May and June used to be My Months....

Some time ago, Karen wrote a diary for every month of the year in terms of the activities undertaken on her plots. Whilst some things have changed, for example there is no sport as we under lockdown, - (and the bloke with the camera is actually active on the plots with project 63 in addition to bugs and beastie snapping) - the general migration from dig to no dig, and bearing in mind this little list is not exhaustive, thought it was worth re producing.

A set of notes for every month can be found on the website under the heading 'The Allotment Year' and can be downloaded as required.

May and June are truly my months. No sign of the other half as the cricket season and motor racing are in full swing, as well as local gymnastics by the Blue Falcons Gymnastics Display Team. (If you haven’t seen them, you should – awesome). If by chance there isn’t any sport on anywhere, there is a distinctly improved possibility that he may be spied on the allotment chasing various insects, flies, bugs, and can be located by listening for the occassional cuss as the models don’t stay still long enough or pose for the camera, unlike the bee in the image above, who was very sporting and camera savvy!

The plots are now becoming visually more appealing as a covering of growth replaces the spartan earthy look of the winter months, and trees in blossom. May is also the time to step back, ponder, and consider whether there is anything that has been forgotton in terms of sowing or planting particular crops. It’s best to consider this now as it will be too late to overcome later. The severity and number of overnight frosts should decrease, although it is still wise to keep a watch on the local weather forecasts (for ease the allotment association web site has a direct feed from the Met Office on the home page).



My usual jumbled notes on activities that I undertake on the plots can be found underneath together with the most important vegetable jobs to be completed. Please bear in mind that some of the activities may have been mentioned at the end of April, or even at the beginning of June, and some depend on the prevailing weather conditions. For example 2013 – this year – has been an exceptionally cold start to the growing season, and the Asparagus growing and cutting may well be deferred for a couple of weeks.

1. Apply growmore over runner bean area
2. Sow parsley outside
3. Dig up old purple sprouting broccoli
4. Apply straw around strawberries
5. Blueberries, apply tomato feed (potash) regularly
rom flowering until fruit ripens
6. Plum – water if required, rarely needs pruning – just
remove any damaged branches
7. Plant out tomatoes grown undervcover 2nd week onwards after hardening off. However, this is quite early, and probably best to plant towards the end of the month in case of frost, unless able to cover with fleece. As already mentioned 2013 has seen a harsh winter and everything is generally 2-3 weeks behind normal schedule.
8. Plant more carrots in raised bed and open ground
9. Stop cutting asparagus at end of May or beginning of June, and all the time keep a close look out for the Asparagus beetle which is prevalent. (image to the
right)
10. Feed cucumber with high nitrgoen feed away from
stem (dried blood) occassionally water with
tomorite. Cucumbers need nitrogen in the early stages for increased leaf growth, and then potash feed once the first blossoms are witnessed to encourage fruit growth.
11. Pinch tip of cucumber out when reached high enough, once side shoots produced 3 pairs of leaves pinch out tops
12. Water mange tout and peas if required, remove fleece / hoops as mange tout grow but protect with netting from pigeons

Last month we mentioned planting and thinning out runner beans, having prepared the area first. Runner beans benefit from well prepared ground with plenty of well - rotted manure or other organic matter dug in. Also mentioned was the preparation of a sturdy framework to allow the plants to grasp and grow, and an example of just one style of frame can be seen in the image under.

Last month I also commented about the planting of sweet corn, and the general hazard on our allotments caused by Badgers that are inextricably drawn to this crop.
Having watched the weather closely through the month and made a conscious decision (if this is possible in the UK) that the worst is behind us, planting outside of tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins and other tender vegetables that have started life indoors can be undertaken, that is if you haven’t already planted. (mid to end of month, and ensure that you have a ready supply of fleece just in case).


One of the first things to do is to place straw all - round the strawberries and then carefully cover with a net. I tend to loosely stake the net all the way around the perimeter so that the net is kept sufficiently away from the plants which may help to prevent the birds from pecking through.

When sowing parsley, I take a kettle full of boiling water where I am going to sow and pour over the soil. I then sow the seed on top and cover very thinly with soil. I then gently re water with warm (not boiling) water, and then cover with a cloche or plastic bell cover. The seeds take quite a while to germinate, and I keep moist as need be.



Last month we finished planting our potatoes. As the potatoes begin to show through the soil, it is essential until the beginning of June, or the possibility of frost ceases, to earth up. This involves raking earth over the top of the growing plants to provide added protection. Repeat at one or two week intervals or as necessary. This process kills weeds, helps prevent blight and prevents the tubers from being exposed to the light and turning green and poisonous.

Finally, during the course of this month the trusty lawn mower gets its first airing of the year to tidy up all the paths and surrounding green areas, together with a general tidy up of the edges. This also heralds and is co – incident with the start of the perpetual allotment holder’s battle against weeds.

Finally, finally, the wind tends to rush across the allotment, which dries out the soil pretty quickly. The water has generally been turned back on and prudent and regular watering (if it isn’t continually pouring with rain) is a must.