Author: oldlanelottswp

 

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)

 

 

When your seeds arrive sort them out into sowing order (earliest date first) & store them in a cool dark place ready for the growing season. Remember if you already have packets of seeds stored these need to be sown first remember to check the sow by date on the packets. I personally don’t use out of date seeds if they don’t germinate it will put you back at the start of the busy growing season.

Don’t forget that growing instructions in a book are standardized so check on the seed packet , especially for those close-spaced varieties. I always read the instructions on seed packets as it gives you that reminder.  Check the weather as seed varieties can be planted in February at the start of the season,  but now the winter months seem to be longer as we learnt from early March last year, with the really bad weather conditions. The weather is always key to planting seeds.

 

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Site Clear Up

These are the best of the Photographs from the site clear up which started on the 7th November 2019. Big Thank You to all involved.

Blog & Photographs By Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We are turning off the mains water supply to the site Saturday 9th November 2019 AM.

We do this to ensure we don’t get any bursts pipes over the Winter months & incur any unwanted High call out charges

Thank You

Old Lane Allotments Association

 

 

 

By now the nights are drawing in,so trying to fit in the allotment work becomes more difficult. Its time now to plant hardy Autumn broad beans, hardy peas can also be planted as well. Plant garlic cloves now otherwise you risk the weather becoming too wet or the ground being frozen. November is also the time to plant fruit trees, bare rooted ones which can only be planted when dormant. The same applies to new fruit bushes, rhubarb,blackberry & raspberry canes. As the ground becomes vacant it is now the time to dig in manure or grow – organic , leave the soil roughly dug in large clumps & let the worms do the work.

Digging over the land introduces air to the soil, loosening it also leaves insects & pests to the open air where birds can eat them.  Do not forget to check your vegetables in storage, and removing anything that has started to rot before it spreads. Potatoes really need to be checked at regular intervals.

Remember we sell Grow – Organic to dig into the land – All monies go back into running the site

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Lock Damage

Unfortunately the lock on the entrance gate (Old Lane access) has been subject to vandalism – until we can sort the problem out plot members will have to use the top entrance ( St Anthony’s drive access ) until further notice.

 

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

If you are travelling to an organised bonfire stay safe & enjoy the celebrations

                      Enjoy the fireworks !

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From the Old Lane Allotments Committee

 

Dear Members,

Just to let you know the water supply for the site will be turned off after BONFIRE NIGHT

We do this to ensure we do not get frozen pipes over the winter months & receive any unwanted high call out charges from the water board.

 

 

Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Committee

Plot Members Orders Have Arrived

Plot members that placed an order for Kings Seeds, the orders have arrived. I will be opening the stores Thursday 7th November & Saturday 9th November 9am – 12o clock to distribute orders to members

Can I urge members to collect their orders on these dates & times please.

 

Blog By Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

We had a fire early this morning to burn wood on plot 53. Tony Spellman got the fire started & it took me back to March 18th 1996 The Prodigy song (fire starter) so I used this as the theme name for my blog. Here are the best of the pictures I took. Big thanks to Tony Spellman for his efforts this morning. As its bonfire night in a few days, it gave us chance to burn some rubbish & have a tidy up.

Blog & Photographs by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)