Community Links
The Bartonian
A team of volunteers write and produce the Bartonian, in collaboration with Barton Town Council, who
have the final editorial approval for each edition. A separate team of 40 volunteers ensure it is delivered
to every house in the town.
This free magazine provides up to the minute information on all local events and happenings as well as
detailed articles outlining the history of our town. Not only does it keep residents informed on every
local aspect, but it also provides an insight into our small North Lincolnshire town, little known to the
rest of the world.
We are very lucky to have this level of community involvement, especially as the Barton Allotment
Society has its own designated slot within each edition written by our Secretary, Neil Jacques.
Below we will include a copy of the latest BARTONIAN article relating to the Allotment Society section.
March 2024 issue
Sow lots and lots!
Most of the experts tell us to sow little and often with our regular sowings of salad crops and
successional vegetables, but this year I am urging people to so sow more than they need. If
you are like me and sow a bit extra just in case the seeds don’t come up, then it won’t be
much of change from usual. This is why we always end up with a glut of courgettes in the
summer. I sow an extra couple of seeds just in case some don’t germinate or the slugs and
pests get them when planted out, and when they all survive and produce we have well over
100 of courgettes each year.
This year there is a ready outlet for all your surplus produce with the Community Fridge just
started up on Fridays at Wilderspin National School on Queen Street, from 10.30 to 1.30.
Run by Town Councillor Amie Watson’s Slow Circular Earth organisation, they distribute
surplus food that supermarkets can’t sell and will be more than happy to distribute any
surplus fruit and veg people can offer.
So, just what can you sow lots and lots of in the next couple of months? March and April are
the start of the busy period for most people. In March, early potatoes can go in, with
maincrop at the end of the month or early April. Broad beans, early carrots, peas and leeks
can be sown now and tomatoes on a warm window sill. Chives and parsley can be sown in
pots protected by a fizzy drink bottle cloche as can summer cabbages. In April it’s time for
the summer cabbages to be planted out after hardening off, and broccoli and winter cabbage
can be sown outside, not forgetting those sprouts for Christmas. You can start off Runner
beans, French beans and sweet corn in doors in April for planting out in May as the days get
warmer. Regular sowings of salads can also start in March, sowing the next batch of seeds
3 weeks or so apart.
Whatever and wherever you grow, I hope you have a bountiful season of home grown
produce, with enough to share with others!
January 2024 issue
Spring in December?
One of the delights of January in the garden or on the allotment, is the days gradually getting longer, bringing hope for the new growing season from the declining days of the old year in December. You will also start seeing signs of spring, such as snow drops pushing through and beginning to flower. This normally starts in January as they flower from January to March, although one resident posted a lovey photo on Facebook of some she found in Baysgarth Park on 18 December. Not unheard of but unusual. As the seasons seem to becoming much less predictable, it is also more difficult to garden “by the book”. So as the seasons change so must gardeners adapt too.
Many Horticultural books recommend tasks month by month. While some still stand, like not sowing too early in a fit of New Year enthusiasm, others rely much more on your own judgement and the current weather. Generally though, January is another maintenance month for garden and plots, but come the end of the month and into February sowing of certain veg seeds can begin in earnest. Most will be indoors for planting out later – Broad Beans, early peas, summer cabbages, various salads and tomatoes either in a propagator or on a window sill. I always sow carrots, Amsterdam Forcing and Paris Market in large toughs in February and they make great salad carrots from late May onwards – a good way to get youngsters interested in growing too.
On behalf of the Allotment Society I wish you a productive new year, wherever you grow, and here is a “save the date” event for all the family, for your diary. Saturday 10 August is the Open Horticultural Show – all comers welcome, not just plot holders, for veg, fruit, flowers and cooking sections. Classes for children and novices too. The full schedule will be online shortly. www.bartonallotments.org.uk
November 2023 Issue
Time to prepare for next year.
As winter approaches, work continues on the Allotments. In some ways this is the most critical time as the focus is getting the ground ready for next year. It’s quite straightforward really, clear annual and perennial weeds and plenty of organic matter whether you dig or “no dig”. Easy to say, but some hard work involved!
The same applies for our gardens too, but do leave some dead stalks for over wintering insects.
It’s not all digging as you can also sow broad beans and plant garlic now, as well as some shallots and onions. It’s best not to leave too much bare soil as rain can wash out the nutrients, so green manure is a good bet too.
It’s also a good time to consider applying for a plot if you want to start growing more than you can manage at home. We have had a huge turn over recently and the waiting lists have come right down, so if you want a chance of the plot within the next 12 months apply now.
Visit our website or contact me for a form. www.bartonallotments.org.uk