the 'car mechanics' crowd (Peter Harper who throws spanners into the works)

it may be better to tune what we do in our lives on the road to transformation

London Community Supported Agriculture (London CSA) campaigns to create viable market gardens in and around London 

"We are never going to be able to afford local, sustainably raised food without doing it for ourselves"

Having Identified 40 acres of underused or totally disused land in Greenwich alone, with many more potentially available or for shared use in the borough and beyond the scope is simply enormous. We aim to create new community growing enterprises owned and run by their members.
Help and advice needed - to join a team of growers and community developers

https://londoncommunityagriculture/

Go to our blog at http://londoncsa.blogspot.co.uk/

trees for Clara

A good friends mother recently died after being left on the hospital trollly for many hours, and he asked how we could preserve his mothers apple tree. Best I could find were two crab apple and two cox from Aldi and a grafting on as many branches as we could. We did twenty or more so some should take and produce a funky mixed tree.

The gaffer tape may not be the ideal to bind but we'll see

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/dg0532c.html

The Whip Graft

The whip graft is used mostly on young apple and pear trees when the branches are relatively small (not more than ½-inch in diameter) and the understock is about the same diameter as the scion of the new cultivar.
Cut—Cut off a branch of the understock, leaving a stub at least a foot long. Make a straight, slanting cut about 1½ inches long on both the scion and the stock (see A and C in Figure 1). Make the cut straight and even—one stroke with a sharp knife will do it. For the tongue, make a straight draw cut (not split), beginning near the top and cutting about the full length of the level (B and D).

Figure 1. The whip graft is usually used for grafting root stocks and scions but can also be used for grafting small branches.

Union—Match the two parts together (E). Unless the scion and stock are the same size, be sure the scion is in contact with the inner bark on one side. If the toe of either the stock or scion extend beyond the heel of the other, cut if off evenly.
Tying and covering—Bind tightly with tape, then carefully cover the union and binding material with grafting compound.
This type of graft is difficult for the beginner but is used extensively by experienced operators. It lends itself to the tape method of binding. Tape serves to seal the wound and bind the parts together.
While other types of grafts depend on the bark slipping well, the whip graft does not. In fact, it is best if you make this graft before the narrow tongue of wood.
Aftercare—Remove wrapping as soon as the scion has started to grow to prevent girdling of the

start of the growing team - we are needing some voluntary help in the future, Must like working outside and as part of a team and on your own, and a lift is available from south east London

as a start of the growing team and the research for the future CSA, with advice and other support of the Plunkett Foundation, we are needing some voluntary help in the future, Must like working outside and as part of a team and on your own, and a lift is available from south east London.
Composter
Someone to take charge of enhancing the soil fertility through creating huge amounts of compost. Own transport, with trailer, desirable. Must have some knowledge of green manures.
Grower, without fear of large areas of market garden, tunnel skills may be handy.
Community developer
Someone with experience, or interest in building our community through local interest, skills share, membership and community shares. This is clearly a very important role for building our membership locally but I am of the opinion that experience is not essential, ambition to work with the community and establish new networks with determination and an interest in food may be fundamental to success.
ta

 

London Community Supported Agriculture (London CSA) campaigns to create viable market gardens in and around London 

"We are never going to be able to afford local, sustainably raised food without doing it for ourselves"

Having Identified 40 acres of underused or totally disused land in Greenwich alone, with many more potentially available or for shared use in the borough and beyond the scope is simply enormous. We aim to create new community growing enterprises owned and run by their members.
Help and advice needed - to join a team of growers and community developers

https://londoncommunityagriculture/

Go to our blog at http://londoncsa.blogspot.co.uk/

a bee house

Found this fab bee house in the gardens at Valloires, the abbey, near Le Touquet.

I wonder if there may be benefits to keeping in this fashion especially in hard winters?

http://www.jardinsdevalloires.com/

the one sunny day in March

I was so lucky to find an hour or two of sunshine to take this pic of the plot, blink and you'd have missed the rays.

No chance to take your coat off though as the wind was wild and nippy driving through the other three layers underneath, so simply kept going all wrapped up.

This is the Communigrow market garden down at East Malling, the proposed Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) site, and a fine plot at that.

