I started work on a very weedy allotment in February. I have been experimenting with different methods of ridding an allotment of weeds without the use of chemical weedkillers, such as Roundup, and with minimum soil disturbance as I follow the no-dig method of Charles Dowding.
It seems strange to be thinking about winter now but vegetable growing is all about planning for the future. There can't be a better winter vegetable than a parsnip, roasted as part of a Christmas dinner, curried in soup and even as an ingredient in cakes. Parsnips have an earthy but sweet taste, they improve with cold weather and can sit in the ground through the winter meaning no special storage. So what are the secrets of successful parsnip germination and growing?
I expect that many of you are chomping at the bit to get going, just like I am. It has been a very cold March; I don't remember one quite like it. When I have been down to the plot, it has been to spend time in my shed rather than outside.
Our gardens are home to a large range of insects and bees and they play a very important role pollinating our plants.
It can be a challenge for the committee to know if someone is ill or struggling for whatever reason to maintain their plot.