Page 12 - ALG Issue 2 2025

SEASONAL JOBS
JUNE
This month early sowings and young
carrots, beetroot, lettuce etc. can be
harvested. Harden off any young plants
before planting and keep protection handy
in case of late frosts. Watch out for pests
encouraged by the rising temperatures.
Fennel, dill and angelica plants will attract
beneficial insects such as lacewings and
ladybirds, which help to reduce pest
numbers.
Keep the hoe on the go, not just to
reduce weeds, but to keep the surface
of the soil loose, as any water or soluble
fertiliser that is applied will absorb much
better.
Vegetable work:
•
Outdoor tomatoes can be planted in
deep rich soil in a warm and sheltered
position.
•
Feed and mulch asparagus, water the
crown during dry spells.
•
Tip out broad beans, to lessen blackfly
attacks.
JULY
Often the hottest month July is a busy
time on the allotment. Young crops should
be kept well-watered in either morning
or evening. Keep the hoe moving - young
weeds will soon wilt in the sun.
Early potatoes can be lifted as required
but watch out for blight. At the first signs
of black blotches on the foliage all the top
growth should be cut down. If caught in the
early stages, this should not damage the
crop. Potatoes in no-dig beds can be pulled
out without digging.
It is still wise to be vigilant to pests on
the plot.
Vegetable work:
•
Use a liquid feed on most crops in moist
soil.
•
Shallots should be lifted as they mature;
ensure the foliage has completely died
down first.
•
Thin turnips and swedes sown last month.
•
Continue staking and tying tall growing
crops, i.e., runner beans, asparagus left to
mature once you have finished cropping
towards the end of last month, Brussels
sprouts, peas, broad beans, unless you
grow in a very sheltered garden.
•
Attract beneficial pollinating insects by
growing plants rich in nectar and pollen.
AUGUST
Keep up with all the regular jobs such as
hoeing, feeding and watering in dry spells.
Watch out for rots and fungal infections
to ripening fruits. Harvest regularly and
clear spent crops; compost all clean and
disease-free material.
Sow a crop of green manure in vacant
beds – it will prevent weed growth, whilst
giving something back to the soil.
Vegetable work:
•
Draw up a little soil around the stem of
sprouts and kale or stake with a thick cane.
•
Feed asparagus beds then support the
top growth.
•
Watch out for leek rust and remove any
affected leaves before it spreads.
12 | Issue 2 2025 | Allotment and Leisure Gardener
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Use a shady spot to sow successional
salad crops, this will reduce bolting.
Ensure peas all have sufficient stakes,
canes or netting for support.
First early potatoes, especially those
grown in buckets or under protection,
will be just about ready towards the end
of the month.
Put first collars on Trench celery and
plant out self-blanching types in blocks,
not rows to allow them to blanch each
other.
Keep picking dwarf French beans to
encourage further pods to set.
Harvest and lay shallots on chicken wire
to fully dry off before storing.
Keep celery well-watered.
Watch out for caterpillars of the cabbage
white butterfly; pick off by hand if there
aren’t many or spray with an organic
insecticide.
Pinch out the growing point of runner
beans to avoid them becoming top heavy
and a tangled mess.
Greenhouse work:
•
Ventilate greenhouses slightly
overnight and open fully in the
morning.
•
Continue watering, feeding and
tying in, and harvest all tomatoes,
cucumbers etc.
•
Support ripening melons with nets.