~NEWSLETTER~

Edition 1 - August-September 2008

FRUITS OF THE EARTH.....

Redcurrants, beans, strawberries, blackcurrants and peas....grown on our allotments in Highgate (below)

I have used this place as a laboratory for experimenting with planting ideas for some years now. This year we set aside space for crops as well and we have been getting bumper harvests using entirely organic methods. In Victorian times when allotments were established the 10-rod size (250 sq metres) was deemed sufficient to feed a whole family for a year. We are not quite there yet, but the satisfaction gained from growing your own stuff is wonderful.

Redcurrant jelly -first batch to go.

Jam making accessories like pectin and circular greaseproof papers are
less easy to find these days but we have found a good jam making section in Gill Wing’s Cook Shop in Crouch End (45 Park Road) which also has brilliant straining setups with muslin and copper bowls.

Nearly ready for harvesting - potatoes in tyre columns-a good method for confined spaces. Thanks to Modi of Archway Tyres & Exhausts for the dozens of used tyres.

Watering tomatoes ...looking good but staying green for much longer this year as the sun hasn't been shining as quite it should....

The 'courgette pyramid' has been surrounded by a circle of rock salt to deter slugs.........

CREDIT CRUNCH OR CELERY CRUNCH?

While we were gathering the fruits of our labours, it did not escape our attention that growing your own fruit and veg is becoming popular again.
Whether on allotments or in gardens, people from all walks of life are making a serious attempt to produce food. If you ask them why they will say one or all of the following;

To guarantee the quality and safety of what they eat
To reduce their carbon footprint
To teach their children where food comes from
To enjoy a family activity that everyone can join in
To get out in the fresh air and do something satisfying and sustainable
To enjoy constructive exercise

For the challenge and satisfaction of achieving food by ones own hand, with very little experience you can achieve miracles quite easily and set food you can trust on your table. Equally some things may not turn out well and you might never know quite why. These setbacks can give your morale a bit of a blow when you find yourself back in Sainsburys for your asparagus and shallots.

We are currently developing a programme of teaching and demonstration days in Highgate which will cover basic growing techniques. Other topics in the pipeline include jam and preserve making, potpouri and simple herbal remedies, christmas wreaths and house decorations. Planned venue is the Red Hedgehog in Archway Road.

Pic: As you see we have already 'designed' the poster for the veg growing course! Email us if you want to be posted times and dates.

Finally the flowers.....and our Still Room

Needless to say all this excitement about vegetables and jam has not been at the expense of flowers. Here is the (almost secret) entrance to the flower garden this June/July.

Flowers are of course not just beautiful where they grow, but provide almost infinite possibilities in the home and kitchen for making perfumes and cleaning agents, flavouring food, and actively healing all manner of ailments.That is where the Still Room came in...from way back in time.

Vases of Rosa New Dawn, Albertine & Gertrude Jekyll, rose petals and Lemon Verbena drying in a Vietnamese fishing net and windowbox bee-attractors.





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