News, Recipes

Cleavers & Nettle Spring Tonic

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This recipe comes courtesy of Ruby Taylor, artist/ maker & teacher of Native Hands – a wonderful programme of ‘wild’ crafts, including basketry, pottery and fire making. Ruby’s courses are held mostly outdoors in woodland and have evolved out of a love of making things in nature using natural materials.  Find out more on her website/ blog.

Ruby says:

Cleavers grow abundantly in gardens/allotments and any marginal area. Also known as goose grass and sticky willie, it’s the one that you can throw at your friend’s back & it’ll stick there without them feeling a thing. Cleavers and nettles make one of the best spring tonics (great for the lymphatic system & full of nutrition). This is one of my very favourite things to make as spring arrives. I’ll be having a glass of this every morning for the next month or so. Cheers, all!

Method

Gather a small handful of the young leaves of each plant & crush in a pestle & mortar with half a glass of water added. Strain & keep the juice, Repeat the crushing & straining, to get a glassful of juice. Drink straight away while it’s vibrant green.

Images credits: Leonora Enking & Ruby Taylor

News, Recipes

Purple Sprouting Broccoli – keeping it simple

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PSB servedPurple sprouting broccoli is a welcome spring crop, and is worth the long growing season if you have the space. It is nothing like its broccoli or calabrese cousins and is often considered the equal of asparagus; prices in the shops may help you make the decision to find the room to include this brilliant brassica.

If, like me you are waiting keenly for the first pick of home grown purple sprouting broccoli, or if you’re already reaping an early harvest, then you’ll love this fresh, simple recipe.

Ingredients:

  • Purple sprouting broccoli
  • Sesame Oil
  • Soy Sauce or Tamari
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds to garnish

Method:

  1. Rinse the broccoli and cut off any hard stems
  2. Heat the sesame oil in a wok and add the broccoli once the oil is hot – it should sizzle
  3. Cover the pan allowing steam to cook the broccoli
  4. Just before the broccoli is cooked (still with a ‘bite’), add soy sauce
  5. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds
News, Resources

How To…Sow Seeds

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Welcome to our latest ‘How To…’ guide.  Things you will need for this: seeds, compost, pots.

1 Things you need

Seeds can either be sown directly into the soil where they will grow, or raised in posts first to give them the necessary protection for a head start on the growing season. Once you’ve decided what seeds you want to plant, the technique for sowing is pretty similar for all seeds. Remember to read the seed packet to make sure you’re giving your plants the best head start.

Step 1. Choose a growing medium. You can buy organic seed compost from a number of suppliers. It is not essential to use seed compost, but because seeds contain all the energy needed to germinate, they don’t need a high nutrient compost to start off with.

Step 2.  Choose suitable pots or seed trays in which to sow your seeds and fill them with compost. Make sure you leave enough space for a covering layer of compost or to make a hole to plant the seed. If the seeds are very small (such as brassicas) you may want to sprinkle them thinly (broadcast) over a seed tray rather than into individual pots or modular seed trays (ones with multiple sections joined together). You can use a variety of containers to plant seeds, as long as they have drainage holes in the base. If you are keen to avoid plastic, then why not try making your own paper pots from newspaper. These can be planted out without the need for transplanting and disturbing roots.

Step 3.  Sow your seeds. As a rule, seeds should be planted twice the depth of their size. For very small seeds, a fine layer of compost to cover is sufficient. For larger seeds, use a piece of cane, a pencil (or your finger!) to make a hole the correct depth and drop the seed in. Try and make sure you only use seed that is in date. Some seeds store better than others and should be kept cool and dry. Some seeds have extra needs to help with germination. Some need an ‘artificial winter’ and will need to be kept in the fridge before sowing; some will benefit from soaking overnight. Check the packet for any tips and directions on this. A good tip: don’t forget to label your seeds; I always think I will remember what things are, but I don’t.

Step 4.  Water in. The best way to water seeds is by standing the entire tray or set of modules in water and allowing the compost to draw up the moisture until the surface is just wet. Don’t use rainwater for seeds and seedlings as it can contain fungal spores that can lead to a common cause of seedling death: dampening off, whereby the seedling stem withers away.

4 Water in

Step 5.  Raise seedlings. For indoor sown seeds, keep the trays somewhere with constant temperature and good light. Make sure the compost doesn’t dry out, but don’t overwater. You can put covers (or cloches) over the seeds to help maintain the temperature, but you should remove these as soon as the seed germinates to allow good air circulation and prevent moulds from forming. For outdoor plants, you will be more at the mercy of the elements, but you can use covers to help minimise overwatering from rain, damage from wind and fluctuating temperatures.

