The Plotter's Gazette
Plot updates - Movers and newcomers
Naomi Walker has moved to Plot 15 and has plans to develop to a proper allotment and grow some vegetable in it.
Annette Morgan has taken over plot 11A and Frank McMahon has taken on 17B. Both are experienced allotmenteers
and I am sure will add to our community. Welcome.
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Summer To-Do List
SUMMER TO DO LIST
Water wisely - Prioritise early morning or late evening watering to reduce evaporation.
Keep on top of weeds - Regular hoeing when it’s dry will stop weeds taking hold.
Harvest little and often - Harvest runner beans and courgettes when young for best flavour.
Support and prune - Tie in tomatoes and pinch out side shoots. Prune fruit bushes and thin apples and pears to improve air circulation.
Check for pests - Look out for cabbage white butterfly eggs on brassicas. Pick off slugs and snails in the evening. Use netting to protect vulnerable crops
Enjoy the space - Sit down with a beverage and admire your handiwork. Note what’s working (and what’s not) for next year’s plan.
SUMMER PLANTING
Quick growers for a fast harvest
Lettuce – choose heat-tolerant varieties, sow every 2–3 weeks
Radish – fast and easy, ready in under a month
Rocket and salad mixes – bolt-resistant varieties work best now
Spinach (New Zealand or perpetual) – more tolerant of heat than regular spinach
Crops for autumn harvest
Beetroot – sow now for a small autumn crop
Carrots – choose fast-maturing varieties like ‘Nantes’
French beans – sow until late July for a September crop
Spring onions – slow to grow, but great for autumn salads
Plant out seedlings
Winter brassicas – kale, cabbage, sprouting broccoli (if you’ve raised them earlier)
Leeks – transplant now for a winter crop
Swedes and turnips – sow direct in July/August for late autumn roots
Summer recipe: Cassis
It has been a fantastic year for blackcurrants!
Here is an idea for the surplus…
It's excellent for summer — a splash in fizz, tonic, or just neat over ice
Ingredients:
1 kg blackcurrants
500 g sugar
700 ml red wine (a fruity, full-bodied one) 200–300 ml gin (instead of brandy)
Method
1. Crush the blackcurrants and soak in wine for 3–7 days (maceration).
2. Strain and simmer gently with sugar until dissolved (5–10 mins).
3. Cool completely.
4. Add gin or brandy to taste — 200 ml will keep it light, 300 ml adds punch.
5. Bottle in sterilised jars.
When the sun scorches the soil and everything feels a bit too dry and brittle — it’s not just our plants that suffer. The whole plot, from the tiniest worm to the thirsty blackbird, feels the heat. But there are small, easy things we can all do to give nature a helping hand through the hottest months.
Here are some practical ways to turn your plot into a heatwave haven:
1. Leave water out – For All Creatures Great and Small A simple dish of water can be life-saving.
2. Mulch, mulch, mulch Nature’s answer to heat stress. Mulch holds in moisture, keeps roots cool, and protects the hidden world of worms, beetles, and fungi beneath the soil.
3. Water wisely Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
4. Make shade Not everything needs full sun all day.
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A L L O TM E N T A LM A N A C
St Swithin’s Day: Weather on this day predicts the rest of summer Tuesday 15th July
Mid-year site tidy-up Sunday 20th July, 10am
BLA Open Afternoon Sunday 27th July, 2-5pm
Autumn Equinox: Day and night are approximately equal in length Sunday 21st Sept
Early autumn site clear-up Sunday 5th October, 10am
Allotment Holders’ meeting Wednesday 15th October, 7pm
Winter Solstice carols: The shortest day. Marks the return of the sun. Sunday 21st December.
The Wild Orchard
When Katherine and I took on plot 7B, we became custodians of the neighbouring mini wild area, better known as “Barbara’s plot.” Home to a huge dead eucalyptus tree, hawthorn, blackthorn, and bramble. Our initial aim was just to limit its height and spread.
Last year Humphrey felled the dead eucalyptus and trimmed the hawthorns to a manageable height. And at the clear up day last autumn volunteers cut the remaining shrubs to the ground. Which led to the question what should this area be used for? Should it be cultivated or remain wild?
