil to live for seven or more years ready to infect your next crop. Examine the roots closely at harvest time but take care not to shake off the cysts. There are several procedures which, taken together over a few years, will reduce infestation to a level low enough to be of little problem. Always use certified seed choosing ones which have eelworm resistance. Select first and second earlies. They are lifted before the cysts have time to mature and for this reason avoid late maturing maincrops. Use a strict four year rotation. Harvest carefully to avoid knocking off the cysts and totally destroy both roots and shaws. George Sutherland
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