Spring 22nd March - 21st June
Summer 21st June - 22nd Sept
Autumn 22nd Sept - 21 December
Winter 21st December - 20th March
ASPARAGUS
I have been wanting an Asparagus Bed for some time, I even bought some but they came before I had created a bed for them. They are still on the agenda but as to if they will happen this year, I doubt it as I have plot 1 to create. However if we are going to get a load of manure what better time to create the bed for them.
I have been wanting an Asparagus Bed for some time, I even bought some but they came before I had created a bed for them. They are still on the agenda but as to if they will happen this year, I doubt it as I have plot 1 to create. However if we are going to get a load of manure what better time to create the bed for them.
BEETROOT - Beds 8 & 9
We eat and pickle a lot of beetroot, Currently on the plan Bed 8 and half of bed 9 is dedicated to beetroots
I normally start the beetroots off in the greenhouse in vending machine cups, this year will be a two pronged attack Successional sowing will take place every in a third of a bed length every 3 - 4 weeks so that they can be harvested and pickled in batches.
Sow from March 2-4 weeks before the last frost when the ground is warm.
BRUSSELS SPROUT - Plot 1A Beds and if possible a Bed on Plot 1
I never did get the additional bed in at Spencer Road in 2017, but I did manage to get 5 different varieties in at Mill Green Plot 1A which were Bedford Darkmar 21, Cromwell F1,
Evesham Special, Mongomery F1 & Rubine Purple Sprout
This year I hoping for two beds of Sprouts and grow on two of the following varieties
Sowing Sowing Harvest
Indoors Outdoors
Brest F1 Feb - Apr Mar - April Nov - Feb
Brodie F1 Feb - Apr Mar - April Nov - Jan - T&M
Morgan
Cromwell F1 Feb - Mid Mar Mar - April Sep - Dec
Evesham Special Feb - Mar Mar - April Sep - Dec - Mr Fothergill's
Mongomery F1 Feb - Mid Mar Mar - April Nov - Dec
Nelson Feb - Apr April - Jun Aug - Nov
Rubine Purple Sprout Feb - Apr Mar - April Nov - Jan
So Harvest period from August - February that's potentially 7 months of fresh sprouts.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH - Plot 1
Last year I had planned to grow butternut squash around the base of the sweetcorn on Plot 1A, that didn't happen, I was too late sowing and they never really took off. This year as I have a new plot and we are getting some horse manure I'm thinking Waltham Butternut squash can be grown on an uncultivated area in the South West corner of plot 1 off a pile of manure covered in cardboard.
Cromwell F1 Feb - Mid Mar Mar - April Sep - Dec
Evesham Special Feb - Mar Mar - April Sep - Dec - Mr Fothergill's
Mongomery F1 Feb - Mid Mar Mar - April Nov - Dec
Nelson Feb - Apr April - Jun Aug - Nov
Rubine Purple Sprout Feb - Apr Mar - April Nov - Jan
So Harvest period from August - February that's potentially 7 months of fresh sprouts.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH - Plot 1
Last year I had planned to grow butternut squash around the base of the sweetcorn on Plot 1A, that didn't happen, I was too late sowing and they never really took off. This year as I have a new plot and we are getting some horse manure I'm thinking Waltham Butternut squash can be grown on an uncultivated area in the South West corner of plot 1 off a pile of manure covered in cardboard.
CABBAGE - Bed 2
2017 Plan to be updated for 2018 I'm really undecided about cabbage, as I had such a disaster with it during 2016 mainly due to the vast amount of slugs, I have been contemplating Kale, one to ponder I think. Ideally small spring green type cabbages are what I'm after.
May Update - I have started off Spring Greens in the greenhouse and in the meantime my brother-in-law Keith has given me his excess brassicas so Bed 2 now has nineteen Savoy cabbages and eight Cauliflowers in it.
CARROTS - Beds 7 & 8
Do best in beds that have not been recently manured
No Carrots grown in 2017, I want to grow many more in 2018 and want to grow big "bugs bunny type" if possible. I have acquired a number of different variety seeds, the Wyevale seed sale is responsible for a large number of them as I can't resist a bargain.
I'm looking at one and a half beds on Plot 1A but if I can get a bed ready on Plot 1 I will have one bed on each plot.
