Page 25 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

Lockdown on the allotment
BY RON NUTALL
I imagine that you could effortlessly tell me about the problems that you have encountered due to the difficult weather conditions this year, or it is better to store them in your memory and forget them for posterity, as
a luckless happening in a difficult season. I am sure that Mother Nature will have a new set of rules and regulations to use next year and, no doubt, in the future.
Just out of interest, did you have a good spring?
• Was it too wet or too dry?
• Was it warm when is should have
been cold?
• Or was the weather cold when you
hoped for a spell of warmth?
• Which was worst for you? Cold at
night and warm during the day or cold during the day and warm at night?
• Possible it was the drought that had more influence on your allotment management than the winter floods?
Looking on the bright side, there have been rewards to family life during this
extreme pattern in the weather. We have been able to enjoy an abundance of sunny Sunday mornings on the allotment where it has been ideal for a BBQ, a brunch or just a pleasant family morning.
Since those enjoyable days, there has not been many more spare moments to relax. Years ago, farmers hopefully used to say “A cold wet May, plenty of corn and hay”. This year
it has brought plenty of weeds and grass to mow. Whilst the agreeable days have not quite been forgotten,
unfortunately they have been exchanged for mountains of weeds and unwanted vegetation.
For a worthy reminiscence of those pleasant spring mornings, have a look at photos taken when we had time
to share the allotment with all your family. It is good to get the children involved with growing from a young age.
Fruit &
Cloches & Cold Frames
Buy Online & Save 10%
Garden Tools & Accessories
Made in the UK
Vegetable Cages & Netting
@wmjamesandco
Use Code: ALGMISONE
(Fruit & vegetable cages & netting only)
William James & Co, Gore Cross Business Park, Corbin Way, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3UX
Call: 0800 1032800 or Email: sales@wmjames.co.uk Buy online 24/7 at www.wmjames.co.uk
Simply Vegetables 25