On the left are the start of the 200 metre run of Lavender and other oil beds. the bit in the foreground will be the nursery beds and is the area for flowers for cuttting or drying and in the middle distance, beyond the central path, is the start of the main rows of beds running North to South, or across this picture. On the left is the tunnel with a few Leeks now showing though badly under used as yet. Beyond the tunnel is a big grass field cut for hay.

The new tool, nearest in the picture, is a fab budget machine (everything is on a budget) which I picked up new for the price of a knackered secondhand one. It may be cheap and chinese but it has the power to not only drive a metre wide rotavator but tuck a pile of soil behind with my drag device to make up the beds. It also has a little ridging plough. The wheels may be pretty silly size but I'll forgive them. A two forward speed gearbox with reverse, all for £350.

'In the distance' means 80 beds that will each be 28 metres long by 2 metres wide. Not all will be this year as our aim is to set ground to 'improve' for next year by using green manures, cover crops and mulch to raise soil fertility, this field has been a bit abused by raspberries over recent years.

Other news is that we have a plan of support from the Plunkett Foundation and should be moving along with a meeting with our mentor and visit at least one CSA.

I am taking a few bits of video to piece together for our 'Crowd funding' exercise. I like the idea of videos to get a message across, though it may be all story boards like Bob Dylan as I can't get Brian Blessed this week.

wild pottery and Hedgerow Basketry, sounds good

These look good.


http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses/98












‘Wild’ pottery (as featured in The Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/23/wild-pottery-weekend-crafts


Two-day course over consecutive Sundays, 17th and 24th March






Make hand built pottery in beautiful woodland using locally dug 'raw' Sussex clay, and try out using clay that we'll dig on the day. Make an item of your choice: small pot, a figurine or simple oil lamp. Instructions for making a pot will be given. Learn how to find and select clay in the landscape, how to collect it and make it usable. Experiment with making and adding inclusions which will strengthen our pottery enough for it to be fired in an open fire on the second day.

On day two, we'll fire the pots in an open fire, foraging some of the fuel from the woods. It's an exciting process to take part in and magical to witness clay being transformed by fire. In the afternoon, we'll have a go at fire-making using percussive and friction methods while we keep an eye on our pots and wait for them to cool enough so they can be taken home at the end of the day. You never know exactly how your pots will turn out so it's always a thrill.

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: wellies, warm clothes (even if it’s sunny) that you don’t mind getting dirty in, packed lunch (ideally to share) and a bottle of drinking water.Also bring wet weather gear just in case and a notebook and pen if you wish.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.










To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/coursesGo to page


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.





















Stitched bark


Hedgerow Basketry


Saturday 18th May



Make a sturdy and long-lasting bark container to take home with you They make great berry baskets, kitchen utensil holders, or all-purpose containers. We'll use willow bark which we'll harvest on the day from the land at Wowo, learning where, when and how to harvest bark in a sustainable way. We’ll use only bark to stitch it together, and will explore processing it with wood ash to achieve different effects

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: penknife (with a lockable blade) or bushcraft knife, a packed lunch (ideally to share), bottle of drinking water and a notebook and pen if you wish. Wear warm clothes (even if it’s sunny), closed-toe footwear and bring wet weather gear just in case.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.






To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.













Woven bark


Hedgerow Basketry


Saturday 25th May


Make a sturdy and long-lasting woven bark container to take home with you, using the bias plaiting technique. These make great berry baskets or all-purpose containers. We'll use willow bark which we'll harvest on the day from the land at Wowo, learning where, when and how to harvest bark in a sustainable way. We’ll look at processing it with wood ash to achieve different effects

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: penknife (with a lockable blade) or bushcraft knife, a packed lunch (ideally to share), bottle of drinking water and notebook and pen if you wish. Wear warm clothes (even if it’s sunny), closed-toe footwear and bring wet weather gear just in case.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.






To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.

















‘Wild’ pottery (as featured in The Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/23/wild-pottery-weekend-crafts


Two-day course over consecutive Fridays, 5th and 12th July






Make hand built pottery in beautiful woodland using locally dug 'raw' Sussex clay, and try out using clay that we'll dig on the day. Make an item of your choice: small pot, a figurine or simple oil lamp. Instructions for making a pot will be given. Learn how to find and select clay in the landscape, how to collect it and make it usable. Experiment with making and adding inclusions which will strengthen our pots enough for them to be fired in an open fire on the second day.

