Thursday 24 May 2012

AGM 2012 Monday 28th May

The Bocking Allotment Society AGM is on Monday 28th May.

All plot holders are invited to come along.

It will be held at the Bocking Village Club at 7:30 in the Courtauld room.

Wednesday 29 February 2012

Comfrey: The Wonder Plant

Many of you might have heard about the usefulness of comfrey as plant feed, especially if you aim to garden organically.

You can find comfrey growing wild and many view it as a weed because most varieties can be very invasive - it seeds itself and can re-grow from small root cuttings.

image via fennel & fern

But because it is such an amazing source of nitrogen, potash and phosphorus, in 1954, a chap called Lawrence D Hills developed the most valuable variety - Bocking 14 - and yes, it was developed right here on the HDRA trial ground in Bocking!

Bocking 14 is high in nutrients but is sterile (it doesn't develop seeds), it is exclusively propagated from root cuttings. This is good news as it means that it can be grown on your allotment on a permanent site without the fear of it overtaking your plot.

You can use it in lots of ways:
  • It can be used as compost activator
  • The first cut of the year can go into the furrow before your potatoes
  • The leaves can be used chopped up as a dry mulch around plants
  • Cut up the leaves and put in a container with a lid to create a liquid feed
For more in-depth information on it's history and nutrients visit Allotment Vegetable Growing and Fennel & Fern for some good liquid feed recipes.

March-April is the time to plant up a permanent Comfrey bed. You can buy 5 'Bocking 14' root cuttings for £6.99 from Thompson & Morgan (based in Sudbury).

Do any of you older, and original residents of Bocking remember the HDRA trial site? Where was it located? Do you have a photos?

Wednesday 8 February 2012

The Edible Garden Show


Find out more by clicking here

Cut your own FREE beanpoles!

image from here


The Woodland Trust and the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners have teamed up to give allotment holders the chance to cut their own FREE traditional British hazel beanpoles and peasticks, instead of having to buy expensive bamboo that's travelled half way round the world.

The event is at Belhus Chase (near South Ockendon) on Wed 22nd February, 11am-3pm.

Tools and training are provided, and you'll be given inspirational ideas on using wood in the garden and allotment.

For additional details contact Tony at belhuschase@btinternet.com or tel: 07985 069800


please note: children are welcome, but under 16s must be accompanied by and adult.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Want your plot to be on TV?

Look East TV are looking to feature a family who have an allotment.

If you would like to appear on the program then get in touch with Kate Williams on kate.williams-norwich@bbc.co.uk


Tuesday 24 January 2012

Hedgerow Health

They're bursting with health benefits, require no prescription and cost nothing.

Research shows that Britain's hedgerow plants are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, scientists are investigating their uses as medicines for a host of conditions, including cancer and high blood pressure.



I came across this interesting article today, it explains the health benefits of hedgerow plants and includes some recipes.



Saturday 21 January 2012

Garlic and Elephant Garlic growing tips

I found this interesting webpage with growing tips for garlic so I thought I would share it.
Just click here to view it.