Author: oldlanelottswp

When I approached the entrance gate on Monday 13th February the gate had been locked like this (see picture above). It was impossible to enter the site through that entrance gate so I walked down to the other gate to obtain entry. I cant understand why someone would exit the allotments and lock the gate in this way, which is the reason for this blog post. Surely the person who did this must realise that any member wanting to enter site would not be able to gain access. There has also been a number of instances where the lock has been the wrong way round, making it difficult for members coming in to see the combination codes. Someone repeatedly is changing just one number as they lock the gate. Scramble all the numbers, it doesnt take long for the next member coming in to change the code back to gain access. Security is everyones responsibility as members of Old Lane Allotments.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For and on behalf of Old Lane Allotments

All the site wheelbarrow handles have been painted orange for identification.

Please can we make sure the barrows are put back in the holding area

Thank you

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Plot Members,

This is to make plot holders aware the allotment committee meet the first Sunday in every month to discuss allotment issues. If there is anything you want to be raised in our monthly meeting, please put it in writing & place it in our site letterbox in the toilet area.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Pigeons & Birds

Although birds are responsible for some damage to your crops by far the worst culprit is the wood pigeon.  They do maximum damage to your brassica plants in Spring & Winter when food is scarce. They can reduce a cabbage to a few stalks overnight. It’s not just the cabbage family (brassicas) which they attack, they enjoy beans, peas, turnips & even Swedes, they will also eat your fruit & berries when in season. Pigeons are said to be clever birds, scarecrow & rattling bottles on canes don’t seem to disturb them.

The only answer is to put netting over your crops, you need to make sure the netting is supported otherwise birds will press down on the netting to gain access. Make  sure to fasten the netting down at ground level or they will find their way under your netting. Pigeons can destroy your hole crop in a day. Always remember to net your crops, don’t think or I will do it tomorrow, there is nothing more demoralizing than going to your plot & half of your crops have been eaten. However the Robin for example helps us on the allotment when you are winter digging it will feast on the pests on the top of your soil

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Winter Digging / Getting ready for Spring

Some plots on site havent been dug over and weeded ready for this years growing season.  When it comes to sowing & planting in Spring you will not be ready, resulting in playing catch up when the growing season is in full swing.

Winter digging will give you a good start as Spring is just around the corner, enabling  you to make maximum use of your land for growing

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

Broad beans are high in protein & fibre ,an excellent source of folate also a good source of other B vitamins. They are rich in Phytosterols which help lower cholesterol levels in the body, they are an excellent source of minerals such as iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, & potassium. It was widely believed that rubbing a wart on the furry inside of the bean pod would cause it to shrivel & disappear.  Beans were also found in the tombs in ancient Eygypt where they were left as food for the departed & their souls in the afterlife. The Greek philosopher & Mathematician Pythagoras forbid his followers to eat or touch the bean as he said they contained souls of the dead.

Broad beans always grow better in fertile well drained soil where plenty of compost or manure has been dug in. A sheltered site is considered for Autumn sowing, spring sowing is fine out in the open. Once the beans begin to form pinch out the top of the plants to deter black fly.

Always remember to read the seed packet for growing instructions.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

CONTACT DETAILS

DEAR PLOT MEMBERS

If anyone changes their address, mobile telephone numbers,

     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

February is often the coldest winter month & what you can do on your allotment in February often depends on the weather. Do not slavishly follow instruction’s to sow or plant outside in February: think of the conditions, cold & wet ground will not germinate seeds it will just kill them off. If the weather allows,  you can direct sow broad beans along with early peas best chance would be to start them in a cold frame and plant outside later. Onion seeds can now be started off indoors or in a heated greenhouse at home, they need to be 15 degrees C to get them going for planting out later. The greenhouse border can be brought into productive use, a row or two of early carrots can come out in eight to ten weeks,  by this time the beds will be needed for tomatoes & so on.

If you didn’t plant your garlic out last November pop them in now, they like a cold spell so frost will not harm them. Conventional advice is to sow parsnips now but you will get much better germination rates in March, they will still be ready by the time the next frost arrives. Hardy lettuce can be started under glass, to provide an early salad crop along with rocket & some radish varieties.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)