Author: oldlanelottswp

Dear Members,

Further information regarding this years Best Worked Plots competitions (includes best worked plots overall,  and best newcomer plot).  As last year all plots will be viewed over the course of the season and considered in light of the areas outlined below. From these viewings a shortlist of possible winners will be agreed. The scoring system will then be applied to this shortlist to assist the judges in making their final decision regarding winners and runners-up.

 1. Quality of crops (max 40 points) – Broad range of vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers being grown (relative size of    plots will be taken into account).

2. Condition of the plot (max 35 points)  Plots should be weed free and the soil well cultivated. Paths and other areas should be weed free and tidy. Buildings should be in good condition.

3. Environmentally friendly practices (max 10 points) Compost bins in use. Rainwater collection and planting designed to attract natural predators.

 4. Overall visual effect (max 5 points) Inclusion of attractive features such as hanging baskets, pots, benches alongside an attractive and interesting layout.

Winners will be announced  at the end of the growing season

Old Lane Allotments Association

Can we please make sure we keep the toilet area clean please for the next person to use it.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

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 later in the year.  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.

Start with the soil, healthy soil leads to healthy growing plants with fewer problems. Follow a crop rotation (Even a simple one) to prevent a build up of pests & problems. Be vigilant most problems can be dealt with early. Keep plants healthy water when required , don’t overcrowd plants. Grow a wide variety of plants , big areas where you have one specific vegetable growing allows pests & diseases to find their host plants with ease.

Diseased plants should be thrown away not composted. When choosing plants & seeds look for disease resistant varieties. Pest & disease problems with plants vary from year to year so always try again sometimes the result’s can be different.  Attacks from pests & diseases can be demoralising for any gardener. You can however minimise the problems by looking after your soil & plants.

Blog 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)

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 position togrow on

Blog By Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Members.

Just to let you know we have no stock left of multi purpose compost. We have an order placed with our supplier. At the moment they cannot give us a fixed delivery date due to restrictions with covid 19, also manufacturers are having problems too with the supply chain etc.

We will let you know when stock arrives.

Old Lane Allotments committee

THINNING OUT

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

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)

WHAT TO GROW

One of the srangest things I have come across is a grower that has a crop that he or she doesn’t like. So the first rule is to grow what you like to eat. Although this may seem obvious , often it can be strangely ignored. Write down what you or your family like to eat. Think seasonally Summer most people like salads & in Winter most families like root hardy vegetables. When you go shopping see which fruit & vegetables are the most expensive (so you can save money). Having eventually made a list of what you want to eat. You can then choose the varieties you want to grow. It’s easy to get carried away when your planning, be realistic about the time you have available ; think about how much time you will have in a good week, and in a bad week. Pick plants & seeds that are happy with that & grow them in the right place. On the other hand do try crops that you haven’t eaten before. The worst case is you waste a packet of seeds & a small patch of land.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)