Growing in Capel St. Mary
We publish a monthly newsletter containing both garden and allotment news and advice as part of our service to the community, along with advertising events that are being organised and other notifications and warnings as deemed necessary.
NSALG seed catalogues and our own potato seed order forms are available now. If you regularly buy vegetable and flower seeds from us you will know that these schemes can bring you huge savings on normal retail prices. POTATO ORDERS NEED TO BE PLACED BY 25 OCTOBER.Seed orders can also be placed on line. Seed orders received by 13 NOVEMBER will also help your allotments association by generating a small amount of additional commission. For more details please contact Phil Hickley.
If going on holiday arrange for a friend to water plants in containers, frames, greenhouse, outdoor tomatoes, marrows, courgettes, all types of beans and cucumbers. Encourage them to pick ALL sweet peas, courgettes, french and runner beans as these will stop producing if left on the plant. Stock up with ‘Restaurant Quality’ lump wood charcoal for those impromptu barbecues.
Hoe weekly to stop weed seeds germinating. Cut down and spray uncultivated areas. Scatter slug pellets responsibly. Water plants. Top-dress containers. Feed weekly. If going on holiday arrange for a friend to water plants. Tell them to pick ALL sweet peas, courgettes, french and runner beans as these will stop producing if left on the plant. Stock up with charcoal for those impromptu barbecues.
SELECTION OF VEG AND FLOWER PLANTS PLUS BUNCHES OF FLOWERS AT THE HUT AS AND WHEN AVAILABLE
Clear weeds with suitable selective weed killer. Rotovate cleared areas (Cultivator available on site for hire - simply contact the site manager for more information). Rake in 4oz sq. yd. Growmore prior to sowing or planting. Kill weeds on paths, patios and drives. Set up the barbecue. Protect fruit and plants from bird attacks with bird netting. Check the water softener and top up with salt. Water plants thoroughly with an open ended watering can, do not waste time and water by indiscriminate spraying by using a rose once seedlings have emerged. Seed potatoes will not need watering until June at the earliest.
Rotovate cleared areas. Hoe beds and borders then mulch with peat or chipped bark. Control weeds on paths, patios and drives. Scatter slug pellets making sure to use them selectively so they are out of reach from wildlife. Protect your hands with a range of gloves. Water plants thoroughly with an open ended watering can; do not waste time and water by indiscriminate spraying by using a rose once seedlings have emerged. Seed potatoes will not need watering until June at the earliest.
A wide selection of seed potatoes (1st and 2nd earlies + maincrop and salad) are available from the Hut
THE VEG PLOT: - Continue with your winter digging incorporating well-rotted manure or composted garden waste. Apply bone-meal at 4oz sq. yd. Sow peas and broad beans. Plant rhubarb, cover with strawy-manure. Feed with sulphate of ammonia and cover crowns with boxes or buckets to encourage early growth. When it is too cold, wet or dark to go outside map out where you are intending to grow your vegetables this year trying to rotate the crops whenever possible to reduce the risk of disease. Check sowing dates on packets of seed and band together in months for easy reference. Harvest broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, swede, carrots, celery, leeks and parsnips. Empty compost bins.
VEG PLOT: - Continue winter digging. Mushroom Compost is available at £35 a ‘Bucket’ load delivered to the Pound Lane site; call 01473 310380 to order from Capel Mushrooms. Sow or plant lettuce under cloches. Check brassicas for white fly and spray as necessary. Harvest sprouts and winter cabbage. Leeks and parsnips can be left in the ground until needed.
