Gardening Blog
Allotment Diary
December 30, 2008: looking ahead to 2009
Terry Walton anticipates another year of gardening pleasures
Let’s take a little peek back at 2008 before moving forward with joyful anticipation to 2009. What a year it was for its constant, incessant rains! But despite all the rainfall there were more successes on the allotment than failures and, looking on the bright side, the watering can was redundant, there were no drought orders and the hose was laid to rest.
Now January is soon upon us and what a restful, reflective month this is. Curb your eagerness! Too many of us in this gardening lark want to be the first to harvest our crops and plough ahead, despite the weather conditions. But stop: think about what we really want from our crops. Yes, the prime objective to me is plenty of tasty, fresh food.
Now is the time to walk the walk, draw up our plans then relax awhile. Make 2009 a year to strive for self sufficiency. Beat these hard financial times by planning to grow in a more economical manner. We all make the mistake of sowing too much of the same crop and, while it is a nice gesture to share our surplus crops with others, it is better to use our ground for more culinary purposes.
So, in the season ahead, control our sowings, particularly of those crops that cannot be stored, and sow enough just to meet our immediate needs.
Do not forget the vegetables that freeze well. I know there is nothing better than eating freshly-picked crops, but these frozen crops help fill the gaps in the long winter months. The members of the legume family fill this gap perfectly and peas, broad beans, runner beans and French beans all freeze well. These stored beauties help when the hunger gap is about.
If you only use your allotment for summer crops and hibernate in the cold, dark winters. Make this the year you become bold! Plant those long-growing vegetables that will provide fresh tasty treats in the harsher days.
These do, however, occupy ground for a long period so make sure you leave a space for them. Parsnips and leeks are in the ground for almost a year and winter brassicas such as brussel sprouts for nearly nine months. The swede is sown in late May so make sure you leave a piece of ground to sow it before you get carried away with your summer crops.
In your eagerness to fill the plot it is all too easy to fill it up with basic vegetables and lose the adventurous side of gardening. Look through those seed catalogues or browse the shelves of your local garden centre and select a few packets of ‘exotic’ vegetables that your think might tease your palate and challenge your gardening skills.
If you don’t have a greenhouse or some sunny protected areas don’t waste your time and effort trying to grow those vegetables that need warmth and protection to flourish. There might be another summer like the one we have just experienced.
Make 2009 a year when you can relax and enjoy your gardening. Do not rush on and always make time to look at your handiwork.
But whatever you grow, have fun and a Happy New Year in your garden - whatever you decide to use it for.
Be bold, be patient and take in your stride all that 2009 brings to your little patch of heaven.
Happy New Year.
More from Terry Walton
My Life On A Hillside Allotment
Terry Walton is a regular contributor to The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and has written a book called, My Life on a Hillside Allotment, published by Bantam Press. The book is available from Amazon
