My planned activities for this month - December
| Activity | Comment |
|---|---|
| Make large compost bin | 07-12-16: Completed large compost bin |
| Clean up Brassicas | 05-12-16: cleared Bed 4 feed and composted. |
| Clean paths and bed edges | |
| Repair bed 5 and add extra timber | |
| Burn all old timber and perpetual weeds | |
| Compost and cover all unused beds | 05-12-16: Bed 4 and 5 feed and composted |
| Start preparing larger wicking pots for tomatoes (15) | |
Allotment Blog December 2016
24th December
Had a quick visit to the allotment today mainly to harvest some vegetables, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, and Cabbage ready for our Christmas Day Dinner. Whilst I was at the allotment I recorded a video for my monthly allotment tour for December. This will be edited and produced ready to upload over the holiday period. The image shows my Christmas Dinner Harvest, ( my Parsnips are at home in the Freezer).
20th December
Had a quick visit to the allotment yesterday just to take my home compostables to the allotment for composting. While I was there I noticed that some of my glass in the newer Greenhouse had shifted, So I spent some time repairing the greenhouse. Today I returned to the allotment with the intention of clearing and tidying my paths between the beds after abour 30 minutes I decided to leave it for another day and returned home for a nice cup of coffee. The image shows my garlic has started to grow
14th December
A very sunny and warm morning at the allotment today. I started the morning by weeding around Bed 10A where I am growing carrots in large bags. I then harvested some Carrots and Cabbage for our lunch today. Next I made a sliding gate for the new compost bin using some old timber, as illustrated by the image. Finaly I covered Bed 7B which contains some unwanted Comfrey, this will be left covered for the 2017 growing season. I then called it a day and went home for lunch.
12th December
Another visit to the allotment this morning, and spent all of my time working with composting tasks. I started by moving my plastic compost bins to their new home next to the new large compost bin. Next I removed the uncomposted materials to the new large compost bin, this left a large amount of composted items which will be stored here until required in spring 2017. The first image shows the composted materials, before they were watered and covered with a membrane. The second image shows my empty compost bins in their new home.
9th December
I visited the allotment this morning and spent most of my time working with composting items. I started by chopping up some compostables and adding layers of soaked cardboard and paper between the green items. I emptied one plastic compost bin that I had borrowed and added the part composted items to the new compost bin. I was then able to return the borrowed compost bin to my neighbour. Finally I cut down my Asparagus ferns and added them to the new compost bin. I decided to call it a day and went home for lunch. The image shows the new compost bin.
8th December
Another great morning at the allotment it was a little dull with a little wind. I spent most of my time clearing and weeding beds 10, 11,12b all cleared items were added to the new compost bin. I will feed and compost these beds on my next visit, and hopefully get them covered for the winter. The image shows the three beds that have been cleared. Finally I soaked 6 buckets of paper and cardboard ready to add to the compost bin on my next visit.
7th December
A great morning at the allotment it was bright with a little wind. I spent my time building a new compost bin using a pair of old garage doors and some old timber. The compost bin is shown in the image. The reason I have built this new bin is to try and get more free compost instead of having to purchase general purpose compost every year. I will still be using my six plastic bins that at the moment are completely full.
5th December
Another trip to the allotment this morning it was nice and sunny with a slight chill in the air. I started by clearing all Brassicas that were past their best from Bed 4, leaving my Purple Sprouting Broccoli to continue growing until ready for harvesting in March 2017. I then feed the bed with dried Manure and covered with compost. I also completed this process on Bed 5, were I had grown Beets, Spinach, and Parsnips. I finally cleared two of my old potato bags that were used to grow carrots. It was this compost that was added to the beds I have just composted.
3rd December
A trip to the allotment this morning it was overcast with a chill in the air. I spent my time this morning clearing the last strawberry bed of any unwanted Strawberry runners. I will feed and compost the plants on my next visit. Finally I picked some carrots for our Sunday lunch. The image shows the completed Strawberry Bed.
December
What needs doing this month
Fruit
- Spray all fruit trees and bushes with tar-oil winter wash when dormant.
- Continue planting in suitable conditions.
- Continue pruning
- Apply nitrogenous fertilizer to trees grown in grass
- Cut back newly planted trees and bushes
Vegetables
- Lift Celery as it is required.
- Continue to check Cabbages and Sprouts for any loosening in winds.
- Lift any root crops and store in boxes of moist sand. This is especially important if your ground is wet and heavy or you have serious problems with slugs.
- Sit down and plan out next year's crop rotation and what seeds and plants you will need.
- Check that cloches are firmly secured to prevent them blowing away in the wind.
- Brussels Sprouts and winter Broccoli should now be ready for picking.
- Consider where you are going to place your Runner beans next year and dig out a trench.
- Ridge the soil up on either side and leave it open to the beneficial effects of the winter.
- Leeks should now be ready to start lifting.
Herbs
- Protect bay, rosemary and marjoram from severe winter weather
Greenhouse
- Water and ventilate cautiously
- Insulate the greenhouse
- Light levels are critical, so consider using artificial light
- Harvest plump white chicons from forced chicory
- Continue to sow a succession of lettuce for continuity of supply
- Carry out complete winter pruning of grape vines
- Top dress peaches and nectarines
- Ventilate freely
General
- service mechanical machinery ready for spring
- check the seed catalogues and order any seeds onion sets and plants required
- check sundries like stakes, bean poles, canes, netting, fertilisers etc.
- tidy up the shed while its still quite quiet.