Dear Member,
🌿 International No Dig Day – Tuesday 3rd November
If you are thinking about starting a new growing area and need some information, take a look at the Charles Dowdingwebsite where you will find a wealth of guidance on getting started with the No Dig method.
📥 You can download a digital (PDF) pack containing:
✅ Plant spacing guide (imperial and metric)
✅ Harvesting timeline
✅ Gardening glossary
✅ Seasonal and weather advice
✅ Plant family information
✅ Watering guidance
✅ Comprehensive sowing and transplanting tables
💷 On International No Dig Day (3rd November) the pack will be reduced from £15 to just £5.
🏡 The Hut Opening Hours
⚠️ Important Notice
✅ Open: Saturday 31st October (9:30am – 12 noon)
❌ Closed: Sunday 1st November
📌 During November and December we will be open Saturdays only.
📅 November Opening Dates
🟢 Saturday 7th November – 9:30am to 12 noon
🟢 Saturday 14th November – 9:30am to 12 noon
🟢 Saturday 21st November – 9:30am to 12 noon
🟢 Saturday 28th November – 9:30am to 12 noon
🎄 December Opening Dates
🟢 Saturday 5th December – 9:30am to 12 noon
🟢 Saturday 12th December – 9:30am to 12 noon
🔒 After these dates we will be CLOSED.
🌱 Looking Ahead to 2027
✅ We reopen on both Saturdays and Sundays from 9th January 2027.
🕤 Opening hours will be 9:30am to 12 noon until 30th May 2027.
☀️ Drought-Tolerant Vegetables for 2027
You may have heard predictions that next year could bring further periods of hot, dry weather, maybe even worse than 2026!. With watering becoming increasingly important, you may wish to consider growing some of the following crops.
🥬 Top Drought-Tolerant Vegetables
🥬 Swiss Chard Features thick, fleshy leaves and deep roots that cope well with warm, dry conditions.
🌿 Asparagus A long-lived perennial with an extensive root system capable of reaching deep soil moisture.
🌱 Globe Artichoke Deep-rooted and resilient once established in free-draining soil.
🧅 Shallots Store moisture efficiently and generally tolerate dry conditions better than onions.
🥕 Root Vegetables Carrots, beetroot and parsnips can access deeper soil moisture through their strong taproot systems.
🍠 Sweet Potatoes & Okra Excellent heat-loving crops that thrive in warm, dry conditions.
🫘 Legumes & Beans Chickpeas and runner beans can be drought tolerant, although flowering plants require adequate moisture.
🌾 Mediterranean Herbs Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano flourish with minimal watering once established.
💭 Perhaps not the perfect selection for everyone, but certainly worth considering.
👨🌾 I am planning to grow Sweet Potatoes and Okra next year. Next week I will be looking at flowers.
💧 Remember
Drought-tolerant does not mean no watering.
✅ Seeds and young plants still require consistent moisture.
✅ Established plants generally withstand dry spells better.
✅ Mulching helps retain soil moisture.
✅ Deep, less-frequent watering encourages stronger root growth.
🌷 Bulbs Still Available
🎁 I noticed Amaryllis gift-boxed bulbs on sale for £12.99 last week, so why not take advantage of ours at just:
💷 £7.25 each
💷 £13.50 for two
We also still have:
🌷 Tulips
🌼 Narcissus
💜 Hyacinths
🧅 Shallot sets
❌ All garlic has now sold out.
🎄 Christmas Gift Idea
🎁 WHGAA Gift Vouchers are now available from the Hut.
💷 Available in £10 denominations.
🌱 Ideal for both members and non-members.
✅ Each voucher includes a FREE WHGAA years membership, making it the perfect gift for gardeners, allotment holders and anyone interested in growing their own.
🎅 A thoughtful Christmas present that keeps giving throughout the year!
❤️ Charity Support 2027
WHGAA is proud to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK throughout 2027.
Available now:
🎗️ Charity Badges – £2
💙 Wristbands – £2
🔑 Key Rings – £3
Every purchase helps support this important charity.
🐦 Special Offer – October to December
🎉 10% OFF
🐦 All bird feeders
🌾 All bird food
🌻 Happy Gardening
Mick Goodman
📋 Membership Secretary
