Author: oldlanelottswp

The Kings Seeds catalogues for Spring 2021  have arrived & Old Lane Allotments Association will be taking part in the allotment seed scheme.  I will be distributing seed catalogues to plot members along with an order form. There is also a letter with the catalogue stating  days you can bring your order form & payment to site as there will be no annual general meeting this year due to the covid 19 pandemic.

Plot members pay the prices set out in the catalogue & all seeds will be delivered to Old Lane Allotments where i will distribute them accordingly. Kings are a reputable seed supplier & there prices are really competitive. They will include club root resistant varieties and the catalogue is full of useful information & growing tips.

Many Thanks

(Mark Burton – Allotment Secretary) For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

National Allotments week    12th  –  18th August 2019

Allotments have many benefits, they bring people together & unite everyone through shared love of low cost, healthy fresh fruit & vegetable’s, physical exercise & social interaction. National allotments week started in 2002 to raise awareness of allotments & the pivotal role in helping people to live healthier lifestyles

Blog & research Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

5th October 2020 Annual General Meeting now cancelled

Our scheduled Annual General meeting for the 5th October 2020 will not be going ahead this year due to the covid 19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Details of how to pay annual plot fees, seed potatoe requests , etc will be detailed & outlined with your annual rent statements which will be issued at the end of August 2020 beginning of September 2020.

Thank You

Blog created by Mark Burton – For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association.

We have now had the green light for small controlled fires again on site. Safety has to be paramount for our site & our members. We must consider thoughts of our local residents & the buildings that surround the site,  & of course the environment. Our site is in a built up area with main roads & lots of traffic.  So common sense is always key to lighting fires.

 Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads & into peoples property. Always check the weather forecast . Do Not burn green waste  from crops this has to be composted. Only burn dry materials like dry timber, branches from pruning. Never burn household rubbish, rubber, plastic, foam , paint tins, carpets, aerosols that will cause pollution or damage peoples health .Use fire lighters to start the fire , no petrol, mentholated spirits that will encourage the fire. Do not leave the fire unattended. Make Sure the fire is out when you leave your allotment garden.

If your not sure what to burn speak to one of the committee officials. There will be a set of Recommendations to follow on a notice on the main hut building

If someone is not following the above recommendations /rules they will be banned from having fires on there plot

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

August with a bit of luck, brings us the best of the summer weather but being the traditional holiday month,  it can be hard keeping on top of your allotment with a fortnights holiday. Early potatoes should be dug up now, its best to harvest potatoes early in the day rinse them & leave them to dry,  in the sunlight for a day to harden the skins before storage.

Vegetables you can still sow in August

Spring cabbage, Spring onions, radish, beetroot, turnips, Spinach, Swiss chard, carrots, Kale for Winter & Spring cropping, parsley, coriander & chervil can be sown in the greenhouse for growing throughout winter. Plant out summer  Cauliflowers early this month for an Autumn harvest

Stop tomato plants growing now to encourage fruit to swell, keep side shoots in check, you want tomato’s & don’t want a mass of green foliage.   Keep an eye on your brassicas for butterfly eggs & caterpillars. Most of these will be under the leaves in clusters of little yellow/white balls. Pick or wash them off before they develop & dine on your dinner. Turn your compost the warm weather will help break it down, water it if it’s really dry.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear plot members,

It has been reported to me that some individuals are not locking the gates when entering or leaving site. Could people please make sure that the gates are locked at all times. Safety & security for the site is everybody’s responsibility.

Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Committee

Path ways between plots must be maintained

To All Plot Members

Just a reminder that pathways have to be clear for access. It is the responsibility of plot holders to keep the grass cut on adjacent paths between plots to keep the site well maintained.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

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)