Allotments 4 All

I seem to be able to get reasonable results with most things I grow, but there are a few blackspots on my cultivational abilities which I was wondering if anyone could help with?

Things I can't seem to grow with any success are:- Peas, Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccolli, is there a definitive way to get these to grow well?

Also would be interested to hear what crops others struggle with. ;)

Hi Digswell

Peas might be worth starting off in a length of plastic gutter full of compost.  When they have got going they can be taken to the allotment and pushed into a little trench ready for them.  I tried this last year and it worked for me.

hello how did you stop the soil in the gutter breaking up as you try to put it in the trench mind I am clumsy!

sprouts- what have been your problems with these ? I start mine off in modules and then into the plot seems to work well. I never have any success with brocolli and cauliflower they are v geedy feeders I know but it still seems difficult to get decent sized curds.

Twas my first attempt at growing anything last year and I was successful with the above mentioned but didn't realise I should have netted the last three and lost a lot to pigeons >:(

I think good fertile soil andwell drained is the key. :)

Quote from: chrispea27 on February 15, 2006, 07:00:39
hello how did you stop the soil in the gutter breaking up as you try to put it in the trench mind I am clumsy!

Chrispea, I had the same problem and someone suggested putting netting along the bottom of the gutter first. Haven't tried it yet, but I will!
Also jennym suggested planting peas VERY close together in seed trays just to sprout, then scattering them in rows once they have just got sprouted.

For your brassicas try these:
Definitely nurture in modules as Chrispea suggests - this produces strong plants with some protection against club root.
Prepare your ground by adding lime about now, and fertilise a week before planting.
Each time you move the seedlings on, plant them in the soil up to the bottom set of true leaves.
On final planting, again up to the bottom set of leaves, plant  them eye-wateringly firm. I never bother with stakes but if you are in a windy open area you may want to do this.
Put mini-circles of old carpet - or shop bought protectors - round the bottom of the stem to fend off cabbage root fly.
Cover with enviromesh to fend off butterflies etc.
Water regularly - especially as they establish themselves. Feed - I like the seaweed stuff - every 3/4 weeks.
Hope that helps.

my little girl did caulifpwer last year we planted at the wrong time and we didnot look after them on christmass day my farther in law cam for dinner and was looking at them we had 6 plants and they had bright white  curds on them the size of small plate (childs size) we picked them and had them with dinner my little girl was so happy and they tasted good this year we have sown them at the right time and have got our fingers corssed

Digswell,

Is it the purple sprouting broccoli or annual broccoli (calabrase) that your having problems with?

The sprouting broccoli is especially easy to grow...

Truffle

Quote from: chrispea27 on February 15, 2006, 07:00:39
hello how did you stop the soil in the gutter breaking up as you try to put it in the trench mind I am clumsy!

From memory, as we only have a short time each year to practice, it helps if the soil in the trough is quite wet, but the best bit of advice I was given was: be masterful :) i.e. tip the trough to quite a steep angle and shake vigorously till the contents start to move, then don't stop until the peas are all in the ground.

Geoff.

thanks a lot Geoff

Thanks for your tips and suggestions, I will give them a try and report back.
With the Sprouts I get lovely plants, but what comes off them are more like mini cabbages than sprouts!
The cauliflower goes like white sprouting broccoli, and the calabrase goes like green sprouting broccoli.

As for the peas, nice health plants but not a lot of pea!

I will say our soil is very fine and free draining as we are on a flood plain, it is I understand also quite limey as we are on chalk.

I was just going to say -- lime? - great stuff - but best check out the soil first?