August 4th Week

According to My Middleton in Dig On For Victory we have 10 tasks this week :

1) Clear Cucumbers. - Water ridge cucumbers as required. Earlier crops of cucumbers will now be finished and should be cleared out. 

2) Feed Seakale and Rhubarb. - Feed seakale and rhubarb occasionally to build up their crowns. Rhubarb should not be allowed to produce flower stems as they steal energy from the plant especially after a frosty winter. 

3) Support Asparagus. - Erect two strings around the perimeter of the asparagus bed so that they are adequately supported. If any asparagus growths get knocked over and snap it spoils root development.

4) Water Peas and Beans. - It's better to give a thorough soaking once a week rather than a little every other day. The weather controls the need for watering. If there are water restrictions in place an alternative is to mulch around the plants with a mixture of leaves and grass mowings.

5) Make Cauliflowers Last. - As cauliflowers form heads bend a leaf over them to keep out dirt. It's common for far too many for immediate use to head up together. If you don't want to give away your surplus, either lift the plants and either heel into some soil in a shed or hang up with the heads facing downwards undercover. They will keep for a few days using those methods.  

6) Use or Check Onions. -- Check onions by exposing the roots and breaking the earth with a garden fork, which encourages ripening. Use onions as required.

7) Sow Lettuce. - Sow lettuce in seed trays to grow on either outdoors or in a coldframe. Varieties All The Year Round, Artic King and Cos are recommended. 

8) Last Chance for Onion-Sowing. - This is the last week to sow onions outside. Ground well manured for early potatoes is suitable.

9) Prick Out Cauliflowers. - Prick out cauliflower plants into coldframes to overwinter. If you haven't sown any already then do so now in a seed tray, plants raised now are suitable for growing in pots or a cold greenhouse. They can be overwintered in a frame and planted out in March.

10) Pick Apples. - Pick apples when ready. Early varieties should be consumed as they are unsuitable for storing.

2017:  Only visited the allotment once this week on the Saturday evening. Harvested; pears, apples, radish, spinach, tomatoes, onions, beetroot and peas.