Blog

Dear Members

It has now been reported on several occasions about dog poop, on the allotment main path through the site.

Do the decent thing and pick it up. One person is going to spoil if for the rest of the dog owners on the site who like to bring there animal companion with them. Don’t let it get to the point where we have to to stop dogs coming on the site because of one person/dog owner.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

It has been brought to our attention that members are finding items going missing from plots. Only last week a member said they had French beans stolen. Another member has reported that rotten down Compost from her compost bin has been taken, a substanchle amount. This is theft and it won’t be tolerated. Anybody going on someone else’s plot without the plot holders permission is trespassing and is in serious breach of there tenancy.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Walking round the site today we have noticed a number of plots are not utilising there land to its full potential. 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, shed, 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 & the tenancy of your allotment garden will be terminated 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 30 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)

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

Just letting members know that we have been 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.

Old Lane allotments Committee

June is a very busy time on the allotment the nights should now be frost free, and daylight hours are longer which should give you plenty of time to get on with jobs that need doing. Now is the time to protect your strawberries by mulching around them with straw to keep mud splashes off, & keep birds of your precious ripening strawberries by cover your plants with netting.

Keeping on top of the weeds is still very important hoe between rows & let them dry out on top of the soil. Continue sowing beetroot, This is the last chance to sow main crop variety carrots that will be ready to harvest in September/October. Courgettes, Summer squash, & marrows if you don’t already have young plants you have raised in pots, you can sow the seed direct outside now the soil has warmed up. The beginning of June will be the last chance to grow maincrop peas, towards the end of the month switch to early fast maturing peas which should be ready to harvest in September. Outdoor cucumbers are usually started off earlier in pots, but if you sow them direct this month they should give you a crop in August/September.

Sow Outdoors now – beetroot, broccoli, Carrots, French beans, kale, pumpkins & Winter squash, runner beans, swede, Swiss chard, turnips, radish, Spring onions, continue succession of salad leaves, cucumbers, herbs.

                                          Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

Sunjeeda Daniyaal’s Mum has said everyone is welcome. Big Well done to Daniyaal.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Our stores will be closed Saturday 18th May. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

This is the new padlock that will be going on St Anthony’s Drive gate entrance at some point tommorow morning. USE THE SAME combination code that you know. Tilt the lock to the side to put in the code as per picture above. Once you have entered the code there is a button under the lock to release the shackle as per picture above. Remember to push this button or the lock will not open . On entry please remember to put the lock the correct way so people can gain entry from inside and outside of the allotment gates, then scramble the numbers as before. The Old Lane entrance gate is still the same lock as it was, however this will have to be replaced in time when it eventually goes faulty with a lock as per picture above. As I have said You will have to press the release button to open the lock (do not try and open the shackle by yanking it when you have put the code in – or you will damage it). Remember the release button at the underside of the lock. Any problems contact me. If you can’t gain entry use the other entrance and Come and see me and I will go through the process.

Kind Regards (Mark Burton) Allotment Secretary

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)