5 Finished pots

Step 6.  Thinning out your seedlings. As cruel as it seems, it is important to thin out seedlings where you have broadcast sown to ensure that the remaining seedlings have optimum conditions to become strong plants. You can always use seedling thinnings as a topping on salads, or pot them on and give them to friends and family.

Step 7.  Growing on your seedlings. Some plants, particularly those with larger seeds, will need to be potted on to larger containers as they outgrow their seedling pots, but this is not recommended for the brassica family as they dislike having their roots disturbed. If you do transplant seedlings, only handle them by their leaves and roots; try not to touch the stem as it is easy to damage it. Pot on into organic potting compost where the young plants will benefit from a higher nutrient content.

Now you can sit back and daydream of warmer spring days when you can plant out the seedlings after risk of frost has passed. Don’t forget to harden off tender plants by leaving them outside during the day for a few days, then over night before planting in the final location.

For a quick look guide on how to plant different types of seed, go to our seed sowing table.

News, Our community allotment

BHOGG’s Starter Bed scheme at Weald Allotment site

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INTO8

We are pleased to confirm that the Organic Starter Bed scheme operating at the Weald Allotment site has the green light from the Allotment team at B&HCC to continue in 2019. Read on to find out more about what the scheme is and why it has been so successful

In 2014 the Organic Gardening Group (BHOGG) worked in cooperation with the City Council’s Allotment officer to pioneer a project enabling 6-8 people on the Weald allotment waiting list to spend a year cultivating a “starter bed” and gardening on the organic community allotment. The scheme has been in place ever since, with great outcomes from a survey of users covering the period 2015-2018.

24 people were involved and responses were received from 16 with all 16 rating the scheme at “very good” on a scale of ‘very bad’ to ‘very good’. What participants loved: hands-on gardening experience outdoors, use of equipment, learning from each other and access to a breadth of gardening knowledge, sense of community engendering friendships and sociability.

All participants believed that the scheme helped them prepare effective for their own allotment or to continue as a volunteer on the community allotment to gain further experience. As one grower noted:

“It’s been really useful for learning what crops I would like to grow, how much work will be involved and what size Allotment might be manageable for me”

Of 14 people who have gone on to have their own allotments, 12 have successfully cultivated their allotments and we only know of 2 people who have given up. This appears to be a very low drop out rate compared to the allotment strategy figures for allotment holders generally.

There were no notable problems reported, and in fact participants suggest that more sessions and communal events be held. Unexpected benefits were reported, such as the impact of the plot on wellbeing for volunteers:

“Although I joined BHOGG to learn about organic gardening, I found it also had massive benefits for my mental health (I suffer from anxiety). The effect of going once a week has been very noticeable I i.e. I notice a change in my mood if I don’t go”.

In conclusion, there seems to be much to recommend this scheme, and support from B&HCC and from sponsors Infinity Food have made the project possible. It would be great to offer the scheme to a larger number of people and on other allotment sites.

“In my view the project is a wonderful community enhancing, educational and healthy living inspiring network and activity. People are helpful to each other, there is a good balance of personal accountability and group responsibility, co-ordination is brilliant despite that task being obviously akin to herding cats. I have personally enjoyed making new friends, the fresh air and exercise and feeling much more prepared for my own allotment when that time comes.”

If you are interested in becoming involved in the scheme, offering some volunteer time on the BHOGG Weald plots or in helping support the work of BHOGG generally, please do get in touch with us.  You can read Alan’s full starter bed scheme report here.

News

Seedy Sunday 2019

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Seedy Sunday 2019 did not disappoint with a day packed with interesting stalls, events and people. Over 2,000 happy punters had a great time visiting the seed swap, with over 2,500 packets of seeds to choose from, and visiting the 70 stall holders who were showing, telling and selling all things gardening and wildlife related.

We were busy on our BHOGG stall all day with people coming to renew membership or join for the first time, buy wonderful organic feed and to ask expert advice on organic gardening. Seedy Sunday is an important event for BHOGG and organic gardeners as seeds saved locally often have adaptations to local soil conditions and microclimates, making them more likely to grow well and need less support. Seed swaps also provide a much wider choice of varieties than it is possible to get from seed companies, and although they may not always be strictly organic, their local heritage is an added boon.

