Quick reactions will help you achieve crops all year
It’s been a problematic year on the plot. First of all snow lasted well into March followed by Storm Hector and after that some uncharacteristically hot dry weather. Supermarkets are reporting shortages of broccoli, carrots and salad stuff. I imagine that potato yields will be down too.
Fortunately those of us with allotments can ride out these difficulties. We’re not growing acres of the same vegetable, but a large number of different ones. If one fails to germinate or runs to seed early we have more coming along to take their place. We can respond quickly to give our plants a bit of care and attention just when it’s needed in a way that farmers can’t. With rain forecast the other evening, my most pressing task was to pick redcurrants before they got wet. Wet fruit doesn’t make firm-setting jelly. When the rain did come, I rushed out to plant a few salad vegetable seeds in the warm, moist soil. It’s getting late in the year for sowing salads but I am following the example of my friend Deborah in Newcastle who is able to pick some lettuce every day of the year by planting a few seeds every now and then. Pak choi grows well as the day length shortens. Beetroot leaves are good in salads even if the roots don’t swell up.
I don’t like seeing swathes of bare earth through the winter and expect my plot to be productive all year round. Apart from anything else, I enjoy my frequent forays there to see what’s growing. Following on from peas and beans, I’ve just planted out various sorts of young kale and purple sprouting broccoli grown from seed earlier on. Home grown leeks are always a treat. Perpetual spinach and chard will keep on providing pickings in all but the worst winter weather before running to seed in spring.
At this time of year there are some tasks I like to get ahead with. Cutting down old raspberry canes can be done any time after fruiting before next spring but it’s much more pleasant to do it before the onset of autumn gales and when my fingers aren’t getting frozen. Spreading compost and other more energetic jobs can be saved for cold days. If next winter is going to be as wet as last, it’s a good idea to plant some green manures such as Field Beans now to prevent soil becoming eroded. n
Beetroot leaves are good in salads even if the roots don’t swell up