Barry Cuff takes a look back through his notes of what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month
We raise all our vegetables and flowers from seed. More are sown either directly or in plug trays during the last week of April and throughout May than at any other time of the year. The reasons are simple: a much greater choice of varieties, a 40% discount on most seeds through our allotment association membership, the benefit of greenhouses and cold frames, and the fact that most packets contain enough seed to last two or three years if stored correctly. Surplus plants can be held back to replace losses from pests and diseases, with any remaining plants offered to fellow plot holders. Above all, we enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of growing from seed.
Just occasionally things do not go to plan. This May, for example, we had to buy in runner bean plants after disappointing germination.
1st – 10th May
A dry start to the month meant regular pumping and watering across the site. Alongside the usual maintenance, we sowed 72 Swift sweetcorn plants, added a fourth row of peas, started courgettes, squash, cucumbers, gherkins and melon in pots, and erected posts, wires and bird scarers for the pea rows. Early potatoes, tomatoes and beans all received attention as growth accelerated.
11th–20th May
Despite a brief spell of light rain in the middle of the month, watering remained a regular task. We harvested our first spring onions and Sweet Williams, planted out cauliflower, removed fleece from the potatoes as frost risk passed, and prepared ground for the bean crops.
21st–31st May
A prolonged hot spell saw temperatures reach 31°C, making irrigation one of the month’s major jobs. During this period we harvested our first Orla potatoes, planted runner beans, French beans, sweetcorn, celeriac, cucumbers and gherkins and enjoyed a steady strawberry crop.
Notable days:
21st May
Dug our first Orla new potatoes, producing a good yield and excellent flavour. Picked Sweet Williams and bought 36 runner bean plants to replace those with poor germination. Harvested three punnets of strawberries. The potatoes are now in full flower.
24th May
Temperature reached 29°C. Planted the 18 Armstrong and 18 Painted Lady runner bean plants. Enjoyed Orla new potatoes for dinner – better than Jersey Royals in our opinion.
29th May
The Town Council carried out its annual plot inspection. Planted out 72 Swift sweetcorn plants and parsley from plugs. Dug a further two Orla potatoes and harvested spring onions and four punnets of strawberries.
Weed flora
Two new additions to the allotment weed flora were recorded in flower on 27th May: knotted hedge parsley and shining cranesbill.