At the allotment open meeting in October we discussed several options. Trying to turn it back into a regular plot would be costly and challenging. We would need a mechanical dig-ger just to tackle the massive tree roots!
Option two was to simply let it regrow as it had for many years. However, a third ‘middle way’ was supported by plot holders at the meeting and later St John’s Hospital Trust - to preserve the area as semi-wild, but also plant and encourage the growth of fruit trees for everyone to share future harvests. A wild community orchard providing both a haven for wildlife and (hopefully) fruit for allotment plot holders.
So I sought advice from Gloucestershire Orchard Trust (GOT) on suitable trees. Gloucestershire is renowned for its plums, but tree numbers are dwindling, so this seemed like a great choice.
With a budget of £100, half paid from allotment funds, we bought a mixture of plum, damson, and greengage bare-root trees. We sourced four trees from Walcot Organic Nursery, which stocks Gloucestershire varieties that GOT had commissioned. The varieties we chose were:
Blaisdon Red - Plum originating from Blaisdon village near Gloucester. Eaters but also ideal for jam making.
Sweet Damson - Small sweet damson fruit - grown much along the lower Severn in the recent past.
Grove’s Late Victoria - A relation to the popular Victoria plum but the fruit matures later in the season - sweet and can be eaten from the tree or used for cooking.
Golden Transparent - A very sweet and juicy greengage.
All of these varieties are self-fertile and semi-dwarfing root-stocks, which will ensure the trees don’t become too large. The plums and damson are all native to Gloucestershire. Over the winter, we cleared four areas and planted the trees. Although they were well-watered and mulched, we wait-ed anxiously in the spring for the first buds to appear. The trees are growing well so far and it will be exciting to watch their progress. We are also looking forward to the first fruit in later years.
Thanks to all involved for your help, advice and support in making this idea become a reality!
JULY by John Clare
Save that to the earnest eye
The restless heat seems twittering bye Noon swoons beneath the heat it made And flowers een whither in the shade Until the sun slopes in the west Like weary traveller glad to rest...
Plots, custodianship and our patch of Eden by Sue Whittles
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A high-level update on where we are, what’s working, and what needs a nudge.
Tucked away behind the trees and fences, our little collection of plots feels like another world — and in many ways, it is. A world of soil and stories, bindweed and beans, laughter, compost, and quiet. It’s also a world that increasingly needs a little more care.
As we carry out this summer’s informal plot review, we wanted to share a few reflections. Barton Lane Allotments represent a rare opportunity
For the very modest fees, it's quite possibly the best value in the county. For many of us, it feeds us (and others) for months. But it’s not just about veg. This is a space for peace, for purpose, for connection. And as guardians of this bit of Eden, we have a collective duty to look after it — for ourselves, and for those who will come after us. What’s the review about?
The review isn’t about policing or perfection. It’s about showing signs of care. Of nurturing. Of showing up and giving it a go. It’s going well but there is room for improvement
We’ve graded plots A to D this summer:
A: 14 plots — clearly cared for and thriving
B: 13 plots — ticking along, plenty to celebrate
C: 6 plots — struggling, but showing promise
D: 6 plots — in breach of the basic agreement No names. No shame. But if you think you might be a D… you probably are.
A gentle ask
If you’re struggling — please tell us. Life can throw curveballs, and we get it. Illness, grief, up-heaval — all have their seasons. We want to sup-port, not scold. If you’re aware your plot is slip-ping and you’re doing your best, that’s okay. But radio silence followed by a carpet of couch grass is harder to justify.
So if you do need a hand, say so. If you’re done, say that too. Either is fine. But let’s keep the con-versation open.
The bigger picture
Our allotments used to support the alms houses with additional funds. Now, the alms houses support us — absorbing the cost of admin, insurance, and legal expenses etc. In other words: if we don’t look after the plots, we risk losing them altogether. Looking forward. This is a community. And communities need light and shade. People who need a bit of space, a bit of encouragement, or simply to know they’re welcome.
