December
on the Allotment – What should we do this month?
It has been a long mild autumn but, already, in late
November and the beginning of December we have had some quite harsh frosts,
even in the inner cities in the South of England. I have been reading warnings
for the next three months being very cold but, you know what…. it’s winter! These
frosts will finish off any lingering autumn crops but have, not yet, been deep
enough to do any lasting damage to some of those delicate perennials like globe
artichokes.
In these years, it is difficult to predict what the
weather might do over the winter. Globally, we seem to be having some – outside
of ‘normal’ weather and I’m guessing this lack-of-pattern might become the new
‘normal’ for some years, perhaps a lot of years. They say our weather goes in
11 year cycles but that, over a longer time we can go in and out of weather
cycles and even into mini ‘ice-ages’. While I don’t think that man’s activities
are responsible for the melting of the ice caps and the major glaciers
throughout the world, I do believe that we are probably responsible for the
speeding up of the process and that we are in for some catastrophic weather
events in the coming years. I expect I will be forgiven for my selfish hopes
that these events will not affect me or my family too much and my compassion
goes out to those who are affected. I do believe that the disaster in the
Phillipines will not be the last we will see in the coming months and years.
My apologies for the gloomy introduction to this
article and I must continue my preamble on an ‘up’ note – I have found that
whatever the weather is like in any year, there are always crops which survive
and thrive. I might say that, of 2012 [that amazingly wet year] while my
potatoes were a disaster, along with many root crops and fruit. But, brassicas
and sweetcorn, peas and beetroot, asparagus and artichokes were excellent.
Indoors crops such as, peppers, tomatoes and chillies, though late, were
amazingly productive.
When I was young, the traditional belief was that
when there were lots of fruits and berries - haws, pyracantha, cotoneaster,
etc, on bushes to feed the birds over the winter it predicted a bitter winter.
My own experience has shown that this is not so. I do believe that the crops of
berries and fruit are related to the previous seasonal conditions rather than
those to come [though it is a nice idea!]. And we need to consider the plight
of birds over the winter. And there are lots of berries around this year so, if
you believe in that sort of thing then, this is going to be an extraordinarily
bitter winter. [A pity, my autumn sown broad beans are looking very good right
now].
There are many people who advocate the principle
that wildlife [including birds should be self-sufficient, that we should not
have to feed and water them, provide them with shelter and nesting sites,
suitable created environments. However, it is important to remember that human
beings are hugely responsible for destroying the habitats, food sources,
nesting sites and other environmentally suitable conditions for our birds and
other wildlife. I feel it is important for us to give something back. Please
forgive my rant but, for me, my allotment is also a place I go to, to
experience wildlife within my inner city environment.
In spite of the fact that I have cats, only one of
whom is interested in or fit to chase wildlife [ she seems to be focussing on
mice at the moment!], I have an extensive bird feeding station [ well, several
stations really], in my back garden. Pigeons and collared doves are the most
frequent visitors but, in spite of being considered ‘vermin’ of course, they
are also little animals trying to ‘make a living’. I have seen a few very small
mice brought into my house [well bits of them really!], who are coming into the
garden to forage the dropped foods from the birds and I am sorry that my cat is
predating on them but I’d rather that than they come into my house to become a
pest. While it took some time to encourage them in, [the birds, that is] I
believe I have now identified 14 different species. My latest acquisition is, I
believe a grey wagtail and I’m very thrilled. He/she has now been around for
some days, and as they are insect eaters, I will probably have to put out some
insect food over the winter. My reading up on this tells me that they are
mostly immigrants for the summer but are, increasingly becoming resident but
are on the Amber Status [endangered/threatened species]
It is important to be aware that in really harsh
winters it is the lack of water rather than the lack of food which will kill
most birds so do leave a source of water and replace frozen water or break ice
on water butts or ponds where possible.
But that’s me!
Maintenance
Ø Look
after winter crops – brassicas, leeks, parsnips, etc, clear of weeds and watch
out for pests like white fly on the brassicas;
Ø If
you have not already done so, cut back asparagus ferns as they turn yellow and
compost. Remove all debris from the asparagus beds to reduce overwintering
asparagus beetles;
Ø Wash
the insides of the spaces with detergent and water or, if you prefer with Jeyes
Fluid [try to avoid this chemical on the soil but, using this should prevent
the recurrence of algae for a couple of years]. You may find that the outside
of your greenhouse or polytunnel has been more affected by algae than the
outside [especially in a damp/wet year] and cleaning this is ‘a must’ to avoid
a reduction in the light available for your crops in the coming year
Ø As
you finish using tools, cloches and netting, ensure they are clean and store in
a safe and dry environment;
Ø If
you have netting over fruit cages, it is advisable to remove it before winter –
particularly on the ‘roof’ as the weight of winter snow can collapse your cage;
Ø Clear
away and compost dead rhubarb leaves.
If you have not already done so, in
the milder parts of the country this is a good time to rejuvenate mature
rhubarb clumps – dig up the crowns and split them. Replant the strongest pieces.
Discard any small pieces and plant the best ones. Don’t dig up all of you old
rhubarb plants in one year or you will have nothing to harvest the following
year – the plants should be allowed to establish for a year before harvesting.
Ø Protect
crops such as winter
Ø Cut
back and cover globe artichoke plants before frost becomes severe. It is
recommended that they should be covered with straw but, on an exposed site,
your straw may blow away – environmesh or plant fleece will make good
substitutes but, don’t allow the fabric to rest on the plants.
Ø Put
glue bands around the trunks of fruit trees, especially apple trees to capture
moths which can damage the crop in the following season.
Preparation and Planning
Ø It
is not too late for ‘autumn digging. If you have not already done so, clear
areas to be dug of perennial weed roots and coarse dig [ lift the ‘clods’ to
the surface to allow the winter weather to break down the lumps of earth]. In
heavy clay ground the difference between autumn dug ground where the weather
has had the opportunity to act on it and spring dug ground is seriously
significant.
Ø Prepare
beds for winter planting perennial crops, fruit trees, bushes and canes;
Ø Asparagus
can be planted in autumn and I see that Dobies [of Devon] is advertising
asparagus crowns in 3 litre pots which can [they say] be harvested the
following year. Although they seem expensive if bought individually, they have
deals of buying in groups which just about makes this a feasible proposition –
why not try them in large ‘grow sacks’… like potato grow sacks in your back
yard. I haven’t tried this so, I can’t say how successful it would be.
Most of the large seed houses have
now sent out their autumn catalogues. Write to them to request a catalogue or
find them on-line – see our website for contact details.
Harvesting
Ø Brassicas
– Brussels Sprouts, broccoli/calabrese, kale and winter cabbage
Ø Some
late main-crop potatoes and potatoes grown for Christmas harvesting
Ø Leeks
and parsnips
Ø Parsley
- yummy
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