Page 19 - Allotment Gardener Issue 1 2024

NATURE
of introduction into the
seed catalogue. This year I trialled the new yellow Romanesco ‘Amoresco’ Amo 125 F1; this matures later than the green Romanesco and despite being an F1 hybrid, the plants do not
all crop together, giving a few weeks to harvest this tasty and unusual crop, making it ideal for gardeners. Another I trialled was the new purple sprouting broccoli, Tyrian F1. This is a summer cropping purple sprouting broccoli with deep purple stems; sown in June, I was harvesting in late September. This is still producing in late November and will only stop when the harder frosts appear. Both these items are in the new 2024 seed catalogue and I think worth adding to your seed list.
Every year in mid-November, I have a week’s holiday to start my winter digging. This year as we had had so much rain, I was late clearing my plots of old beans and other finished crops. This was done over a few days, filling the compost bins and creating a heap ready for a bonfire, once the conditions allowed. I made a start and have already dug about half the plot, adding old compost to some areas. This year I didn’t bring in any mushroom compost to dig in, as the soil has had plenty over the years and I thought I
would give it a rest. Plus, with so much rain, I doubt the tractor driver would have been able to get to my plot without making a mess.
Whilst digging, a welcome visitor arrived
on top of my shed - ‘Mr Robin’. He watched closely as I moved the soil, quickly flying in as
a tasty morsel was spotted. I do love seeing
this friendly little bird on my plot and I expect I will see him a few more times as the remainder of the plot is dug. I hope to be finished by the start of the New Year, allowing plenty of time for the winter frosts to help break down the soil ready for next spring.
I find a neatly dug piece of ground so pleasing on the eye - it is one of those jobs that the sooner I can complete it, the more time I will have to sit back, relax and plan next year’s crops.
I found 2023 to be a good growing season on the Kings Plot and produced some very good crops and probably my best year for harvesting runner beans. Let’s hope 2024 is just as good,
if not better for us all. Wishing you all a happy and successful gardening year. Don’t forget if any NAS member has a seed problem and needs some free advice, the team at Kings Seeds are always at the end of a phone to help.
Happy gardening!
Allotment Gardener | Issue 1 2024 | 19