U3A Allotment
October 2011 update
Despite some very dry weather in the Spring, the produce from the allotment has been quite plentiful with a range of vegetables and soft fruit. The last of the sweetcorn, leeks, parsnips, chard, tomatoes, beans & carrots are being pulled, the plots are being dug over & manured and spring cabbage, onions, shallots, broad beans & garlic will now be planted. We have a small greenhouse now which has proved very useful. Thanks to sales of produce at the U3A monthly meetings, our financial situation is healthy.
The plots are fairly easy to work on but during the growing season, the weeds have to be kept in check & the grass regularly cut. We would welcome a couple more members to join our group if they are active and can regularly take time to maintain the plots with the rest of us. We are now starting to prepare for the next growing season, so now is a good time to join us. For more info. contact Diane, Henry, John or Audrey at the U3A monthly meeting.
Diane 21/10/11
The plots are fairly easy to work on but during the growing season, the weeds have to be kept in check & the grass regularly cut. We would welcome a couple more members to join our group if they are active and can regularly take time to maintain the plots with the rest of us. We are now starting to prepare for the next growing season, so now is a good time to join us. For more info. contact Diane, Henry, John or Audrey at the U3A monthly meeting.
Diane 21/10/11
February 2011 update.
There are signs on the allotment that this long cold winter is coming to an end. The broad beans, garlic, shallots & onions that were planted before Christmas are showing through and doing well and there is new growth on the rhubarb, which has been treated to a good layer of manure. The last of the leeks & parsnips are being pulled up and early potatoes are being set out at home for chitting. Strong plastic has been renewed on the lid of the cold frame & used to repair a window in the shed that was smashed by vandals.
We are all looking forward to better weather and the busy season ahead.
June 2010
Allotment Update
Mike, Diane & John have been busy digging planting and sowing
seeds. Broad Beans which over-wintered were hit by the snow but have now recovered and there are also 2 rows of spring sown beans. Carrots, parsnips, spinach, radish and beetroot seeds have all been sown.
Bridget has planted a variety of flowers on the flower plot including sweet peas. Runner Bean wigwams have been put up ready for those plants that Mike has brought on. Potatoes are up and have been touched by the frost but are recovering. The man in the next plot had put out his runner beans which were cut down by the frost. Onion sets, shallots, and garlic are also doing well. The blackberry and raspberries have grown well and will soon be in flower.
Mike, Diane & John have been busy digging planting and sowing
seeds. Broad Beans which over-wintered were hit by the snow but have now recovered and there are also 2 rows of spring sown beans. Carrots, parsnips, spinach, radish and beetroot seeds have all been sown.
Bridget has planted a variety of flowers on the flower plot including sweet peas. Runner Bean wigwams have been put up ready for those plants that Mike has brought on. Potatoes are up and have been touched by the frost but are recovering. The man in the next plot had put out his runner beans which were cut down by the frost. Onion sets, shallots, and garlic are also doing well. The blackberry and raspberries have grown well and will soon be in flower.
Autumn 2009
The active time on the allotment is coming to an end. Broad beans and leeks are already planted. Onions and garlic will follow shortly. We are still harvesting carrots, beetroot and the parsnips are now ready to enjoy. The cold frame and frame for the cabbages proved to be a success with the result we have had a good supply of cucumbers, kale, cabbages etc. Brussel sprouts and purple sprouting will be ready soon. We were proud to be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for our carrots, sweet peas and raspberries in the Totton Gardeners’ Society Show this summer and Mike and John had fun growing pumpkins this year. The one featured in the photo at Trinity Church Harvest Festival weighed in at 8Olb.3rd of June pictures
SPRING 2009
Mike and John have been busy over the Winter erecting another shed and building a cold frame which will be very useful for bringing on plants. This means we now have a shed on both our plots and; also a bench on each to rest from our labours and hopefully, enjoy some sunshine! A water butt and guttering will shortly be attached to the shed roof to collect rainwater for watering. Broad beans, onions, shallots and garlic which were planted during the Winter are all growing well. We have been picking purple sprouting, kale, cabbage and leeks and have had a taste of the new rhubarb stalks. We shall shortly be planting the seed potatoes and hopefully the soil will be warmed up enough to start planting seeds.
Labels: Diane 23/03/09
July report
We entered 3 classes at the Totton Gardeners Show today 12th.
Our peas and potatoes both had 2nd prize and the lettuce had a third. Thanks to Mike for harvesting the peas and pots as he had to dig quite a few potatoes to get three the same size!
The allotment is coming on well, we are harvesting peas, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, radish, spinach, beetroot and land cress. We have also been picking sweet williams and the rest of the flowers will soon be ready. The french beans, garlic, shallots, onions, runner beans and courgettes should not be far behind, together with raspberries, if the birds don't get them first.
Unfortunately we have a problem with some of the onions which have some sort of disease so we will have to sort this out.
The recent rain has done wonders for the weeds, but at least they are easy to pull up.
The other plot holders are very generous both with advice and produce,
Our peas and potatoes both had 2nd prize and the lettuce had a third. Thanks to Mike for harvesting the peas and pots as he had to dig quite a few potatoes to get three the same size!
The allotment is coming on well, we are harvesting peas, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, radish, spinach, beetroot and land cress. We have also been picking sweet williams and the rest of the flowers will soon be ready. The french beans, garlic, shallots, onions, runner beans and courgettes should not be far behind, together with raspberries, if the birds don't get them first.
Unfortunately we have a problem with some of the onions which have some sort of disease so we will have to sort this out.
The recent rain has done wonders for the weeds, but at least they are easy to pull up.
The other plot holders are very generous both with advice and produce,