We’ll be reviewing again in August. Just a quiet walk around and a shared sense of what’s fair. And if you're not sure what’s expected, just ask. We're all still learning.
In the meantime
Let’s:
· Keep the spirit light, but the standards reason-able
· Encourage new starters and celebrate old hands
· Offer help where it's wanted, and gently chal-lenge where it’s needed
· Keep caring - for our plots, for each other, and for this patch of paradise we’re lucky to share
Yours in mud and neighbourliness,
Sue Whittles, Allotment Manager
Mid-year site tidy-up, Sunday 20th July, from 10am - the chance to tend to those shared spaces, trim back hedges etc, ready for…
BLA Open Afternoon, Sunday 27th July, 2-5pm - a chance to show off our much-loved allotments and share with our community. And raise funds for projects and equipment. We’ll definitely need help with this please.
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This month’s human interest spotlight: Dave Whittles and the equipment shed
If you’ve ever seen a strimmer magically rise from the dead so you can buzz your weeds into submission, or wondered who lays hands on the temperamental chipper to bring it back to full operation — meet Dave.
Dave quietly keeps the mower blades spinning, strimmer cables replaced, fuel checked, and small engines soothed back into life. He’s the man behind the equipment maintenance, doing what needs doing so the rest of us can just sign the book, fuel up, and get cutting and trimming.
“Keeping our shared kit going isn’t free. Mower and strimmer hire fees help — they’re supposed to cover servicing and fuel — but they fall short. That’s where the annual Open Day comes in. A good chunk of those takings goes directly into spares (think broken cables, fuel pipe, and the odd wayward blade) and servicing costs. So if you ever wondered “Where does the money go?” now you know. A good proportion of it goes into keeping things running.”
Our collective responsibilities when using the equipment:
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Sign the book each time you take a machine out - It’s in the shed, along with the manual. Note your plot number, date, payment, and importantly please tick the health & safety box. Health and safety documents are in the manuals folder. The price for using communal equipment is £4 per session Place your money in the tin or pay online www.bartonlaneallotments.org
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Fuel fairies don’t exist - When you use equipment, top up the fuel cans - take money from the tin, refill at the petrol station, and return the can to the shed.·
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Two-stroke vs four-stroke - The strimmer uses two-stroke (mixed) fuel. Mix for 2 Stroke fuel is 100 ml oil in 5 litre can, written on the can and clearly labelled.
Looking to the future
Things are changing. Fewer people are using the communal mowers. Some prefer their own lightweight kit. Others can’t manage the heavier machines. So a few ideas are bubbling:
· A communal electric mower? Lighter and easier to use. But who charges the battery? Who keeps the charger in the shed? These are the thorny human truths behind shiny new ideas.
· Bring your own battery? If we standardise on one system (Bosch? Aldi?), plot holders could invest in their own batteries and share the tools.
· Or… we go leaner A radical option: stop providing communal kit and encourage plot-level responsibility. Discuss.
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We don’t want to boil the ocean, but we do want your ideas. If you’ve got thoughts, practical offers, or spare electric tools, email
info@bartonlaneallotments.org
Cash donations are also welcome via the website.
And to Dave… -
Who bends over engines, untangles cables, sharpens blades and arranges servicing. Thanks — we salute you.
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Spring 2025 Edition - Issue 2
Inspiration
The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame 1908
HANG SPRING CLEANING!
Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that [Mole] suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said “Bother!” and “O blow!” and also “Hang spring-cleaning!” and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat. Something up above was calling him imperiously, and he made for the steep little tunnel which answered for the gravelled carriage-drive owned by animals whose residences are near to the sun and air.
Starter Plots:
growing the future of our allotments
Sue Whittles
Where the idea came from The idea for our new starter plots was inspired by a successful initiative elsewhere in the country. A friend of Lesley’s mentioned that their allotment site offered newcomers a smaller, manageable plot before they
committed to a full allotment. Given the size of our plots at Barton Lane, we realised this approach could help prospective allotment holders ease into
the experience, ensuring they were ready for the commitment before taking on a full-sized plot.
