We've been planning our plant sale and cream tea for ages, and now the weather forecast for Saturday is RAIN. We have got gazebos but are people really going to come out to allotments if it's pouring down?
I suppose there is the consolation of all those cream cakes I'll have to eat though.......
The weather is the 1 thing you can't guarantee so I hope the forecasters get it wrong for your area and that you have a great day.
Out of interest I compare the BBC and Metchecks versions and to be honest neither seems to get it right round here ??? So you may be ok
Good Luck
1066
i have just checked the weather for you in Birmingham for saterday there is a 100% chance of rain in the morning 2.2 mm and again in the afternoon 2.2 mm average temp 8 degrees 18 mph wind from the south
PS Met check
Having run one for 4 years I'd be more worried about the wind... a grey day with a few light showers isn't a problem (2.2mm is nothing) and you don't have to keep watering the stand. Wind will make erecting and maintaining the gazebo a nightmare and taller plants will keep blowing over... keeping my fingers crossed for you... :-\
Make sure you have plenty of gaffa tape and cable ties to hand - they are a godsend for events like this!
What a shame Betty.Praps it will be ok between 12 and 2pm Court Lane have an open day on Sunday and its torrential according to the forecast. I really don't think folks will want to come out on a day like that..
I hope everything goes well for you whatever the weather. I'm sure people will turn up regardless. I would just to have a cream tea. I think people want to see events like this more and more these days.
(I have to agree with 1066 about the weather here. i'm always amazed to find the weather forcast seems to have no relevance here).
Quote from: Busy Bee on May 14, 2009, 10:59:41
I hope everything goes well for you whatever the weather. I'm sure people will turn up regardless. I would just to have a cream tea. I think people want to see events like this more and more these days.
(I have to agree with 1066 about the weather here. i'm always amazed to find the weather forcast seems to have no relevance here).
I blame the South Downs meself :D
I hope people turn out for that cream tea !
Tone and me are going
good luck for it :)
Thanks everyone for your good wishes for the plant sale.
We are putting up the gazebos today and getting the hardy plants out, the others will go out in the morning.
About pricing - how much do you think tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers and pumpkins/squash/courgettes should be? (My chillies have flowers on and look much better than some I've seen in the shops)
I've also grown a lot of Celosia because my sister in law saw them growing in Sicily last summer and raved about them. They are all in individual pots and are showing the 'cockscombs' already.
We've got lots of indoor space so hopefully the rain won't matter too much....
depends on the size, really, we only charged 50p for our toms etc but they were only in 9x9 quite flimsy pots we buy specially..we had a few squash etc plants we charged 1.00 for, we try to keep everything to multiples of 50p's and pounds, makes it easier for Eric who takes the money..
so, it was 50p for small pots, everything else was marked, black buckets of sweet peas were 3.00 ;D
hope that helps and you all have a brilliant day
Betty will you save me a few winter squash if you can. I want some of the more unusual ones to climb up Tones structure. So they can't be huge.BTW. Is there somewhere to park at your place
Quote from: manicscousers on May 15, 2009, 08:34:26
depends on the size, really, we only charged 50p for our toms etc but they were only in 9x9 quite flimsy pots we buy specially..we had a few squash etc plants we charged 1.00 for, we try to keep everything to multiples of 50p's and pounds, makes it easier for Eric who takes the money..
so, it was 50p for small pots, everything else was marked, black buckets of sweet peas were 3.00 ;D
hope that helps and you all have a brilliant day
Thanks M,
The problem is when people donate plants - some plants are much bigger than others so it seems difficult to put an overall standard price on them. I wonder if having tables with all the plants on them at the same price would work? Then we could charge different prices depending on size and quality.
It rained so heavily in the night here that the river in the park is twice as high as normal. :(
Quote from: shirlton on May 15, 2009, 08:48:30
Betty will you save me a few winter squash if you can. I want some of the more unusual ones to climb up Tones structure. So they can't be huge.BTW. Is there somewhere to park at your place
Hi Shirl,
Parking is not a problem because there is a car park exactly opposite our gates, it will be signed and someone will be on the gate.
I have a few winter squash which I wasn't going to put in the sale because they were only planted last week. If you don't mind having such small plants, I'll bring a few and save them for you.
Thankyou Betty. We will be the couple in the sowesters lol. See you tomorrow
What time does it start? I'm tempted, it's only about an hours drive and rain doesn't put me off...... ;D
Quote from: Deb P on May 15, 2009, 09:09:29
What time does it start? I'm tempted, it's only about an hours drive and rain doesn't put me off...... ;D
The gates open at 12. It would be lovely to see you if you can make it, there should be plenty of shelter from the rain.
