Linlithgow and District Allotment Society

 

 

Covid-19 and the allotment

With permission from West Lothian Council, Oakwell allotment has been allowed to remain open for members to get their daily exercise.  We have strict rules about social distancing but working on your own plot ensures that plot holders stay apart.  We have taken other steps and given instructions to ensure that the risk of cross-infection is minimised.  It is most likely that our Harvest Celebrations later this year will be cancelled.

Things to do on your vegetable plot in June and beyond.

Frosts are very unlikely this month. After the rush to get crops sown and planted in April and May, things slow down a little from now on although it is important to keep on top of the weeding through the summer months.

In week 1 plant out Courgettes, Pumpkins, Squashes and outdoor Cucumbers into planting pockets filled with well-rotted manure or compost mixed with soil. They benefit from protection with fleece or cloches at this time of year as it can be cold and/or windy.  It is a good idea to sink a plastic pot in the soil a few inches from these crops and water into it rather than directly onto the plant so that the moisture reaches the roots.
Plant out Dwarf French Beans and Runner Beans sown indoors in week 1.
In the first week of June plant out Sweetcorn in blocks at least four plants wide after hardening off.
It has been said that to avoid the dreaded Carrot fly, you should sow Carrots after the 9th June.  I am not sure if this really makes any difference; the theory is that you miss the two hatches of carrot fly if you sow then.  I would recommend sowing the seed thinly, covering the carrot bed with fleece or veggie mesh, thinning as little as possible and only on a windy evening as the pests cannot fly to lay their eggs in strong winds.
Transplant Leeks sown outside to their final positions in weeks 1 and 2.
Feed Potatoes with high potash fertiliser from the end of the month until the middle of August.  Organic Tomato fertiliser is good for this.
Plant out Winter Cauliflower and Kale towards the end of the month.
Feed all Summer Cauliflowers weekly to get good-sized curds.
Continue sowing Radish, Spring Onions and Lettuces.
Blackcurrants benefit from a liquid feed of a fertiliser high in potash as fruits begin to swell; an organic tomato fertiliser would be ideal.
If you are interested in having a plot at Oakwell Allotments, please contact us on our website on https://linlithgowallotments.org.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list.

Paul Taylor

Chair, Linlithgow and District Allotment Society