Blog

Dear plot members,

 Could people please make sure that the gates are locked at all times. Safety & security for the site is everybody’s responsibility.

Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Committee

The carrot fly not only affects carrots but parsnips and even celery as well. The fly’s maggots cause the damage, killing seedlings and burrowing under the skin of mature plants, leaving brown tunnels behind. The fly’s produce two generations in a year and are active in April/May & July/August which almost ensures they can get at our crops. You can try sowing outside of these time frames in February,March,June,September, and October but its not an absolute guarantee that your crop will not suffer from carrot fly.

The fly is attracted by the smell of carrots & is most active during the day, so thinning, which bruises foliage and releases the scent, is best carried out later in the day. Inter-planting with stronger smelling onions is suppose to confuse the fly but evidence is mixed. Growing your carrots high in containers like half barrels in the ground could keep your crops out of reach. The best barrier to protect from carrot fly is to grow them under fleece, especially in the danger months. There are no chemicals available to amateur gardeners, but there are now more carrot fly resistant seeds being sold like ” Systan Flyaway” & “Resistafly” which could be your best option.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) – Pictures Mick Cooper

A Big thank You to everybody that donated seeds on Old Lane Allotments

Lemon Tree Trust

Massive thanks to

lucyajmooreat Old Lane Allotments and everyone else who has donated seed packets over the last few months. We have been overwhelmed by donations – and your generosity We’re still working our way through a backlog of parcels!

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Information From Lucy Moore plot 37N/8E

The cabbage whitefly is a sap – feeding insect that can infest cabbage & other types of brassica plants. They are white winged insects that fly up in clouds when brassica leaves are disturbed. Cabbage whitefly can be very difficult to control, very much so on allotments where there are likely to be affected plants on neighbouring plots that will be a source of re-infestation. You will often see whitefly in mid Summer when the weather is warm. Due to whitefly feeding, plants will become weak, leaves will eventually wilt, turn pale or yellow & this in effect will stunt plant growth.

The best way to get rid of the dreaded whitefly is to blast them with your watering can, this will cause them to scatter,   If you are not wanting to use bug sprays or pesticides a simple remedy is to use washing up liquid and water,  a good squirt of liquid to a gallon of water should be enough. Using a sprayer only use in cooler temperatures early in the morning or later in the day.

It is nearly impossible to get rid of whitefly but using this method or bug sprays will allow you to keep on top of the problem.

 

Blog & Research 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)

By far the worst pests to the vegetable grower is the slug & the snail, it doesn’t matter what you grow or where you grow it the slug is waiting to devour the crop before you do. They are not fussy eaters but they do prefer young seedlings. Now there has been a national ban on slug pellets containing metaldehyde Below are some remedies for slug & snail prevention.

1. A container half buried in the ground and half filled with beer. The slug is lured by the scent & tumbles to its death .
2. Self adhesive copper tape around pots & planters deters the slug & snail & gives them a small electric shock when attempting to cross it.
3. Eggs shells is an old favorite. to put around your vulnerable plants.
4. Grit & gravel – the finely crushed horticultural grit makes a good barrier as it has sharp edges.
5. Nut shells – the sharp edges make good barriers- around vulnerable plants.
6. You can also trap them under grapefruit or orange skins the slug likes to hide away from predatory birds in the day time

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

The outdoor use of slug pellets that contain metaldehyde has now been banned in Great Britain from the 1st April 2022 in order to protect wildlife & the environment. The government minister for farming Victoria Prentis has announced . The decision takes into account advice from the UK expert committee on pesticides (E.C.P) & the health & safety executive (H.S.E) about the risks it poses to birds & mammals. Stocks should have been disposed off by 31/3/22 check your local councils household waste & recycling site, Municipal waste sites have specific facilities to dispose of hazardous garden chemicals.

Blog written by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Information provided by Kathryn Thornton

By far the worst pests to the vegetable grower is the slug & the snail, it doesn’t matter what you grow or where you grow it the slug is waiting to devour the crop before you do. They are not fussy eaters but they do prefer young seedlings. Now there has been a national ban on slug pellets containing metaldehyde Below are some remedies for slug & snail prevention.

1. A container half buried in the ground and half filled with beer. The slug is lured by the scent & tumbles to its death .
2. Self adhesive copper tape around pots & planters deters the slug & snail & gives them a small electric shock when attempting to cross it.
3. Eggs shells is an old favorite. to put around your vulnerable plants.
4. Grit & gravel – the finely crushed horticultural grit makes a good barrier as it has sharp edges.
5. Nut shells – the sharp edges make good barriers- around vulnerable plants.
6. You can also trap them under grapefruit or orange skins the slug likes to hide away from predatory birds in the day time

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Can we please make sure we keep the toilet area clean please for the next person to use it.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Just to let members know I wont be on site 4th – 8th April. Although Mick Hogan (Chairman plot 30) is going to cover the stores in my absence it would be as well to purchase stores items this week Tuesday 29th March – Sunday 3rd April ( mornings) for compost, fertilisers , & stock items.

Kind Regards Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)