Page 20 - ALG Issue 1 2020

on the...
Kings plot
from September to late November 2019
September continued to be a very productive month on the plot, with runner and French beans, salad
crops and courgettes continuing
to be harvested right through to
early October. Autumn cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, parsnips and leeks also helped keep the kitchen and the family’s tummies full.
Once October arrived so did a change in the weather, with windy days and cool nights bringing some crops to a sudden end, so these were cleared ready for winter digging. Luckily the majority of my plots were cleaned up before the rain started, resulting in very few visits to the plot. The rain (although annoying at times) was welcome as the soil had become very dry during the summer and moisture levels did need replenishing. The polytunnel plot came to a halt in early October, so the cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes were all cleared, and the old growbags and pots were tipped on the plot ready to be dug in. This year I had a bumper crop of tomatoes both undercover and outdoors. See below for my Tomato Masterclass.
My autumn crops look very good
and I should have a bumper crop for harvesting at Christmas and into the New Year. Brussels sprouts Brodie and Brendan have plenty of tight buttons per stalk. Parsnip Gladiator are long and very tasty roasted, the sweetness and size of the finger length Carrot Eskimo that I sowed in June is just perfect for autumn and winter harvesting. Savoy cabbages will be ready from December onwards followed by winter cauliflowers and purple sprouting broccoli. The last of the leeks will be added to soups and casseroles, and all will accompany the bumper harvest of potatoes I have in store.
In November I always plan to have a
few days holiday; this time is used to start my winter digging. Luckily there were only a few light showers that week and I managed to dig well over half of my plot’s spare ground. I always take out a trench first and then chip in any annual weeds and spent compost into the trench before turning over the soil, finishing up with clean soil ready to break down by the winter weather. With the October rains I must say the soil dug really well. However, I lost count of how many fellow plotholders walked by and said: “Must be too wet to dig?” It wasn’t unless you didn’t want to stand out on
a cold day and do it which was probably more their inclination. If possible, I always aim to have the majority, if not all, of the plot dug over by New Year’s Day. Those plotholders that decide to leave theirs alone in the winter will have lots to do next spring, and I never think the soil breaks down as well as soil dug in the winter. However, I can sit back and relax and start planning next year’s crops from the comfort of my armchair.
I think 2019 has been a very good growing season and I have had some good crops this year – let’s hope 2020 is just as good. Plus, 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!
Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director for Kings Seeds
I think 2019 has been a very good growing season and I have had some good crops this year
20 Allotment and Leisure Gardener