Tales From The Plot

I’ll start with a confession: I complained bitterly that my parsnips had not germinated having tried to set parsnip seeds three times, and at the time of writing last month’s tales from the plot none seem to have shown. Although it’s been dry I have watered them at least twice a week and all seemed lost – then we went away for a four day break and it seemed to rain every day (just our luck) but on returning it looks like my parsnips have all come through and I’m actually going to have to thin them out, success in the end!
Everything is looking quite good on the plot. There have been a few hiccups though, the flea beetle – little shiny black blighters, have given my brussel plants a right good nibbling. I tried spraying them with the usual tablespoon of washing up liquid in a spray bottle along with a spoon of rape seed oil – they all cleared off when I sprayed them but sadly the next day had returned so as a last resort I’ve had to spray them with a commercial pesticide, I only ever use it as a last resort but sadly needs must on this occasion. Broad beans look ready for picking, it’s been a good year for them and no sign of blackfly at the time of writing this, another bonus is all of my bean crops this year – runner beans, French bush beans, French climbing beans and some black climbing French beans are all from seed that I saved from last year so apart from my labour they are cost free. As I like to watch the pennies that’s a good feeling LOL!
I left some beetroot in last year and it’s now in flower so I’m hoping beetroot seed will also be free next year. I’m already picking this year’s and it’s a good crop and so easy to grow. I use the 12 segment trays and put about four seeds in each segment. I usually start them around March time, keep them in the greenhouse until they’re at the four-leaf stage, then with a dipper put them in the ground in clumps about six inches apart. You can just twist the larger ones out leaving the rest to mature: that way you can harvest right through the summer from just one row across the allotment, we love it freshly boiled.
Potatoes look to have grown really well although I’ve not harvested any yet, other plot holders have commented on how good the tops look. I always reply that it can be deceiving, it’s what’s underneath them that matters. Only time will tell. 
Now July is a time of year that our plants need more water, soils that are rich in well rotted organic matter are the best for retaining moisture as the organic matter acts like a sponge. Mulches are also great for retaining moisture, when applied to already damp soils, mulches reduce requirements for water. I mulch everything with leaves, grass cuttings and wood shavings out of my chicken coop etc this not only means less watering it can mean less weeding! Water butts are an asset all year round, but especially so in the heat of summer, rainwater is far better than tap water so save as much as you can.
I never fail to be amazed by the amount of weeds that continually germinate and grow on my allotment, it’s a constant battle, hoeing twice a week helps. I normally grow some Sweet Williams for cut flowers to take home, this is the first year I haven’t got any, you have to set the seeds one year and they flower the next and I simply forgot to put any in last year.
Courgettes, outdoor cucumbers, tomatoes and sweet corn are now in and looking good. Although the risk of a frost has passed do still keep an eye out for cold nights, a combination of cold and wet conditions can be damaging to these young plants and set them back. 
Thankfully we are now reaping the rewards of the work we have put in so far this year.
Richard Thorpe 15b Syston Allotments