Dear Member,
🧅 Autumn Planting Reminder
Time is running out for planting onion and shallot sets, while garlic and broad beans need sowing now if you are planning to overwinter them.
🥬 It’s also worth checking that any netting protecting your brassicas is secure. More importantly, this is the perfect time to start thinking about supporting wildlife through the coming months.
🐝 Supporting Wildlife This Winter
🍃 Leave stinging nettles to die down naturally.
🪵 Any dead wood will help support solitary bees.
🐸 Leaving a few pots on the ground can create useful shelter for frogs.
🏨 Build a bug hotel using scraps of wood or bundle old canes together to provide overwintering habitats.
🐦 One of the most important things birds need during winter is water. Consider leaving a saucer of water around your garden or plot, remembering to ensure that it does not freeze over during cold spells.
🌱 Perlite or Vermiculite – Which Should You Use?
❓ Perlite and Vermiculite are very similar products, but there are some important differences.
🌬️ Perlite
✅ Improves drainage
✅ Helps loosen heavy or compacted soils
✅ Particularly useful in clay soils
✅ Excellent for cuttings and seed composts
🌿 Both products are suitable for organic gardening and neither decomposes in the soil, meaning the benefits continue year after year.
⚪ Understanding Perlite
🌋 Perlite is made from volcanic glass that expands when heated, rather like popcorn.
It is:
✔️ Sterile
✔️ Lightweight
✔️ pH neutral
✔️ Excellent for improving drainage
When mixed with compost, Perlite creates air pockets that improve drainage and root development.
⚠️ Perlite can be very dusty, so dampen it before use to avoid inhaling any dust.
💧 Vermiculite
✅ Excellent water retention
✅ Holds nutrients for plants and cuttings
✅ Ideal for moisture-loving plants
✅ Perfect for seed sowing and propagation
🟤 Understanding Vermiculite
🔥 Vermiculite is produced by heating a naturally occurring mineral (magnesium aluminium iron silicate) until it expands.
💧 It can absorb up to four times its own weight in water.
🌿 It also retains beneficial nutrients including:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
🌱 Medium-grade Vermiculite is best for cuttings compost.
🌱 Fine-grade Vermiculite is ideal for seed sowing.
🚜 No Dig Day
📅 According to gardening expert Charles Dowding, Tuesday 3 November 2027 is officially recognised as No Dig Day.
💭 There really does seem to be a day for everything these days!
I have started experimenting with a no-dig area on my allotment to see how well it works, so why not consider giving it a try yourself?
🛠️ How I Started
1️⃣ Laid cardboard over the area.
2️⃣ Covered it with manure.
3️⃣ Added spent greenhouse compost from the tomatoes to a depth of approximately 5 inches.
4️⃣ I will top it with some good-quality soil at a later date.
That’s all I intend to do.
🌍 Everything you need to know about starting a no-dig area can be found on the Charles Dowding website – charlesdowding.co.uk
✅ Benefits of No Dig
🌱 Healthier soil structure
💧 Improved moisture retention
🌬️ Better drainage
🌿 Fewer weeds
⏱️ Less work
👢 Cleaner boots (hopefully!)
🛒 Seasonal Stock Update
🧄 Elephant Garlic arrived too late to be included in last week’s newsletter, but it is now available in the Hut.
🧅 We still have three varieties of shallot sets available.
⚠️ Stocks of some onion sets are now running low, and there are currently no red onion sets remaining.
🌷 There are still a few bulbs available, including Amaryllis, Narcissus and several other varieties.
💙 Charity Donations
🙏 Since January, many members have kindly made donations to Willen Hospice through their purchases.
🎉 At the AGM we were delighted to present the charity with the final amount raised, including the donation made during our 50th Anniversary celebrations.
💰 Total Raised for 2026: £1,565.11
👏 A fantastic achievement. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
🎗️ For 2027, we have chosen Prostate Cancer UK as our Charity of the Year and hope members will continue to support our fundraising by rounding up their purchases.
🎁 10% Promotional Offer
🐦 From October to December
🎉 10% OFF ALL BIRD FEEDERS & BIRD FOOD
Now is the ideal time to prepare for winter wildlife visitors.
🌻 Happy Gardening
Mick Goodman
Membership Secretary
