Less time this year - what to plant please

[carosanto]

Hi Everyone, nice to be back.  I've been spending a lot of time with my Mum who then was hospitalised, but now is better.  but I suspect I am not going to get to my lottie as often as I would like to this season.  Am planting up trouble free plants that might thrive on a little neglect, to see me through the summer.  Don't want anything too labour intensive or that is going to bolt the first time we have a hot spell.

Have in hand, all the soft fruits - a two beds put down to raspberries, gooseberries and blue berries.  I've planted a thornless blackberry.I'll be covering these.  
My strawberry bed is already tidied up and waiting to go.

I have a dedicated bed for carrots and make a few successional
sewings under fleece.  I've got a small raised bed for salads, but these might not do so well if neglected. My various types of rhubarb are all on same plot, growing between black membrane.

I thought of Jerusalem artichokes, perhaps some peas, but not beans.  What about onions, are they labour intensive?  Perhaps Cavolo Nero?  Would love to hear a few suggestions.

Long and short of it is I may have to take off at fairly frequent intervals for a week or so at a time, so you get my difficulty.

Kind regards

Caro

[carosanto]

[kt.]

I would still cover part of the plot.  I had to work away from Mar-Oct last year.  I informed the town council of my intended absence and also wrote them a letter.  The covering did the ground good by killing off many weeds, and the plot is now dug and raring to go.  (The covering also meant i did not return to a jungle).

As allotment supervisor, I get at least two tenants per year informing me that their plot may be neglected for a set period of time due to ill health or operations.  One guy last week said he is out of action for 3 months due to a knee replacement.  Another 2 weeks ago, informed me he was working away until June but his friend would endeavor to keep the weeds down best he could in the guys absence. 

I put a note on file so they don't get any nasty letters and also so I can bat off any snipes by other plotholders at the neglected plots in question.  Nobody else is informed of the reasons why; just that  the tenant has permission.  If there is no change to the plot a month or so after the said dates then I follow up with a polite phonecall for an update.

[Stevens706]

Why not try brasicas, they are relatively slow growing and need little attention once planted until they are ready, remember to net them

[martinburo]

Yes, Jerusalem artichokes and carrots are a good plan, especially the former do fine with very little attention. Other roots do ok too, especially if you get them off to a good start: If you put down cardboard, make small holes and sow one seed of parsnip or beetroot, if you don't have too many slugs you can come back in winter and autumn respectively to get a reasonable harvest. Sorrel and chard can also be grown this way. Leeks are slow to get started, so it might be best to start them off in pots and then plant them out through cardboard. Courgettes and squash are also best started in pots, and need little attention, though if you go away at harvest time, the courgettes will become marrows and summer squash might get tough skins.

[pumkinlover]

Potatoes and onions/leeks ;D

[detailista]

Green manure?   ;D

[chriscross1966]

Winter squash, potatoes? Beans for shelling, maincrop garlic and onions....

[Russell]

Purple sprouting broccoli make big plants which will tolerate some weed competition.

[gp.girl]

Potatos?

Sweetcorn seemed pretty easy.

[saddad]

Why not try brasicas, they are relatively slow growing and need little attention once planted until they are ready, remember to net them

... and do a few caterpillar checks...  :-X