The Allotted Month - November 2008

As far as crops and harvesting go, this month has been very much the same as October. So I won't repeat myself.

Allotments generally are targets for vandalism, and Edinburgh's allotments seem to be at risk as much as other places in Britain. It's a sad reflection on what has been called our "Feral" youth. I've heard that in Denmark the allotments are respected, the public have access and there is little, if any, vandalism. I think that I'll emigrate to Denmark.

The Allotted Month - October 2008

The plot is steadily being cleared of crops. In section A the slugs had done such a good job of eating the Crimson Clover that there was very little left. Now both section A and B have been hoed over to keep the weeds down. For the first time in years there will be no clover foliage for the compost heap and no natural nitrogenous fertiliser from the clover roots. I'll be interested to see what difference this makes to the brassicas next year.

The Allotted Month - September 2008

The summer glut is now well over and the plot is looking bare. Not such a wide variety for the kitchen now. Generally it has been a good season with the only real problem being the poor crop of carrots. Slugs love wet weather and they have been very active this year.

The Allotted Month - August 2008

The Allotted Month - July 2008

The Allotted Month - June 2008

The Allotted Month - May 2008

This month has seen the end of "Seed Time" with the prospect that June will be a bit more relaxed. The plot, apart from transplanting the leeks in July, is now fully planted up and everything seems to be growing well.

The Allotted Month - April 2008

In the spring growth comes on quickly, and this is true on the plot as well as in our gardens. Last month three of the sections in the plot were just bare earth. This month all the shallots and garlic, started in Rootrainers in the greenhouse, have been set out to bring some welcome greenery. Similarly, the potatoes and onion sets are now adding a bit more green as they push through the soil into the daylight.

The Allotted Month - March 2008

March was a very busy month, but now the really heavy work of the allotment year is over and there is now a slightly reduced work pace. So far no crops have been planted out and, apart from the Crimson Clover on section D, the plot has all been dug over and hoed in preparation for crops.

The Allotted Month - February 2008

The growing season has now started and this month the shallots and garlic have been potted up in Rootrainers in the greenhouse. Green shoots are now appearing at the tops of the bulbs. In March the seed sowing will start in earnest.