The Association Shop is located on our Eddington Lane site - entrance just before the traffic lights controlling Cobblers Bridge. Opening times are usually 9.00 to 12 noon every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Any short-term changes to these times are highlighted on the Home page.
The Shop is open only to our plot-holders and Associate Members.
Car-parking is available close to the Shop making the loading of heavy goods quite easy.
We stock a range of standard horticultural products - composts, canes, netting, fertilisers and so on plus a few varieties of bird and fish food. We do not stock tools.
Wherever we can, we buy in bulk and then make up smaller units. Not only does this provide our members with good value but it means we can supply any quantities . If someone wants two onion sets to make up a row then we are happy to oblige.
We welcome plot-holders from other allotment associations and we are happy to collaborate with them in arranging bulk purchases.
Whilst keeping the cost of supplies low for our plot holders, we do not aim to compete with local traders – for example we do not stock specialist products.
We hold a small range of seeds and (depending on the season) some popular varieties of sets, garlic and potatoes and we provide a facility for others to be ordered – often with a discount from the published catalogue prices. Seed ordering is now closed for this season
We do not have the facilities to stock plants or crops but members often leave surplus items for the benefit of other members.
Payments may be made at the Shop by cash, cheque (Herne Bay Allotments) or by card. We do not support payments remotely such as via BACS.
An EXCEL list of the items we stock can be down-loaded - use it to decide on items you may need - visit the Shop to purchase.
CASABLANCA
FOREMOST - SOLD OUT
MARIS BARD
RED DUKE OF YORK
SWIFT
CHARLOTTE - SOLD OUT
JAZZY
KESTREL
MARIS PEER
WILJA - SOLD OUT
CALEDONIAN ROSE - SOLD OUT
CARA
DESIREE
JAVA (improved from Sarpo Mira)
KING EDWARD
MARIS PIPER
PICASSO
We select the varieties to stock from our supplier's list available in late summer. Members can reserve the ones they want in case we sell out. Our selected supply of tubers usually arrives in mid-January usually in 2½kg bags though we will supply whatever the customer wants.
The ground is usually too cold and/or wet for January/February planting but some people take the risk to get an early crop. Otherwise you should lay the tubers out in a cool (frost-free) and light place which will encourage the production of short dark green shoots (that is chitting).
There are several approaches to planting - see the summary in our advice section.
Potatoes are usually a reliable and trouble-free crop (fingers-crossed) but if the weather gods decide to give us a period of warm and damp conditions then late blight may well follow. If it strikes and no action is taken then much of the crop may be damaged. The quickest action is to remove and destroy affected leaves.
There is more about this in our advice section.
White Onions - Stuttgart
Red Onions - Red Baron SOLD OUT
Shallots - Red Sun
Hardneck - Carcassonne & Caulk
Softneck - Solent & Provence
Elephant Garlic