Author: oldlanelottswp

Plot 13W is rented on our site to Nick Thyer & his wife Catherine. Nick is in a band called STATE 53 & they are playing at the

WHISTLE STOP PUB BEESTON THIS SATURDAY 8TH JUNE FROM 9PM 

– They play the best of American Country rock from Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Eagles, John Denver, Tom Petty , Blackberry smoke, and a host of great American country rock artists. Nick is on the left in the picture on guitar along with band members Steve Hoyle, Clive Eales &  Bob “Too Tall” Plews  (FREE ENTRY ON THE NIGHT)

newsletter 23

Please click/double click on the link above for access to our June 2019 newsletter.

Enjoy Reading !!

Newsletter editor & content : Steve Johnston.

Part content : Mark Burton

Aphids

The aphid is said to have over 500 species, including greenfly & blackfly. They cause damage to plants across a broad spectrum, including cabbages, broad beans, to aubergines & tomatoes in the greenhouse.  They feed on plants by inserting their syringe like mouths into the plant then sucking the sap. This then weakens the plants & passes on viral diseases from plant to plant. They produce honeydew ; a sticky waste which forms a growth medium for moulds & is prized by ants who actually farm the aphids, protecting them from predators in return for a food source.

Broad beans which are usually seen to be hit by blackfly, once they have grown just clip off the growing tip & dispose of it with the pests attatched. The natural enemy of the aphid is the ladybird, you can buy ladybird larvae as a biological control for use in your greenhouse or polytunel.

Blog & Research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

LETTUCE

Lettuce’s botanical name Lactuca sativa is from the Latin word lac meaning (milk) which refers to its milky sap. There are now over 100 species of lettuce probably originating from countries bordering the Mediterranean sea . It was originally a medicinal plant but records show that it was being eaten as early as 4500BC. The Greeks believed that lettuce induced sleep, the Romans began to eat it before a main meal to wet their appetite. Lettuce was known to the Anglo Saxons as sleepwort.

Christopher Columbus took lettuce’s to America, they were originally loose leaf plants  It wasn’t until the 16th century when head type lettuce appeared. Lettuce provides us with vitamin A & C, and is packed with antioxidants & is low in calories. They need an open site with light fertile soil, they do not do well in poor soil which dries out during the summer period.

Always read the seed packet before planting

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

PLOT 28 – Team building day

The Depuy volunteers spent a day on the allotments as part of a team building event. Andrew Bailey (Depuy) was in charge of the event, and all the staff who volunteered were busy on their plot 28. Lots of progress was made on their plot. They also helped one of our plot members on there plot as there were round about twenty five volunteers.Mick Hogan & Mark Burton from the Old Lane Allotments committee were there to give some assistance & support with the event. I think everybody enjoyed the day & the weather was on our side. It was a good for the Depuy staff to work outside on this project & support each other on there team building day.

More photos from the day can be found on our website navigate to photos & take a look

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Photos by Andrew Bailey (Depuy Synthes)

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)

Rainbow over Old Lane Allotments

Blog & photo’s by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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

Mick Cooper (plot 12E) has asked me to do a blog to see if anyone can tell him the name of this particular plant. The photo was taken on Old Lane Allotments looks like a wild flower. If anyone knows will they let Mick know on his plot

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)