On day two, we'll fire the pots in an open fire, foraging some of the fuel from the woods. It's an exciting process to take part in and magical to witness clay being transformed by fire. In the afternoon, we'll have a go at fire-making using percussive and friction methods while we keep an eye on our pots and wait for them to cool enough so they can be taken home at the end of the day. You never know exactly how your pots will turn out so it's always a thrill.

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: wellies, warm clothes (even if it’s sunny) that you don’t mind getting dirty in, packed lunch (ideally to share) and a bottle of drinking water.Also bring wet weather gear just in case and a notebook and pen if you wish.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.






To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.





















Coiled reed mace


Hedgerow Basketry


Saturday 21st September


On this course you'll make a small coiled basket, stitched with hemp twine, to take home with you These little baskets are useful for holding treasures or for simply admiring! Learn how to harvest and process reed mace (sometimes called bulrush) which we've cut from the land at Wowo. We'll consider where, when and how to harvest reed mace, how to do it sustainably and you'll also learn how to process and store your harvest..

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: scissors or bushcraft knife or penknife (with a lockable blade), a packed lunch (ideally to share), bottle of drinking water and notebook and pen if you wish. Wear warm clothes (even if it’s sunny), closed-toe footwear and bring wet weather gear just in case.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.










To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.


















Rush and wild rose frame platter


Hedgerow Basketry


Saturday 28th September


Learn how to make a simple frame platter basket using wild rose and English rush. Perfect as bread or fruit platters. We’ll harvest some wild rose for making frames, looking at how, when and where to cut it sustainably; and how to set it into a frame for the weaving.

We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience.

Things to bring: penknife (with a lockable blade) or bushcraft knife, a packed lunch (ideally to share), bottle of drinking water and notebook and pen if you wish. Wear warm clothes (even if it’s sunny), closed-toe footwear and bring wet weather gear just in case.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for a cup of tea and meet & greet.








To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.





































Basketry & Pottery with Native Hands






Basketry and Wild Pottery with Native Hands





Ruby has been a maker of crafts since she was knee-high, has a passion for using natural, foraged materials and the connection to our land and heritage that this engenders She also teaches a wide variety of ancient crafts and technologies to all ages, as part of an archaeology interpretation team. Originally trained in 3-dimensional crafts and subsequently in art therapy, Ruby is a qualified teacher of art and design. Her approach is also informed by having lived and worked in remote areas of Sudan and Ethiopia, and by extended periods of silent contemplative practice close to nature.





“I’m inspired to share the enjoyment of making things in nature using natural materials, many of which we can forage for in the woods and hedgerows. It's amazing to experience the whole cycle of production: harvesting materials in a sustainable way, processing them and finally creating a useful and beautiful object.


This gives a new perspective on the value of objects and resources that we can easily take for granted in the lifestyles we lead today. It's also an opportunity to learn and develop useful, practical skills, helping us to feel empowered.





I love to share the pleasure that comes from connecting with the natural world which can be deeply nourishing and rejuvenating. Taking time out of our daily lives to be creative in the woods round a fire, with birdsong, wild plants, creatures and like-minded people can be a wonderful way to find a sense of space and connection... to ourselves, each other, and the web of life itself.





Informed and inspired by traditional wisdom and knowledge in the ways I work with nature and natural materials, and harvesting those materials with respect and sensitivity, sustainability is at the heart of what I do.”






Quotes


"Thank you Native Hands for my thoroughly enjoyable day making a willow bark container. I came home with a beautiful container and new knowledge and skills ....all in the beautiful surroundings at Wowo. A fabulous day." Lucy H, Lewes





"Ruby - I wanted to thank you again for the lovely...basket workshop. It was so relaxed yet focused, clear modeling with space to crack on and explore with your supportive skills and knowledge on tap." Richard S, London





Links


The Guardian feature


Guardian.co.uk/lifeanhttp://www.gdstyle/2012/aug/23/wild-pottery-weekend-crafts


Native Hands on Facebook


https://www.facebook.com/native.hands.uk





Native Hands website


www.nativehands.co.uk






















Workshops with Native Hands at Wowo 2013










All workshops are priced at £50 per person, per day.


‘wild’ pottery is £100 for the two days


They run from 10.30am - 4.30pm.


Maximum 8 participants per day.


Courses suitable for 16yrs plus. Under 18yrs to be accompanied by a participating adult.