What are the starter plots? The starter plots are a way for those on the waiting list to get growing sooner. Each starter plot is a designated raised bed, roughly 20m by 10m, located on what was previously Plot 36. This area was chosen because it
was large enough to be divided into three sections, providing a good space for trial allotments. These plots give new growers the chance to develop their
skills, understand the demands of allotment gardening, and decide whether a full plot is right for them.
Why starter plots are a good idea Allotment gardening is rewarding, but it requires regular attention and effort. Many newcomers have a romantic vision of an allotment but struggle with the reality of its upkeep. By introducing a stepping
stone system, we allow people to experience the workload first hand. The starter plots help individuals learn the rhythm of tending an allotment! They also ensure that those who eventually take on a full plot are ready and committed, reducing
the number of underutilised or abandoned plots.
How it works
- Those at the top of the waiting list are offered a starter plot for one year.
- If someone has significant prior experience and would prefer to move directly to a full plot, they can decline the starter plot and remain on the
waiting list.
- Regular reviews (every three months) ensure the starter plots are being actively used.
- At the end of the year, successful growers will be offered a full plot when one becomes available. If no full plots are open, they may have to wait, but their position on the list remains secure.
- If it becomes clear that someone is struggling to maintain their starter plot, it may be reassigned sooner.
Where we are today The starter plots have been marked out and prepared, and we now have three people lined up. The waiting list has been cleaned up to ensure those still interested in an allotment are fairly considered. There are still some details to refine, but the system is in place and working well and we are closely monitoring progress and will make adjustments as needed.
A huge thank you This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of several Barton Lane plot holders. A special thanks goes to Terry, who took on the heavy lifting of marking out and digging the
plots, removing turf, and preparing the soil. Thanks also to Liz, Ken, Lesley, Dave, and
others who contributed their time and effort to get the plots ready. Their commitment ensures that new growers have the best possible start on their allotment journey.
We look forward to seeing how our first group of starter plot holders progress over the coming year. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please get in touch!
Happy growing!
A meditation on mulching
By Ken Wallington
Winter Recipe - Cheesy Leeks
Ingredients
1 kg rhubarb, chopped into small pieces
1 kg granulated sugar
1 lemon, juiced
100 g crystallised ginger, finely chopped
100 ml water
As a Which? Gardening subscriber, I read articles by Charles Dowding on his no-dig gardening methods. His sound arguments and impressive results led
me to try this approach, especially as an alternative to my traditional annual digging routine of over 20 years.
Rhubarb heralds the new season and here is a recipe inspired by Katy who kindly gave me a pot of her rhubarb and ginger jam last year.
Delicious on a hot buttered croissant!
Method
Macerate the rhubarb – Combine the rhubarb, sugar, and lemon juice in a large pan. Stir well and leave for a few hours (or overnight) to allow the juices to draw out.
Cook gently – Add the water and heat slowly, stirring, until the sugar completely dissolves.
Add the crystallised ginger – Stir in the chopped crystallised ginger and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
Test for setting point – Place a spoonful on a cold plate and push it with your finger. If it wrinkles, it’s ready. If not, boil for another 2-3 minutes and test again.
Jar and store – Pour the hot jam into sterilised jars, seal immediately, and leave to cool.
Gerry Cotton
20/12/1938 to 02/01/2025
Nature Focus
How to be butterfly friendly
We have already seen butter flies on the plot this spring emerging from hibernation. Here are a few butterfly friendly tips to help build the butter fly community on our allotments.
In March, as temperatures rise, several butterfly species in the UK, such as the brimstone, small tortoiseshell, peacock, Read more...
A warm welcome to our new plot holders! We’re delighted to welcome Wendy Frazer 36B . Welcome! We can’t wait to see what you grow!
