VEGGIE TALK – JANUARY 2023

Shallots can be planted outside now. Broad beans can be sown into pots and then into a cold frame or greenhouse.

Parsnips directly outside middle February but keep weed-free as take a long time to germinate (6-8 weeks); can be sown into a tray and transplanted before the taproot hits the bottom of the seed tray.

Potatoes traditionally the planting day was Good Friday; not necessary to chit before planting but for best range of choice buy early and chit; for good size potatoes leave 2 or 3 chits, for smaller size potatoes leave 6 chits; as a general rule the fewer chits the larger the potatoes.

Don’t plant tender plants out until beginning of June.

VEGGIE TALK – NOVEMBER 2022

Advice re drought resistant plants.

Suggestions include checking seed catalogues for plants that are highlighted as drought resistant; planting onions and garlic; keeping plot weeded so weeds not taking the moisture in the soil.

VEGGIE TALK – SEPTEMBER 2022

Do not cut off brussell tops  before you have used your sprouts, or the sprouts will not grow.

VEGGIE TALK – JUNE 2022

Spray for blight at the end of June, before it arrives. Could try Full Fat Milk and Water, or Copper Fungicide Spray available from Smiths and Chadwell Allotment Shop, which is now only open on a Sunday 9.30 – Noon.

Onions growing twisted = Thrip, pull them up and destroy them.

VEGGIE TALK – MAY 2022

There is still a risk of frost, so cover tender plants when it is forecast.

VEGGIE TALK – APRIL 2022

SLUG PELLETS HAVE BEEN LEGALLY BANNED FROM NOW. You can still use organic pellets or beer traps.  Fobbing Garden centre recommended by a member.

Plant: seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots, radish.

Lime on ground helps to prevent clubroot on brassicas. Feed your soil to get more out of it e. g. Fish Blood and Bone, Manure, Compost, Bonemeal.

VEGGIE TALK – MARCH 2022

 Plots should by now have been prepared ready for planting. Plant shallots outside, also radish and spring onions under cloches. Greenhouse: leeks, sprouts, celeriac, brassicas ready for planting out when the soil warms up.

VEGGIE TALK – FEBRUARY 2022

Time to plant broad beans, shallots. Overwintering onions do not store very well. If onions start to bolt, cut top off immediately, you will get a green core in onion, but still edible.

VEGGIE TALK – JANUARY 2022

Rick Stein TV programme mentioned 1 part full cream milk 7 parts water for spraying against blight.

VEGGIE TALK NOVEMBER 2021

Broad Beans and garlic can be planted now, also while it is mild spring cabbage and cauli. If you see clusters of white eggs especially when uncovering ground after winter, destroy them as they will be snails’ eggs.