Page 15 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2023

Looking South 01 May
Looking North 01 May
Looking South 04 June
Looking South 04 June
Looking South 12 July
beds as next year I want to try ‘no dig’ for the 1m x 3m beds. The paths between will have old carpet and empty compost bags as a base with wood chips laid on top.
The plot already had lots of rhubarb (we have had several kilos already) and there are water tanks at each end of the plot which is so lucky.
I am growing vegetables and fruit to eat, and I am not interested in entering shows or growing specimens, I have deliberately planted closer than recommended as I am happy with smaller sized vegetables and can have a wider range of produce.
By early July we have had lots of potatoes, courgettes, peas, runner beans, broccoli and lettuce. The sweet corn, onions, shallots and tomatoes are almost ripe and I expect to start harvesting before the end of July.
Looking South 12 July
Autumn crops (Brassicas, Potatoes, Parsnips and Celeriac) are all doing well and should be a good crop.
Things that didn’t go well:
Early planting without any protection meant slow growing and slightly smaller plants, next year I will plant out about the same time but will cover with fleece or plastic sheet until mid-May.
Things that went well:
Runner beans planted out with an adjacent direct sowing one month later, this gave an early crop with a following ‘regular’ crop the same time as other allotment holders.
A third sowing of peas early July to replace the exhausted earlier plants and direct sowing which have finished cropping.
Courgettes planted early meant we had courgettes some weeks before others on our site and Butternut squashes already swelling.
On a final note, regarding the ‘taking on’ of an allotment, during the winter months I met the dozen ‘hardy’ allotment holders and as the weather warmed have met many more.
All of the other allotment holders have been friendly, helpful and supportive together with a community feel. The whole experience has been a huge positive in addition to providing fantastic food, I am already planning and looking forward to next year.
Simply Vegetables 15