Covid -19
It has been announced on the BBC news this morning by Conservative MP Mr Michael Gove that members can work their allotment plots if they wish to do so. Obviously care has to be taken & the 2 metre distancing has to remain paramount. Of course hand washing & hygiene has to be carried out as per the government guidelines.
Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association.
My good friend Mick Cooper sent me these two pictures which I will explain. The seed potato on the left hand side has been left in a dark environment this showing that the growth is light in colour & also looks weak, and will continue to grow spindly.
The seed potato on the right hand side has been placed in a light frost free environment showing that the growth is dark & healthy.
You should have your seed potatoes chitting at the moment, check on them and see how there looking.
Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) / Content Mick Cooper Plot 12E
Coronavirus – Covid 19
Dear Members
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak members must follow Government guidelines & health care providers information We suggest while working on your allotment garden you minimize contact with other members where possible. Its suggested to keep at least six feet in distance from person to person contact. The water supply has now been turned on after the winter break for hand washing.
If you have any symptoms you need to stay at home & self isolate as per the guidelines. If you are not in a position to work your plot due to Coronavirus or isolation please E mail us on oldlanelotts@gmail.com as soon as possible.
OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
We have uploaded many more photo’s to our website.
On our welcome page http://www.oldlanelotts.com
navigate to photos and take a look !
Planting potatoes
Plant your chitted potatoes when the soil starts to warm up, usually in mid- March to early April. Start by digging a trench 7.5 – 13cm (3-5 inch) deep, add a sprinkling of fertiliser to your trench before you begin planting. Plant early potatoes about 30cm (12 inch) apart with 40-50cm (16-20 inch) between the rows, second earlies & maincrops about 38cm (15 inch) apart with 75cm (30 inch) between the rows. Handle your chitted seed potatoes (tubers) with care, gently setting them in to the trench with the shoots pointing upwards, be really careful not to break the shoots. Cover the potatoes lightly with soil & fill in the trench. As soon as the shoots appear, earth up each plant by covering it with a ridge of soil so the shoots are just buried. You need to do this at regular intervals creating a small mound around the plant to prevent any sun damage or element damage.
Harvesting
Your home grown potatoes should be ready for lifting from June until September, depending on the varieties & the growing conditions. Earlies can be lifted & eaten as soon as they are ready, this will be when above -ground growth is still green,& usually as soon as the flowers open on the plant. Second & maincrop varieties can be kept in the ground much longer, until late September, even though above-ground growth may well be looking past its best. Two weeks before you lift the crop, cut the growth off the plants at ground level. This should give the skins of the potatoes sufficient time to toughen up, making them far less prone to damage from lifting and easier to store.
Blog written by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
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
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
Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
Stores Opening Times 2020 Growing Season
Monday 10am – 12 o clock Tony Paine (plot 38)
Tuesday Closed –
Wednesday 9am – 11.45 am Mark Burton (plot 14)
Thursday Closed –
Friday 9am – 11.45 am Mark Burton (plot 14)
Saturday 10am -12 o clock Tony Paine (plot 38)
Sunday Closed
If for some reason the stores are not open on said above days/times it will be due to unforeseen circumstances. All monies from stores go to the upkeep of our site. If you could bring the correct money for your purchases that would be great. Members need to visit our stores on the days & times outlined above.
Thank you
Mark Burton / Tony Paine
ON BEHALF OF OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
SEED POTATOES
WHAT TO GROW
There are dozens of different seed potato varieties you can buy, usually described as early, second early, & maincrop potatoes. These names indicate when they crop and also give you an idea of the space you will need to plant them. You should concentrate on the earlier types if your short of space, its worth mentioning that earlies are less likely to encounter pest problems as you can lift them much earlier in the year.
First earlies should be ready 10 weeks after planting, second earlies take 16 to 17 weeks to mature after planting, so you should be able to harvest them from very late June through to the start of August. Maincrop seed potatoes will be ready 18 to 20 weeks after planting, so they can be lifted from late August through to October. These varieties tend to be the best for storage.
CHITTING
Chitting simply means encouraging the seed potatoes to sprout before planting, you should start chitting in late February, about 6 weeks before you intend planting your potatoes. Each seed potato has a number of eyes, stand the tubers (seed potatoes) in trays or old egg boxes, with plenty of natural light. The seed potatoes are ready to be planted out when the eye shoots are 1.5 – 2.5 centimetres long.
Find out in my next blog – How to plant your seed potatoes
and how to harvest them
Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
March they say is when the growing season really starts to take off, definitely on a windowsill, in the greenhouse or grow tunnel. Outside is possible too, but as we all know it becomes dependent on the weather. Ideally the soil temperature should be over 10 degrees Celsius. March is also the time when the weeds start to spring up, so the hoe becomes an everyday tool in use. Also slugs & snails seem to emerge. Controlling them early in the season can have a big impact later on by disrupting the breeding numbers.
What you could grow in March in the greenhouse, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, Leeks, broccoli, salad leaves, radish, lettuce, onions, peas, globe artichokes, spring onions, summer cabbage, celery, early cauliflowers, cress. Also start off at home in the house, tomatoes, cucumbers & peppers.
Direct sow in March under cloches if the weather is inclement (bad), beetroot, carrots, parsnips, early turnips, onion sets,shallots, chitted potatoes, swedes, Garlic.
Remember to always read your instructions on seed packets.
Research & Blog Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
friendly, locally-managed allotments in Beeston, Leeds
A place to return to education, and meet your personal and professional goals in a supportive learning environment. Choose from short courses to PhDs at https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/
Welcome to my world: digging, harvesting and other stuff