ALLOTMENT ALMANAC
Spring Equinox: the official arrival of spring Friday March 21st
Plot Reviews Sunday 27th April
Good Friday: Traditionally the day for planting potatoes Friday April 18th
May Day : Celebrate the height of spring Thursday May 1st
Allotment Day: Celebrating allotments nationally Wednesday May 21st
Summer Solstice: Longest day of the year Saturday June 21st
St Swithin’s Day: Weather on this day predicts the rest of summer
Tuesday July 15th
Plot Reviews Sunday 10th August
Autumn Equinox: Day and night are approximately equal in length
Sunday Sept 21st
Winter Solstice carols: The shortest day. Marks the return of the sun
Sunday Dec 21st
Email: info@bartonlaneallotments.org
www.bartonlaneallotments.org
Members of the allotment community gathered with Gerry’s family and friends at the Quaker Friends Meeting House on 30th January to commemorate and celebrate her life.
Winter 2024 Edition - Issue 1
Inspiration
Bette Midler, Los Angeles Times, 8th May 1996
"My whole life had been spent waiting for an epiphany, a manifestation of God's presence, the kind of transcendent, magical experience that lets you see your place in the big picture. And that is what I had with my first compost heap."
Revitalising the Wild Area
John Tiffany
Carols mulled cider and dogs
By Andy Graham
Winter Recipe - Cheesy Leeks
Cheesy leeks are great as a side dish – especially if you are serving vegetarians as well as meat eaters.
This recipe makes enough for a generous supper for two.
Ingredients
4 slender leeks (around 575g/1lb 4½oz ), trimmed
20g/¾oz butter, plus extra for greasing
20g/¾oz plain flour
200ml/7fl oz milk, semi-skimmed or full-fat
1 tsp English or Dijon mustard
100g/3½oz mature cheddar cheese, finely grated
2 tbsp dried white breadcrumbs, optional
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Lightly butter a shallow baking dish. (It will need to hold
around 1 litre/1¾ pint.)
2. A third-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Remove any tough or damaged leaves from the outside of the leeks if not already done. Trim the leeks, leaving all of the white part and some of the green.
3. Cut the leeks into roughly 3cm/1¼in pieces and add to the water. Return to the boil and cook for 5
minutes, depending on the thickness, or until the leeks are tender. They are ready when the tip of a knife
slides in easily. Drain in a colander over a large mixing bowl to reserve the cooking water.
4. To make the sauce, return the empty pan to the heat, add the butter and melt gently. Stir in the flour
and cook for 10–15 seconds stirring. Gradually add the milk and then a ladleful (around 100ml/3½fl oz) of
the reserved cooking liquid, stirring or whisking well between each addition to make a smooth, creamy
sauce.
5. Add the mustard, half the cheese and season generously with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 1–2
minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Scatter the leeks into the baking dish and pour the sauce on top. Mix the remaining cheese with the breadcrumbs, if using, and sprinkle on top. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown.
www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cheesy_leeks_46292
Don't throw in the trowel!
By Venessa Goodall
Day one. Lots to do. There’s plenty of useful advice in the media regarding allotments at this time of year. This article does not claim to be one of those – it’s simply some jottings of our experience in Year 1 as newbie ‘Lotters’ on plot 29.
By Liz Wilkinson
Toads are a gardener’s ally, munching on slugs, beetles, and other pests. Creating a toad-friendly allotment not only helps with natural pest control but also supports biodiversity. Here’s how to welcome these helpful amphibians:
Toads need cool, damp places to rest during the day. Leave logs, rocks, or leaf piles in shaded corners, or bury a broken terracotta pot on its side to provide a cosy retreat.
Allow some wild areas to remain undisturbed for additional shelter.
A small, shallow pond with sloping edges is perfect for breeding. Avoid adding fish, which can harm toad spawn and tadpoles, and plant native aquatic plants to offer cover for young toads.
Toads often shelter in compost heaps or under debris, so check carefully before disturbing these areas.
By making simple changes, you can create a toad-friendly environment that helps maintain a healthy balance in your allotment.
In return, toads will quietly work behind the scenes, keeping pests in check. A little effort goes a long way in making these humble creatures feel at home!
A warm welcome to our new members, and good luck as you start a new year on a new plot.