To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses


Scroll down under all the pictures you will see a calendar. Click on the date of the course you want to attend and press ‘view rates’ - you can then select how many places you’d like to book for this course.

Crowd funding

Fab ideas revolve around small sums pledged to help us along the way to the grand plan of Community Supported Agriculture. First we need to get the plot working as it is, Plunkett Foundation seem to have a plan to support us through to the hurdle of governance and registration and with the help of Andrew we should be able to put together a sound business plan based on our wealth of ideas.

So who is the 'Crowd'?

Seems there is little scope for outside of our own network of people. So all out to build on this.


Go to https://spacehive.com/communigrow for more info and pics.

also others include.. http://www.peoplefund.it/

Image 2 of 13 - East Malling Research Centre's Park Farm, a classic view of Kent

Image 10 of 13 - model for structure

Image 13 of 13

"We are never going to be able to afford local, sustainably raised food without doing it for ourselves". East Malling Research Centre and Trust have allocated an area of land for this purpose

With 2 years on site Communigrow, as part of 'Joining Hands' - a social enterprise working throughout Kent, creates community growing for the benefit of young people and families. This year will see the establishment of a skilled growing team with organised skills share and involvement in production across a range of on and off site enterprises. This will include education and training.
Inspired by the ever increasing interest in good local food, and with a desire to exhibit best community engagement, we believe it is essential to promote shared knowledge, experiences and resources to be viable. Our returns will be assessed and valued on social inclusion through engagement, sustainable use of our limited resources, conservation and exchange value for all our labour and production.

What we'll do:

• Create a viable market garden of volume production with varied cropping and manufacture plan.
• incorporate sustainable 'no dig' techniques with extensive use of varied cover crops - 'green manure'
• create new habitats for conservation
• Produce for a variety of purposes, ethnic foods, Arts and Crafts, social & horticultural research
• Create a ‘Local Exchange Trading System’ to maximise fair returns
• establish added value enterprises such as bees, oil and associated arts and crafts
• Create skills base for educational programme in all operations and social care
• install an element of awareness in the health benefits of an active lifestyle

Why it's a great idea:

Market Gardening is the method of growing food in volume for distribution beyond individual households with increased net yield overall. Our team of growers can produce more and bring the membership into the process through co-ordinated learning events. Members will be learners and teachers within a broad scope of enterprises.

To combat the growth of areas of 'Food Poverty'. Areas where good quality fresh fruit and vegetables are no longer locally available at an affordable price to people living on limited incomes.

We aim to produce quality vegetables, fruit, nursery plants and grafted trees using only sustainable methods along with unusual and hard to source ethnic foods for the communities involved alongside foods forming part of a staple diet.

How we'll get it done:

• A Community Supported project producing vegetables in volume
• Create a team of growers
• Members in the locality and further afield with direct return in produce according to commitment / work contribution
• Surplus sold direct to the community, wholesale through established partner food access initiatives in urban centres
• Produce for ethnic foods, Arts and Crafts, social and horticultural research
• Sustainable use of our limited resources, conservation and exchange value for all
• Programme of Skills days for individuals and groups to be involved in as many aspects of growing as possible

Establishing new Community Supported Agriculture project (CSA) is vital to the longer term viability. We aim to produce quality vegetables, fruit, nursery plants and grafted trees using sustainable methods only along with unusual and hard to source ethnic foods for the communities involved as well as staples. We would also expand into establishing a colony of bee hives with associated honey and products for sale along with animals for grazing, wool and eggs as permitted and practical to the location.
Surplus would be sold direct to the broader community and wholesale in partnership through established food access initiatives in Hackney, Greenwich and Newham. They would take all surplus vegetables we could produce and pay a fair price.
Create the basis for a network with further sites added where possible, with over 40 acres of disused land and many more of underused parks and gardens in one London borough alone. The scope is simply enormous.
.. 

in case people do wonder..... we have started!

Progress is very good, the site is now cleared as I had a good week with the weather and a hire machine and I have mapped out the ploughed area, 190 of my paces, for creating new beds as a priority. The Lavender bed is now over 50 metres and I've started the other 'oil' bed as well.

Few other seeds in as all my time has gone into preparation. I intend to work through creating a bed and sowing/planting each as I go in future. I had the first volunteer helper who lives local.





I intend to run an afternoon of planning on Saturday 13th April by invite only. Let me know if you can come and if you know of someone who needs an invite from me.

