Page 32 - ALG Issue 4 2017

Regular
Seasonal jobs to do...
December, January, February
32
GENERAL
It’s mid-winter, a time when everything on the allotment is slowing down but weather permitting, try to push on with the winter digging even if it is only a couple of rows at a time. Take some time out to read through the seed catalogues and
prepare your order for sending off. Try out some of the disease resistant cultivars to reduce the use of expensive chemicals. There are more and more seeds that have been especially developed
to grow well in British conditions, for example, the mildew and disease resistant courgettes.
There are plenty of obvious distractions during the festive period; relax and enjoy yourself. You will soon be slipping into top gear
as the January days begin to draw out. Now is the time to make sure that you have drained all of the fuel out of power machinery. Take advantage of the opportunity to give them a full service in readiness for 2018. New cables, spark plugs and clean lters can make a world of difference to performance and economy.
OUTSIDE
There’s nothing to sow or plant indoors or out at this time of the year but it is a reminder to buy
in some new pots and trays especially for seed sowing, or you could spend a couple of hours cleaning out what you have. Don’t be tempted to use compost left over from 2017, throw that on the
soil. Wait until you see the stocks of brand new compost delivered to the site shop or arriving at the garden centres. Don’t fall for any special offers or clearance prices on old stock. Leave it.
Pick over the vegetable plot, removing or collecting up any yellow leaves especially on the brassicas. They can go on the compost heap. Inspect plants to see if any need a little bit of TLC such as tying or rming in where they are suffering from wind rock.
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FRUIT
DECEMBER
Number one job is to check that all stakes and ties are secure; cut away and renew any ties that are in danger of cutting
into stems, branches or trunks. Prune
out any damaged or diseased material
but don’t carry out the job if the trees
or bushes are frozen or a hard frost is
expected. Make sure that the stakes are
sound enough to support the trees. At
this time of the year when the trees are lea ess it is the ideal time to look over them and pick off any diseased and mummi ed fruits. Collect them up and put in the recycling bin or burn them -never throw them on the compost heap.
GREENHOUSE
On sunny days, the temperature inside the greenhouse can suddenly rise to 25˚C making it feel like a summer’s day. Ventilate during the middle part of the day but close up by the mid- afternoon to trap the heat. Take care with any watering, avoiding splashes - you don’t want to
be leaving wet foliage sitting around overnight. Allow the surface of the compost to dry out before watering. Keep eece or sheets of newspaper handy to cover any vulnerable plants if a frost is forecast. Check to make sure that the doors and vents are secure against gales or strong winds. Also inspect for cracked or loose panes and repair or replace them.
For your chance of winning, simply answer the following question:
What are the Easi-Grip® tools made of?
Send in your answer, along with your name, contact details and postal address to either of the following:
crestadmin@crestpublications.com
Crest Publications, 1 Rothwell Grange Court, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8FB
Closing date: Friday 15th December T&Cs apply (see page 3)