I might have to scab a lift then... :)
Carol and Steve, our allotment neighbours have said that they may come too Betty.
I have negotiated a pass so Me and debs will be there... ;D
very envious but Ray refuses to drive down from filey ;D
when is it again, time and postcode ;D
12 O clock tomorrow Sat.
Perry Park, Walsall Rd Birmingham...
;D
Quote from: shirlton on May 15, 2009, 16:43:45
Carol and Steve, our allotment neighbours have said that they may come too Betty.
Brilliant!
I hope any A4A visitors will come and say hello to me before they dash for shelter in the pavilion and scoff a cream tea! I will be on one of the plant stalls. You will recognise me easily - I am a traditionally built, mature female (in other words a fat old woman ;D)
Quote from: manicscousers on May 15, 2009, 17:34:03
very envious but Ray refuses to drive down from filey ;D
when is it again, time and postcode ;D
12 till 2 tomorrow (Saturday)
The postcode is B42 2LR
The allotments are set just inside Perry Park and are next to the Alexander Althletics stadium so if you look for signs for that, you should find us easily.
Hope to see you tomorrow :)
Quote from: saddad on May 15, 2009, 17:32:14
I have negotiated a pass so Me and debs will be there... ;D
Excellent! See you tomorrow :)
Great website by the way... :)
All the best for tomorrow Betty just make sure them lot pay for their cakes :P and Debs make sure you get some petrol money off Saddad. Shame its too far for me, you never know you might meet me one day. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: cornykev on May 15, 2009, 19:37:12
All the best for tomorrow Betty just make sure them lot pay for their cakes :P and Debs make sure you get some petrol money off Saddad. Shame its too far for me, you never know you might meet me one day. ;D ;D ;D
Thanks :)
I'm really looking forward to meeting the A4A gang tomorrow, hope we've got enough cakes!
Betty
As I am lactose intolerant I won't be eating any cake... a ginger nut is always welcome though... and Kev, as I'm driving Deb won't be getting any petrol money off me... ::)
Shame it is too far for me to go, or would love to come. Hope the weather is better for you than it is here tonight in London, best of luck with it anyway.
Quote from: Borlotti on May 15, 2009, 21:38:57
Shame it is too far for me to go, or would love to come. Hope the weather is better for you than it is here tonight in London, best of luck with it anyway.
Thank you :)
Shame its too far for me, you never know you might meet me one day.
quote from CK....................................Is that a threat Kev
Quote from: saddad on May 15, 2009, 21:36:27
As I am lactose intolerant I won't be eating any cake... a ginger nut is always welcome though... and Kev, as I'm driving Deb won't be getting any petrol money off me... ::)
I will happily eat your share of the cakes (ha!), and will happily give you some petrol money as long as you don't get caught by a speed camera LIKE LAST TIME..... ;) :-*
I do hope your boot is reinforced to take all the potential purchases...... ;D Not that I really have any room for any of course, but that has never stopped me before.... ;D
We should all wear badges with our avatars on for identification purposes, or you can just look out for my short bright red hair & red lippy....... ;D
We had a nice day today at Betty's plot. So nice to be able to put a face to the names. The rain kept off for most of the time for them which was good. The plants were selling well too. Will look forward to your open day Betty. Hope the weather isn't too bad tomorrow for our open day. Don't hold out much hope though. The forecast doesn't look too good.
Quote from: shirlton on May 16, 2009, 17:20:20
We had a nice day today at Betty's plot. So nice to be able to put a face to the names. The rain kept off for most of the time for them which was good. The plants were selling well too. Will look forward to your open day Betty. Hope the weather isn't too bad tomorrow for our open day. Don't hold out much hope though. The forecast doesn't look too good.
It was lovely meeting you today Shirl and Tone, and your friends who came with you. Also good to meet Saddad, Mrs Saddad and Deb P.
It was quite hectic at times and I'm sorry I didn't have more time to spend with you all.
We sold most of the plants, thank goodness, and made £473 on them. The cream tea took £279 for Macmillan.
I've 'volunteered' the tea-making team to do the same at our Open Day on August 15th. This is their first year with us at Walsall Rd and I don't think they realised what they were letting themselves in for when the took on their plots. ;)
My feet are killing me so I'm going to sit down now. Thanks again to our lovely visitors for coming to support us.
Betty
Quote from: shirlton on May 16, 2009, 17:20:20
Hope the weather isn't too bad tomorrow for our open day. Don't hold out much hope though. The forecast doesn't look too good.
