We have just finished the annual levy and rents collection, bit cold for it but nice to meet people.

Tips from people this year
Carrot Fly - a barrier at least 24" round the growing area seems to work as the flies don't go above 18" or so. Also Ray suggested mixing Onions in with the carrots, and Jeyes fluid watered over the soil (very weak solution) although that may be a bit extreme :-)
I did hear of a method that involved growing the carrots in containers above the ground, again at least 24" above ground level.
Another good idea (this is all to do with smell) similar to the onions or you could use chives, when your chives are ready for cutting back lay the cut chives on the soil next to the carrots this masks the smell of the carrots.
A quick search on tintanet gives this advice
Thinning out the seedlings will release the scent of carrots, and attract the attentions of carrot fly. To avoid this, perform this activity in the evening when the carrot fly is not about. Ensure that any soil disturbed by the thinning process is firmed back down with your hand - carrot fly lay their eggs in loose soil around the carrot seedlings.
Or go to the Carrot Museum (no I couldn't believe it either).

Growing containers: an excellent suggestion from today, cat litter trays with holes drilled in the corners, deep enough to retain water for a few days and perfect for cress small herbs and quick crops. Wilko's apparently is a good place to get them not pet shops. I imagine they are purrfect for potting up in too.

On cats: to stop them digging the garden for you, I found Christmas tree branches laid over the area to be protected works

There was a suggestion that we look into a seed swapping scheme, to that end I have added it to the permanent announcement. So please email us if you have seeds to swap.

No recent news of the land sale yet.

I will be putting up a notice next to the hut about this Web blog so we may see a few more visitors
so bye for now and get digging, tonyM