Month: October 2023

Present:  Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Martin Pasek, Robert Loxton, Lewis Evans, Gordon Goldsmith, Mike Powell

Apologies: Dan Hostler

Previous Minutes:

Meeting date 5^th September 2023: Previously approved. 

Actions from previous meeting

Items to be addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report

Richard welcomed Mike to the Committee

Site Representative 

• Council.

The Council have given a response to the overflowing culvert issue on Road 3. The PPAA Committee, who do not accept aspects of this response, have replied to the Council accordingly. 

In the meanwhile the PPAA Committee have independently and WITHOUT PREJUDICE committed to warning signage, and to clearance of the silt – which is underway .  

• PPAA

As agenda

Treasurer’s report

• Wendy advised that Dave King had confirmed he would continue to act as account auditor for which the Committee are very grateful. 
• A token of gratitude would be made to Cardiff Rivers Group for this and for their assistance in recovering the trolley and the continuing collection and removal of metallic waste.

Site Security

• Richard has obtained a quote from a metal fabricator to improve the security of the bottom gate by making it more difficult to climb over. Intruders have been seen on several occasions to climb over the gate and have been aggressive to plot holders. The Committee approved the expenditure. Richard to obtain a risk assessment from the contractor and action.
• The cost of installing full cctv was proving excessive and it was agreed that wildlife cameras would be obtained and discreetly positioned at suitable locations. 

Autumn hedge trim

• This will be carried out when most leaves have fallen.

Waste heap and shed debris removal

• It is anticipated that this will be carried out in the next few weeks depending on contractor work schedule and a period of dry weather; work to take up to 3 days to complete.
• Wendy volunteered to pursue the removal of shed debris next to Plot 2.

Hedgehog boxes

• 5 have been procured and will be installed.

Plot Inspections

• 7 plots had been identified as long-term overgrown with no sign of activity and had been referred to the Council for terminating the rental agreement. 
• Sue confirmed that all new prospective new plot holders were apprised of the demands of maintaining a plot and Council procedures for neglect. A 6-week probation period is in operation for new plot holders.

Plot Vacancies, letting and structure applications.

Sue reported the following movement since the last meeting:

5 new tenants in the 6-week probation period

1 vacant plot waiting viewings.

1 vacant plot in bad condition to be cleared before letting.

1 plot being cleared and nearly ready for letting.

1 application for a structure.

Manure

A Committee member had recently met with a Council representative who had agreed to investigate manure delivery.

Post meeting note: manure has now been delivered.

Poly tunnel allocations 2024

6 grow beds will become available in February 2024 and the process of application and draw will begin in December.

Water trough water 

Mains water will be isolated for the winter at the end of October.

Any Other Business

• Mike queried the requirement of a site specific Risk Assessment. Richard to enquire if other allotment sites have adopted any procedures.
• Mike noted that a large ash tree near the composting toilet appears to have die back and will advise the Council.

Date of next meeting

19:00 Tuesday 7^th November 2023 at Butcher’s Arms Canton.

Now’s that time of year on site when many of us choose to tidy up our plots from the summer growing season, and to start preparing them for the spring. It also makes it an ideal time for new plot holders to start on a plot, as they now have the time to prepare for the next season’s activities.

With that in mind, it’s also a good time for anyone thinking of giving up their plot – or wanting to explore the relevant options – to do so.

Around the site there’re quite a few plots which’ve seen minimal, or even no, cultivation during this last year. There can be many reasons for this, but there’re options which might help to see some of them being worked productively again.

If a plot’s too big, then the holder could swap it for a smaller one, or the plot could be split.

Maybe there’s someone who would like to share their plot – after all, the Council have people on the waiting list who’ve specified this very thing as a choice.

Or maybe – as’ll be the case for us all in due course – the time’s come for the holder to give up their tenancy.

Anyone wanting to discuss options is cordially invited to contact PPAA Committee, and the range of possible next steps can then be identified and considered.

It’s important for us all to remember this though. A plot holder who releases their tenancy voluntarily isn’t prevented from putting their name back on a Cardiff allotment waiting list. However, that’s not the case if the Council end the tenancy compulsorily.

It’s dispiriting to see new gardeners give up because they struggle to keep their plots sufficiently weed-free to be productive, indeed, acceptable, under the terms of tenancy.

There’s a recurrent pattern, where the new plot holder invests a lot of effort, perhaps even enlists help, to weed the plot, but is then daunted to see that a mere month or so later the myriad seeds have germinated and then rapidly grown, so that the plot looks little different from when they first took it.

The problem often seems to be a lack of knowledge, as to the proper use of two simple, basic tools – the hoe and the rake, and of the effects of time on the growth of weeds.

So, to start at the beginning, once the heavy work of first clearing has been done, it’s essential to prevent weeds from re-establishing themselves, but this needn’t be difficult, and this is where hoe and rake come into the picture. If the gardener can attend at least once every ten days or so during the growing season, then the small weeds and seedlings can easily be destroyed, by using a pull hoe to cut them and their roots away from the underlying soil, working methodically in strips, to avoid trampling the weeds back in, or re-covering them with successive work. This is by far best done in dry weather so that the weeds quickly shrivel and die. After the hoe, a rake can be used to gather up the weeds for the compost heap. It’s best not to leave them as, a shower of rain can water them back in, and some will recover. However, it’s crucial not to allow the weeds time to put down deep roots, and so regular attendance – at least once every ten days – is essential.

That said, however, using a hoe and rake isn’t hard work. If done regularly, then unlike digging it doesn’t need much strength or energy, doesn’t involve bending like weeding with a trowel, and it’s very quick.

If the gardener hasn’t much time, then a low-maintenance plot should be designed so that it may easily be managed by hoe-and-rake. Too many structures – raised beds, cages etc. can hinder the use of these wonderful, simple tools.

A Word About Bay Trees

We’re used to seeing these as attractive small shrubs in tubs, as topiary features, outside restaurants and other public places, and it might be tempting to include one in an allotment herb garden. However, the ones that we see out-and-about are only small because they’re in containers and regularly trimmed. The fact is, that bay is a fast-growing evergreen, a laurel. Planted in free soil it quickly becomes a large, very dense tree. Furthermore, the Council have confirmed, that bay trees are simply broadleaf trees, and are therefore prohibited under Clause Seven in the Schedule forming part of our Tenancy Agreements.

Part of the volunteers’ work is clearing plots ready for new tenants, and an increasingly large part of their time and energy is being taken in dealing with neglected bay trees, which shouldn’t have been planted in the first place.

If anyone wants to grow one of these, then please keep it in a container, one from which it can’t root into the soil, and prune it regularly. After all, how many bay leaves would even the most enthusiastic cook need in a year – a couple of handfuls?

There’s at least one bay in the hedge by the spine road in any case, so if anyone wants a few leaves for a stew then they’re very welcome to help themselves.