Page 16 - ALG Issue 3 2019
P. 16

on the...
Kings plot
from March to the beginning of June 2019
 Well, early March was too cold for much sowing on my plot, despite many plotholders getting out in February when we had a few very hot days, kidding them that spring had already arrived. I didn’t sow any of my small seeds like carrots, parsnips or beetroot direct into the plot until early April once the soil had warmed up. The benefit of this is that I have had superb germination and full rows rather than gappy ones that can occur from early sowings in cold soil. My parsnips have just been thinned out and the carrots look superb under enviromesh, and it won’t be long before I make another sowing in June, so I have young carrots ready for Christmas.
Pea Avola sown under glass in March and transplanted out around the 12th April are already starting to pod up and these will be followed by some Hurst Greenshaft sown direct outdoors at the same time, giving me a successional crop over several weeks.
Potatoes were planted on the 17th March when soil conditions were ideal and I lifted the first of my Maris Bard on the 25th May, delicious when cooked with a sprig of mint.
Module sown Summer brassicas
and Christmas Brussel sprouts look very well despite an early attack
by Flea beetle due to the very hot
dry conditions, but at least they are protected from pigeons in my net cover.
Spring onions and lettuce Analena sown in modules and transplanted out, were ready to harvest by the third week of May and went very well with the radishes sown as a marker along my parsnip rows. I like to sow lettuce every 2-3 weeks under glass, prick out into modules, and use to fill up gaps and keep me in fresh salads. Many gardeners have trouble
germinating lettuce when the weather gets hot; if this is you follow my lettuce masterclass at the end of the article.
Runner beans and sweetcorn were planted out at the end of May along with outdoor tomatoes Mountain Magic and a new variety for next year Cocktail Crush. Courgettes and squashes will be planted in early June along with later sowings of runner and French beans.
Tomatoes and peppers have been planted in the polytunnel and are starting to really move in this very warm environment. My cucumbers have been sown a little later this year, so they last longer in the summer and will be ready to plant out in early June.
Large Exhibition Onion Globo and my Show leeks are growing well and by the end of May my onions already had 8 leaves. I am aiming for 10-12 leaves by the longest day. The leeks will require their pipes adding to blanch the stems in early June. Whilst there is plenty
of room between the plants, I use the space to intercrop with some lettuce.
Rhubarb Fultons Strawberry Surprise was cropping well at the end of May, as is my strawberry bed, resulting in two tasty desserts.
All things considered, despite the cool start and a very dry April and May, I think my crops look very well this year so far; hopefully yours are the same. By the time you receive this magazine you should have received your NSALG 2020 Kings Seeds catalogue, and don’t forget: if any NSALG member has a seed problem and needs some advice, the team at Kings Seeds are always
at the end of a phone to help. Happy Gardening!
Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director for Kings Seeds
Potatoes were planted on the 17th March when soil conditions were ideal
             16 Allotment and Leisure Gardener













































































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