Jobs for the months (March, April, May 2005)
March 1st, 2005
- Well we got away with it last year, but most potatoes on site look as if someone took a blow torch to them. This is frost damage, but don’t worry too much as this tough vegetable will recover.
- Apart from some warm days the weather has been too cold for lots of veg. that we got off to a flying start last year. Some plotholders have lost early plantings of beans and courgettes. Some have survived but are looking sickly. They will revive with warmer weather.
- Don’t forget to earth up your potatoes so that none of the developing tubers are exposed to light which will turn them green. Green potatoes are poisonous, as is all the potato plant showing above ground. It belongs to the same family as ‘deadly nightshade’ so don’t let your children pick the flowers or green seed pods which look like green tomatoes. Some potatoes don’t flower at all.
- There is a lot of sweet corn being planted again this year as well as a crop of African maize next to the container. It will outstrip the sweet corn. Don’t forget to plant extra as the birds will take a percentage share.
- Speaking of birds: this is the time of year when we begin to wonder if we’re on a RSPB reserve. They are everywhere. If you’ve got soft fruit then cover it up now. Don’t wait till it’s near ripening as birds eat it green. They’ve already started on cherries and redcurrants. All brassicas need covering too as the pigeons regard them as a salad starter. The robins think we’re working for them and are right by the spade as we dig. It’s nice to see them get a beakful of those nasty cream coloured wireworms which eat the roots of our seedlings.
- When you’re planting out seedlings don’t forget to firm the ground round them and water them in even if it looks like rain. the water expels the air and settles the soil around the roots.
- All the small seeds should go in now – parsnips, beetroot, carrots, spring onions. Give them plenty of room, especially carrots and parsnips as their leafy tops are always bigger than you expected.
- Shallot and onion sets should be planted by now but it’s not too late. They are often pulled out by birds too, but no one seems to know why. You can easily push them back in and once the tops show you need to keep weeds at bay with a hoe that slices them off without disturbing the roots of the onions. Shallow hoeing is best. If you let the weeds get established, this option is out.
- Leeks need planting now in a seed bed. They prefer the great outdoors to a tray.
- It should be safe to plant beans now. If you put them straight in the ground you could lose them to mice and squirrels. They transplant quite well so it’s safest to start them off in a tray.
- Plant lettuce seeds now. They won’t germinate in hot weather.
- There are lots of brassicas (cabbage family) being planted out. Plant extra as they are prone to club root disease and cabbage root fly, as well as an assortment of caterpillars.
- Those who have established asparagus beds are eating well at the moment. Forget the fancy recipes. Two minutes in the microwave with a knob of butter - delicious. Stop picking in June to let the crop build up strength.
- Loads of really fresh juicy rhubarb around the site. Ask if you want any! Any good recipes?
- Once again it’s good to see newcomers doing so well. However some are having a tough time of it. If you have taken in a plot that has not been dug for twenty years, then you will need some help. At the WASHA AGM members offered help with digging, clearing and rotovating. Our soil is clay. It will grow great crops but is difficult to work initially. When dry it’s like brick and when wet it’s plasticine. You have to work with the weather. Rain and frost will make it easier to break down clods of earth. It takes time and patience.
If you need help please use the WASHA email. All members on site are anxious for newcomers to succeed.
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