U3A Allotment
SPRING 2014
After the wettest Winter on record when the plot resembled paddy fields & we thought we should resort to growing rice, the sun eventually came out & planting has begun in earnest. Beetroot, carrots, radish, spinach & flower seeds have been sown and potatoes, onions, broad beans & garlic are now in the ground. Sweetcorn & lettuce are being brought on in the greenhouse. The first of the rhubarb is being enjoyed & the apple tree is out in blossom. New raspberry canes have been planted & the large strawberry bed already has flowers on the plants therein.
The gale force winds over the Winter caused havoc with the little greenhouse, which ended up on its side & the men have worked on replacing the broken panels. The 'Ladies' shed has also been painted & broken panels replaced but it is still in a very delicate state, due to age & the elements.
There is talk of another hot Summer, so we are still seeking another member to help with the watering, grass cutting & all the other hard but enjoyable work & benefits having an allotment entails.
DIANE APRIL 2014
Summer 2013
After a cold Spring which made everything late this year, with hard work, we have been rewarded with a bountiful harvest so far. We have been enjoying broad beans, early carrots and potatoes, lettuce, radish, peas, spinach, red & brown onions, turnips, rhubarb and delicious strawberries. The gooseberry bushes have been laden this year, which maybe the result of pruning early in the year. The plum tree underwent hard pruning in the winter and we wait to see if this improves the crop or not. The apple tree is laden with fruit at the present time but the raspberries are not looking good this year, so it may be time to invest in new canes. Beetroot, marrow and squash, runner beans and french beans are just ready now and parsnips, leeks , cabbage, brussel sprouts and swede are coming along too and will be ready later. The sweet corn is looking good & we will soon have tomatoes to enjoy.
The dahlias did not survive the winter but new ones have been planted and the flower garden has been filled with lupins, sweet peas, cosmos and giant sunflowers.
Unlike the last few years, we have had some hot, dry weather of late but this increases the need for watering regularly and we are still needing a couple more helping hands if anyone fancies joining our group.
Diane 5/8/13
SPRING (?) 2013
Although the date shows it should be Spring, it is certainly late arriving this year!
Last year was a very difficult one for gardeners & this one looks as if it could be similar.
We have had low temperatures & bitterly cold winds for some time now, so seed planting has had to be delayed.
John & Henry have been able to get onions, shallots, garlic, broad beans & peas in the ground and early potatoes are now planted.
Diane has been sowing flower seeds which will have to stay in the greenhouse for some time yet.
The plum tree has been pruned hard, so we wait to see if this improves the crop or not.
Before the Winter, strawberry plants were planted in between black plastic, which will avoid the need for weeding.
Hopefully, if the temperature improves, seed planting will begin in earnest, grass will need cutting &awatering will be needed, unless we get the wet Spring & Summer we had last year!
We could do with a couple more hands to help out, so if any members would like to join us, please speak to Henry Needham.
Diane 8th April 2013
Last year was a very difficult one for gardeners & this one looks as if it could be similar.
We have had low temperatures & bitterly cold winds for some time now, so seed planting has had to be delayed.
John & Henry have been able to get onions, shallots, garlic, broad beans & peas in the ground and early potatoes are now planted.
Diane has been sowing flower seeds which will have to stay in the greenhouse for some time yet.
The plum tree has been pruned hard, so we wait to see if this improves the crop or not.
Before the Winter, strawberry plants were planted in between black plastic, which will avoid the need for weeding.
Hopefully, if the temperature improves, seed planting will begin in earnest, grass will need cutting &awatering will be needed, unless we get the wet Spring & Summer we had last year!
We could do with a couple more hands to help out, so if any members would like to join us, please speak to Henry Needham.
Diane 8th April 2013
October 2011 update
Despite some very dry weather in the Spring, the produce from the allotment has been quite plentiful with a range of vegetables and soft fruit. The last of the sweetcorn, leeks, parsnips, chard, tomatoes, beans & carrots are being pulled, the plots are being dug over & manured and spring cabbage, onions, shallots, broad beans & garlic will now be planted. We have a small greenhouse now which has proved very useful. Thanks to sales of produce at the U3A monthly meetings, our financial situation is healthy.
The plots are fairly easy to work on but during the growing season, the weeds have to be kept in check & the grass regularly cut. We would welcome a couple more members to join our group if they are active and can regularly take time to maintain the plots with the rest of us. We are now starting to prepare for the next growing season, so now is a good time to join us. For more info. contact Diane, Henry, John or Audrey at the U3A monthly meeting.
Diane 21/10/11
The plots are fairly easy to work on but during the growing season, the weeds have to be kept in check & the grass regularly cut. We would welcome a couple more members to join our group if they are active and can regularly take time to maintain the plots with the rest of us. We are now starting to prepare for the next growing season, so now is a good time to join us. For more info. contact Diane, Henry, John or Audrey at the U3A monthly meeting.
Diane 21/10/11
February 2011 update.
There are signs on the allotment that this long cold winter is coming to an end. The broad beans, garlic, shallots & onions that were planted before Christmas are showing through and doing well and there is new growth on the rhubarb, which has been treated to a good layer of manure. The last of the leeks & parsnips are being pulled up and early potatoes are being set out at home for chitting. Strong plastic has been renewed on the lid of the cold frame & used to repair a window in the shed that was smashed by vandals.
We are all looking forward to better weather and the busy season ahead.
June 2010
Allotment Update
Mike, Diane & John have been busy digging planting and sowing
seeds. Broad Beans which over-wintered were hit by the snow but have now recovered and there are also 2 rows of spring sown beans. Carrots, parsnips, spinach, radish and beetroot seeds have all been sown.
Bridget has planted a variety of flowers on the flower plot including sweet peas. Runner Bean wigwams have been put up ready for those plants that Mike has brought on. Potatoes are up and have been touched by the frost but are recovering. The man in the next plot had put out his runner beans which were cut down by the frost. Onion sets, shallots, and garlic are also doing well. The blackberry and raspberries have grown well and will soon be in flower.
Mike, Diane & John have been busy digging planting and sowing
seeds. Broad Beans which over-wintered were hit by the snow but have now recovered and there are also 2 rows of spring sown beans. Carrots, parsnips, spinach, radish and beetroot seeds have all been sown.
Bridget has planted a variety of flowers on the flower plot including sweet peas. Runner Bean wigwams have been put up ready for those plants that Mike has brought on. Potatoes are up and have been touched by the frost but are recovering. The man in the next plot had put out his runner beans which were cut down by the frost. Onion sets, shallots, and garlic are also doing well. The blackberry and raspberries have grown well and will soon be in flower.
Autumn 2009
The active time on the allotment is coming to an end. Broad beans and leeks are already planted. Onions and garlic will follow shortly. We are still harvesting carrots, beetroot and the parsnips are now ready to enjoy. The cold frame and frame for the cabbages proved to be a success with the result we have had a good supply of cucumbers, kale, cabbages etc. Brussel sprouts and purple sprouting will be ready soon. We were proud to be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for our carrots, sweet peas and raspberries in the Totton Gardeners’ Society Show this summer and Mike and John had fun growing pumpkins this year. The one featured in the photo at Trinity Church Harvest Festival weighed in at 8Olb.