hints and tips for autumn and winter - by peter baikie
This is from the winner of the best overall plot for 2014, Peter Baikie.
Hints and tips for Autumn and Winter
Having this week witnessed the last of the House-Martins set off on their long journey back to Africa you realise that winter is closing in and it is time to think about what to do on the allotment. For me there are several things to be doing and thinking about at this time of the year
1. Tidying up
Now is a good time to clear the allotment of all the wonderful plants that have provided their harvest to us since the spring. So cut back Peas and Beans remembering to leave their roots to release back those important nitrates into the soil. Get everything you can onto the compost heap remembering to remove or burn the leaves and stems of any tomatoes or potatoes that had blight, you do not want these in your compost!!
Cut back the Autumn raspberry canes when they have finished fruiting to ground height, leave pruning Blackcurrant/Redcurrant bushes until November
2. Planting / Cultivation
There’s still plenty of time to plant winter onion sets and garlic so that you get early crops next year. I always plant them in the ground where this year’s main crop potatoes have grown as I then know there is plenty of well-rotted manure left to give them the “rocket fuel” they will need next spring. We will need some rain before I start putting them in but will aim to have the onion sets in by the end of September and the Garlic in by mid-October.
Don’t forget to think about planting “Aquadulce” Broad Beans as well, I put mine in at the end of October and this seems to ensure that they grow to about 4 inches in height which is enough to withstand winter, but not too tall to bend over and snap in heavy snow. I also make sure the soil around them does not become too compact as they do tend to rot at the base of the plant if this is allowed to happen. Then add some “general pelleted fertiliser” around the plants when the weather warms up in spring. This way you can enjoy Broad Beans in early June and at a time when there is less to harvest on the allotment.
3. Winter digging
If you can get some manure early it helps to get this onto the areas of the allotment where you will need it next year. Once this is done you can then set about the winter digging!!
As always “little and often” is the rule I follow for digging, do not try to do too much at once as that is a sure recipe to damage your back!!! Turn in all the annual weeds as you dig and let mother nature do the rest. I will wait this year to allow the rain to soak in a bit before I start digging, it makes it easier to get the fork in and break the soil up a bit before the frost can do its magic.
4. Last Thoughts
Don’t forget to put some nets over your winter greens. The woodpigeons have finished gleaning the last of the wheat grains from the fields of stubble and are now concentrating on the berries and seeds in the trees and hedgerows .But do not be fooled, it won’t be long before they have eaten up everything the countryside has to offer and turn their attention to your brassica’s!!. So I always get my nets on by the end of October to be safe.
Planning, Planning, Planning, start thinking about next year and what will be planted. What grew well this year and how about trying something new!! I use a simple “rotation plan” dividing the allotment into 4 separate areas for my annual planting, so this way I know what groups of plants go where. I have limited time on my allotment so this helps me use it wisely and maximise my time (in between talking to my neighbours).
Finally, I will be looking forward to all those lovely stews and casseroles with all the wonderful winter vegetables that are growing and showing promise at the moment, and who knows, maybe one of those pesky Woodpigeons will be in one of the stews!!
Hints and tips for Autumn and Winter
Having this week witnessed the last of the House-Martins set off on their long journey back to Africa you realise that winter is closing in and it is time to think about what to do on the allotment. For me there are several things to be doing and thinking about at this time of the year
1. Tidying up
Now is a good time to clear the allotment of all the wonderful plants that have provided their harvest to us since the spring. So cut back Peas and Beans remembering to leave their roots to release back those important nitrates into the soil. Get everything you can onto the compost heap remembering to remove or burn the leaves and stems of any tomatoes or potatoes that had blight, you do not want these in your compost!!
Cut back the Autumn raspberry canes when they have finished fruiting to ground height, leave pruning Blackcurrant/Redcurrant bushes until November
2. Planting / Cultivation
There’s still plenty of time to plant winter onion sets and garlic so that you get early crops next year. I always plant them in the ground where this year’s main crop potatoes have grown as I then know there is plenty of well-rotted manure left to give them the “rocket fuel” they will need next spring. We will need some rain before I start putting them in but will aim to have the onion sets in by the end of September and the Garlic in by mid-October.
Don’t forget to think about planting “Aquadulce” Broad Beans as well, I put mine in at the end of October and this seems to ensure that they grow to about 4 inches in height which is enough to withstand winter, but not too tall to bend over and snap in heavy snow. I also make sure the soil around them does not become too compact as they do tend to rot at the base of the plant if this is allowed to happen. Then add some “general pelleted fertiliser” around the plants when the weather warms up in spring. This way you can enjoy Broad Beans in early June and at a time when there is less to harvest on the allotment.
3. Winter digging
If you can get some manure early it helps to get this onto the areas of the allotment where you will need it next year. Once this is done you can then set about the winter digging!!
As always “little and often” is the rule I follow for digging, do not try to do too much at once as that is a sure recipe to damage your back!!! Turn in all the annual weeds as you dig and let mother nature do the rest. I will wait this year to allow the rain to soak in a bit before I start digging, it makes it easier to get the fork in and break the soil up a bit before the frost can do its magic.
4. Last Thoughts
Don’t forget to put some nets over your winter greens. The woodpigeons have finished gleaning the last of the wheat grains from the fields of stubble and are now concentrating on the berries and seeds in the trees and hedgerows .But do not be fooled, it won’t be long before they have eaten up everything the countryside has to offer and turn their attention to your brassica’s!!. So I always get my nets on by the end of October to be safe.
Planning, Planning, Planning, start thinking about next year and what will be planted. What grew well this year and how about trying something new!! I use a simple “rotation plan” dividing the allotment into 4 separate areas for my annual planting, so this way I know what groups of plants go where. I have limited time on my allotment so this helps me use it wisely and maximise my time (in between talking to my neighbours).
Finally, I will be looking forward to all those lovely stews and casseroles with all the wonderful winter vegetables that are growing and showing promise at the moment, and who knows, maybe one of those pesky Woodpigeons will be in one of the stews!!