The Leeds & District Allotment Gardeners Federation continues to improve on their stand entry every year. They achieved a ‘Premier Gold Award’ at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show this year when judged along with other specialist societies.
The theme of the stand was collection and extraction of water, solar power and the pumping of water plus various methods of irrigation, featuring both high and low tech examples.
Water Collection
The innovations included
- An example of bore hole extraction of water
- A simple method of water collection from a poly tunnel (rarely done!)
- The standard collection method of harvesting water from sheds
Solar Power
There was an example of the layout and means of collecting power from a solar photovoltaic unit and its conversion to mains electric to power machines and appliances.
Irrigation
- A small but effective independent solar pumped and timed drip irrigation system
- a low tech irrigated pipe growing system using old soil and underground drainage pipes, some soak hose and a couple of juice bottles
Low Tech
- A very simple pallet fencing decorated with a range of flowers and herbs
- An extremely simply constructed garden bench, again using pallets
In addition there was a leaflet table with information about all the technologies on display and general information regarding allotments.
The vegetable plants were well advanced considering they had been grown under glass with no heat, they looked extremely impressive for this time of year; very healthy, disease and pest free. All in all the allotment garden looked great; and received compliments from all who saw it, including the event organisers and judges.
It has been very hard work but very enjoyable for all who helped create and man it over the duration of the show. Now all that remains to do is prepare it all again for the Great Yorkshire Show in July where it will be one of the show gardens.
Phil Gomersall, Publicity Officer, LDAGF.
Some Photos:
