Page 31 - Real Rochdale Issue 22 Summer 2024

GARDENING TIPS

FOR SUMMER

In June we like to plant nasturtiums,
ABOUT THE WRITER always a favourite of ours, they spread
Roy Down is an engagement and development worker really well and make ideal companion
at Petrus as well as the chairman of Rochdale in Bloom. plants for our vegetable plots. It’s also
His role at Petrus is to help improve the mental health a great time to plant spring onions and
and wellbeing of volunteers through gardening, as well one of our new crops, pak choi. We
as those referred via NHS social prescribing. are going to give broccoli another try
this year, having had mixed results in
the past. One thing we did get right We hope you all have a great summer, either in the
PIER is a community allotment and gardens located on Belfield Road (next to the Croft Shifa was curly kale, with bumper crops for garden or the allotment. And if you do get chance
Medical Centre) in Rochdale, which belongs to homelessness charity Petrus. It is a months. to visit the Tatton Show this year, please come and
beautiful, relaxing and therapeutic oasis that grows fruit and vegetables and is a member of say hello.
the wider Incredible Edibles network representing Rochdale. It is open to the public and July is a great time to plant out
people are welcome to visit and take a look around this award-winning garden. courgettes and sweetcorn. We have Good luck to all our fellow ‘In Bloomers’ who are
Petrus’ vision is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of been growing these in our polytun- taking part in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood
growing food. Here are some tips for this growing season. Happy gardening!
nel and they will be ready to plant out competition this summer.
in July. Cabbages can be planted out
Summer is a great time on the Petrus the summer dries out our vegetable and ready for a good winter harvest.
allotment: the cold and frosty mornings fruit beds, so we are adding more ways of Use any dry spells to keep hoeing out
seem so far away now. It’s always good to collecting rainwater around the allotment. the weeds, rather than when the soil is
see our summer volunteers returning and wet, as this can allow the weeds to root
new ones joining us. Despite all the wet During the winter, we added more planters, again.
months during spring, we know how quickly which means we can grow an ever-wider
range of crops and engaging with more We always give our herbs a trim
volunteers this year. during August, which encourages new
growth before autumn and the onset
We are trying some new crops, as J. Parkers of early frosts. Petrus seems to be the
have donated lots of seeds for us to try. We ideal place for strawberries to thrive –
cannot wait for all the different types of we have lots! – and we plant out all the
peppers to start growing! rooted runners in August.

Watering and weeding may sound Watering and feeding sweetcorn regu-
mundane, but on a large (or small) allotment, larly will help produce a great crop. Try
it is essential to keep your crops healthy and using a bit of tomato feed. Main crop
flourishing. potatoes will be ready for harvesting,
just wait until the leaves have started
We also are on the lookout for pests, such as to wilt and turn yellow. Garlic, shal-
aphids and we react to this ASAP. Thankfully, lots and onions – allotment favourites
we seem to have lots of ladybirds on our with our volunteers – can be lifted and
site; they certainly help keep the pests under dried out.
control.

REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024 30 31 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024