Tudor Allotment Association

1. Only people living in the same household are allowed on their plot (preferably 2).  People that share a plot with others should arrange to visit at different times. 
2. Please be aware of social distancing, keep at least 2 meters (6 feet) apart from other people.
3. Washing hands.  This can be difficult at the sites, so use hand sanitiser or have antibacterial wipes handy.  Use after opening and closing site gates or touching any communal surface. For example; wheelbarrow handles and lids on water butts even if you are wearing gloves. Wash your hands well when you get home. 
4. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow. 
5. DO NOT come to the site if you or any household member has any of the symptoms, TEMPERATURE AND/OR A COUGH. You should self isolate. 

In Praise of the Welsh Onion

I expect there are many of you on the allotment sites (Park Rd and Wolsey Drive) who have benefited from the advice and kindness of your neighbouring plot holders. One such example when I started at the Wolsey Drive site was when I was given a bunch of Welsh Onions to grow on my plot.The Allium fistulosum, the Welsh onion, also commonly called bunching onion, long green onion, Japanese bunching onion, is a species described as perennial non-bulbing aliums, often considered to be a kind of scallion.

The Welsh Onion is a robust survivor within the horticultural world and despite my occasional neglect the original planting or rather its relatives, have continued to survive on my plot over a few years now and continues to supply a frequently required oniony taste to a variety of dishes. 

I harvest by lifting a bunch/clump of the onions then split them and then replant a few to maintain supplies growing on site. When split-up the onions look similar to Spring Onions but are perhaps a little tougher in eating texture and more pungent! Washed and stripped of their outer skins the stems when finely chopped are great on salads or added to stir fries or added to melted cheese on toast. They form a great oniony taste back up supply throughout the year.

By Richard Post, Wolsey Drive Allotments

• Prep your beds, weed and dig in plenty of well rotted manure or compost. (very good exercise)
• Surface weeds can be gently hoed or raked to disturb the roots and left to dry out on the surface of the soil.
• Weed your pathways, clear winter debris and give your compost heap a turn. 
• Chit early and main crop potatoes if you haven’t already done so. 
• Early sowings benefit from a warm start indoors for the first few days to help the seeds germinate. Then move to a green house or cold frame till the seedlings appear. For example: Lettuce, onions, salad onions, spinach parsley, coriander and early brassicas.  Check the seed packets for full instructions and don’t forget to label pots as many seedlings can look the same!
• Outdoor direct sowing: Broad beans, asparagus crowns, rhubarb, Jerusalem artichoke tubers, carrots, Parsnips, Swiss chard, radishes, beetroot, Leeks and kohlrabi. You can cover these with fleece to protect from cold winds and the odd late frost. Root vegetables do better if sown directly as they don’t like to have their roots disturbed. 
• -There is still time to plant fruit bushes and canes and small fruit trees as long as they do not obstruct your neighbours light. 
• And why not have a little wild patch, scatter a few wild flower seeds to attract much needed pollinators. For more information go to: wildaboutgardens.org.uk

• Respect other people’s plots by keeping children and dogs under control and not allowing them on to other people’s plots without permission. 
• It has been noticed that there is rather a lot of single use plastic on many plots, this disintegrates over time and can contaminate the soil, it also looks rather unpleasant. Plastics often get blown about the site and ends up on other people’s plots. I urge you all to please remove all unwanted or surplus plastic (pots, bags, plastic containers etc....). Please dispose of it responsibly as and when possible. Most garden centres have a plastic pot recycling facility or the tip has a container for recycling hard plastic items. This might not be possible for a few weeks. 
• If covering the soil to warm for early planting (polypropylene weed suppressing fabric, good for suppressing weeds or to make paths), please make sure it is well pinned/weighted down. Cardboard can also work well and a good alternative to plastic. Old carpet is no longer permitted due to the high content of man made fibres that leech into the soil when it starts to rot and breakdown. 
• Water. The butts have now been turned on. Please respect the water butt guidelines. 
• Help keep communal paths clear of weeds and debris.