OOD DecJan22.qxp_Issue 74 17/11/2021 12:15 Page 26
Our cabbages love this weird weather
ALLOTMENT UPDATE
by Geoff Hamilton, Macmillan Cancer Support allotment volunteer
THE PLOT This autumn, we had a very pleasant surprise when our apple crop was picked. What we thought to be a crab apple tree produced the most tasty and juicy dessert apples. It had never fruited in previous years, but we now have a firm favourite and will be giving the tree a much needed winter pruning. Unfortunately, we can’t be too excited about our huge fig crop - the figlets have arrived too late in the season to mature and we will probably need to remove all of them as they are too small to use and can’t possibly mature. Climate change has certainly upset that workhorse. However, our sprouts and cabbage plants are loving the weird weather and bubble and squeak with sausages and our own onion gravy is a great winter favourite! The polytunnel has given a great result with our Harlequin peppers - very colourful and delicious on salads, not in the least bit fiery definitely a crop for the future. Our winter onions are settling in trays for planting in the raised beds, probably ready for cropping in spring. Our outdoor experiment with the same onions planted in an outdoor raised bed will tell us whether to grow indoors or outdoors in future.
SALFORD ALLOTMENTS UPDATE Salford Allotment Federation held their first postCovid, liaison group meeting with the City Council in October. It was good to be able to have a face to face gathering, even though our Zoom chats had been useful and maintained some momentum. Many matters needed following up after the Covid delays and several sites have now progressed: Beechfield,Swinton: Bellway have now released the monies for improvements to the area. The Council is planning for works to proceed as soon as possible. 26 ON OUR DOORSTEP
The release of some allotment area and reallocation of new lands is under discussion and the Council must approve the package before contractors can move onto the site. Blackleach, Walkden: All of the old piggeries have been demolished and the site has been cleared. A new management committee has been appointed and a self-management agreement has been made with the Council. The committee is now looking to find a funder to help in the remodelling of the allotment plots. Poorlots, Cadishead: Prices have been submitted for the work planned but this scheme will need major funding and discussions with the National Lottery are in progress. Ordsall: Now has a new management committee and has completed a self-management agreement with the Council. All at the SAF wish the new team every success in their new enterprise. New sites: Some potential new allotment sites have been identified and the Council are in discussion with the Councillors to consider which should be given priority. Hopefully, there will be more plots becoming available in 2022.
JOBS FOR THE WINTER.. Protect tender plants outside from frost and windchill. Fleece, or a sheltered corner, is all you need to keep them from freezing but if you can take them inside, even into a cold greenhouse they will only need a gentle, occasional watering until spring. Check your plant pots for hidden slugs and snails. These pests will sleep anywhere they can, ready to ruin your plants as soon as it is warm enough for them to move. Keep an eye on the weeds, they only stop growing if temperatures are very low and will spurt and seed as soon as they are able. Shield beetles are getting more prolific. Remove immediately as they will eat young tender shoots and ruin plants very quickly. Order your onion sets, seed potatoes and early crop seeds now and ensure your compost, plant pots and tools are ready for action as soon as it is warm enough to start working your crops. WWW.ONOURDOORSTEP.CO.UK
