THIS YEARS ON SITE COMPETITIONS
OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS WILL BE RUNNING 2 X COMPETITIONS THIS YEAR
FINEST WORKED PLOT
(First prize & 2 x runner up prizes)
OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER TO OUR SITE
(First Prize & 1 x runner up prize)
IT WILL BE JUDGED OVER THE GROWING SEASON !!!
PRIZES WILL BE ANNOUNCED OVER THE YEAR
OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
Weeds & Hoeing
Most of the annual weeds spread thousands of seeds that lie in the ground until the elements & conditions are right then they will appear. Turning over the soil brings those seeds to the surface, hence they will begin to pop up all over your allotment garden. Most of these weeds can be dealt with by hoeing through them, leave them to dry on the surface then transfer them to the compost bin. Catching the weeds early is the best way, better to hoe little & often. Make sure the blade is horizontal to the surface then move the hoe back & forth just under the soil surface. This slices the weed off its root & both root & stem die.
Do not hoe in wet conditions, the soil will cling to the hoe & you will end up pushing the weeds back into the ground & not slicing them. The weeds would probably then survive & re-root. There are other weeds that present a bigger problem, these are perennial & live from year to year. As a general rule hoeing them just cuts the tops off & the weed will rise again from its deep roots. I have listed below the perennial weeds, you will have to dig out the roots to stop them coming back.
REMEMBER WEEDS ON YOUR PLOT CAN MAKE YOUR NEIGHBOUR CRINGE
NETTLES, DOCK LEAVES, DANDELIONS, BIND WEED, COUCH GRASS, HORSE TAIL.
Blog 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)
Please click/double click on the link above to read our March 2019 newsletter in PDF format.
Hope you enjoy reading
Steve Johnston newsletter editor / Content
Mark Burton / Content
BLOSSOMS UP
I took these photographs today on Mick Hogan’s plot who is our site Chairman. The amount of blossom on his cherry tree is quite surreal for very early March
Blog & Photographs by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
WATER SUPPLY NOW BACK ON
Dear Members,
The water supply for the site has now been turned back on.
The site toilet can now be flushed as normal.
THANKYOU
OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Please can we all make sure that entrance gates are locked when entering & leaving site.
THE SECURITY OF THE SITE IS EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY
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
Old Lane Allotments Committee
Brussels sprouts are part of the brassica family, and as we know they date back to the 13th century & were grown in the region of Belgium that gave them their name. Recent hybrid varieties are a revelation for reliability of cropping & the holding power of the sprout on the stem. Sprouts are really low in calories & high in protein fibre, they are low in glycaemic making them ideal for weight loss dieting. They are very nutritious vegetable’s containing high levels of flavonoid anti oxidants. Sprouts are packed with vitamins A, K, C and complex B vitamins as well as potassium, manganese & iron.
Brussels sprouts grow best in firm, fertile soil, rich in organic matter. They benefit from a sunny & sheltered position away from high winds. The soil must be dug over in Autumn & not prior for planting out. Use cabbage collars round the base of the plant to prevent cabbage root fly & protect from birds.
Always read the seed packet for growing instructions
Blog & research by Mark Burton (allotment Secretary)
SPRING IS SLOWLY CREEPING UPON US
This Month there are already signs of the approaching Spring season. Bulbs are appearing, fruit trees are now starting to bud & the wildlife is waking up. Light levels and temperatures are slowly increasing. There is still plenty to do indoors & in the greenhouse preparing for the growing season ahead. Outdoors as your allotment comes to life again you will have everything to do at once, so make good use of your time to still get those winter jobs completed.
Blog created & photographs taken on Old Lane Allotments
By 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