I'm stuck, I simply can't work out how much 'Crowd funding' to put in for. Too much and I won't raise anything for what we need to get the market garden on the go and too little and we won't have made the most of the opportunity, I don't want to keep hassling people with a tin.


Go to https://spacehive.com/communigrow for more info and pics.

What is Japanese Knotweed? and Why is it a problem?

of the dock family

• can grow as much as 2 cms per day
•  3 metres by June
•  root as small as 0.8 grams can grow
•  can extend several metres around and beneath
•  3 year treatment plan approx cost for small sq metre area £1500 - £2500

Japanese Knotweed

What is Japanese Knotweed?

What is Japanese Knotweed? Japanese Knotweed was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant during the 1800s. It is commonly found today along railway lines, riverbanks, roads and footpaths, in graveyards, on derelict sites or anywhere that it has been dumped, dropped or deposited.

What does it look like?

Japanese Knotweed, identified as a Bamboo like plant, grows with enough force that it can through penetrate concrete other solid foundation structure, therefore posing a risk to the structural integrity of the buildings themselves.

Japanese Knotweed forms dense clumps up to 3 metres in height. It has large, oval green leaves and a stem that is hollow and similar to bamboo. Usually in early spring (although it can be later in the year) the plant produces fleshy red tinged shoots. These can reach a height of 1.5 metres by May and 3 metres by June.

This plant can grow as much as 2 cms per day and will grow in any type of soil, no matter how poor. Towards the end of August clusters of cream flowers develop and then produce seeds that are sterile. The plant dies back between September and November.

Beneath the position of any stand of Japanese Knotweed will exist an extensive underground root (rhizome) network that can extend several metres around and beneath depending on ground conditions. Japanese Knotweed does not produce viable seeds in the UK. The spread of the plant is vegetative, i.e. all new plants are created by fragments of existing plants. A fragment of root as small as 0.8 grams can grow to form a new plant. It is widely assumed that that there is only one species of Japanese Knotweed. In fact there are three species to be found within the United Kingdom which are:

• Fallopia Japonica (common Japanese Knotweed)
• Fallopia x Bohemica (hybrid between Fallopia Japonica and Fallopia Sachalinensis)
• Fallopia Sachalinensis (Giant Knotweed)

Why is it a problem?

Japanese Knotweed grows pretty much anywhere, from field edges to sand dunes, through tarmac and out of lampposts. The speed with which it has spread to all parts of the UK has been spectacular when you consider that it does not leave seeds behind but grows from pieces of the plant or root system that is cut and transported by people or by water.

Because Japanese Knotweed does not originate in the UK, it does not compete fairly with our native species and is able to spread unchecked. Once established, Japanese Knotweed shades out native plants by producing a dense canopy of leaves early in the growing season. Although Japanese Knotweed is not toxic to humans, animals or other plants, it offers a poor habitat for native insects, birds and mammals.

Japanese Knotweed is an asexual plant and can only reproduce by its own plant tissue, be it roots or stem nodes. In late summer flowering takes place but these flowers are sterile and incapable of producing further plants. Its roots, known as rhizomes, spread outwards beneath the soil surface. Growth is rapid, Japanese Knotweed can be as tall as 3 – 4 metres by the end of the autumn. It is important to remember that a mature Japanese Knotweed plant has at any given time, a root system that has spread up to 7 metres in all directions.

Because Japanese Knotweed can only spread by its own plant tissue, it is mainly the activities of man which has ensured the spread of this invasive weed. Removing any plant debris and dumping it elsewhere will ensure that fresh colonies become established. Strimming of stem growth will additionally spread plant material which will be prone to re-establishment. The flow of water in rivers and streams is the only other way that nature has of spreading plant material. The action of moving water adjacent to river banks breaks off small parts of Japanese Knotweed which then spread downstream to make fresh colonies elsewhere.

Knotweed instinctively searches sources of water damaging further any existing gaps and cracks in and around the affected areas. Although the scale of damage may vary from those who are judging damage will generally run in the form of:

Sewers, Drains and Down pipes

Crack and gaps within pipes will be further widend and damaged by Knotweed. The persistent build up of the roots will lead to the slowdown and eventual blockage of the drain run itself requiring in the worst form the renewal of the affected drains.

