Aminopryalid, as previously noted on this website, is suddenly big news. It seems that this recently created hormonal herbicide has the potential to wreak havoc amongst plant growers throughout the country. One has no way of knowing that their manure has not been tainted by contact with this readily available product at some stage along the process. It is known to be used by farmers and landscape gardeners among others to achieve a weed-free sward and has found it's way down through the food-chain into many sources of manure.

The Allotted Month - June 2008

A member from Inverleith Allotments has contacted us with a worrying tale of withered potatoes. There would appear to be a significant threat to all plant growers who aspire to use organic manure. This comes from a recently developed specific weedkiller, aminopryalid, which is applied to grassland to kill invasive weeds, such as docks and nettles. The hormone based chemical does not affect the grass, which can be cut for silage, used for animal feed and processed into manure. The chemical does not appear to be harmful to animals.

The latest unforeseen consequence of Edinburgh's tram project is the possible sale of former allotment land at Balgreen. To make up a shortfall in the budget the Council proposes to sell off for housing various packages of land including this site. This comes just as hopes were rising that Balgreen Allotments, closed 10 years ago and left to run to seed, would form part of a programme of expansion of allotment land in response to the inexorable rise in the number of citizens wishing to look after a plot and grow their own.

The Allotted Month - May 2008

This month has seen the end of "Seed Time" with the prospect that June will be a bit more relaxed. The plot, apart from transplanting the leeks in July, is now fully planted up and everything seems to be growing well.

The Allotted Month - April 2008

In the spring growth comes on quickly, and this is true on the plot as well as in our gardens. Last month three of the sections in the plot were just bare earth. This month all the shallots and garlic, started in Rootrainers in the greenhouse, have been set out to bring some welcome greenery. Similarly, the potatoes and onion sets are now adding a bit more green as they push through the soil into the daylight.

To kick off the new gardening section George Sutherland has submitted a superb article about potato eelworm.

Just added is a new gardening section. This will be a place to post articles and comments about all manner of gardening topics.

The main sections at the moment are Plants, Diseases, Pests and Weeds. The Plants section will be used for listing and reviewing plant varieties which we have found to be good or bad. In line with the open nature of this site you will be able to add your own comments and reviews to each plant listed.

A nice peaceful little film about Edinburgh allotments found on youtube.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUervEKxy0&feature=related

The Allotted Month - March 2008

March was a very busy month, but now the really heavy work of the allotment year is over and there is now a slightly reduced work pace. So far no crops have been planted out and, apart from the Crimson Clover on section D, the plot has all been dug over and hoed in preparation for crops.