A month by month guide on how to keep your plot
January
January is a bitterly cold month and it is a likely month for snow and gales so therefore on the allotment it is quiet around this time of year. However the frosts at night have are useful because they will kill the bugs, brake up the ground. However it is a good idea to carry out some maintenance tasks on finer days. There isn't much to do at the moment so yourself prepare for the growing season so the main best jobs to carry out are:
ü Check that any sheeting is still held down
ü Mend or replace any tools.
ü Order Seeds.
ü Have a bonfire if permitted to clear any debris on the plot e.g. autumn prunings etc.
What to sow
It is possible to sow some onion seeds but from past experience there hasn't been enough light in the day and as a result I was unsuccessful.
February In February it can be even colder than January with hard frost and possible snow although there aren't as many gales now also the days are getting longer now and the is more light and sunshine during the day It is still not time to get too enthusiastic about sowing anything yet. Carry out some more maintenance tasks before the busy season ahead the main best jobs to carry out are: ü Clean your greenhouse ü Clean / wash you pots and seed trays to avoid and infections. What to sow Sow a few onion seed for an early crop also some shallots. Some broad beans and some lettuce can be sown towards the end of February. Anything that is to be sown outside it is a good idea to cover with a cloche or pop bottles with the top removed and the bottom cut off. This will protect plants from the weather. Chit your First early potatoes in an egg box or a seed tray in a cool
March
March is the start of spring with bright days with showers and frosts. The weather is very important now so keep an eye on the forecasts (not that it's always correctL). You have to get up and do something this month although the ground can still be cold and wet so as a result it may be better to wait until next month to complete some jobs.The main best jobs to carry out are:
ü Mulch beds with organic matter.
ü Cover beds that aren't ready to be planted yet with black polythene.
ü Open greenhouse doors and windows on warm days.
ü Sow green Manures on beds that won't be used for a while.
ü Finish winter pruning.
ü Divide chives.
What to sow
In early march sow some parsnips *TIP* < Lay some kitchen roll in a seed tray and make sure it is damp and then place the seeds on top of the damp kitchen roll and then place in your airing cupboard, then check on them everyday and when they start to germinate plant them by doing it this way you are less likely to lose the seeds and have a "gap less" row. Sow some Lettuce protect with fleece or a cloche. Sow some beetroot under cloches and towards the end of March some peas, Onion sets, Early potatoes, Leeks, Cabbage, Garlic, Spinach, Cabbage, Shallots if any shoots appear cover with a fleece or a cloche to protect from the frosts. Inside the greenhouse sow some Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to get them off to a flying start.
April
In April there is a mixture of sunshine and April showers that make everything grow and the weeds. Don't waste the bank holidays take advantage of the spring weather to get some work done. This month is a busy month as it is time to sow and plant. There are still frosty nights in April so protect any shoots. The main best jobs to do are:
ü Water plants if the weather is dry.
ü Keep weeds down.
ü Protect fruit with netting.
ü Protect plants from the frost.
What to sow?
This month is a main month sow vegetables sow some Garlic, First early potatoes, Second early potatoes if the weather and soil condition allows you to. Sow carrots, beetroot, parsnips, cabbage, Broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, kale. Toward the end of April sow the been family in the greenhouse i.e. Runner beans, broad beans, French been, and so on. Also sow some sweet corn the same way and sow some radishes, peppers, celery and lettuce.
May
In May the summer is well on its way however there is still a chance of the odd frost creeping in, so therefore keep some fleece at hand to cover and tender shoots and for more tender crops delay planting until the end of May. Now everything will be growing fast however there is still more seed sowings to be done. If you didn?t get the chance to sow some seeds you can often find ?starter packs? in garden centers now. The main best jobs are:
ü Keep potting on young seedlings.
ü Thin out any seedlings.
ü Hoe and weeds while SMALL.
ü *Water young plants if weather is dry*.
What to sow?
This is the time to now sow Swedes, Carrots, Beetroot, Parsnips and Turnips. You can still plant vegetables such as Winter Cabbage, Winter Cauliflowers, Spinach,and Peas.
You can just about sow some Shallots, Leeks, Broccoli, Onion sets, French Beans and Runner Beans. Also finsh sowing your Peppers, Radishes etc.
Click here to see part 2 of calender
Last update 21st August 2006