Author: oldlanelottswp

When I got to the site this morning some shed doors were open. It has been reported to West Yorkshire Police and we are in the process of obtaining a crime reference number.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Today the runner bean is one of our best loved & widely grown vegetables. It is known as an oriental climber in most countries. Its other popular names are scarlet bean, & Dutch case knife bean. It has been grown for over 2,000 years originating in the tropical uplands of Central America. Runner beans grow best in a warm spot which also encourages pollinating insects. Do not grow them in the same position every year , as this is likely to build up root rotting diseases.

They enjoy a rich drained soil, & a sheltered sunny position. Beans will wrap round your canes anticlockwise & when they reach the top of your cane supports, its a good idea to cut the plant off at the top to encourage the plant to bush out then you will get more beans. Water plants liberally & frequently especially during dry spells. Tie young plants loosely to the canes & protect them from slugs, they will quickly climb naturally & will need no other support.

Blog & Research By Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

This is just a reminder to members that we have a communal garden area at the back of the hut building. Where members can sit or relax. We had the Macmillan day on there last year. St Annes also use it and have an annual barbeque for there volunteer gardeners.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Radish is derived from the Latin word ‘Radix’ which translates to the word ‘root’ very apt for this little root vegetable that stems further back than the Ancient Chinese writings from 2700 BC. The radish came to our shores in the 1500’s where it was used on many illnesses such as kidney stones to acne. The labourers who built the pyramids of Ancient Egypt were paid in onions, garlic, & radish. The radish is part of the brassica family & is related to broccoli & kale despite the ascetic & taste differences

Radishes are powerful detoxifiers that are also rich in vitamins & phytochemicals. This allows your body to purify your blood stream & maintain a higher oxygen supply to all of your cells. They thrive in well-drained soil free from stones, that has had well rotted compost dug into it. A sunny spot with a little shade are ideal growing conditions, the radish make perfect fillers in between other crops

Always read the seed packet for sowing instructions

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

June is a very busy time on the allotment the nights should now be frost free, and daylight hours are longer which should give you plenty of time to get on with jobs that need doing. Now is the time to protect your strawberries by mulching around them with straw to keep mud splashes off, & keep birds of your precious ripening strawberries by cover your plants with netting.

Keeping on top of the weeds is still very important hoe between rows & let them dry out on top of the soil. Continue sowing beetroot, This is the last chance to sow main crop variety carrots that will be ready to harvest in September/October. Courgettes, Summer squash, & marrows if you don’t already have young plants you have raised in pots, you can sow the seed direct outside now the soil has warmed up. The beginning of June will be the last chance to grow maincrop peas, towards the end of the month switch to early fast maturing peas which should be ready to harvest in September. Outdoor cucumbers are usually started off earlier in pots, but if you sow them direct this month they should give you a crop in August/September.

Sow Outdoors now – beetroot, broccoli, Carrots, French beans, kale, pumpkins & Winter squash, runner beans, swede, Swiss chard, turnips, radish, Spring onions, continue succession of salad leaves, cucumbers, herbs.

                                          Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

The funeral for our dear friend Tony Booth will take place on Tuesday 20th June at 10.45 at Cottingley Crematorium, Ring Road, Leeds, LS11 OEU. Jane who is Tonys niece says everyone is welcome to pay their respects.

There will be NO wake after the funeral service.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Tony Booth who was our longest serving plot member sadly passed away yesterday. He had to relinquish his two allotments last October through really poor health.

Tony was an integeral part of Old Lane Allotments for over 35 years and saw the transition of the site becoming a self managed site as it is today. He was site treasurer for a number of years .He was a book of knowledge regarding allotments and gardening. Tony received many awards at garden shows for his outstanding vegatables and he loved to grow and show Chrysanthemum flowers. He was always willing to help people and he formed many special friendships over the years. Tony will be sadly missed by us all. At this time our thoughts go out to his family. I will publish details of the funeral when i get to know the date and time.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Thiis is an addition to my first blog I published a couple of days ago. Sunjeeda has asked me if any members have any extra fruit and vegatables at the time of harvesting she will gladly distribute them to the womens whispers project.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

LETTUCE

Lettuce’s botanical name Lactuca sativa is from the Latin word lac meaning (milk) which refers to its milky sap. There are now over 100 species of lettuce probably originating from countries bordering the Mediterranean sea . It was originally a medicinal plant but records show that it was being eaten as early as 4500BC. The Greeks believed that lettuce induced sleep, the Romans began to eat it before a main meal to wet their appetite. Lettuce was known to the Anglo Saxons as sleepwort.

Christopher Columbus took lettuce’s to America, they were originally loose leaf plants  It wasn’t until the 16th century when head type lettuce appeared. Lettuce provides us with vitamin A & C, and is packed with antioxidants & is low in calories. They need an open site with light fertile soil, they do not do well in poor soil which dries out during the summer period.

Always read the seed packet before planting

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Notice

It is a general site rule to fill up water butts that are next to site taps around the site when  members are watering up.  This is just a polite notice to fill the water butt back up  when you’ve watered your plot.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of  (Old Lane Allotments Association)