Tales from the Plot June 2025

Disaster seems to have struck with the parsnips once again. I’m close to giving up on parsnips – from a fresh packet of seed purchased from Kings this year I put 2/3 of the packet in just a 15 foot row (well, well over-seeded) and to date it appears not one has shown its head. My thinking was I’ll put loads of seed in and thin out leaving about 20 in the row which is as much as I want. 15 years ago I would buy a cheap packet of seeds from Wilkos throw them in willy-nilly and 75% would come through. I don’t know what’s happened, I’ve told myself now if just one parsnip grows I’m leaving it in to go to seed to save for the following year. It has to be a seed issue … or is it? Others seem to make it work, it just seems ridiculous.
Leeks are not doing so well. I started them at home in trays, they grew well at first then just seem to turn yellow and keel over, I think this is because we are forced into peat free compost that quite frankly does not work for me. We are now into June and it’s too late to set more leeks so I’ll be on the scrounge from other plot holders that hopefully have a surplus.
So here we are 50% into the tales from the plot and all I’ve talked about is disasters. This just goes to show you that having an allotment isn’t just all parading up and down with prize vegetables and blowing one’s own trumpet.
On a brighter note, potatoes, onions, French beans, runner beans, beetroot, cabbages, cauliflowers and sweetcorn all seem to be doing very well. I think I said in the past that sweetcorn is a must to grow, see image left. I like to have at least 30 plants. I set them in trays covered in clingfilm for the first week then uncover them – I normally get 90% germination doing it this way, and grow them on till they’re about 12 inches high. Timing is crucial as they need to go out when the frosts are finished. Plant the sweetcorn in a block rather than a row, about 18 inches apart. I normally mulch mine with leaves. then just leave them to get on with it. I grow a variety called Incredible F1 – and they are. They all mature together so are harvested in one go, prepared and frozen within an hour
This is important as sweetcorn starts to lose its sugar from the moment it is harvested. If you follow this procedure you will have the most wonderful tasting sweetcorn you have ever tasted throughout the year: do not thaw out just place straight out of the freezer into boiling water, allow the water to get back up to boiling point, and leave in for 15 minutes. I like mine smothered in butter, we often have them as a starter if someone comes round for dinner, bloody marvellous!  
It’s now time to start thinking about crops that will get us through the winter. I try to make it that I can harvest something throughout the year for my dinner. I’ve never quite managed it but I’m getting pretty close. Sprouting broc needs to go in along with Savoy cabbages, but I grew some January King cabbages last year and they lasted and stood very well along with just a few red cabbage.
Brussels are already in, swedes if you with can grow them, but I don’t think our soil is very swede friendly LOL. Russian kale I particularly like although Jane is not keen which is a shame as it can be harvested right through the winter. Carrots can be harvested as needed provided you can keep the dreaded the carrot fly away: there’s still plenty to do!
Grizz 15b Syston Allotments