It’s Solstice time. The sun is on its way back and another cycle on the allotment begins. Cue: Yule lite. A shadow of the midwinter festival celebrated by Germanic peoples, marking the winter solstice with feasting, fire, and honouring nature spirits. I create a Deck the halls vibe with boughs of ivy from the wild area, Fa la la la la, la la la la.’ 'Tis the season to be jolly. The plot, bathed in the blackest night, so dark you can barely make out the trees. The Glut Hut becomes a tiny island of light in a sea of gloom. Fifteen hardy souls braved the pitch-darkness to join our little grotto of jollity. Kids, grandkids, and partners all showed up. Feels good to mull a pan of ‘Jolly Jasper’ cider and light up the fire pit to BBQ some bangers. This season’s white onions sizzle up a tasty aroma. Dave [plot2] looking every bit ‘The Claus’ dressed in olive green from tip to toe. He wields a candle in a suspended from the crook of a metal bird feeder. Not only is Dave a font of veggie knowledge he taught me a thing or two about serving hot dogs, ‘Onions first Andy – that’s the way.’ Life changing stuff! Considering it is peak Christmas preparation time and various families were already beginning their seasonal odyssey around the country visiting relatives we had a grand turn out. Fortified by the fortified brew, we were ready for a carol or two. Smartphones lit up like fireflies and the assembled singers do a reasonable rendition of All Come, All ye Faithful before we wander gingerly back down the track, heads full of cider and hearts a little lighter. Watch out for further pagan inspired celebrations on the plot. Anyone got a maypole or know any Morris dancers? No? Shame?
The wild area at the end of the allotments bordering the Gumstool Brook, is undergoing a thoughtful transformation thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Friends of the Gumstool Brook, local volunteers and allotment holders. This area, known for its springtime fritillaries, the bee hives, bird boxes and remnants of a badger set, is being given a facelift to introduce more light to the brook and improve flow to foster greater biodiversity and ecological health. One of the most significant challenges facing the Gumstool Brook area is the mill pond, which has become virtually lifeless due to a combination of factors: lack of sunlight, minimal water flow, and insufficient oxygen. Recognising the urgent need for action, the Friends of the Gumstool Brook rallied to address these issues. At the Barton Lane Allotments open meeting at the Quaker Meeting House we discussed potential solutions, focusing on clearing parts of the wild area to allow more sunlight to reach the brook. The key requirement? Solutions needed to be cost-effective, given budget constraints. With this in mind, the group turned to community driven efforts. This project exemplifies how resourceful thinking and community spirit can overcome significant challenges while fostering a sense of collective achievement. Recent progress includes clearing overgrown ivy, rebuilding a collapsed stone wall, removing a rusted shed, and pruning lower branches to allow more sunlight to penetrate. These changes, led by John Tiffney and ably assisted by the eco-squad from Barton Lane Allotments including Ken, Charlie on chain saw, Katy, Dave Whittles expert in river habitat and Sue have laid the groundwork for a vibrant, biodiverse space. Since its formation in 2013, the Friends of the Gumstool Brook, have tackled challenges such as winter flooding and summer droughts. Regular working parties and partnerships with organisations like the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), citizen scientists and Cirencester Wildlife Group have been instrumental in addressing these issues. Looking ahead, plans include replacing the mill pond’s outdated sluice gates -possibly with a weir to improve water flow and oxygenation to turn the pond into a thriving wildlife habitat. Cleared materials will be used to create meanders and brush piles, enhancing habitat diversity. The group also aims to work with the Bathurst Estate and Cirencester Wildlife Group to further improve tree management and sunlight penetration along the brook. John Tiffney continues to monitor groundwater levels and biodiversity, building on historical records initiated by the late Jan Gronow. Their efforts ensure that changes are data-driven and environmentally sustainable. This ongoing project underscores the power of local collaboration. With continued support, our wild area, the Mill Pond and Gumstool Brook are poised to become a model of community-driven environmental stewardship. Next Steps: Finalising a feasibility study to replace sluice gates with a weir. Expanding collaboration with local estates and wildlife groups. Continuing to monitor biodiversity through citizen scientist programs. Organising additional community working parties to implement habitat enhancements. For updates and ways to get involved, visit: www.gumstool.org.uk