May 2008
May 2008
May must be one of the busiest times in the allotment year. I virtually planted everything out this month that hasn’t already been planted.
May lulled me into a false sense of security because it was really hot for two weeks then temperatures dived to become rather cold again towards the end of the month. Though there wasn’t any frost to kill little, tender plants off, it simply became too cold for my outdoor cucumbers and they basically stalled then withered. I’ve re-sown some more plants under cover and will get them out next month.
I planted way too many runner beans last year so this year I have settled for an eight cane wigwam which will hopefully supply plenty of beans for my needs. The sprouts, cabbages and other brassicas have gone out, both beds netted against the dreaded Cabbage White butterfly and the pigeons. I’m curious to see how quickly (and effectively) the red cabbage grows compared to the reliable Primo II white variety.
The sweetcorn, courgettes, tomatoes, pumpkins, squashes, spring onion, carrots, beetroot, plus some peas which I decided I had space for, have all been planted. I’m a bit concerned about my spuds though, I have a few gaps in the planting lines, hopefully it won’t be too bad.
The rhubarb that was split and moved last year has spouted but I’m not going to pick much from the plants, hopefully this will allow them to get established for next year. The onions are doing OK and the strawberry plants have, all of a sudden, become bushier and greener. There are signs of white blossom so I’m hoping for some fruit next month.
I have also been given a few autumn fruiting raspberries which I have chucked in the ground – the summer raspberry canes I planted as bare rooted plants early in the year are growing strongly. This month it has been a matter of getting as much into the ground as possible.
I have divided up my leeks and thinned them out in seed trays giving them a bit more space and hopefully they will get established ready for planting out next month. I’ve picked a few lettuce heads already and am sowing some more now to keep the crop growing. My aim is to keep producing crops not only through the summer but far into the autumn this year where possible.
That will do for now – next month in June I hope to be picking some fruit and eating some salad crops at the very least!
May must be one of the busiest times in the allotment year. I virtually planted everything out this month that hasn’t already been planted.
May lulled me into a false sense of security because it was really hot for two weeks then temperatures dived to become rather cold again towards the end of the month. Though there wasn’t any frost to kill little, tender plants off, it simply became too cold for my outdoor cucumbers and they basically stalled then withered. I’ve re-sown some more plants under cover and will get them out next month.
I planted way too many runner beans last year so this year I have settled for an eight cane wigwam which will hopefully supply plenty of beans for my needs. The sprouts, cabbages and other brassicas have gone out, both beds netted against the dreaded Cabbage White butterfly and the pigeons. I’m curious to see how quickly (and effectively) the red cabbage grows compared to the reliable Primo II white variety.
The sweetcorn, courgettes, tomatoes, pumpkins, squashes, spring onion, carrots, beetroot, plus some peas which I decided I had space for, have all been planted. I’m a bit concerned about my spuds though, I have a few gaps in the planting lines, hopefully it won’t be too bad.
The rhubarb that was split and moved last year has spouted but I’m not going to pick much from the plants, hopefully this will allow them to get established for next year. The onions are doing OK and the strawberry plants have, all of a sudden, become bushier and greener. There are signs of white blossom so I’m hoping for some fruit next month.
I have also been given a few autumn fruiting raspberries which I have chucked in the ground – the summer raspberry canes I planted as bare rooted plants early in the year are growing strongly. This month it has been a matter of getting as much into the ground as possible.
I have divided up my leeks and thinned them out in seed trays giving them a bit more space and hopefully they will get established ready for planting out next month. I’ve picked a few lettuce heads already and am sowing some more now to keep the crop growing. My aim is to keep producing crops not only through the summer but far into the autumn this year where possible.
That will do for now – next month in June I hope to be picking some fruit and eating some salad crops at the very least!
