Page 21 - ALG Issue 4 2020

beans from the base of the plant up to the top. It only stopped producing when a gale blew through the plot and took this heavily foliaged crop down with it. Luckily, I had a later sown
row to replace it and these started to produce in early September and should continue for many more weeks, weather permitting. I have been harvesting
on average 5-7 kg of runner beans
per week since early July, from three sowings made in early May, mid-May and early June. This has kept my family, friends and neighbours well fed. Courgettes and marrows have been producing in abundance, and I have had some superb sweetcorn this year from Earlibird F1 and Goldcrest F1. The Carrot Eskimo F1 sown in June for Christmas are so strong growing that the foliage is pushing up the top of the enviromesh and by the looks of it will be of a good size for my festive lunch which will nicely accompany three very good rows of Parsnip Gladiator F1. As space has come available from earlier
harvested crops, I have kept this filled up with later sowings of lettuce, radish, spinach, corn salad, turnips and mixed salad leaves. I find a full plot is easier to keep clean than loads of empty space. It won’t be long before crops finish for this year and the big clear up will start, ready for that winter digging and all- important preparation for next year.
By now you should have received your 2021 NAS Kings Seeds catalogue filled with many old favourites and lots of tried and tested exciting new varieties. 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
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 21