Page 31 - ALG Issue 4 2022

Sweet corn when starting to cob
is soaked in the same way; Dwarf French beans too are kept moist and have cropped well this year as they can cope with the heat better, even climbing French beans like Cobra have cropped brilliantly this year. I find other crops once established will fend for themselves if the preparation is done well first.
I like to keep the plot full, as space comes available, and I have later sowings of French beans growing well from an early July sowing that should continue cropping in September and October. Sweet corn is cropping well with some good-sized cobs ready to harvest soon. I am amazed how well the parsnips and carrots look without any water, but their long roots can search for moisture below more easily. The June sown carrot Eskimo are growing really well and should have finger size roots for Christmas.
Once my Pea crop finished, I planted out my winter sprouting broccoli and Savoy cabbages in that space which after
watering in well for about two weeks have really started to get going now and shouldn’t require pampering going forward.
This year I planted a bed of Dahlias
on the plot; these will make good cut flowers to go with my Chrysanthemums and Statice. The Dahlias have grown well and started to bud up in late July, and have already produced some nice blooms, but I must admit are not the best crop for a hot year as Dahlias, being fleshy, do require a lot of water to grow well.
Late sowings of beetroot are growing and cropping well and the latest sowing made in July will require thinning soon and should keep us in this popular salad vegetable well into the autumn, along with lettuces and radish that I sow in shadier areas during hot spells.
Courgettes are producing like mad and there is always a surplus. When I have a surplus of any crops or flowers growing on my plot, I put them on a table outside my house and offer to passers-by for a
It won’t be long before autumn arrives and the big clear up will start, ready for that all important winter digging preparation for next year’s crops.
very small fee. Nothing is more than a £1, most are 50p or below. It is my way of getting a little bit back to pay for next year’s compost and fertilisers, and help my neighbours and passers-by get fresh veg at a fraction of the price in a supermarket; they love it!
THE RESULTS ARE IN: Every year in August the announcement of the Best Kept Allotment on our site in Capel St Mary is made after plots are secretly judged three times in the year, from May to early August and the points are added up.
Once again for the 5th time in 6 years I have been lucky enough to WIN The Best Kept Allotment on our site. It was a close contest and congratulations should also go to Gavin Leeks and Dennis Smith who came second
and third. The competition for Best Polytunnel plot was won by Rob Birnie, with Phil Hickley second and I came in a pleasing third; all were very good plots in a very difficult growing season.
It won’t be long before autumn arrives and the big clear up will start, ready
for that all important winter digging preparation for next year’s crops. By now you should have received your 2023 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 31