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Autumn arrives

by Bryan Smith

We are now coming to the end of the main growing season and I have been very fortunate to have had some additional crops of beetroot and carrots. The runner beans have been exceptional with cropping going well into October. Probably the best of the beans has been 'Scarlet Emperor' which produced some very long tender pods.

I still have to harvest leeks, parsnips, swede and brussel sprouts, but the first leeks, parsnips and sprouts have been very tender - the parsnips ('Tender & True') performing especially well.

Quite amazingly I have just harvested the last of the second early potatoes. Every variety performed well.

Despite the very hot summer spell the whole site has remained moist, which has been a real bonus. I do appreciate how difficult it must have been for many people strggling with little or no water on site. Pests / diseases have been limited to carrot fly and a little canker on parsnips.

Outdoor tomatoes have not done well and I will review whether to grow them next year.

Even though the main growing season is over the work goes on. Japanese onions planted for overwintering are doing well, as is the garlic. The transplanted spring cabbage is now strong and I am hopeful that they will withstand the winter weather.

I have taken a chance and planted some broad beans for an early spring crop, although thanks to the very warm weather these have leapt along at a fast rate and I fear they will be too far ahead to survive a cold winter. However, its worth a try ...

Preparation for next years crops must begin now, so all of the 'remains' of this years crops will be dug in to provide valuable nutrients for next year. It is also important to put back into the soil what has been taken out, so a good helping of organic material will be added over the next few weeks. This will come from horse manure and compost from my own garden.

Over the winter I am planning to read up more about specific nutrients for specific plants. I have an acid soil so will have to consider liming for certain plants, particularly the brassicas.

Building a shed for the allotment

Now to the subject of the shed. Every allotment must have one, and it was necessary for me to provide one. After looking around at the prices of even small sheds I decided to build my own.

For about half the price of a bought one I have built a 2m square shed to house all of my tools, wheelbarrow, bags of fertiliser and a chair, should I have time to sit in it and enjoy the scenery!

The shed consists of four basic frames, all bolted together. Shiplap timber has been provided for the outside. The roof consists of 2 sections bolted together, which are then screwed to the sides. The roof was then covered with external plywood and roofing felt.

The first 2 sections I made were the sides (see photo above). The framework all consisted of 50mm x 25mm battens screwed together. As you can see there is a fall from front to rear, with the top rail having an overhang at front and back. This is to allow water to run off.

The rear panel was made in a similar way, although this was 'square' at the top and bottom.

The front panel was also similar but a space was left for the door to be fitted. The door was also made in a similar way.

You can get an idea of how it all fitted together from the photo on the right.

After I had made all the frames I started the process of adding the boards - nailing them on from the bottom working up to the top of each section. On the front and rear sections I left an overlap of 50mm to allow for the 'gap' to be filled when all of the sections were joined together.

After fitting the boards to all four sections I then enlisted the help of my wife Rosie to bolt them all together, and to attach the roof.

I decided to make the roof in 2 sections, which I first bolted to the side frames and then to each other. Of course, I could have made the roof in one section, but it would have been rather heavy to manhandle into position.

Finally I applied the roofing felt and fitted the door using 2 external hinges and hasp and staple bolt, and then painted the whole shed with green exterior paint to protect it from the elements.

I didn't need to make a wooden floor for my shed as I already had a base of paving slabs which I simply bolted the whole shed onto.

Finally, I should mention that before you build anything on your allotment you should check with the owners. Most councils have restrictions on size, positioning etc. and I can think of nothing worse than erecting a shed and having to take it down because it is too big.

Give it a try yourself - it is worth the effort!