1st Sowing in Bed No 7 - Plot 1A
Amsterdam 2 (Solo) - Jan
Early Nantes 2 - Jan
Nairobi - Jan
Cascade F1 - Feb *
Early Scarlet Horn - Feb
Early Nantes 2 Frubund - Feb
Romance F1 - Feb
Autumn King 2 - Mar
2nd Sowing in Bed No 6 - Plot 1A or a new Bed on Plot 1
Chartenay Red Cored - Mar
Early Nantes 5 - Mar
Jitka F1 - Mar
Nandor F1 - Mar *
Nigel F1 Hybrid - Mar
Paris Market - Atlas - Mar *
Royal Chantenay 3 - Mar
St Valery - Mar
* Short ideal for starting in loo rolls
CAULIFLOWER - Beds 3
The best cauliflower I have ever grown was during my first year, and I'm thinking it was beginners luck as I have yet to repeat the success, but I have to try at least one bed. I still have some Jamie Oliver Cheesy F1 seeds and All The Year Round Cauliflower seed Suttons 2016 and Mr Fothergills 2017 Sow indoors Jan - March / Sow Outdoors March - June Plant Out March - August and Harvest June - Oct so some successional sowing needed here me thinks to extend the harvesting season.
May Update - Eight cauliflowers now in Bed 2, thanks to my brother-in-law Keith and his excess growing my ones dies in the two day Summer we had in April. Bed 3 to be used for spring greens (if they grow) and Broccoli again donated by Keith.
CUCUMBER - Bed 16
I have historically grown Marketmore & Burpless on this plot and they both did really well, for 2018 I will be growing both again.
GHERKIN - Bed 16
Piccolo Di Parigi - Second year growing Gherkins and only because my sister loves them so I'm waiting to see how she liked the ones I pickled for her in 2017 but have bought some new seed anyway.
GREENHOUSE - Plot 1A
The greenhouse got limited use in 2016 as too much rubbish had / has accumulated in it. The plan is to empty, clean and reduce the staging in it such that I can use it for what it's meant for in 2018. The access problems in 2016 - 2017 contributed to the lack of use , but now that Redrow & Natta Construction have constructed and nearly completed the drop off and pick up area, I will be able to get to the allotment on a regular basis to take full advantage of the greenhouse, and If I'm lucky I will have another on plot 1 by the start of the growing season in 2018.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Over winter the objectives are
- Clear the greenhouse completely
- Clear and Tidy the storage Area
- Weed Membrane paths between Beds 1 - 5
If I pile some horse manure covered in cardboard in a couple of locations in the South West Corner of New Plot 1 then I can grow Marrow as well as Butternut Squash
Long Green Striped - To be used by Dec 2018 Sow April - May Harvest July Onwards
Long Green Trailing Exhibition Marrow - from Jungle seeds no use by date on the pack or sowing and harvesting information other than sow in peaty sterile seed compost 7mm deep at 25-30C Germination 2 - 3 weeks. Once germinated these grow rapidly and will need good light. Plant out after all frost have passed in a rich manured compost.
MELON - Greenhouses on Plot 1 and 1A
This is something new that I want to try and grow in the greenhouses at both allotments in 2018 if the greenhouse on plot 1 is erected. I have three different varieties to try, Rugoso di Cosenza giallo, Ogen & Sugar Baby.
The packs appear to say Sow from March to May, Plant out May June and Harvest August to September / Early October.
ONIONS
2017 Plan to be updated for 2018 Bed 13 currently shows Over Wintering Onions, however no onions will now be grown on this allotment due to the white rot problems on the site, so all onions to be grown on Spencer Road this year. So that means I need to find something else for bed 13.
PARSNIPS- Beds 13
My parsnips were allowed to go to seed on this plot two years. They were given to me by Edita another plot holder and after three sowings of bought seed that did nothing, the ones from the allotment seed took and I ended up with a wonderful bed of Parsnips. I also have a packet of seed that came free with a gardening Magazine to use.