Kate Harrison from the Seedy Sunday committee told us what she loves about the event:

“I’ve been coming to Seedy Sunday almost as long as I’ve lived in Brighton – 17 years! If you’d told me back in 2003 that I might be on the organising committee one day, I’d have been amazed. What I love about Seedy Sunday is that every year I learn something new, I buy some eye-opening plant (this year: Sea Buckthorn and Chilean Guava), and I meet some fantastic people. The atmosphere at Seedy Sunday is so special – full of people saying hello to old friends, making new ones, and talking about their common passions – gardening and wildlife.”

Seedy Sunday was organised by around 50 volunteers this year that set up, packed down and helped on the day. They always welcome new volunteers, so get in touch at their website for more information on how to be involved in next year’s event.

If you didn’t get along to the BHOGG staff to renew your membership or join, then don’t forget you can do so online on our website.

Images from top left (all images copyright of Jenni Cresswell, except where stated otherwise): BHOGG banner, Pennard Plant’s potatoes (image courtesy of Fenella Burns), Seedy Sunday seed packets ready for swapping (image courtesy of Fenella Burns), Infinity’s potatoes (image courtesy of Fenella Burns), Thomas Etty’s heritage seed catalogue, Pesticide Action Network’s Pesticide Free City badges, BHOGG leaflet, Stanmer Organics’ willow decorations, Seedy Sunday bunting, The Monday Group’s bird boxes.

Events, News

Seedy Sunday is tomorrow!

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It runs from 10.30 to 4.00, at BHASVIC, 205 Dyke Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6EG. See the map here. Please note there is NO parking for the public on site. For information on public transport click here.

Check out the brilliant programme this year, with details of the great line-up of speakers, including the local author of The Wildlife Gardener, Kate Bradbury; and a local Gardeners’ Question time.

There are fun children’s activities, lots of brilliant exhibitors selling and telling about all things horticultural and wild, and the lovely Infinity Foods will be upstairs with their café selling lunch and cakes.

At the heart of Seedy Sunday are the wonderful seed swap tables – here’s some more information about how it works. Come and have a browse whether you have seeds to swap or not – you can make a donation of 50p per packet if you don’t have anything to exchange. We’re also happy to have Betsy’s Bakes providing refreshments in the seed swap room.

Have fun and see you there!

News, Tips

February Top Tips

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Soil.jpeg1.  Plan your plot: crop rotation; put crops that need regular picking near a path; ones that need less attention (spuds, onions, leeks) can be in less accessible areas

2.  Tidy overgrown patches (brambles, ivy, etc.), but don’t be too tidy to allow an overwintering shelter for beneficial creatures

3.  Finish planting & pruning of deciduous trees, shrubs (but not those that flower before midsummer) & hedges (birds start nesting soon so don’t delay on hedges)

4.  Get your seeds & spuds at Seedy Sunday

5.  Get a couple of beds ready (weed & feed) for March planting of early spuds & onions.

Do this by taking out any overwintering weeds and adding a layer of compost or manure to the soil’s surface in a mulch. If possible do this when there is a sunny day and the ground is damp – as a mulch ‘seals’ the soil, it is better to seal in warm and moist conditions, rather than cold and wet ones. If the weather doesn’t oblige, place a cloche (cover) over the prepared soil to help warm it. You don’t have to invest in expensive cloches, you could source a large piece of clear plastic from some packaging – ask friends and family if you don’t have any – and do your bit for keeping some plastic out of the environment!

News

European Union Pesticide Authorisation – a helpful summary

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wintergreensingreenhouseIn November 2017 the European Union (EU) agreed to grant a 5 year licence for the use of glyphosate* within the EU. This came after 18 months of debate between the agrochemical industry, which wanted a 15-year renewal of the licence for the use of glyphosate within the EU, and individuals, NGOs and environmental organisations who wanted the substance banned. The European Commission and those Member States that voted in favour of renewal chose to ignore the European Parliament and the 1,320,517 European citizens who signed a petition to ban glyphosate, reform the EU pesticide** approval process, and set mandatory targets to reduce pesticide use in the EU.

The European Parliament then set up a Special Committee on the authorisation procedure for pesticides. The first recommendations to address the issue have now been made. Possibly the most important recommendation is the proposal that the public should be granted access to the research submitted in order to authorise a pesticide.  Currently the data and information provided by the chemical companies (such as Bayer and Syngenta) is seen only by the authorisation body and is too often regarded by them as definitive. The new recommendation provides scientists and other specialists in the field a chance to analyse the data provided by manufacturers.