Patios, Paths and Driveways

Surfacing Knotweed will see the bulbs penetrating through paving Patio slabs and joints, tarmac and through brick paving.

Boundary and Retaining walls

Tightly pack clumps of Knotweed can lead to the undermining of the garden walls' shallow foundations leading to the eventual destabilisation and possible collapse of the wall itself.

Outbuildings and Conservatories

Knotweed can overwhelm destabilization smaller outer buildings that have light, poorly built or freestanding foundations (sheds). Like garden walls this can lead to the sudden and part collapse of the structures themselves. Valuers however will attribute greater importance should a conservatory be affected due to the close proximity to the main buildings foundations.

What are the environmental issues associated with Japanese Knotweed?

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 / Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 it is an offence "to plant or otherwise encourage" the growth of Japanese Knotweed. This could include cutting the plant or roots and disturbing surrounding soil if not correctly managed.

Any Japanese Knotweed polluted soil or plant material that you discard, intend to discard or are required to discard is classed as 'controlled waste' and should be disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991.

Japanese Knotweed should be disposed of in a licensed, lined landfill site. Be sure that you notify your waste haulier that the waste to be removed contains Japanese Knotweed. You should also contact the landfill site several days before any material containing Japanese Knotweed is taken there to allow a suitable area to be prepared for its disposal.

Control of Japanese Knotweed

Although there are a number of options available for the treatment of Japanese Knotweed, the majority of these require a number of years in order to be effective. The two methods outlined below are the most effective in the time scales generally required by the construction industry.

Japanese Knotweed Risk Category

Category 4 - Knotweed is causing serious damage to or is in 7 meters of habitable space, conservatory, garage or outer buildings- Requires further information by an appropriately qualified person.

Category 3 - Japanese Knotweed is present within boundary of the property but is 7 meters outside of any habitable space, conservatory, garage or outer buildings.

Category 2 - Japanese Knotweed was not seen within the boundaries of the property but was seen in a neighboring property within 7 meters of habitable space, conservatory, garage or outer buildings.

Category 1 - Japanese Knotweed was not seen on the property but is evident on neighbouring land outside of 7 meters of habitable space, conservatory, garage or outer buildings.

Eradication Methods

1. Spraying with Herbicide

   Spraying the plant with an appropriate herbicide is the most effective option available, however it can take several years and rarely achieves eradication without mechanical disturbance. Herbicide treatment can give the appearance of control but the rhizome network (roots below ground) may still be viable and disturbing the ground will cause the plant to regrow. Soil movement should not be attempted until no rhizome remains in a viable condition.
   Spraying can only be carried out during the growing season when there is green, leafy material present. Herbicide treatments take effect within a few weeks but eradication can take a minimum of two sprays in one growing season to achieve. Often, when a contractor takes control of a site, the working programme is tight and does not allow sufficient time for this method of eradication to be used. Even so, a spraying programme may be an option for weakening the plant before removal or treating regrowth and remaining plants in the spring.
   Anyone planning to spray a herbicide must be "competent in their duties and have received adequate instruction and guidance in the safe, efficient and humane use of pesticides." This means that the person who will be undertaking the spraying must hold a Certificate of Competence for herbicide use or should work under the direct supervision of a certificate holder. A Certificate of Technical Competence can be obtained by attending a short course at an agricultural college or similar institution.
   The most effective active ingredient for use on Japanese Knotweed is called Glyphosate. This is the active ingredient found in 'Round Up' and other similar herbicides. It is effective on Japanese Knotweed because it does not kill the plant immediately. Instead, the herbicide soaks through the leaves and is taken into the plant root system. The greater the number of green leaves present, the larger the quantity of herbicide that can be absorbed into the plant. It can take up to ten days for the plant to begin to die off after treatment and you should always watch for regrowth.

2. Digging and Spraying

   A quicker method of removing Japanese Knotweed involves the clearing of above ground leaf/stem material and the removal of ground material polluted with roots. Care should be taken to ensure that all Japanese Knotweed roots are removed - this is one situation where it pays to remove too much material.
   Even with great care, a certain amount of regrowth in the spring would be expected and any should be treated with an appropriate herbicide as discussed above. Make sure you read on for tips on how to prevent spreading Knotweed fragments around the site during the works.

