Blog

The Leeds City Council rules state to grow 60% edible crops, fruit and Vegatables etc. The other 40% of your plot which can include a greenhouse, sheds, pollytunnel and flowers which comes under the category non edible crops. If your plot is not in a satisfactory condition over the growing season, not cultivated, or you are not utilising the land Old Lane Allotments has the right to refuse your annual rent in October without warning . This section is in our rules and regulations which all members have a copy of. The waiting list for our site is over 20 people wanting an allotment garden. We are under extreme pressure from Leeds City Council basically make sure your plot is all planted up & cultivated over the main summer months of the growing season.

Blog Created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

We have had a delivery of wood chippings. They are in the bay area , that Tony Paine built.

It’s at the back of the car park, where the perimeter fence is.

We have managed to source some Anti Bird Netting that is cheaper than our previous supplier. It is down by 0.50p a running metre and is 4 mts wide. So the new price will be £1.40 a running metre , as opposed to £1.90 a running metre. It is Horticultaral bird netting and will last at least 7 years .

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secreatary)

Hosepipes can only be used to fill up water barrels that you have on your plot. That strictly means hosepipes cant be used to direct water plants or land, it is forbidden on site. Anyone caught using a hosepipe other than filling up a water barrel will be in a strict breach of there tenancy agreement .

Thank You

Old Lane Allotments Association. (Blog created by Mark Burton – Site Secretary)

It has now been decided that no more scrap metal is to be put in the bay area. Members will have to dispose of scrap metal themselves. That bay area was built for wheelbarrow storage and manure.

Mick is going to organise a delivery of manure in the coming days, for the bay area at the back of the car park. It is just getting abused by some members as a dumping ground, and it’s not fair to the committee for this to keep happening.

So with immediate effect, we don’t want any metal or rubbish in the bay area.

Old Lane Allotments Committeee

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)

Plot inspections to take place 30th April, before our site committee meeting on Sunday 3rd May.

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Dear Members

After publishing a blog previously regarding the metal scrap bin area, I have had to remove these items. THEY ARE NOT SCRAP METAL, it is getting used as a dumping area, and this is not fair on the committee who put all there voluntary time into running our Allotments. Please can we take rubbish home that is not scrap metal. Our site reflects the members that rent plots. It is really tiring publishing blog after blog about the scrap metal area. Please all comply to site rules . Let’s all work together on this.

Thank You. Old Lane Allotments

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Just letting members know that we will be judging plots over this growing season the winners & Runners up will be announced in September. Best kept plot 1st prize £35 Second prize £25. Also the best newcomer to the site £35 runner up prize £25. This will include plots taken late after October last year

Old Lane allotments Committee

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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)