Author: oldlanelottswp

Grow Organic is a 100% organic fertiliser, it improves soil & breaks clay. I have included some pictures so plot members can read what it can be used for, & what the benefits are. We stock a minimum quantity and the price is £6.85 & would cover  1/2 plot if spread out & dug in. People who use it say it is as good as cow manure without all the hassle of delivery & off course the mess. It can be used for different applications.

All monies taken go towards the up keep of the site.

 

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

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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)

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I took these photographs on Friday 15th January 2021

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Plants Mean Prizes

This year has been a strange growing season so far with restrictions & social distancing. We have decided to still proceed with the competitions that we have on site every year. Finest worked plot 1st & 2nd prize, also  finest newcomer to the site. Prizes will be announced at a later date.  Everyone has worked very hard on their plots so far this year under difficult circumstances. We have been lucky that we have been able to still enjoy  growing fruit & vegetables.

 

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

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January usually brings bad weather but hopefully you can still complete those winter jobs that are still on your to do list. Check your stored vegetables , empty your potato sacks to see if any have become rotten, a squeeze will establish if a potato has gone bad. It would be a good idea to check the underside of your strung onions where rot usually starts from. January is not a month for outdoor planting or sowing you can try to grow some summer cauliflowers in a frost free place such as a cold-frame or frost free greenhouse, but obviously sowing in the deep winter months is a gamble.

          Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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Dear Members

As you are all aware we went into a national Lockdown on the 5th January 2021 with the ongoing pandemic. We are told we can go out & exercise so that means we can still visit our allotment. A Tennant may visit their allotment with members of their own household or support bubble ,or with one other person. Same as the March 2020 lockdown extra care should be taken when coming into contact with shared touch points, most notable access gates, & hands should be sanitised or washed after use. Obviously social distancing is of paramount importance & not to invade anyone’s two metre space. We all have a duty to each other regarding the covid 19 government guidelines. Fortunately, this time of year is generally quite quiet so this should not disrupt your cultivation plans. However Tennant’s are still required to keep their allotments tidy & in good condition. If you do have coronavirus symptoms you have a duty to the site & you must self isolate at home. If you need to let us know about any issues or concerns you can contact me by E mail on oldlanelotts@gmail.com

Fingers crossed with the vaccine roll out things should improve in the months ahead. So stay safe & all look after yourselves.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotment Association

Dear Members

There are 2 x gooseberry Bushes outside the hut building which are free to take if anybody wants them. Reg Brooke on plot 49/50 has dug them up & no longer wants them They are “Invicta variety” need to be planted straight away.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Plot members

Its been a really challenging year with the pandemic but the passion for growing our own fruit & vegetable’s remains strong. We have been able to pursue our outdoor hobby in these unprecedented times . We as a committee would like to thank everybody for there hard work & commitment to there plots this year. So A very merry Xmas & a Happy healthy new year

All The Best From Mick, Mark, Steve, Reg, Peter, Martin, Kathryn

Dear Members

Its that time of year again were the weather is very inclement the rain is making the main road through the site waterlogged & swampy under foot. Can vehicles that use our bottom car park (Old Lane side) access the site through the bottom entrance (Old Lane side) & exit the same entrance please. Obviously cars parking next to the hut building would usually access & exit the site from St Anthony’s Drive entrance. The less traffic on the road through the site will stop the road cutting up & possibly vehicles getting stuck in the mud.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

The days are now shorter & the weather is even colder. There is still plenty to do down on the allotment, its that time of year to carry out those little jobs that are difficult to complete when the growing season is in full swing

Here is a checklist that might help you over the winter period.

Clean & disinfect greenhouse, pots & seed trays, any repairs to your structures. keep turning over your compost, winter dig, lime your plot, keep things tidy to prevent homes for winter pests, pruning, cover winter vegetables, store leaves for next years mulch, put weed suppressant ground cover down on the land.

Those cosy nights at home plan your allotment for next years growing season, and sort out your seeds & what you want to grow.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)