Blog

WATER SUPPLY NOW BACK ON

Dear Members,

The water supply for the site has now been turned back on.

THANKYOU

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

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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)

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Yes it is that time of the year when the stores open for this year’s growing season.The stores will re open this Wednesday 24th February & the following days & times are outlined below. Seed potatoes can also be collected on said dates & times. The stores opening times etc can also be found on the window at the front of the hut building. Please can members adhere to the stores days & times. Myself & Tony Paine also have our plots to cultivate & plant up, along with other committee duties,so we would appreciate plot holders coming to the stores only on the dates/times below as any other day & time we will have to say no unfortunatley.

Monday & Saturday (Tony Paine) 10 o clock – 12 o clock

Wednesday & Friday (Mark Burton) 8.45 – 12 o clock

Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday – closed

If for some reason Myself or Tony Paine are not in the stores at these days or times it will be due to unforseen circumstances

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotment Association

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I received an E mail this tea time from Gro/Well – Codnor saying they were delivering our seed potatoes this Wednesday 17th February. However there is a problem with two varieties that we ordered back in October last year. Firstly Lady Christl have completely failed this year & there is no stock any where in the country, they are sending an alternative variety (Accord) which is a first early equivalent. The Kestrel variety didn’t pass the grading system & they were classed as too big, they are sending an equivalent variety (Estima) which are also a second early. As I’ve only just found out about this information & the short notice delivery time of this Wednesday i told them to send the alternatives, I didn’t want plot holders left with no seed potatoes. I know this isn’t ideal but having had a conversation with David Kerry at Gro-well there has been a lot of issues with seed potatoes this year. I have E mailed him & asked the question “why am I only being told this information now” & I am waiting for a reply. I am hoping plot holders will understand that this is not the fault of Old Lane Allotments Association & will be happy to take the alternative varieties.

Kind Regards – Mark Burton (Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association

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Just to let people know there will be a slight increase in prices with items we sell in our stores.

This will come into effect from 13th February 2021. New prices are on the main notice board.

Thank You

Grow Organic is a 100% organic fertiliser, it improves soil & breaks clay. I have included some pictures so plot members can read what it can be used for, & what the benefits are. We stock a minimum quantity and the price is £6.85 & would cover  1/2 plot if spread out & dug in. People who use it say it is as good as cow manure without all the hassle of delivery & off course the mess. It can be used for different applications.

All monies taken go towards the up keep of the site.

 

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

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February is often the coldest winter month & what you can do on your allotment in February often depends on the weather. Do not slavishly follow instruction’s to sow or plant outside in February: think of the conditions, cold & wet ground will not germinate seeds it will just kill them off. If the weather allows,  you can direct sow broad beans along with early peas best chance would be to start them in a cold frame and plant outside later. Onion seeds can now be started off indoors or in a heated greenhouse at home, they need to be 15 degrees C to get them going for planting out later. The greenhouse border can be brought into productive use, a row or two of early carrots can come out in eight to ten weeks,  by this time the beds will be needed for tomatoes & so on.

If you didn’t plant your garlic out last November pop them in now, they like a cold spell so frost will not harm them. Conventional advice is to sow parsnips now but you will get much better germination rates in March, they will still be ready by the time the next frost arrives. Hardy lettuce can be started under glass, to provide an early salad crop along with rocket & some radish varieties.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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I took these photographs on Friday 15th January 2021

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Plants Mean Prizes

This year has been a strange growing season so far with restrictions & social distancing. We have decided to still proceed with the competitions that we have on site every year. Finest worked plot 1st & 2nd prize, also  finest newcomer to the site. Prizes will be announced at a later date.  Everyone has worked very hard on their plots so far this year under difficult circumstances. We have been lucky that we have been able to still enjoy  growing fruit & vegetables.

 

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association.

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January usually brings bad weather but hopefully you can still complete those winter jobs that are still on your to do list. Check your stored vegetables , empty your potato sacks to see if any have become rotten, a squeeze will establish if a potato has gone bad. It would be a good idea to check the underside of your strung onions where rot usually starts from. January is not a month for outdoor planting or sowing you can try to grow some summer cauliflowers in a frost free place such as a cold-frame or frost free greenhouse, but obviously sowing in the deep winter months is a gamble.

          Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)