Eccleston Old Lane Allotment Group

So this isnt a political post but just in case there are problems in April we might need to mobilise the troops to start wholesale production!!

Well we do our bit!!

Not Allotment related but 5 free hellebores available on Gardeners world

It may be cold and it may be windy but here are some jobs you can be getting on with in December, according to gardeners world. Jobs on the allotment in December
Daylight hours are short this month, and the shortest day is on 21 December. But if the weather allows, a few hours spent on the allotment at this time of year will not only warm you up and reward you with some tasty crops – you’ll reap the benefits next year, too. There are plenty of crops to harvest in December, so...me of which could be destined for festive plates. It’s also a brilliant time to plant bare-root fruit. If it’s too cold to go outside, you could also stay in and plan your plot for next year. A few hours spent on the allotment at this time of year will not only warm you up and reward you with some tasty crops - you'll reap the benefits next year, too. Harvest veg You can harvest lots of veg for Christmas plates, including parsnips, leeks and winter cabbages, all of which can be left in the ground until you need them. It’s difficult to harvest crops from frozen soil, so if temperatures plummet, cover the soil with straw. Harvest Brussels sprouts when they are around one inch in diameter, before they ‘blow open’. Pick them from the base of the plant up, twisting them away from the plant. If you have grown potatoes for Christmas, they should be ready now. December is a good month to winter prune apple and pear trees to control their shape and size, and to increase their productivity. You can also prune blackcurrants, gooseberries, redcurrants and whitecurrants this month. Keep kale, winter cabbages and other brassicas covered with netting to protect them from hungry pigeons. Remove any yellowed leaves, so that fungal diseases such as grey mould and downy mildew don’t take hold. December is a great time to plant bare-root canes, bushes and trees – you can find them at the garden centre, but for the best selection, buy online. Discover how to plant a bare-root fruit tree. If it’s cold and dark outside, why not stay in and plan next year’s veg plot? Consider what went well this year – and what didn’t – and think about rotating your crops. Watch Monty’s video guide to crop rotation. You can also order next year’s seeds. It’s not too late to lift and divide large clumps of rhubarb, replanting the outer sections into soil enriched with well-rotted manure. Alternatively, select a large clump to force for an early crop next spring. If you fancy an indoor job, why not spend a bit of time in your shed, cleaning, oiling and sharpening your tools? You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
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More information to follow but we will be holding a committee meeting at the start of the new season in March, we welcome suggestion for a venue but it will probably end up as a pub if we can’t find somewhere free to go, I encourage all potholders to attend please

I was speaking to Steve yesterday and he said he had seen a Weasley or stoat at the allotments. I have looked into it and I think it was a least Weasel, they shouldn’t attack large chickens as they mainly eat Rats and Mice but the smaller varieties might be in danger. As with all wildlife in the allotments we need to encourage and be respectful as these guys will control rodents and Rabbits but making sensible precautions for the chickens would be wise, here is more info: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_wea sel

If anyone is looking for a co worker could you please let me know as a friend of mine is 56 on the list!!

At last nights event the 2019 Year of Environment Liverpool City Region ("Cleaner, Greener, Well Together") program was brought up as the council have asked if the allotment sites across the borough would like to be involved in. There are to be four events held in parks across the borough. Willow Park in May. Taylor Park in June. Victoria Park and Mesnes Park in August. I will update you more when i have the information

This was the winning Pumpkin in the 2018 St Helens allotments pumpkin competition, next year they are looking for more entries and are hoping for even bigger than this 25 stone 8 and a half pound one. Just so you know it took six men and some heavy duty equipment to lift this!!!

I attended the St Helens Allotment Holders federation meeting yesterday and wanted to give you all an overview of what was brought up. • The federation has now elected a Chair, Secretary and treasurer so is now complete but 5 allotments were not represented last night. • lots of talk about becoming self managed but i think for us we are a country mile away from this. • Reiteration that all stand pipes are the responsibility of the council and not for us to touch • The council...
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This new cherry Bush looks stunning and will fit nicely in my fruit cage https://www.bloomingdirect.com/rgwweb146< br>

Some woodchip from council at top end let me know if you need more and will get some in a couple of weeks

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