Sorry Shirl, I forgot to wish you good luck for your open day tomorrow. I wish I could come but I'm on tea/toast duty every Sunday.
Hope the weather stays reasonable for you.
Don't you get worrying about tomorrow Betty. You have been on yer feet all day today. Good idea the tea and toast morning. I will have to mention it to our commitee. You could certainly show them a thing or two Betty. I hope that we can keep in touch. You will be welcome to come to our plot whenever the fancy takes you. I would like to count you in as a friend.
Glad you raised so much... the weather wasn't too bad. Hope the Water Melon does OK. Sorry we can't come to Shirl's tomorrow...
Been in the Lottie since we got back but finally got rained off properly.. :-X
Quote from: saddad on May 16, 2009, 20:05:17
Glad you raised so much... the weather wasn't too bad. Hope the Water Melon does OK. Sorry we can't come to Shirl's tomorrow...
Been in the Lottie since we got back but finally got rained off properly.. :-X
Thank you so much for the water melon Saddad, have you grown them before? I suppose it would be best inside the greenhouse or polytunnel?
Thanks for coming yesterday, it really made my day to think that A4A folk would come and support us. :)
Well done for raising all that money! and all your hard work
And pleased to hear the rain stayed away :D
Great to meet everyone, and I just love looking around other people's plots! 8)
Managed to restrain myself and only bought two carrier bags full of plants! ;D ;D Really pleased to get some angelica, I never have any luck germinating it myself. Plus a cream tea! What a nice afternoon out! ;D ;D
I grew SugarBabe in the big greenhouse last year.. from DebP. This one Blacktail Mountain is supposed to be a bit tougher but I'm still growing under glass... :)
Let's NOT mention the watermelons ok............. :-[ :(
Glad you all had a great time and well done Betty and good luck for today Shirl. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: 1066 on May 17, 2009, 06:25:47
Well done for raising all that money! and all your hard work
And pleased to hear the rain stayed away :D
Thank you 1066 :)
It was very hard work, but worth it.
We had a call from Moms home this morning. She has an infection in her face now, We just dropped the pies off and someone got the Chrysanths off the plot for them to sell.The weather wasn't that bad so they should have done ok. Can't say that it's the most important thing in my life at the moment. So pleased that yesterday was a good day for us.
Quote from: Deb P on May 17, 2009, 08:52:29
Great to meet everyone, and I just love looking around other people's plots! 8)
Managed to restrain myself and only bought two carrier bags full of plants! ;D ;D Really pleased to get some angelica, I never have any luck germinating it myself. Plus a cream tea! What a nice afternoon out! ;D ;D
Did you see the Angelica on my plot Deb? There are two really big clumps of it and it seeds itself everywhere.
Glad you enjoyed yourself, it was lovely meeting you :)
Quote from: saddad on May 17, 2009, 09:36:48
This one Blacktail Mountain is supposed to be a bit tougher but I'm still growing under glass... :)
I've just looked it up in the T & M catalogue and it looks good. I think I'll keep it in the polytunnel and see how it goes.
In the catalogue it says to pinch out the growing tip, do you do that?
Quote from: shirlton on May 17, 2009, 19:14:29
We had a call from Moms home this morning. She has an infection in her face now, We just dropped the pies off and someone got the Chrysanths off the plot for them to sell.The weather wasn't that bad so they should have done ok. Can't say that it's the most important thing in my life at the moment. So pleased that yesterday was a good day for us.
Sorry to hear about your Mom Shirl, how is she now?
Quote from: cornykev on May 17, 2009, 17:24:46
Glad you all had a great time and well done Betty and good luck for today Shirl. ;D ;D ;D
Thank you :)
Quote from: Squash64 on May 17, 2009, 19:16:58
Did you see the Angelica on my plot Deb? There are two really big clumps of it and it seeds itself everywhere.
Glad you enjoyed yourself, it was lovely meeting you :)
Yes we did sneak on to your plot! I saw the angelica there, it was huge! Most impressive! I planted out two of the angelica plants I purchased in the herb bit of my plot in the rain this afternoon, hope they settle in allright. ;D
Quote from: shirlton on May 17, 2009, 19:14:29
We had a call from Moms home this morning. She has an infection in her face now, We just dropped the pies off and someone got the Chrysanths off the plot for them to sell.The weather wasn't that bad so they should have done ok. Can't say that it's the most important thing in my life at the moment. So pleased that yesterday was a good day for us.
Very sorry to hear this and hope your Mum is feeling better soon
Yes, pinch out the growing point... the flowers form on the side shoots.. :)