The Allotted Month - August 2007

Climate is the weather that we are meant to receive while weather is the weather
that we actually receive and this year the weather certainly has been different.
A mild winter with almost no frost or snow followed by a dry spring and then
lots of rain with finally the recent dry spell. All of this affects cropping
and results this year have been varied.

The germination of carrots in Section A failed and their space is now filled
with Crimson Clover. Alderman peas disappointed with only one pod per spur.
The pods were big and fat but the peas didn't fill the pods.
This tall growing variety soon reached the tops of the canes and
were then left to scramble but wind damage resulted. I won't grow them again.
On the other hand the Hurst Green Shaft did well, two pods per spur filled with
up to twelve good peas. I'll grow two rows of them next year and also replace
the rather mediocre Kelvedon Wonder with something else.
Pea harvesting is now over and the plants put on the compost heap.
At the first signs of the old trouble, deformed growing points,
the affected plants were sprayed with a soap based organic insecticide
and this has made a difference. I've had some of the biggest Setton onions
ever and no white rot despite the wet weather. To overcome white rot needs
an eight year rotation. This is achieved by growing the onions at alternate
ends of the section each time. With a basic four year rotation this gives an
eight year gap between onions.

The 'catch crop' of first early potatoes in Section B was outstanding.
They were lifted before blight struck. Their space has now been filled
with Musselburgh leeks and Crimson Clover between rows. Beetroot germination
was patchy. The Chevalier courgettes started well but the plants didn't grow
as big as normal and the crop has been low. The Green Utah celery is now being
lifted and should last for another ten weeks. And lastly, the Countess
parsnips show promise of large roots that will give us some fresh veg during the winter.

Brassica growth in Section C has been mixed. Mini Cole summer cabbages are
smaller than usual. The club root resistant Kilaxy are only now starting
to heart up so I won't grow them again. I don't need club root resistance,
heavy applications of ground limestone has eliminated this pest.
The Chevalier calabrese started well but the slugs and snails have taken their toll.
Some spears are still being produced, they often get a spurt of growth in the late summer.
Best performance has come from the Maximus sprouts with the promise of a good crop.
Candid Charm cauliflower is now finished with a good crop but the later White Rock
is still some way from hearting up. The Marian swedes are poor. Last year they were very good.

The biggest disappointment is with the potatoes in Section D.
In July blight appeared, the shaws were cut off. This didn't give the tubers
time to mature so the crop has been small. Kestrel did best with Picasso doing reasonably well.
The crop has been lifted and I've never discarded as many tubers.
The section has been sown with Crimson Clover.

Next month it's back to routine harvesting and weeding.
Groundsel has been a particular problem this year. That has happened before.