WINTER PLANTING NOVEMBER 2013

It's the time of year to give the beds a much needed digging over and a tidy up. The sage bushes had gone a bit crazy so I chopped those back with a spade.
I also transplanted some sturdy rocket which may or not withstand the predicted artic blast.
Number two son Tommy Dutton (3A) helped with the planting of  the garlic leaving me to plant onions (both red and white).
Hopefully there should be some neat rows of shoots to provide a little interest in the winter months. I'm currently looking out for some winter cabbage and broad beans as well, but if these aren't available it would be a good opportunity to dig in some well rotted manure to the beds that aren't in use. The rest would probably do them good.

BELLEVILLE SUNTRAP MEANS BUMPER CROPS

I havested and sold the lettuces yesterday (there were more than those shown above) and they seemed to be popular with Belleville parents. I was surprised how quickly they grew, but on reflection realised that everything planted at Belleville seems to do really well. 

Now that I have my own allotment at Garratt Park it´s possible to compare growing speeds at the two sites, and Belleville is by far the faster of the two.

The brassicas, parsnips and carrots are the easiest to compare as I bought these in trays at Homebase (they had a special offer I couldn´t resist, and it saves time compared to growing everything from seed) and planted them out at the school and the allotment at roughly the same time.

 
The parsnip shoots [below left] are enormous and probably ready to harvest, whereas at the allotment they´ve struggled to get going. The same applies carrots, but the red cabbage provides the most extreme example.

Allotment Parsnips

Allotment Red Cabbage

Belleville Red Cabbage

I suspect the reason for the relative success of the Belleville site is that it is a real suntrap, being sited on a tarmac playground and surrounded by brick. The buildings also provide shelter from the wind, whereas the allotment is far more exposed. It´s also possible that the allotment soil might be depleted of nutrients, as vegetables have been grown in the same soil for a many years.
Or it could be that the noise the kids make in the playground makes the plants happy. Perhaps Prince Charles was right all along? 

Continuing the positive vibes, we´re in for a bumper crop of strawberries. I´ve covered them with fleece to keep the birds (and children!) off, and put straw under them to stop the strawberries rotting when in contact with damp soil. I´ve also removed the snails that were looking forward to a nice feast.

I planted a couple of sage and thyme plants about six weeks ago, and these are available for any Belleville parent who would like to snip off a few pieces if they need some for a recipe. No charge for this of course, but if you feel like making a donation to the PTA there´s a box in the main entrance hall.

Sage

Thyme

And if you´ve ever wondered what happens to a potato after you plant it (and which one of us can honestly say we haven´t) here´s a photo that shows how and where the roots form. The shoot is growing nicely from the top of the spud, and the roots are forming nicely just underneath it. Useful info for kids who might be studying Biology in the future!
Fascinating stuff as I´m sure you´ll agree!

The aliens have landed

We're looking for volunteers to help with the garden next year. Contact Jim Dutton if you'd like to get involved, either by leaving a comment on the blog, or through Baki, or through the school.
Thanks!

MAY - FINALLY, SPRING IS HERE!

Well it's taken long enough, but spring is finally here. [STOP PRESS: SINCE I WROTE THIS, IT'S BECOME COLD AND WET AGAIN. GRRR!]

It had better be a decent summer. We certainly deserve it after the long and cold few months we've put up with.

The poor weather over the last year or two has effected farmers and food prices have increased as a result. The Belleville veg garden suffered too. It was all a bit bleak.

The effect of climate change and global warming isn't being kind to us in the UK if you believe the experts. Which I tend to do.

Broad beans

Parsnips enjoying some sunshine

The strawberries aren't ready yet Tommy!

Lettuces growing super fast

Cabbages netted to keep pigeons at bay

Should be a bumper strawberry crop

Red onions

PLANTING OUT AT THE END OF MARCH

Belleville volunteers helping with the planting



Lollo Rosso Lettuce, Sage on the right



Brussel Sprouts, planted in time for an Xmas harvest

Fleece to protect against any surprise frosts

Netting to keep the pigeons off the chard



Two rows of parsnips in the foreground

Strawberries in the Year One bed