Colchester Allotment Association

Colchester Allotment Association (CAA) is an independent voluntary organisation that promotes allotment gardening and works to preserve allotments and support allotment holders. (Colchester Borough Council administers allotment rentals and regulations.)

For a small annual subscription, members receive:

four newsletters each year
discounted seeds
other retailers’ discounts
talks and other events

Cover for Colchester Allotment Association

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Colchester Allotment Association (CAA) is an independent, voluntary organisation, promoting and supporting allotment holders and grow your own enthusiasts alike, primarily in the Borough of Colchester.

Colchester Allotment Association

3 weeks ago

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Colchester Allotment Association

3 weeks ago

We have heard from Capel St Mary Allotments Association how great Clover Compost has been for their members. Committee member Anthony is now selling this compost himself, money from this does not go to the committee and his profit is largely used for transportation costs. We ask that all orders are paid for before delivered as Anthony would otherwise have to pay out of pocket.As this product contains peat we have done our due diligence to check that it is not damaging to the environment in the same way that traditional peat compost is.What we have found is that it is made from harvested moss that grows on peat, but the peat remains. The company claim it to be environmentally friendly and it isn’t taken from areas of scientific interest. The University of East London have also confirmed that the product is sustainable.It's important to also consider the environmental impact of peat alternatives which themselves can be detrimental. Coconut coir for example is shipped from India amongst other countries, which means it has to travel far which means fossil fuels are used to transport it. Although it is also able to be compressed and then hydrated later, so that will lower the amount of space in transport vessels. It is however not very nutrient dense.Currently there is no one size fits all solution to a large source of affordable compost, that is nutrient rich and holds water well, without impacting the environment negatively. We hope Clover compost ticks at least some of these boxes for us and our members, we appreciate your thoughts and feedback.Clover Multi Purpose 60 litres £7.00Clover Ericaceous 40 litres £6.20Clover Growbag 38 litres £5.00John Innes 1/2/3 25 litres £6.20Clover Blended Farm Manure 40 litres £6.80For more details and orders phone, text or WhatsApp Anthony Phillips07976359964www.cloverpeat.co.uk/ … See MoreSee Less

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Colchester Allotment Association

4 weeks ago

After being approached by their team, we have a fantastic new discount available for for members from Fyne Herbs. CAA Members can now receive 15% off purchases. They have individual herb plants available for sale, as well as themed and holiday specific collections of herbs. The website also looks to be a great resource for how to use herbs for cooking, home remedies, wellness, and homemaking. Members will receive details on how to access the discount in the upcoming newsletter, although if you would like access now, email us from your CAA registered email address to caamembers2@gmail.com.If you purchase, or have purchased, anything from Fyne Herbs do let us know your experience of customer service, shipping, and how your herbs fared. fyneherbs.co.uk/ … See MoreSee Less

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Colchester Allotment Association

4 weeks ago

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Colchester Allotment Association

4 weeks ago

Your February Gardening Checklist: Get Ahead for Spring! February may be cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay busy in the garden! Now’s the time to tidy up, plan ahead, and start sowing under cover to get a head start on the growing season. Whether you're working with an allotment, a backyard vegetable patch, or a flower garden, here’s your essential checklist to keep your garden thriving this month. General Garden Jobs Tidy & Organise – If you haven’t finished your January cleanup, now’s your chance! Clear fallen leaves, remove weeds, and tidy up borders. Clean and sharpen your tools—pruners, spades, and trowels will work much better when well maintained. Stock Up on Supplies – Check your compost, pots, seed trays, and plant labels. Order new seeds, replenish soil amendments, and make sure you have enough plant food and fertilizers. Plan for the Growing Season – Use this time to map out your planting scheme. Consider crop rotation to prevent soil depletion and pest buildup. If you're planning raised beds or new borders, start preparing them now. Vegetable Garden Tasks🌱 Sow Broad Beans – If your soil is light and well-drained, sow directly under cloches. Otherwise, start them indoors in pots to prevent leggy growth.🥦 Early Cauliflowers – Start seeds in modules under cover for an early crop. Keep an eye on temperatures—too much heat can make seedlings weak.🌿 Plant Jerusalem Artichokes – These hardy, low-maintenance tubers thrive in well-prepared soil. Plant them now for a bountiful autumn harvest.🥕 Harvest Overwintered Root Vegetables – Lift any remaining parsnips, swedes, and carrots before the ground becomes too hard. Leaving them too long may affect their flavor and texture.🥔 Chit Early Potatoes – Place seed potatoes in a bright, frost-free spot to encourage sprouting. In mild areas, plant them under cloches for an earlier harvest.🍅 Sow Early Tomatoes – If you have a heated greenhouse or a bright windowsill, start tomato seeds now for a strong head start before spring planting.🌾 Weed Control – Check overwintering crops like onions, garlic, and cabbages for weeds. Regular weeding helps prevent competition for nutrients and keeps your plants healthy. Flower Garden Tasks💐 Check Dahlia Tubers – If you stored your dahlia tubers over winter, inspect them for rot or damage. Remove any affected areas and start them in trays of compost.🌺 Pinch Out Sweet Peas – If you started sweet peas in autumn, now’s the time to pinch out the growing tips to encourage strong, bushy plants.🌼 Sow Hardy Annuals – Flowers like calendula, cornflowers, and Californian poppies can be sown outdoors in mild climates or under cover in colder areas.🌿 Deadhead Winter Flowers – Remove spent flowers from winter pansies and violas to encourage continued blooming. Fruit Garden Tasks🌳 Plant New Fruit Trees & Bushes – February is the last chance to plant bare-root fruit trees, raspberry canes, and blackcurrant bushes before spring growth begins.🍇 Prune Autumn Raspberries – Cut back last year’s fruiting canes to ground level. Apply a thick mulch to retain moisture and encourage new growth.🍓 Protect Early Strawberries – If you want an early crop, cover strawberries with cloches or fleece to warm up the soil and encourage flowering. Greenhouse & Indoor Gardening🌱 Start Hardy Annuals – Sweet peas, calendula, and cornflowers can be sown in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame to get an early start before spring planting.💨 Ventilation is Key – Keep air circulating in your greenhouse or polytunnel to prevent fungal diseases. On mild days, open vents or doors for a few hours.✨ Prepare for Spring – Wash greenhouse windows, disinfect seed trays, and clean work surfaces to prevent pests and diseases. This will ensure your plants get maximum light as the days lengthen. Top Gardening Tips for FebruaryWith daylight still in short supply, ensure your seedlings grow strong by rotating pots or using grow lights to prevent them from becoming leggy. Prepare your soil for early crops like lettuce, beetroot, and peas by using cloches or fleece to retain warmth and improve germination. February’s weather can be unpredictable, bringing frost, snow, or unexpected warmth, so stay prepared to protect young plants and move tender seedlings indoors if needed. Encourage wildlife by leaving food for birds and creating bug hotels to attract pollinators ahead of spring. Your garden may seem quiet now, but the work you do this month lays the foundation for a thriving and productive growing season.For more information visit our website on: 💬 What’s on your February gardening to-do list? Drop a comment below! 👇#GardeningTips #FebruaryGarden #GrowYourOwn #AllotmentLife #GardenPlanning #SpringPreparation #TheNas #Thenationalallotmentsociety … See MoreSee Less

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