Author: oldlanelottswp

Vegetable Growing – May

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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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pests & Problems – Butterflies

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Butterflies

The butterfly is a beautiful creature to look at when your on your allotment garden, however its catapillar will happily eat leaves from your cabbages. They are easy to control without using chemicals. Regular checks under leaves for clusters of eggs that can be washed off or crushed with your finger.

If you miss a batch of eggs then you can pick off the caterpillars by hand & dispose of them away from the plant.

 

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Cucumbers

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Cucumbers were originally found in India 4000 years ago, & they have since now become the 4th most widely cultivated vegetable in the world. They were introduced to Great Britain in the 14th century, but were not popular at all until the 17th century. The species grown for food are Cucumis satvus (cucumber) & Cucumis anguria West Indian gherkin.

Cucumbers are 95 percent water the skin is the moist nutritious  part. Its said that sliced cucumber placed in a aluminium tin react with the metal giving of a scent undetectable by humans but said to repel slugs & other garden pests. They are low in calories but contain many important vitamins & minerals. Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity & lower blood sugar levels.

Always read the seed packet for growing instructions

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

Courgettes & Marrows

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Once known as the vegetable marrow it is a bush or trailing annual which can produce large, heavy fruits on good soil using careful cultivation. Many are picked while still young known as courgettes & used in much wider dishes than marrows ever were. The marrow is thought to be from Northern Mexico, & the Southern United States.

Courgettes & marrows are low in calories, then contain vitamin C which boosts the immune system., have good levels of potassium which can help to control blood pressure. The soluble skin of the fruits can slow digestion & therefore stabilise blood sugar. Courgettes & Marrows do best in an open, sunny position & in fertile, moisture retentive but not waterlogged soil.

Remember always read the seed packet for growing instructions

Blog created & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) 

Pests & Problems – Pigeons & Birds

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Pigeons & Birds

 

Although birds are responsible for some damage to your crops by far the worst culprit is the wood pigeon.  They do maximun damage to your brassica plants in Spring & Winter when food is scarce. They can reduce a cabbage to a few stalks overnight. It’s not just the cabbage family (brassicas) which they attack, they enjoy beans, peas, turnips & even Swedes, asset as fruit & berries when in season. Pigeons are said to be clever birds, scarecrow & rattling bottles on canes don’t seem to disturb them.

The only answer is to put netting over your crops, you need to make sure the netting is supported otherwise birds will press down on the netting to gain access, & it goes down to ground level or they will find their way under your netting. Pigeons can destroy your hole crop in a day. Always remember to net your crops, don’t think or I will do it tommorow, there is nothing more demoralizing than going to your plot & half of your crops have been eaten. The Robin for example helps us on the allotment when you are winter digging it will feast on the pests on the top of your soil.

Remember we have brassica collars outside are main hut building for members to take, they will help with young seedlings from the weather & pigeons, until the plants have developed.

 

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Vegetable Growing – April

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Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Things should really get going on the allotment in April, the days will start to lengthen & temperatures start to rise.  Do keep an eye on the weather forecasts as a cold snap or snow are not unheard of in April & the occasional frost is to be expected.  The first rule is never trust the weather.

There is plenty to sow & plant outside especially if the month of March was not suitable.Onion sets & shallots can be planted now, remember shallots need a long time in the ground. Aim to get your seed potatoes planted by the end of the month, you can start to sow carrots & peas outside. Remember though the peas are a good snack for mice, so keep them covered. Radish can now be sown outside & keep sowing every three to four weeks for a continuous supply over the summer.  Beetroot can be sown directly outside,but may need covering if the soil is too wet, also leeks & Turnip.

Aubergines, chillies , tomatoes can now be sown in the greenhouse as they all need a long growing season. You can also sow cucumber seeds in the greenhouse for planting outside later. Sweetcorn also needs a long growing season, it would be ideal to start them in modules under cover.  Courgettes, pumpkins & other squashes can be started in the greenhouse, also kale, marrows, climbing beans & dwarf French beans under cover. Start sowing also celery indoors, aubergines, & Summer cabbages & other variety’s from the brassica family.

Lettuce,rocket & salad leaves can also be sown outside along with root vegetables all dependent on the weather of course.

 

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)