Balsall Heath Jungle - Organic Gardening In August

� You can prune plum trees now. Plums should not be pruned in the winter because they may get silver leaf disease. Cut out any diseased, damaged, dying or dead wood to a growth point (another branch or bud). If you prune back to the trunk leave the �collar�. Don�t cut too much off the top because it will shoot too much from the bottom. Cut neatly with very sharp secateurs and make a sloping cut. Cut out overcrowded branches from the centre of the tree. Cut out branches which are rubbing on other branches. ASK FOR AN INFO SHEET with diagrams, or a garden visit if you live in Balsall Heath.

� Sow lettuce, chicory, endive, land cress, corn salad, rocket, radishes, spring onions and Oriental leaves such as mizuna and mibuna.

� Spring cabbages can still be sown. These are best started in seed modules or in a seed bed before moving into their final position.

� Winter radishes are easy to grow but cover them with insect-proof net so that flea beetles do not cause problems.

� Now is the time for harvesting beans and onions. Be careful not to damage beans plants when taking off the seed pods. With onions, take care to lift the bulbs with a fork. Store them by hanging them in a cool, dry place.

Comments:

It is getting quite late to sow green manures, but depending on where you live, you could try one of the ones suggested here, which I think are obtainable from Chase Organics and Tamar Organics. http://www.hdra.org.uk/organicgardening/grn_mans.htm

If the link doesn't work, I got to it by searching google for "green manures" hdra

I have a new allotment space and am just digging it over. As it is now coming to the end of the growing season, what is the best way to prepare it for next years planting beyond just digging it over. Is there a way of organically fertilising it by planting something ? Any suggestions are appreciated. If I planted winter garlic and onions would this help to prepare it for next year?

Thanks