Page 55 - Simply Vegetables Summer 2023

Although our trees aren’t
large and are in pots,
it’s still difficult to fleece
them up. They’re against
a wall, so fingers crossed
that will shelter them.
Everything else is tucked
up in the glasshouses under fleece or in the propagators.
I’m trying again this year to do some unusual’s for Chorley flower show – chickpea, achoca, Malabar spinach, cucamelon - went down very well and were a big talking point. I tried beans in troughs last year, but it didn’t quite go to plan – turn your back for a minute and next news they’ve attached themselves to anything nearby and ended up a tangled mess. Maybe dwarf varieties would work better?
David Allison
Some troughs of coloured kale look great too but it’s all about timing and heat. Last year it was just way too hot and dry, even though we were watering at least twice a day and I’d put what I could into the cool
/ shaded polytunnel. Quite a few troughs, pots, and dishes I’d sown
for Chorley, bolted or wilted/lost lower leaves
or went brown and just weren’t up to the job which was really disappointing. And then there’s the dreaded cabbage white and brassica aphid
which finished the kale off. Sprayed them with
all sorts but last year really was a good year for certain pests!
A plug for NVS Members, Baxenden
Allotments & Gardens Society. The trading cabin is now open until the last Sunday in August. It’s open 10am until 12pm Sundays and is located at the bottom of the path adjacent to Hollins Technical College, Hollins Lane, Accrington. The cabin is run by volunteers and profits from all sales goes towards running the annual show, which is Saturday 2 September 2023. If you’d like a show schedule please get in touch.
John Taylor
https://facebook.com/ BaxendenAllotments/
And finally, DA Member, Malcolm celebrates a significant birthday at the
end of July, so will miss Chorley this year. Malcolm has helped stage at Southport and Chorley for many years. His celery, chard, sweet peppers, elephant garlic were always spectacular on displays. Happy Birthday Malcolm, have a great one! Here he is in the thick of it at Southport a couple of years back.
Cath Holmes, Chair https://www.facebook.com/NVSLancs https://www.facebook.com
NVS Northern
David Metcalfe
Malcolm
Grape vine
...turn your back for a minute and next news they’ve attached themselves to anything nearby and ended up a tangled mess
Simply Vegetables 55