POTATOES - Beds 10, 11, 12 and two additional Beds on Plot 1
Lady Christi - First Early - SoilFixer Experiment in Buckets Year 2 Lady Christl potatoes are an excellent first early variety that bulks up early in the season and can be harvested after just 8 weeks of sowing. Derek on the Spencer Road allotment introduced me to Lady Christi when he had too many seed potatoes in 2016 and donated some to me. This year they will be sourced from local Wyevale or other garden centre only because I can see what I'm buying.
Albert Bartlett Vivaldi - Second Early - 2.4 x 1.2m bed - Can be grown on as main crop - Sweet creamy taste - Great baker - I selected these because my kids were always saying my potatoes are not as good or as large as the shop bought ones for baked potatoes and this is one they believe is better than mine have been historically. Will be sourced from local Wyevale or other garden centre only because I can see what I'm buying.
Albert Bartlett Purple Majesty - Second Early 1kg Pack (12-15 Tubers) I've never grown these before but I'm being provided with some seed potatoes to trial by Marshalls, reading the info about them they are the first purple potato to go on sale commercially in Britain. They are potatoes of the richest purple – purple skin and purple flesh, jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants it makes a fantastic member of the superfood family along with blueberries, pomegranites and kale. With its genetic origins in the Andes, it’s been specially selected for the food market and has enjoyed great success. It’s an early maincrop variety suitable for salads, and of course as jackets which prove a real hit with children fascinated by its dark purple flesh. Provided by Marshalls Link to Purple Majesty details on Marshalls web site Charlotte - Second Early - 2.4 x 1.2m bed Are mentioned by name in many recipes. That's always a good sign because in the end the purpose of growing potatoes is to eat them and recommendations from recipes is a sure sign of good taste, and they have never let me down. They are on the waxy side which makes them excellent for boiling, they hold their shape well and are delicious hot or cold. Using them for roasting and to sauté produces excellent results. Will be sourced from local Wyevale or other garden centre only because I can see what I'm buying.
Kestrel - Second Early - 2kg Pack (25-30 Tubers) so enough for a bed and a half or a three row bed, these are another trial packs courtesy of Marshalls and were not on my radar until offered. Kestrel seed potatoes produce smooth skinned tubers with purple eyes, and winner of many prizes at exhibition. They have an old fashioned flavour, and make good chips and roasts well because the soft flesh does not absorb much fat. Consistently shows good resistance to slugs and blackleg. which I really need after the slug attacks last year. Provided by Marshals Link to Kestrel details on Marshalls web site
Estima - Second Early - 2.4 x 1.2m bed - Good Uniform Shape Ideal for Boiling and Baking last year I bought a 2kg sack bought from Wyevale no chits on them. Another shop bought potato I selected because my kids said they liked the shop bought ones. I looked at the small print on the label and read that they had been grown in Norfolk by Neil Van Poorvilet Variety Estima, up until then I had never heard of the Estima variety, but now I will grow them every year. Will be sourced from local Wyevale or other garden centre only because I can see what I'm buying.
Jelly - Main Crop - 2.4 x 1.2m bed modern variety has smooth skin, is long and oval in shape and has rich, yellowy flesh – reported to be a good roaster that makes superb, golden coloured chips! The tubers have good scab resistance and it is known to have excellent drought tolerance. I've selected these as this was a variety that we bought from the supermarket when the home grown spud ran out, that were particularly good and a nice size for baked potatoes and they roasted very well, plus I did have a bit of a scab and slug attack problems this year with some Sarpos that I grew. I found that Mr Fothergills can supply these if my local garden centre or Wyevale can't.
RHUBARB - Beds 15 & Plot 1
I've just inherited some Rhubarb from Plot 1 and I have the Rhubarb that came from a fellow plot holder on Spencer Road to transport over to Mill Green.
RUNNER BEANS
2017 Plan to be updated for 2018 Last year only one bed of runner beans were grown, in 2017 both beds will be grown - Scarlet Emperor seeds from 2016 will be used.
SWEETCORN
TOMATOES
WILDFLOWERS For Bees
2017 Plan to be updated for 2018 I have received two packs of wildflower seed for bees from two different sources this year. Historically I have not grown flowers on the allotment apart from the Daffs and Bluebells that come up early in the comfrey beds and the Poached Egg Plants that are grown to attract aphid eating ladybirds. This year I will plant a minimum of 4 - 6 flower buckets of wild flowers per allotment and move then around to encourage the pollinators in.
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