Simple Crop Rotation

I had an email asking for advice on crop rotation so I have created a web page dedicated to this issue.

Although you don’t need to get too obsessive about crop rotation you should avoid growing the same type of crops in the same patch of soil year after year.

Different types of plants benefit from different types of nutrients and suffer from different types of pests and diseases. Moving crops around helps reduce the risk of creating a build up of pests or disease in a given area and also makes best use of available nutrients.

Some crops also benefit by following a specific type of crop.

Crops such as sweetcorn and members of the squash family can fit in where there are any gaps. Lettuces and other salad leaves can also be grown in any available spaces. To read more about crop rotation click here

Feed the birds day

You may be like us and feed the birds every day but the official RSPB Feed the Birds Day is this Saturday 24 October. The RSPB web site gives advice on feeding birds and helping other wildlife. If you are a school why not have your own feed the birds event such as making fat cakes to take home. For instructions on how to make a fat cake click here.

The RSPB are running events linked to this on 24 & 25 October. If you don't usually feed the birds why start this weekend.

Haiths and Garden Birds are two online supplier of a wide range of bird and wild life food. Haiths also offer advice on their web site click here

Don't forget that birds need water for drinking and bathing too!

Celebrate Apple Day

Today is Apple Day click here to read more.

Last opportunity to sign the petition is this week

The last opportunity to sign the petition is on Friday so if you wish to sign you need to hurry!

Click here

Growing Potatoes

It's time to start deciding which varieties to plant next year. There always seems to be so much to take into consideration. Suppliers are obviously going to present the seed potatoes that they sell in the best light so a website such as The British Potato Variety Database can be a good source of information.

Click here for seed potatoes from Dobies
Click here for seed potatoes from Unwins
Click here to read about planting potatoes in containers

Click here for advice on buying seed potatoes and other potato products

Jack o' Lantern

Why not have a go at making a Jack o' Lantern. If anyone would like to send me a photo of a jack o' lantern or pumpkin head that they have made then I would be pleased to post some photos. Just one photo would be good but in the unlikely event that I am swamped by photos I'll choose the best! Just send a JPEG image using the email link on the sidebar with a bit of information about yourself and anything else you want to tell me.

September's calendar has now been posted.

I have started the calendar in September which I posted today. This is to follow the school year. From now on I'll try to post each calendar at least a month in advance. Please do post any ideas for activities that I have missed or make comments on what you have done each month. I don't want this to be a one way thing!

Click here for September's calendar

November calendar tasks have been added

Although it is possible that mild spells may occur colder weather is likely to set in this month. There is an increased possibility of frost and gales. By the end of the month any leaves left on trees will have fallen.
There is likely to be fewer opportunities to work outdoors in the garden. If the ground is wet or frozen it is far better to keep off until weather conditions improve.

Click here to read the calendar

Gardening Calendar

On "The School Vegetable Patch website" I have started a calendar of suggested gardening activities. A gardening calendar can never be more than a list of suggestions. Gardening activities are very much dependent on weather, location and soil conditions. No two years are exactly alike. Conditions will vary considerably in different areas of the UK. You will need to familiarise yourself with your local climate such as likely frost dates. The Garden Action website has a tool which you can use to predict when your area is likely to experience its first and last frosts of the year but remember this is only a guide and conditions can vary from year to year and even from one garden to another.

You also need to know what soil type you are gardening with and be aware of the soil conditions. If the ground is too cold, too wet or too dry some tasks will need to be delayed. Many activities will be equally suited to more than one month of the year.

So far the October link has been completed - more will be added over time. Updates will be posted on here on the blog. If you would like to add suggestions to the months activities either email me or post a comment here.