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Dear Plot Members,

This is to make plot holders aware the allotment committee meet the first Sunday in every month to discuss allotment issues. If there is anything you want to be raised in our monthly meeting, please put it in writing & place it in our site letterbox in the toilet area. Please include your plot number and name in any correspondence

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

CONTACT DETAILS

DEAR PLOT MEMBERS

If anyone changes their home address, mobile telephone number, 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

Dear Members,

Prices will increase this October the 1st for the 2025/26 Growing season.

Full plot £81.00 – Half plot £40.50

These are prices without any concessions.

Our water charge/insurance as members were made aware of at the Annual General Meeting Will increase to £10 per member covering increased water charges from our supplier, the fee also covers public liability insurance.

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

Dear Members

Items are being dumped in the metal/Scrap bin that are plastic as per photographs above. Other rubbish is also appearing there. It is not a place to get rid of rubbish plastic etc. METAL ONLY ITEMS.

We appreciate members that bring the aluminium cans and place metal only in the scrap bin. Somebody isn’t complying and that’s not fair on the rest of us on the site. Please take unwanted rubbish home.

Thank You – Old Lane Allotments

New stores opening times

Monday 10am – 2 oclock Gwen Elgar plot 7S

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 8.30 – 11.30 Mark Burton plot 14

Thursday Closed

Friday 8.30 – 11.30 Mark Burton plot 14

Saturday 10am – 2 o clock Gwen Elgar plot 7S

Sunday officially closed but if one of us is here we can open stores.

If for some reson the shop isnt open on above days it will be unforseen circumstances.All money taken goes into the running cost of the site.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Members

As you are all aware of the sad passing of our good friend Mick Cooper. His wife Hazel, daughter Sarah, and son Mark would like to invite you to celebrate Micks life at South Leeds Conservative club, Wooler St, Beeston, Leeds LS11 7JH, on Friday the 4TH APRIL starting at 7.30pm

(Everybody welcome)

There will be a buffet on the night and a disco. I have asked the family about donations. There will be a collection box for St Gemmas Hospice on the night, all donations welcome.

Blog created by Mark Burton – Photo by the late Mick Cooper

SEED POTATOES

WHAT TO GROW

There are dozens of different seed potato varieties you can buy, usually described as early, second early,  & maincrop potatoes. These names indicate when they crop and also give you an idea of the space you will need to plant them. You should concentrate on the earlier types if your short of  space, its worth mentioning that earlies are less likely to encounter pest problems as you can lift them much earlier in the year.

First earlies should be ready 10 weeks after planting, second earlies take 16 to 17 weeks to mature after planting, so you should be able to harvest them from very late June through to the start of August. Maincrop seed potatoes will be ready 18 to 20 weeks after planting, so they can be lifted from late August through to October. These varieties tend to be the best for storage.

CHITTING

Chitting simply means encouraging the seed potatoes to sprout before planting, you should start chitting in late February, about 6 weeks before you intend planting your potatoes. Each seed potato  has a number of eyes, stand the tubers (seed potatoes) in trays or old egg boxes, with plenty of natural light. The seed potatoes are ready to be planted out when the eye shoots are 1.5 – 2.5 centimetres long.

Find out in my next blog – How to plant your seed potatoes

and how to harvest them

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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)

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

Seed potatoes have arrived ,been weighed, and are ready for collection on the following days. Thanks to Reg ,Mick H, Gwen

Please could you come to the hut building on Thursday 6th March. Friday 7th March or Sunday 9th March mornings from 9 o clock am to collect them please.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)