Archive for October, 2004

Jobs for the months (October/November 2004)

October 1st, 2004

  1. Autumn has definitely arrived and the crops susceptible to frost are living on borrowed time.  However, as we’ve had good rain and reasonable warmth, those who gambled and planted later successional crops are still picking good yields.
  2. Now have a look at your plot!  Have you got veg to see you through the winter?  You should have parsnips, sprouts, cauliflower, purple sprouting, chard, swede turnips, winter cabbage, leeks, kale and carrots.
  3. If not, you may have fallen victim to the Early Spring Rush Syndrome.  The symptoms of this are an overwhelming desire to sow early, plant out early, then sit back and forget about successional and winter cropping.  Newcomers to allotments are particularly prone to this disease.  Everybody likes to be eating fresh veg as soon as possible.  However, it’s the fresh veg through the winter that is very valuable in terms of saving money and providing vitamins.  Some, such as sprouts and leeks need a long growing time and the seeds should have been planted back in May.
  4. So now it’s time to tidy your plot and think ahead to what will happen during winter when bad weather could keep you at home for weeks on end.  You’ll find the weeds will still growthrough the worst of it.  Most of them are easily removed in the spring, but do you want them using your dug in manure for their lush growth?  If you want a weed free area already manured for an eary crop, you might be advised to cover it now with a weed supressant such as old carpet or black plastic.
  5. Some plotholders have turned their soil over quickly and easily using large ‘third world’ hoes. Where to get them?  They are actually ‘Chillington’ hoes and are only available by mail order. Check their website ( http://www.chillington.co.uk ) or order their brochure by email at crocodile@chillington.co.uk  This is the common hand tool for agricultural work in the third world where the survival equation of food=energy=work=food is critical.  We don’t have this survival problem but we do have bad backs and shortage of time.  The ‘heavy duty’ hoe will deal with the worst weeds including brambles.  The blade is the same size as a spade so it can be used to dig.  The action then comes mainly from shoulders and arms and backache can be avoided. The smaller version – ‘trenching hoe’ – is one third lighter and smaller but does the same job. The winter months for plotholders is a time of planning and pouring over seed catalogues.
  6. A few points to consider!  Why not join the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners? ( http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ ). This is the national body campaigning for preservation of sites so we should support it.  The annual subscription is £15.00 and for this you get a quarterly magazine called the ‘Allotment and Leisure Gardener’.  This is not a glossy production, but it is written by and for plotholders. It contains all sorts of gardening advice and information specific to allotments.  You can also read how other sites are coping with difficulties and get useful tips on regeneration.  You also receive the Kings seed catalogue for plotholders.  This too is a plain booklet with no pictures but it offers seeds at discounted prices and includes a selection of larger packs, seed potatoes and flowers.  The NSALG is the only organisation through which insurance for public liability can be obtained for allotment sites.
  7. Winter is a good time to check whether tools are marked.  Street number and postcode will ensure they are returned.  You may think you can recognise your trusty spade but it was mass produced and someone will have one just like it.  Wooden handles can be marked with a router or you can burn into them with a heated piece of metal such as a skewer.  Painting tools a flourescent pink has been shown to make them less likely to be stolen.

All newcomers with overgrown allotments; dig through the winter months, a little at a time and by spring you’ll be on top of it.  You’ll also be very fit!  Don’t sit out the winter waiting for the spring!  If you need help ask!

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