Last Day at the Allotment before Christmas.

Last Thursday was our last working day on the plot for this year.  A dry, windless day gave us the chance to do the winter wash (we use ‘Winter Wash’ which is organic) of the fruit trees and bushes to kill off any overwintering pests.

Spraying the plum tree

The potatoes and onions were checked for rot and the remaining beds given a mulch of leaves. Something has been eating the buds on the espaliered apples at around 30 cm. On one the bark has been gnawed off at the base and that was probably done by rabbits and we replaced the missing tree guard, but the likely culprit eating the buds could be either squirrels or the pheasant. If there is more damage next week, we shall net the plants.

Damage to the apple tree buds

We had our lunch today sitting in the sunshine which was very pleasant.

We shall now be taking a break for about a month and meet up again around the middle of January 2020 for coffee and planning for the new growing season.

Christmas lunch in the farmhouse cafe next Thursday at 12.30pm. Meeting up on the plot around 12pm to pick your Christmas dinner veg!

Jobs for next week

NONE!!

****Diary Date – Winter Fruit Pruning Workshop on Sunday February 2020,  2pm-3.30pm.  Numbers are limited for the workshop, so to guarantee your place,  please book at rchsallotment@gmail.com