News
Warning regarding Aminopyralid
June 2011
Despite the stringent stewardship conditions that were imposed on Dow Agrosciences when they were permitted to reintroduce aminopyralid in 2010, allotment plotholders all over the country are still experiencing problems with contaminated manure.
Take a look at some of their reports here on the Green Lane Allotments website, and read up on the background to the whole issue here.
July 2010
In July, Garden Organic put out an update regarding the dangers of Aminopyralid. Click below for an information sheet on Garden Organic's website:
Herbicide Contamination of Manure and composts
Adrian Hall Allotment Grower Plus discount scheme
March 2010
Adrian Hall Garden Centre in Feltham is running a scheme for registered allotment plotholders offering reduced prices on seeds, plants, tools and materials.
For details of the discounts click for the terms and conditions, and then download a PDF of the registration form.
Aminopyralid is back
January 2010
Aminopyralid is back on the market. Dow’s grassland herbicide was withdrawn from the market in July 2008 after numerous reports of aminopyralid-contaminated manure either preventing or stunting the growth of crops including potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas, carrots and lettuce.
Curled, distorted leaves on a young potato plant grown on contaminated manure.
The product has been allowed back with stricter labelling – aminopyralid pesticides should only be applied to land that will be grazed by cattle or sheep and not land where forage will be conserved – and with an expanded training programme for product users. In theory this should ensure that manure contaminated with aminopyralid does not leave the farm. The product is not approved for use on land grazed by horses.
If the labelling and restrictions are followed, manure for allotments should be free of aminopyralid. However, this cannot be guaranteed and it is recommended that you check the provenance of manure and ensure the supplier is aware of the situation.
More information can be found on:
Chemicals Regulation Directorate
website
Green Lane Allotments website
Watch out!
January 2010
Several plotholders have had produce stolen during the last year – for example, bushes and trees stripped of all their fruit. In the latest incident, someone stole all the sweet potatoes being stored by a plotholder on covered shelves at the back of his plot.
Be aware that there is a thief about and that it may be risky to store your produce on your plot. Please remain alert and inform a committee member of any incident.
Remember that you shouldn’t walk on paths between plots, unless they border your own plot or you have explicit permission from the other plotholder(s). The reason for this rule is to prevent the spread of plant and soil diseases, but in view of the recent thefts it would be as well to avoid any misunderstandings that could arise if someone is seen walking around other people’s plots.
If you know of a news story which you think might be of interest to plotholders please send an email to let us know: website@paddocks-allotments.org.uk