February Jobs on the Allotment
As weather so far is reasonable many jobs outside on the allotment are possible.
I have sown some tomatoes early this year in a heated propagator along with a packet of free sweet pea seeds from a gardening magazine. Give the propagator a check to make sure wiring and base are in good condition. Good tip, label the pots with name of plant, as my favourite rant is ‘’what on earth are these?’’
Make mini growing pods from plastic pots with clear pots on top, put in a warm place and near to daylight. Lettuce, spinach and rocket are worth a try as these grow fairly quickly.
Many years ago heard on the radio the best tip for starting the growth of broad beans, runner beans, French beans and all the Pea varieties, put compost into a clear plastic bag, throw in some seeds, water, tie up the bag, label or write on bag the variety and then leave on a window sill and watch these grow. These can be kept in the bag till 2 or 3 inches high and then transplanted or put straight into your plot if the soil is warm enough. You choose the size of bag to suit how many plants you require.
This year I may make a cold frame to provide a sheltered and warm protection for plants grown from seed or cuttings before planting into the growing beds.
Potatoes
Have you got your seed potatoes chitting? For lots of plot holders growing potatoes is one of the most rewarding. There’s a Seed Potato day at Marple & District Allotment Association on 9th February. Should be plenty of advice available about blight resistant varieties and flavour.
www.marple-uk.com/allotments
Bird nesting season is nearly here
Male birds are starting to mark out their territories ready for mating and the nesting season. Natural food supplies may be in short supply, especially when deep frosts persist.
Birds such as sparrows, blue tits, chaffinches and greenfinches will be happy to use hanging feeders. For ground feeders, such as blackbirds, thrushes and starlings, you could scatter food under the bird table. If the ground is covered in snow, clear a patch to allow them to hunt for insects.
As we are legally required to not disturb any bird nests this would be the ideal time to check your hedges and blackberry bushes are trimmed now and kept in good order before the nesting season begins in March.
All the best, Kath.
Thank you to RSPB.ORG and National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd for information.
As weather so far is reasonable many jobs outside on the allotment are possible.
- Make compost area or bring in compost bins
- Prune autumn fruiting raspberries
- Plan your growing beds
- Cover some growing beds with cloches or sheets of plastic later in the month to warm soil for sowing and planting
- February is a good month to plant out garlic and shallots, if the birds pull out put back gently
- Give your fruit trees and soft fruit bushes a dressing of fertiliser
- Check fruit trees and bushes for damage or disease and trim or remove
I have sown some tomatoes early this year in a heated propagator along with a packet of free sweet pea seeds from a gardening magazine. Give the propagator a check to make sure wiring and base are in good condition. Good tip, label the pots with name of plant, as my favourite rant is ‘’what on earth are these?’’
Make mini growing pods from plastic pots with clear pots on top, put in a warm place and near to daylight. Lettuce, spinach and rocket are worth a try as these grow fairly quickly.
Many years ago heard on the radio the best tip for starting the growth of broad beans, runner beans, French beans and all the Pea varieties, put compost into a clear plastic bag, throw in some seeds, water, tie up the bag, label or write on bag the variety and then leave on a window sill and watch these grow. These can be kept in the bag till 2 or 3 inches high and then transplanted or put straight into your plot if the soil is warm enough. You choose the size of bag to suit how many plants you require.
This year I may make a cold frame to provide a sheltered and warm protection for plants grown from seed or cuttings before planting into the growing beds.
Potatoes
Have you got your seed potatoes chitting? For lots of plot holders growing potatoes is one of the most rewarding. There’s a Seed Potato day at Marple & District Allotment Association on 9th February. Should be plenty of advice available about blight resistant varieties and flavour.
www.marple-uk.com/allotments
Bird nesting season is nearly here
Male birds are starting to mark out their territories ready for mating and the nesting season. Natural food supplies may be in short supply, especially when deep frosts persist.
Birds such as sparrows, blue tits, chaffinches and greenfinches will be happy to use hanging feeders. For ground feeders, such as blackbirds, thrushes and starlings, you could scatter food under the bird table. If the ground is covered in snow, clear a patch to allow them to hunt for insects.
As we are legally required to not disturb any bird nests this would be the ideal time to check your hedges and blackberry bushes are trimmed now and kept in good order before the nesting season begins in March.
All the best, Kath.
Thank you to RSPB.ORG and National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd for information.
