Courgettes
Courgettes can be very prolific and two plants grown properly will feed not only your immediate family but half the village as well. They perform best in fertile ground that has received compost the previous winter, they can also be grown in a pocket of soil on compost and manure heaps and in large pots.…
Broad Beans
Broad beans grow very well at Ashbrook and can produce a large crop; they are fairly frost hardy and very suitable for a first sowing when catch cropping. A very hardy variety such as Aquadulce can be sown in the ground in autumn about Guy Fawkes Day with the seed sown in double rows, 22cm…
A few thoughts on allotments
Introduction A ten-pole allotment is about 250 square metres or 300 square yards, it is considered this area of land can provide vegetables for a family of four for a whole year however to do it a degree of catch cropping is necessary, in other words taking two crops off the same ground in the…
Weeds
Weeds have been defined as any plant growing out of place. In reality most compete with our crops for moisture, light and nutrient, make a plot look unkempt and if allowed to seed can be annoying to other plot holders, some also host pests, e.g., whitefly on thistle. On the plus side strong weed growth…
Shallots
Shallots are a very worthwhile crop and particularly versatile in the kitchen. Being frost hardy they were traditionally planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest day, they are very useful as a first planting when catch cropping. If you have ground prepared, preferably alongside a path so walking over the ground can…
Runner and French Beans
Runner beans can produce a very large crop for a long period especially if two or three successional plantings are made, they grow best in fertile ground that has received compost or manure the preceding winter or early spring. Years ago it was usual to sow seed direct into the ground, in some areas you…
Crop Protection
Crop protection is one aspect of gardening that has changed significantly in recent years. It is not only us who find our crops good eating; there are many pests interested in them as well. Some pests such as cabbage white butterflies and cabbage root fly are specific to particular vegetables, whilst others such as slugs…
Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the most popular crops for the allotment. They are categorised as: – First early: normally planted mid/end March-should be ready in 10-12 weeks i.e., June/July. Second early: planted early April-should be ready in 13-15 weeks i.e., July/August. Early main crop: planted mid-April-should be ready in 15-18 weeks i.e., end of August/September.…
Peas
Peas are such a good vegetable to grow for several reasons: – Fresh they taste so good and the first picking used fresh is a summer highlight. They freeze well, we aim to grow a year’s supply, many are used during the winter but they are especially welcome during the hungry gap period of late…
Onions
Although onion sets can be planted in the autumn, I find they do not give as good a crop or keep as well as spring plantings. The following notes therefore apply to spring plantings. When growing spring planted onions it is worth remembering a few of their characteristics. Firstly, their growth is influenced by day…
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Ashbrook Allotments 