During this period of open access stakeholders will be able not only to comment on the findings, but also to provide additional existing data.  This allows for all relevant information to be taken into account – environmental impact, health studies etc. – which previously the authorisers have not been able to do.

The Committee also recommended that post-market evaluation should be strengthened.  This means follow-up research in real life use of the pesticide. It is hoped that they will launch an epidemiological study on the impact of pesticides on human health, for instance. Perhaps they will also look at the ‘cocktail effect’ of using a sequence of chemicals throughout the crops’ growing life.  Normally each chemical is approved in isolation – which is not how farmers and growers use them. The Belgian Greens MEP, Bart Staes said:

“We ask for full transparency with regard to the studies used for the assessment. To make them more independent and based on scientific evidence, to avoid conflicts of interests, to fully test active substances, to thoroughly test pesticide products, including the cumulative effects, and for stronger risk management measures.”

The recommendations were adopted with 23 votes to 5 and 1 abstention. The full EU House voted on the report during the plenary session of 14-17th January 2019, with a resounding majority for adoption of the report (For: 526 (79%), Against: 66 (10%), Abstain: 72 (11%)).

Notes:

*Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Round Up

**“Pesticide” is also used to describe herbicides, which includes glyphosate.

Article written by Mouse

See our article on local impact on ban here.

News

Brighton & Hove Allotment Federation Glyphosate debate

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wasp on winter squash detailBrighton & Hove Allotment Federation (BHAF) held a site rep and members meeting on 23rd January. Part of this meeting was to look at whether a ban of the use of glyphosate could be proposed to Brighton & Hove City Council. Mark Carroll, Chair of BHAF reports back for BHOGG:

‘Although it appears that the majority of plot holders would like a ban on the use of glyphosate on allotments, there is a significant minority that do not think a ban is appropriate.

The reasons put forward are that it is a legal product which some people, perhaps elderly and less fit people, rely on to keep weeds at bay. A big problem for the site reps present at the meeting, who did not want a ban on its use, was that they felt it would be impossible to enforce a ban anyway. There are other products and mixtures available that will also kill plants, so how would a site rep know if it was definitely glyphosate that was used? It is true it would be difficult to ‘police’.

However there was agreement that careless use of glyphosate, which affected neighbouring plots should definitely be curtailed. It was agreed that there should be something included in the rules to this effect, and BHAF will work on this straight away.

Meanwhile, until glyphosate is banned, (and it seems increasingly likely it will be) we will continue to try and increase awareness of the dangers of its use. Not just the possible personal health issues of using it on your own plots but also of the serious negative effects to the wider environment and bio diversity which allotments provide.’

Over 80% of plot holders actively minimise the use of chemicals and aim for organic growing methods. So with this positive starting point, BHOGG and BHAF are committed to working together to promote organic gardening and help raise awareness about the harmful effects of using chemicals such as glyphosate.  Watch this space!

For more background on European Union’s debate around pesticides and glyphosate, read Mouse’s article.

Events, News, Seedy Sunday

One week until Seedy Sunday!

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A big shout out to our fantastic range of exhibitors and stall holders this year:   All your familiar favourites will be there, including our lovely sponsors Infinity Foods with their organic seed potatoes and shallot sets, The Heritage Seed Library, The Seed Co-operative, Thomas Etty, Pennard Plants and Edulis Nursery.  

They are joined by some newcomers to Seedy Sunday 2019 including Solseed Landscapes, who offer organic edible and ecological landscaping services using permaculture design as their guiding principle;  the Sussex National Garden Scheme, who will be telling us about the Open Garden Scheme for 2019; and Vital Seeds, an independent seed company based in Devon selling open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seed for home-gardeners and small scale market growers.

We also have a wonderful line-up of speakers, with a great range of talks including Kate Bradbury, author of “The Wildlife Gardener” and our very own local Gardeners’ Question Time. The speaker line-up is here:

There’ll be some great activities for children with their parents or caregivers, including a fun new activity making Ecobricks; decorating seed envelopes, and face-painting.

Seedy Sunday is Sunday February 3rd and runs from 10.30 to 4.00pm. It’s at BHASVIC, 205 Dyke Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6EG. See the map here. Please note there is NO parking for the public on site. See www.seedysunday.org for information on public transport.