Author: oldlanelottswp

HARDENING OFF

Plants that have been raised indoors/greenhouses must be acclimatized to lower temperatures & wind before they are planted in the open . Harden them off in cloches or cold frames for 10 – 12 days. Increase ventilation gradually during the day & then at night , until the seedlings can be left out all the time before transplanting them to their final positions to grow on

Blog By Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Members,

The padlock on the gate when opened is faulty.The shackle comes completley out of the lock mechanism. Put the shackle back in and lock it in the usual way by scrambling the numbers and it will be locked and secured.

We are in the process of sorting the problem out.

Old Lane Allotments Association

THINNING OUT

Young seedlings need to be thinned to prevent overcrowding. Thin to the final spacing’s in stages, rather than immediately, to allow for any loss due to pests & diseases ; at each stage , aim to leave a seedling just clear of its neighbours. If the seeds have been sown in situ , continue to thin until they are at the spacing required for mature plants. 

Really small seedlings should be nipped off at ground level so as not to disturb roots on adjacent plants. Clear the thinned seedlings away as not to attract pests from the scent. Seedling’s such as lettuces  cabbages, & onions maybe lifted for transplanting, & the soil re -firmed  around the seedlings.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Lighter evenings means we get more time on our allotment plots & with temperatures rising in May we should see some really vibrant sunny days.  Watch out there is still a danger of frost even in May which will kill tender young plants. The soil should be warming up now so this is a time for some direct sowing of seeds but remember to stagger them to spread out your Harvests. Remember to harden off young plants this is where you gradually acclimatize the plants to outside temperatures & conditions over a two or three week period.

Continue to sow main-crop peas,  sow sweetcorn directly outside always sow in blocks rather than rows to ensure pollination. Root vegetables can now been sown outside carrots, beetroot, swedes, parsnips & turnips.

Sow outdoors under cover – beetroot, cucumbers, French beans, Runner beans, sweetcorn.

Sow Outdoors – Beetroot, Brussels sprout, Cabbages (Summer), carrots, cauliflower, French beans, kale, lettuce, oriental leaves, lettuce, radish, rocket, runner beans, spring onions,swede, salad leaves, broccoli, Swiss chard, spinach.

Sow Indoors – Cabbages Summer, autumn winter & red, chillies & peppers, pumpkins & winter squash, courgettes, kale, marrows, sprouting broccoli.

Herbs – Succession sow further small batches of seed such as basil, coriander,chervil, dill, parsley, sorrel – may need protecting still with covers or cloches.

You may need to earth up potatoes & keep that hoe going for the continual weeds.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Anti Bird Netting

We now stock anti bird netting it is 2 metres in width.

It costs £1.90 a running metre and its 4mts in width

Use it to cover your brassica plants before the wood pigeons feast on your crops !

All monies go back into the running of the site

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

We have purchased 2 x sets of garden shears with extendable handles for trimming the grass  round the sides of your plot. We will loan them out to plot members on request all you need to do is ask a member of the committee. Pathways between plots are the responsibility of plot holders & part of allotment gardening, it is also written in our constitution of rules as part of plot maintenance.

Blog Created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For & On behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association

There is definitely a divide with gardeners/allotment members when it comes to using weedkillers. Chemicals can be dangerous to the environment including pets and wildlife. If weedkillers are not used properly, it can damage your own crops as well as neighbouring plots on the allotment. The pathways between plots have to be managed & maintained by plot holders, so having good communication with your neighbours is essential. Weedkiller on pathways looks really unsightly . To keep our pathways like a greenspace the best way to do this is to cut the grass with garden shears, otherwise put down weed suppressant over the grass to keep it under control. Weedkiller damage can occur in different ways, from drift when spray is applied during windy conditions. Leaching of residual weedkillers into adjacent beds. Also when the application of weedkiller is exceeded and has penetrated deeper into the soil. If you need to use weed killer as a last resort then glyphosate is acceptable. I think we have a duty to discuss this with neighbouring plot members especially if you want to apply weedkiller to pathways between plots, If you have to use weedkiller follow the instructions on the product label & apply weedkiller at the stated rate. it is a legal requirement to comply with the statutory conditions indicated on the label. Weeds can also be controlled by good cultivation techniques such as hoeing, mulching , digging ,which is a big part of allotment gardening

Blog 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)

CONTACT DETAILS

DEAR PLOT MEMBERS

If anyone changes their home address, mobile telephone number, or E mail  details,  please can you let the Secretary (Mark Burton) know as soon as possible. It is imperative that are records are correct for the site working alongside Leeds City Council.

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION