Presentation and Party

To mark our success in being awarded Level 3 by Yorkshire in Bloom in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category, we celebrated at the allotment with a scrumptious lunch.

Pam Wisnia, Rainbow Project Services Manager and Dr Ron Wiener, outgoing Chair of the Green Committee presented the certificate to the residents of the Rainbow Houses and volunteers.

 

  We then tucked into sandwiches, scones and cake and helped to tidy up the plot.

Our tomatoes and mint

 The weather stayed fine and the sun even made an appearance.

 Even Pickles joined in the celebrations

Thanks to everyone who came down and joined in our party.

During the winter months, we are planning to sow seeds and produce signage in the warmth of the Rainbow Houses.

Autumn arrives

Autumn is the perfect time to take account of what we’ve done, what we didn’t do, and what we’d like to do next year. ~Author Unknown

We are delighted with our certificate and, just as this quote advises, we have started to plan for the next year.  We are entering the competition again in 2015 and hope to improve on our present status.

We are as excitedly browsing through the seed catalogue.

 Many hands make light work and we'd love you to join us!

We sowed some Meteor peas

 Some of this week's harvest

 The broad beans sown a couple of weeks ago are developing nicely

Result!

We are delighted to announce that Rainbow Allotment has been awarded Level 3 (out of a possible 5) by Yorkshire in Bloom in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.  This means we are at the “developing” stage and we will be working towards the “thriving” stage for next year’s entry.

Residents of the Rainbow Houses, carers and volunteers are to be commended.  We are always seeking additional members to join our team.

 

 Cabbages, broccoli and cauliflowers planted up

 Brussels Sprouts almost ready for the table

Sunny September

The tomato plants in the poly tunnel have kept us busy with their need for constant watering.  However, they have rewarded us with delicious, juicy tomatoes. 

We have dug over most of the beds ready for Autumn planting.  Broad beans Aguadulce is the first crop to be planted.  The instructions on the packet said “plant in a zigzag pattern” so we will be interested to see how this has worked out!

 

 Brussels

 Mint

 Herbs

Are you up for a challenge? 

We have one corner of the allotment which is in desperate need of love and attention.  Please let us know if you would be interested in giving it a makeover.

Judgement Day

Today the allotment was judged by Yorkshire in Bloom.
The weather was good and we had a good turnout of service users and volunteers.  
Thanks everyone for your support.

 On left Richard from the Parks Department plus two Yorkshire in Bloom judges, Melvyn and Andy

 Collecting the rest of the peas

 Planting up some lavender

 A good crop of garlic

 Shallots

The sun shines on Rainbow Allotment

 Picking peas

 Plenty of peas and one potato (so far)

 Our first garlic

In mint condition

 The mint is flourishing

Volunteer Elaine says that the smell of mint reminds her of her Aunt Bessie's house in the Mexboroughs.  Do you have a plant which evokes memories?

 Give peas a chance

The peas are almost ready to harvest.  Can anyone recommend a recipe or do you prefer them plain, even just from the pod?

 Strawberries and Wimbledon; perfect combination.