Grow Your Own Veg

When the allotment is frozen in early winter

2010-11-27T14:11:00Z

Winter is truly here, and except for desultory digging, bonfires and clearance there is little to do. In truth I cannot yet summon up much enthusiasm for these tasks, and have retreated to the seed catalogues to plan for next year.

Wet early winter weekend on the allotment

2010-11-13T09:09:00Z

After a week of rain, the soil is saturated and unworkable for now. Air and soil temperatures remain on the warm side for the season and winter crops continue to improve.

First winter weekend on the allotment

2010-11-06T15:03:00Z

Unusually mild weather means that crops are still growing slowly. The soil remains workable after moderate rainfall and conditions are in fact perfect for sowing and planting.

Last autumn weekend on the allotment

2010-10-29T16:09:00Z

Soil is almost fully recharged with water and remains workable for now. Mild weather after recent frosts is allowing crops to continue to grow, although very slowly.

Allotment this weekend now that frosts are here

2010-10-23T16:32:00Z

Very sharp frosts have finally brought the growing season to an end. Soil remains workable but the number of weekends when no ground work is possible will now increase. This means that the ground must be got ready before winter rains saturate the soil and mid winter freezes lock up the ground.

What to do in the allotment this weekend in mid October

2010-10-15T12:21:00Z

The weather has been very good for late crops, with warmth, sunshine and moist soils, without frosts, excess rain, autumn gales or dull days. Clearly this must change in the next few weeks and vulnerable corps will need gathering, winter crops made ready for four months of chill, wet and wind and the ground brought into good condition to carry out next year's cropping plan.

What to do on the allotment as mid-autumn approaches

2010-10-09T10:43:00Z

Heavy rain has brought soils up to full capacity in many cases, hindering soil preparation for autumn sowing and planting. On the other hand mild weather with some sun has kept late summer crops productive, although at low levels.

What to do on the allotment in early autumn

2010-10-01T13:09:00Z

Mild rainy weather will promote more leaf disease but with crops coming to an end it is not serious, and in any case there are few remedies open to gardeners. At some stage cold weather will arrive bringing all the tender crops to an end and finally closing the allotment cycle for 2010. In the meantime, little remains to do but gather crops and clear land to prepare for next year.

What to do in the allotment now it is truly autumnal

2010-09-24T13:03:00Z

Despite rain the soil has dried under the influence of breezy days and plenty of sunshine, so that watering has had to be resumed. The soil remains quite dry and it is unlikely that the current rain will restore moisture sufficiently for many crops to finish their growing for this year. With plenty of light for the season and mild nights growth has been good where soil moisture is adequate.

Allotment this weekend in early autumn

2010-09-17T11:20:00Z

Suddenly night temperatures are beginning to dip below 10C, so that tender crops will be at risk within a week or two. Rain has kept the soil moist and watering is only required for celery and other thirsty crops.

Allotment things to do at the end of summer

2010-09-11T08:16:00Z

Rain has wetted the top soil enough for good growth while nights remain warm and days sunny. It won’t last of course, and very soon growth will fall away to very low levels. Already the flood of summer veg has slowed and it is now or never for many crops.

What to do on the allotment in early September

2010-09-02T13:12:00Z

Colder and dewy nights have led to reduced watering need and pest problems. It is even too cold at night for blight, although once mild moist nights return disease could break out afresh.

What to do on the allotment for August Bank Holiday

2010-08-27T13:34:00Z

The season is running out fast and little remains to do but gather the crops, and protect those maturing now and to be gathered in autumn and winter from pests and diseases. There is certainly no need to water for a fortnight at least.

Is there anything to do in the allotment this weekend except harvesting?

2010-08-21T17:42:00Z

Recent showery weather and associated watering have given the plot new life, with stalled growth suddenly resuming often with rather lush foliage as the crops can suddenly access plant nutrients that have been beyond their reach for weeks. Whether this will translate into higher yields remains to be seen, but the signs are good.

What to do in the allotment while summer lasts

2010-08-13T08:39:00Z

We are back to normal summer weather with showers and cool nights. Suddenly frogs, toads and slow worms are present. The slow worms shelter beneath perforated black plastic weed control sheets taken off early crops and laid over the daffodil bed at the end of the plot to clear it of weeds. No doubt warmth and dryness appeal to reptiles. Frogs live under the well-watered climbing bean wigwams and are on the move at dusk when watering is now being done, as the evenings shorten. Toads lived beneath the onion mulching sheets and crawled off into the brassicas as the onions were lifted.