The Allotted Month - September 2007

The summer crops are now almost finished and the plot is well into its winter production.
It has been a bit of a mixed year, some crops doing very well but others rather poorly.
However the winter crops are all showing good promise. There has been more time for t
he routine of hoeing and weeding and I am now relaxed about the few weeds that are
still germinating. Systematic weed control has definitely reduced the weed population
and even the air borne weeds (Fireweed, dandelion etc.) seem to be on the decline.

The sweet corn (Early Extra Sweet) in the greenhouse in section A was producing good
cobs but the site has had an infestation of rats and they have completely stripped
all the remaining cobs. So far they have not attacked any other crops. Apart from
the rows of Crimson Clover sown after the onions were harvested, this section
is now bare and weed control is easier.

Last month the courgettes (Defender) in section B were struggling and now,
after a few more fruits, the plants are on the compost heap.
The celery (Green Utah) was also a bit thin but it has now bulked up
and is being regularly harvested. Lifting the leeks (Musselburgh) has
not yet started, the plants are now a good size. The same can be
said about the parsnips (Countess).

At last the Kilaxy cabbage in section C is hearting up so they will
be harvested when the Minicole is finished. It remains to be seen if
the Kilaxy stands for as long as the Minicole. As I said last month,
I will not be growing them again. As expected, the calabrese (Chevalier)
made a late spurt but the plants sown on 23 March are all but finished,
perhaps a bit early because of the attack by slugs and snails.
The White Rock cauliflower has taken over from the Candid Charm.
Its quite surprising how quickly the heads develop from a small button
to football size. They then need to be cut before starting to spoil.
September weather has also favoured the swedes (Marian) and they
are now happily hearting up. A routine for this plot is the removal
of all yellowing leaves. They make good compost. This is mainly
in the interest of plot hygiene and also to deny food and shelter for slugs and snails.

Section D is fully planted up with Crimson Clover. It will grow, a bit slowly, all winter.

For the next few months routine harvesting will continue plus some time doing repairs
to the greenhouse replacing broken glass etc.

B. A. Plotter.