Tales from the Plot
We still get some nice days in November and there is enough daylight to clear and tidy up the allotment of any old crops in preparation for next year. I try not to leave summer crops to rot that harbour overwintering pests and diseases.
As the clocks go back we are allowed to have a bonfire on the allotments. I try to have mine around bonfire night; we have to be careful as the allotments are surrounded by private dwellings – I just feel that if I have mine around bonfire night it won’t cause any upset, common sense also tells us not to leave one unattended. My grandson loves to help when we have the bonfire. I think there’s a bit of caveman in all of us and poking a bonfire with a stick is quite a pleasurable thing to do. Wrap a couple of potatoes in some foil and place in the embers they will be wonderful especially with a hot mug of soup in the other hand LOL! Please also check before you light to make sure there are no hedgehogs nesting in there.
I always feel a sense of accomplishment once the allotment is cleared and tidy. Something else to look forward to is that usually by the end of this month we can have the first of the brussels sprouts, my favourite vegetable – although last year I didn’t get them until after Christmas, that was a bit of a disaster, so this year I set them earlier in the year. Hopefully all will be well for Christmas. Pick the brussels sprouts working from the bottom of the stalk upwards to make sure that all the sprouts get a chance to swell. I also clear any of the lower leaves, this helps minimise pests. We can also start to harvest leeks and parsnips: wait until after a frost for the parsnips because the chilling effect turns the starches into sugars and this gives them their natural sweet taste.
Well I don’t know if I’ve done right or wrong but I’ve started some broad beans off in trays and they’re ready to go in. I always feel sorry for anything I put out at this time of year as there’s only hard times ahead – but fingers crossed. However it’s not too late to take a chance and to put a row or two in the ground especially if you can cover them with cloches. I always also put a couple of dozen lettuce plants in at this time, these winter varieties are tough enough to withstand most British winters and I’ve been quite successful in the past although it is always best to have some protection on hand ready to protect them if needs be.
Wet growing conditions can wreak as much damage as the cold. Savoy cabbages, pictured right, another of my favourites, are doing well and thankfully I’ll have some to pick throughout the winter along with carrots and parsnips, however my swedes haven’t done so well this year.
Now is a good time to check over the trusty wheelbarrow as it has to work hard over the next few months carting muck and compost about. Most of the leaves will have fallen by now, collect them up and make a leaf mould stack, I have a friend who has several trees in his garden and he kindly hoovers them up with his mower and then bags them for me – I also use them as a mulch throughout the year and to cover any tubs of potatoes I have left for Christmas which helps stop them from getting frosted.
Richard Thorpe 15 B