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The leek is a cousin of the onion originally from central Asia, it has been consumed since ancient times. It was on the menu of Egyptians & later the Romans they used it plentifully in their cuisine, especially during there great feasts. It appears on the national emblem of Wales & is that countries national vegetable. Both a vegetable & condiment the leek has always enhanced a wide variety of dishes with its unique aroma.

A most valuable vegetable capable of cropping for six or seven months of the year. Leeks have an important concentrate of the B vitamin folate, natural occurring folic acid, plus vitamins A,K. They are also a concentrated source of antioxidants. Leeks do best in an open position on rich, well worked soil into which plenty of well- rotted organic matter has been added. They have a high nitrogen requirement.

Always read the seed packet for growing instructions

Blog & Research by Mark Burton (Allotment secretary)

Snow

These photographs were taken on the allotments today 24th February 2020 at 11 o clock Don’t think anybody was expecting the snow to settle . As I am writing this blog the sun has come out & the snow has now gone. We are I suppose still in the winter months, is this the last of the snow or is there more to come ?

Blog & photographs by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Our love affair with tomatoes has never been stronger, it is only recently that their health – enhancing properties are being noticed. Tomato  plants come in either determinate (bush) or indeterminate (vine) types. The botanical name for the tomato is  Lycopersicon which translates from the Greeks as ‘wolf peach’. It comes originally from western South America, but it was first cultivated in Mexico & other parts of central America.  The tomato reached Britain in the 1590s but we are not quite sure how it arrived or who brought it to our shores.

Tomatoes contain lycopene one of the most powerful antioxidants, they have good sources of vitamin A, & C, fresh tomatoes are rich in potassium  Indoors- when first flowers appear transfer to pots, growing bags or greenhouse border. Outdoors – accustom them to outside conditions 2-3 weeks before planting, when last frost has passed. For indeterminate types which need supporting & side shooting whether grown in a greenhouse or outdoors. For determinate types which grow as bushes & do not need supporting or side shooting grow outdoors.

Always read sowing instructions on the seed packet

Blog & Research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Members

Just to let members know that seed potatoes that were ordered are now ready for collection I will be on site from Thursday 20th February to Sunday 23rd February between 9am – 12 to give them out to members. So if you could collect them between these dates & times that would be good.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association

Dear Members

We have a PHD student coming to our site (Emilie Ellis) on Tuesday 25th February 2020 at 10.30 she is doing research into insect pollination on allotments. Insect pollinators including bees, hoverflies & moths are declining globally, she wants to put some bee hotels around our site to see if this improves pollination on allotments. In spring she will be putting bee hotels & small grow bags around our site containing 1 x tomatoe plant also 1 x bean plant. During the Summer she will sample insects & harvest the grow bag crops. This will tell us if bee hotels can increase pollinator biodiversity & crop production.

Lets make Emilie welcome on our site. To be involved simply come to site on the above date & time. Even if you don’t want to take part I’m  sure she will be able to answer questions & talk about the research she is doing.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

For & on behalf of Old Lane Allotments Association

The parsnip has been cultivated since at least the Roman times, it was said that Emperor Tiberius regarded parsnips so highly that he allowed Germany to pay part of its tax to him with parsnips. We believe that frost improves flavour of parsnips, making the roots sweeter. They were used as a sweetening agent before the arrival of sugar in Europe. In Tudor times parsnips were a common ingredient in bread. In France it is often regarded as cattle fodder, while in Italy parsnips were fed to pigs. Parsnips are said to improve cardiovascular health, they contain high levels of potassium which helps to reduce blood pressure & stress on the heart.

They are very low in calories & contain high levels of dietary fibre, as well as being reasonably high in vitamins, B,C,E & K, manganese & Iron. Parsnips require an open position growing well in light, but in deep well cultivated soil. Do not sow seed on recently manured ground as this will cause the roots to ‘fork’ . The addition of a general purpose fertiliser shortly before sowing will be beneficial.

Always read sowing instructions on seed packets.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

CONTACT DETAILS

DEAR PLOT MEMBERS

If anyone changes their address, mobile telephone numbers,

     or E mail  details,  please can you let the Secretary (Mark Burton) know as soon as possible. It is imperative that are records are correct for the site working alongside Leeds City Council.

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION

After our recent committee meeting 2nd February 2020 we have decided to let plot members have small controlled fires on there plots. Safety has to be paramount for our site & our members. We must consider thoughts of our local residents & the buildings that surround the site,  & of course the environment. Our site is in a built up area with main roads & lots of traffic.  So common sense is always key to lighting fires.

 Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads & into peoples property. Always check the weather forecast . Do Not burn green waste  from crops this has to be composted. Only burn dry materials like dry timber, branches from pruning. Never burn household rubbish, rubber, plastic, foam , paint tins, carpets, aerosols that will cause pollution or damage peoples health .Use fire lighters to start the fire , no petrol, mentholated spirits that will encourage the fire. Do not leave the fire unattended. Make Sure the fire is out when you leave your allotment garden.

If your not sure what to burn speak to one of the committee officials. There will be a set of Recommendations to follow on a notice on the main hut building

If someone is not following the above recommendations /rules they will be banned from having fires on there plot

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

In Tudor times peas were a delicacy, often imported from the Netherlands, making them expensive to eat. Eating fresh peas became much more popular in the late 18th century, when British breeders started growing sweeter varieties. Gregor Mendel used pea plants in his experiments with genetics. Peas were first frozen by Clarence Birdseye who invented the ‘plate froster’ in the early 1920s in order to preserve food. The pea is said to be green when its young & immature. Ripe peas are usually yellow.

Peas have a good source of vitamins A,B1, & C. They are also high in protein, carbohydrate & fibre. The less water used when cooking peas , the less vitamin C is lost. Peas do best in an open position, but not one that is too exposed. |They are naturally a cold weather, growing best in Spring & cool Summers. They do not thrive in hot weather, drought, or poorly drained soils. Peas  generally don’t  germinate in cold soil, & this leaves them venerable to attack from mice & fungal diseases. Do not sow in an early cold Spring.

Always read seed packet for growing instructions

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

LCC Power To Inspect Allotments

Dear Members,

Leeds City Council authorised officers are entitled to inspect allotment sites whether they are administered by Leeds City Council, or leased to a self administered association like our site. We have received information that over the growing season authorised officers will be inspecting allotment sites to see if members are,  cultivating to a satisfactory standard & are utilising the land for growing purposes.  As the new growing season is about to start soon we wanted plot holders to be aware of this information, & adhere to the site rules.

Old Lane Allotments Association