Here’s our April blog by allotment gardener Sean O’Dobhain from Cwmbran.
He talks about what seeds he will be sowing this month and looks at what jobs you should be doing on the allotment.
(allotmentnotebook.blogspot.co.uk)
THE only seeds I sow direct on the plot these days are root crops that don’t like being transplanted. Everything else I tend to raise in modules or pots for planting out when they are established. I’ve found this to be the most reliable method and it reduces losses. While a small greenhouse makes growing easier, windowsills and a homemade cold-frame will provide lots of plants for the allotment.
Even with a greenhouse, April is the time where growing space can be an issue for me. Brassicas sown last month are developing well; tomatoes are sitting in their individual pots; leeks are taking up room in a large tray and the first wave of salad crops are jostling for light. Added to this green mêlée are further modules containing a second batch of salads for successional cropping and a few trays of annual flowers for good measure.
Into this mix now appear some of the larger vegetable plants. April is the time to sow climbing beans, courgettes and winter squashes with heat indoors. However, it’s important not to start them too early as they won’t tolerate cold weather; these plants can develop into large monsters, taking over greenhouses and windowsills while waiting to be planted outside. If you want to sow direct then wait until mid May.
I’ll be sowing Cobra French beans (a climbing variety) and Prizewinner runner beans. When placing in pots, sow the seeds with any ‘scar’ downward; the bean canes and plants will be set out next month.
In the last week of April I’ll be starting off a few courgette plants, four plants should be enough for an average family as they are prolific croppers. I’m also sowing a couple of pumpkins for Halloween (Big Max); some unusual squash called Turks Turban and, a Butternut squash called Hunter F1, bred to ripen in the cooler British climate.
Sow squash seeds in a warm place and on edge to help germination. These won’t be planted on the allotment until late May if it’s warm or more likely, early June.
From mid April onward the main crop potatoes can be planted out in their trenches. I’m going for the blight resistant Sarpo Mira again this season – they continued to grow strongly well into September last year while other varieties on the site had long since died.
Sweetcorn is a family favourite but it has a reputation for disliking root disturbance. I’ve had both successes and failures when raising them in the greenhouse and moving them to the plot. You can have a go at sowing them in pots now or you can wait another few weeks and sow them direct. I think I’ll try both methods this year, better to be safe than sorry.
Allotment jobs for April
l Thin out brassicas sown in modules last month. Continue to sow summer cabbage, broccoli, kohl rabi, cauliflowers and F1 Brussels sprouts.
l Every few weeks earth up early potatoes and plant main crop varieties.
l If the ground is not too wet, directly sow root crops such as parsnips, carrots, turnips and beetroot. Peas and broad beans can continue to be sown too.
l Start off runner and French beans in pots along with sweetcorn and squashes. Wait until the middle of next month to sow direct to the plot.
l A few raised lettuce can be planted out now but protect against slugs. Keep sowing salads, including spring onions, every three weeks for crops throughout the summer months.
l Keep onion sets weed free, they should be sprouting green leaves now.
l Cut the grass around the plot a cut.
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