Lewes Organic Allotment Project
The Lewes Organic Allotment Project is a community growing space for people living in and near Lewes. The allotment, in Nevill, is made up of eight plots worked by members, who share the fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown on the site.
Click the Play button to see latest news -- 25 August from the Allotment. Courtesy of the Oyster Project, a local disability group with whom we are working to create an accessible dedicated growing area.
Workshops on successful composting are held on site occasionally (here's some we held earlier).
An annual membership fee of £15.00, £20.00 for families, (£10.00 and
£12.00 unwaged) covers the cost of seeds, tools and manure. The rent for
the Town Council site is paid by Lewes District Council, which was
instrumental in starting the project under the Local Agenda 21 plan.
summer 2010
Come and join us on Weds mornings for a mentored food- growing session on the allotment. Info: Sarah 01273 476029.
September 2010
After months of dry weather the combination of rain and sunshine is bringing things on, so lots of veg such as spinach, kale, beans, tomatoes, herbs, courgettes, patty pan, salads are all plentiful and the autumn raspberries have been fantastic. We grew a Heritage Bean this year called Box (www.gardenorganic.org.uk) which has been prolific, along with the colourful Borlotti Bean (good in stews). For the first time we have grapes on the grapevine!
The damp conditions have brought the slugs and snails out in force so we are patrolling for them. We also have mildew on some of the courgettes and squashes, by picking of the worst of the leaves the plants should last long enough to get the fruits to a decent size.
No sign of blight on the tomatoes and potatoes which is good - if it does appear we’ll take off effected leaves - Tomatoes will then put their energy into developing the fruit trusses. Potato leaves should be cut off straight away and potatoes dug up, although if necessary they can stay in the ground; they won’t grow any more but can be stored there temporarily. Not too long or the slugs will catch on!
Looking forward to apples, squashes, nuts, sloes and autumn fires to cook on.
early summer update
There has been so little rain we have had to water what we’ve planted so far, we don’t usually do more than water in really well when planting and then mulch but this year that won’t be enough. Salads, potatoes, broad beans, onions, garlic and herbs are all doing well though, and the purple sprouting broccoli has produced well. Carrots not so happy with the dry spell, but little green fruits appearing on the strawberries.
We have a fabulous new handmade elm bench made for us by David Baker, a local carpenter - thank you David!
In the winter months we can supplement with produce from local veg box growers Ashurst or Barcombe.
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The BBC's Dig In campaign is back with info on growing five new vegetables for spring 2010. Download free growing guide, cook your veg with a Nigel Slater recipe, and more.
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Sat 5 Dec
BBC Tree o'clock
Fifteen volunteers planted a mixture of Hazel, Cherry, Rowan, Hawthorn, Blackthorn (Sloe) and Crab Apple in the hour allowed - 24 new trees
altogether (1ft high whips at the moment), which will become an edible tall hedge, with just a few growing up into larger trees. Food for us and the wonderful array of birds that visit the allotment. A small contribution to the record attempt but a wonderful resource for the site. It didn't rain until afterwards, too! More details of nationwide event.
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Thanks to all who came and helped!
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Lewes Organic Allotment Project
Contact(s): Sarah Rideout on 01273 476029