   Excavation of the plant and its roots

   As Knotweed and the soil in which it lay is considered contaminated it must be excavated and disposed off by a license waste control facility. The scale of excavation will depend on the infestation but you can expect soil to be excavated up to 3meters vertically and 7 meters horizontally from the top soil layer. In December 2011 disposal prices ranged from £25 to £50 per tonne. Typically off site disposal will cost up to several thousand pounds

   On-site burial and encapsulation with membranes

   The Knotweed itself may be excavated and reburied on site with overburden (a specialist Knotweed resistant membrane) to a depth of no less than 5 meters below top soil. To prevent any re-growth the overburden layer must be encapsulated with a Knotweed resistant barrier encapsulating the affected area.

   Biological treatment

   The introduction of a pest which attacks Knotweed is known as a Biological Treatment. This approach not eradicates the Knotweed entirely but will instead keep it at a controllable level.

3. Disposal of Japanese Knotweed Polluted Material - Removal from Site

   • Polluted material should be removed from the site for disposal, unless otherwise agreed with the Environmental Regulator and Client.
   • As Japanese Knotweed is considered to be a pollutant, you can apply to Customs and Excise for a 'Landfill Tax Exemption' for polluted soil. For further information on the Landfill Tax and exemptions, use the links to LFT1 and LFT2 in the 'See Also' box.
   • Any bags/skips containing Japanese Knotweed or polluted soil leaving the site should be covered to avoid spread along public highways.
   • Waste Transfer documentation will be required for any polluted material leaving the site.
   • Check with the disposal site in advance that they can receive material containing Japanese Knotweed. Be aware, the disposal site may require notice to allow an area to be prepared for this material away from the landfill liner.

Best practice, Contractors working near Japanese Knotweed

• Knotweed polluted areas should be clearly marked out on site. Areas that do not need to be disturbed during the works should be fenced off, allowing a buffer of at least four metres to allow for the likely extent of the roots.
• Use of tracked machinery should be limited until areas polluted with Japanese Knotweed have been cleared and/or identified and cordoned off.
• If tracked machinery must be used in areas where Japanese Knotweed is known to be present, then consider using a strong geotextile overlain with hardcore as a base for vehicles to travel on.
• Areas where Japanese Knotweed has been identified should be cleared slowly, one at a time with ongoing assessment of the extent of polluted ground. Only essential vehicles should be present in areas polluted with Japanese Knotweed.
• Never stockpile potentially polluted material within 10 metres of a watercourse.
• On leaving areas of the site known to contain Japanese Knotweed, any tracked machinery that has been used should be thoroughly cleaned within a designated area. This area should be as close as possible to the polluted area on which the machinery has been working to avoid the spread of the species. This area should be monitored in the spring for Knotweed growth and a spraying programme implemented if necessary. Any machinery used in clearing polluted areas should be similarly cleaned.
• Care should be taken to ensure that polluted material is not dropped or transferred to other areas of the site.
• Japanese Knotweed polluted spoil should only be placed on top of a fabric/membrane in an approved, fenced area. Once the polluted material is removed from these areas, it should be monitored for regrowth, particularly during the growing season and, if necessary, treated with an appropriate herbicide as discussed above.
• All site operatives should be made aware of the requirements associated with the removal/disposal of this species in order to help limit accidental spread.
• All haulage lorries or dumpers carrying Japanese Knotweed polluted material should be covered.
• Never use a strimmer, mower (without collection bucket) or chipper on Japanese Knotweed material.
• If you are working between November and March in an area where Japanese Knotweed is known to be present, then dead shoots from the previous year can be a good indication of its location. Even if there is no growth evident above ground, the below-ground parts of the plant will still be alive. Breaking up this root network and transporting either off site or around your site on vehicle tracks will spread the plant. Use the precautions outlined above to reduce the risk of spreading the plant.

How Japanese Knotweed affects Property

• Annual site visit for up to 5 years or more,
• Includes completion of certificate and herbicide treatment if required,
• The fee for visit and treatment is fixed in advance,
• May be presented to banks, building societies and Local Authorities for consideration in planning and mortgage applications.

Lenders are cautious to loan on properties affected by Knotweed. Although cases are reviewed on a case by case basis lenders will generally not consider loans unless either an initial treatment program has implemented or there is a commitment from the owner(s) to fund an advance treatment program lasting (typically between three to four years).

