Blog

LETTUCE

Lettuce’s botanical name Lactuca sativa is from the Latin word lac meaning (milk) which refers to its milky sap. There are now over 100 species of lettuce probably originating from countries bordering the Mediterranean sea . It was originally a medicinal plant but records show that it was being eaten as early as 4500BC. The Greeks believed that lettuce induced sleep, the Romans began to eat it before a main meal to wet their appetite. Lettuce was known to the Anglo Saxons as sleepwort.

Christopher Columbus took lettuce’s to America, they were originally loose leaf plants  It wasn’t until the 16th century when head type lettuce appeared. Lettuce provides us with vitamin A & C, and is packed with antioxidants & is low in calories. They need an open site with light fertile soil, they do not do well in poor soil which dries out during the summer period.

Always read the seed packet before planting

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

PLOT 28 – Team building day

The Depuy volunteers spent a day on the allotments as part of a team building event. Andrew Bailey (Depuy) was in charge of the event, and all the staff who volunteered were busy on their plot 28. Lots of progress was made on their plot. They also helped one of our plot members on there plot as there were round about twenty five volunteers.Mick Hogan & Mark Burton from the Old Lane Allotments committee were there to give some assistance & support with the event. I think everybody enjoyed the day & the weather was on our side. It was a good for the Depuy staff to work outside on this project & support each other on there team building day.

More photos from the day can be found on our website navigate to photos & take a look

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Photos by Andrew Bailey (Depuy Synthes)

THINNING OUT

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Young seedlings need to be thinned to prevent overcrowding. Thin to the final spacing’s in stages, rather than immediately, to allow for any loss due to pests & diseases ; at each stage , aim to leave a seedling just clear of its neighbours. If the seeds have been sown in situ , continue to thin until they are at the spacing required for mature plants. 

Really small seedlings should be nipped off at ground level so as not to disturb roots on adjacent plants. Clear the thinned seedlings away as not to attract pests from the scent. Seedling’s such as lettuces  cabbages, & onions maybe lifted for transplanting, & the soil re -firmed  around the seedlings.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Rainbow over Old Lane Allotments

Blog & photo’s by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Path ways between plots must be maintained

To All Plot Members

Just a reminder that pathways have to be clear for access. It is the responsibility of plot holders to keep the grass cut on adjacent paths between plots to keep the site well maintained.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Mick Cooper (plot 12E) has asked me to do a blog to see if anyone can tell him the name of this particular plant. The photo was taken on Old Lane Allotments looks like a wild flower. If anyone knows will they let Mick know on his plot

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

newsletter 22

Please click / double click on the link above to access our Newsletter.

Editor & content Steve Johnston

Enjoy reading

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)

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

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Butterflies

The butterfly is a beautiful creature to look at when your on your allotment garden, however its catapillar will happily eat leaves from your cabbages. They are easy to control without using chemicals. Regular checks under leaves for clusters of eggs that can be washed off or crushed with your finger.

If you miss a batch of eggs then you can pick off the caterpillars by hand & dispose of them away from the plant.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)