Dear Member,

Things are in full swing now, and it’s a busy time on the allotments. Many of you will be preparing beds, sowing seeds, or transplanting seedlings started in the greenhouse a few weeks ago. Early seed potatoes can be planted out if you haven’t already done so. Successional sowings of beetroot, carrots, and lettuces will help keep a steady supply and avoid gluts later in the season. It’s also the right moment to think about sowing parsnips, leeks, and turnips.

🌐 Our New‑Look Website

Have you visited the WHGAA website recently? It’s had a major refresh and now includes much more information, updates, and resources for members.

Take a look: whgaa.org

🥔 Growing Better Swedes

It’s been a long time since many of us have managed a really good swede crop. Last year’s bought‑in plants didn’t perform well, and advice online is mixed: some say swedes must be sown directly into the soil, while others recommend starting them in pots or modules.

Swede is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be grown at home. Grow them yourself for organic produce with better flavour than shop-bought swedes. Sown in late spring, they’ll be ready to harvest for warming and hearty meals in the depths of winter.

Here’s a simple, reliable method:

• Create a shallow drill using a trowel or even your finger along a straight edge.
• Place labels at each end so you can find your row later—sticks will do if labels aren’t handy.
• Water the drill gently.
• Sow seeds about 5cm apart.
• Once seedlings are growing well, thin them to 20cm spacing.
• Cover lightly with soil and hope for the best.

As swedes are brassicas, remember to net them—pigeons love a nibble.

🌿 Sowing Peas

Starting peas undercover in modules or jiffy pots helps ensure good germination and protects them from rodents. When seedlings reach around 10cm tall, using a dibber or trowel, plant out the whole clump of three seedlings:

• Space clumps 8cm apart in a row.
• For double rows, leave 30cm between rows.
• Support with twigs or netting as they grow.

🎟️ Members’ Prize Draw

Only two more draws remain, and several prizes are still unclaimed. Pop down to the hut to check your numbers—and while you’re there, why not enter our competitions?

🌱 Plants for Sale

Peppers, aubergines, and tomatoes are growing well and should be available around the third week of April. Tomato varieties Harbinger and Moneymaker have shown poor germination this year—has anyone else noticed the same?

Plants this year will be 75p each, with 25p donated to Willen Hospice. Based on last year’s sales, we expect to raise over £300.

Cucumbers and melons will follow in early May.

🏆 Competitions Update

Just three weeks left to enter any of our three fundraising competitions:

• Treasure Map – pick five squares for £1; there are 23 prizes available
• Guess the Beans in the Jar – win £10
• Guess the Weight of the Cake – and win the cake itself

All entry fees go directly to Willen Hospice. Join in the fun and support a great cause.

🎉 50th Anniversary Celebrations

The secret’s out! If you’ve visited the website, you’ll know we’re offering:

Saturday 11th April

🛒 5% discount on all purchases

🕙 Open 10am–12 noon

Sunday 12th April – Our 50th Anniversary!

🎉 10% discount on all purchases

🕙 Open 10am–2pm

👋 The Mayor and a representative from Willen Hospice will join us around midday to receive this year’s fundraising total.

🍪 Light nibbles will be available, and competition winners will be announced.

Please mark the date—we’d love to celebrate with you.

🧪 Fertiliser Offers

Our 10% discount on all WHGAA‑bagged fertilisers continues until the end of March.

We’ve also reduced prices on all 2.5kg, 5kg, and 25kg bags.