Useful Information
Manure
To the best of our knowledge, manure is currently available from the following sources:
(1) Henry Stanley Compost (01980 862992)
Recent experience suggests this manure is well rotted and very good quality. Prices (Oct 2011) were £50 for a 2 cubic metre load, £65 for 3 cubic metres.
(2) Mr Knight (01189 470323)
In autumn 2009 the cost was £35 for a large load. Quality has been variable - some recent reports suggest that the manure is quite fresh and contains a lot of straw, whereas others have found the quality to be good.
Trailer
A trailer is available to ALL plot holders to use, if required. Please ring Doug Richards on 01491-573046 if you wish to borrow it.
RHS Cards
The Allotment Association has two RHS cards, each of which entitles the holder plus one guest to 30% off the entry to RHS Gardens (Wisley, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr and Hyde Hall). The only exception is that Sunday entry to Wisley is excluded.
If you would like to make use of one or both of the cards, please contact Doug Richards on 01491 573046.
Links to Other Sources of Information and Advice
The internet offers a wealth of information that can be searched for specific topics. We have made a selection divided into various categories. These links will open a new browser window.
We are not responible for these sites. Please read our disclaimer.
Allotments in General
- The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG)
- Allotments Regeneration Initiative (ARI)
- Allotments: a plotholder's guide - New edition, now published by ARI
- The National Allotment Gardens Trust (NAGT)
- Garden Organic, the new working name for HDRA, the national charity for organic growing. If you would like to access the member's area of this website, please send us an email containing your name and plot number...email
Royal Horticultural Society
The RHS has an excellent website covering a wide range of topics. At the time of writing the RHS website was being reorganised. If you find that the links do not work please let us know. If you need to find advice on a topic, navigate to the advice page and enter the topic in the search box. Of particular interest is their advice on things to do this month. Their vegetable planner may also be useful.
Weather
There are many websites providing weather forecasts. The forecasts for the next few days are ideal for deciding whether it is a good time to sow seeds, or to water. We even have a local recording station. At the time of writing the Henley-on-Thames: your online guide website provided forecasts, live weather, two day temperature reports and monthly summaries.
Despite their failed forecasts of a barbecue summer and a mild winter, the Met Office is the authoritative source and the nearest recording station is Benson, renowned for its overnight low temperatures.
A personal favourite that I often check when the forecast is doubtful before going to the allotment is rain today. This uses radar to detect rain and shows the rain showers on a map. The site takes a little time to load but the display of showers over a period of time shows which way the showers are moving.
Use this website to check for the likelihood of frost over the next 5 days.
Seed Merchants
Seed merchants do so much more these days, supplying plants, sundries, fruit bushes and seedlings at various stages of growth in modules. I still have a certain loyalty to Suttons who were once based in Reading. They have an excellent website and have, in particular, a good page In your garden this month. Real seeds have advice on saving your own seed.
For links to Seed merchants and plant suppliers see the links right.
Composting
The National Charity for Organic Growing offers advice on making your own compost.