John's advice after 25 years growing at Ashbrook allotments
Crop protection
Crop protection is one aspect of gardening that has changed significantly in recent years. It is not only us who find our crops good for eating; there are many pests interested in them as well. Some pests such as cabbage white butterflies and cabbage root fly are specific to particular vegetables, whilst others such as slugs and pigeons target a wide range of crops.
For many centuries gardeners have known the benefits of protection against the weather and pests. Years ago walled gardens, wattle wind barriers, greenhouses, cold frames, cloches, hot beds and fruit netting were common in providing protection and good growing environments. Damage by insect pests was often controlled by chemical insecticides and quite a few would perish in the harsher winters we once experienced. Troublesome birds also recognised the sound of gunshot and pigeon pie meant a pest could actually be put to good use. Times have changed.
Allotment sites have always been havens for pests and by various means more are being imported each year. Many are annual occurrences often causing low level damage however each year some occur in far greater numbers, unfortunately we get no advance warning of which pests will be particularly problematic. On the plus side due to greater research, increased knowledge and better communications we are now far better informed and with modern methods and materials stand a very good chance of outwitting them.
Having arrived, many of the pests at Ashbrook are with us for keeps, overwintering as eggs, pupae or adults they reappear during the spring. The damage of pests such as cabbage root fly, and leek moth is a consequence of eggs laid some weeks or months previously so some understanding of their life cycle will help us outwit them, early protection can result in minimal later damage.
Allotment sites and particularly Ashbrook can be very harsh places and tender plants can suffer frost damage, however with a bit of thought this can be avoided. Wind can be very damaging in that it causes plants physical harm, plants rock, root grip loosens, leaves transpire, and the ground dries out just at the point where our plants are most in need of moisture. Weather protection particularly for early spring and autumn plantings can make a big difference.
Some gardeners are prepared to accept pest and weather damage, others prefer to see their crops developing without any covering, however it can be disheartening for crops to be lost or severely damaged. Ultimately it is for the individual to decide how much and what protection is used.
Many pests and particularly their pupae spend part of their life, normally the winter, buried in the soil. This is one of the reasons many gardeners favour winter digging so as to expose them to severe weather or predating birds, this will partly reduce the problem. It is also noticeable that tidy plots where the surrounding grass paths are mowed regularly seem to have less pest problem, probably because shorter grass offers less cover and more opportunity for predating birds. Some pests and diseases can be avoided by adjusting sowing and planting dates or by growing resistant varieties.
There are great advantages in starting crops off under cover in a greenhouse to allow several weeks of growth and a strong root system to develop away from marauding pests so that when transplanted into the open plot they grow away quickly and stand more chance of survival. The bulk of my vegetable plants are started off this way.
In the confined environment of a greenhouse predators such as nematodes can sometimes reduce pests, however on an open allotment most do not seem so effective.
These days physical barriers are the most common form of protection and there is a huge range of different materials available, the choice of what to use is normally determined by what we are trying to keep out e.g. pests and what we need to let in e.g. pollinating insects.
For many centuries gardeners have known the benefits of protection against the weather and pests. Years ago walled gardens, wattle wind barriers, greenhouses, cold frames, cloches, hot beds and fruit netting were common in providing protection and good growing environments. Damage by insect pests was often controlled by chemical insecticides and quite a few would perish in the harsher winters we once experienced. Troublesome birds also recognised the sound of gunshot and pigeon pie meant a pest could actually be put to good use. Times have changed.
Allotment sites have always been havens for pests and by various means more are being imported each year. Many are annual occurrences often causing low level damage however each year some occur in far greater numbers, unfortunately we get no advance warning of which pests will be particularly problematic. On the plus side due to greater research, increased knowledge and better communications we are now far better informed and with modern methods and materials stand a very good chance of outwitting them.
Having arrived, many of the pests at Ashbrook are with us for keeps, overwintering as eggs, pupae or adults they reappear during the spring. The damage of pests such as cabbage root fly, and leek moth is a consequence of eggs laid some weeks or months previously so some understanding of their life cycle will help us outwit them, early protection can result in minimal later damage.
Allotment sites and particularly Ashbrook can be very harsh places and tender plants can suffer frost damage, however with a bit of thought this can be avoided. Wind can be very damaging in that it causes plants physical harm, plants rock, root grip loosens, leaves transpire, and the ground dries out just at the point where our plants are most in need of moisture. Weather protection particularly for early spring and autumn plantings can make a big difference.
Some gardeners are prepared to accept pest and weather damage, others prefer to see their crops developing without any covering, however it can be disheartening for crops to be lost or severely damaged. Ultimately it is for the individual to decide how much and what protection is used.
Many pests and particularly their pupae spend part of their life, normally the winter, buried in the soil. This is one of the reasons many gardeners favour winter digging so as to expose them to severe weather or predating birds, this will partly reduce the problem. It is also noticeable that tidy plots where the surrounding grass paths are mowed regularly seem to have less pest problem, probably because shorter grass offers less cover and more opportunity for predating birds. Some pests and diseases can be avoided by adjusting sowing and planting dates or by growing resistant varieties.
There are great advantages in starting crops off under cover in a greenhouse to allow several weeks of growth and a strong root system to develop away from marauding pests so that when transplanted into the open plot they grow away quickly and stand more chance of survival. The bulk of my vegetable plants are started off this way.
In the confined environment of a greenhouse predators such as nematodes can sometimes reduce pests, however on an open allotment most do not seem so effective.
These days physical barriers are the most common form of protection and there is a huge range of different materials available, the choice of what to use is normally determined by what we are trying to keep out e.g. pests and what we need to let in e.g. pollinating insects.