Some of the following firms in the link below may be useful
http://www.japaneseknotweedcontractors.co.uk/

BUT

Each bank or mortgage lender is likely to have different preferred contractors. A spokesman from Santander said: “If the weed threatens the structure of a building, then a mortgage application would be refused.” Rival lender Nationwide also admitted that it had turned down mortgages in the past because of Japanese knotweed growing close by houses.

“There have been cases when we have been prepared to lend on a property with knotweed and cases where we haven’t been prepared to lend. It depends on the proximity of the weed to the property and the commitment of the relevant parties to eradicating it,” said a spokesman for Nationwide.

Controlling the invasive weed is costing homeowners thousands of pounds as professional eradication of the weed comes with a hefty price tag. Eradication programmes can cost up to £5,000 over several growing seasons.

The example below describes the consequences of when Japanese Knotweed is left untreated:

"The price of a couple's Hertfordshire house has dropped by more than £250,000 because Japanese Knotweed has invaded it, according to an independent surveyor. With its value falling from an estimated £305,000 to £50,000, experts have told owners Matthew Jones and Sue Banks from Broxbourne that, unless action is taken, it will be impossible to sell. They have been told 10 feet of soil needs to be removed from beneath the foundations to remove the plant. The invasive weed was discovered in the garden of their new-build house in April 2009 after they had been living there for about a month. A couple of months later it was found growing in the dining room. ..Just two months later it was found underneath breaking through the skirting boards and displacing floor boards"

What to do

• Ensure that any contractor is acceptable to a range of mortgage lenders or banks by asking for their track record and references.
• Let occupiers of property know that the plant is present and may restrict lending.
• Ask them to confirm that any contractor suggested by us is acceptable to their lenders.
• Let them know that any work has to be guaranteed for five years and subject to a long term insurance backed guarantee by a company already accepted by mortgage lenders
• Check that any company is what they seem to be there are many rogue firms about.
• Do not let ordinary gardeners or clients remove the plant themselves this will only make matters worse.

Companies that deal with knotweed are:

TP Knotweed Solutions

- 3 year treatment plan approx cost for small sq metre area £1500 - £2500
- 5 year guarantee after treatment period
- 2 year treatment per year winter clearance & 3rd year clearance

JapaneseKnotweed LimitedEnvironet UK

Saturday 13th - our first design day at East Malling 'By Good Design - A casual exploration of ideas for sustainable market gardeners'

Our first design day at East Malling site will be in mid april, 'By Good Design - A casual exploration of ideas for sustainable market gardeners' probably Saturday 13th. No work just sitting around talking and sketching. Get in touch if you would like to come along by invite only. It is sort of Permaculture, 

Items to include .....

An introduction to the future CSA, Communigrow, East Malling Research Centre and the history of our project 

design of entire site

incorporation of 'No Dig' systems

exploration of potential for site

Community development

'LETS' exchange

and many more

http://www.facebook.com/LondonCSA

Jobs are few and far between, and even fewer that are actually real or open to anyone outside of the 'circles'.

Jobs are few and far between, and even fewer that are actually real or open to anyone outside of the 'circles'. I hate that. Anyway found this one which sounds pretty genuine and good, although a bit low wages for a 'Head' grower with responsibilities. In fact I worked it out to only just £9 per hour. Regardless an interesting place to work so there is there that to consider.

Head Grower – Forty Hall Farm Market Garden

Salary is from £17,777 to £19,907 plus £1,716.50LW

Closing date 20.3.13

Vacancy is full time but on a fixed term contract until December 2014, with the option of extension subject to funding.

Forty Hall Farm is run by Capel Manor College. The Farm encompasses over 170 acres of grade 1 agricultural land, which is certified organic. The College is working to make Forty Hall Farm a centre that teaches and promotes sustainable food production.

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and experienced Head Grower to lead this project. The grower will work alongside the Farm Coordinator to establish the market garden and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of t­­he garden and its associated vegetable box scheme.

Main responsibilities will revolve around the establishment of the garden. This will include developing planting plans and crop rotations, purchasing seeds, helping to establish covered growing areas and other set-up activities. As the garden develops, the Grower will be responsible for developing a day-to-day work plan, which integrates appropriate work for Farm apprentices, College students and volunteers
http://www.capel.ac.uk/jobs.html

http://www.projectdirt.com/apps/event/13878/

Soya

One of the curious plants we intend is Soya.

Loads of people use it and it is a good field crop.

Sow first week in May