The summer vegetable garden
SUMMER-PROOFING THE VEGE PATCH
November’s rain and warm temperatures saw vegetable crops leaping into growth with lush abandon. As is right and proper in the excitement of spring, planting enthusiasm reached its heady heights and summer crops are now well underway in gardens all round the country.
There’s still plenty of time for more planting. And it’s time now to focus on getting our gardens ready to face more testing times. Hotter drier weather is on the horizon with expanding pest populations too. And for those of us lucky enough to get away, our gardens must survive the holiday season. There is plenty we can do to ensure our plants continue to thrive and reward us with bountiful harvests over the coming months.
1 Embrace magical mulch
and leave no soil uncovered. A blanket of mulch stops the baking sun stripping moisture from your soil. It insulates plant roots against temperature extremes and suppresses weeds that would otherwise compete with your plants for water.
Pea straw (or weed-free hay) is the Rolls-Royce of mulches for vege gardens. It looks good while protecting and future-proofing the soil, but it can also come with a Rolls-Royce price. Lawn clippings are a useful alternative when spread thinly (less than 3cm deep) so as not to form a hard impervious crust. Lawn clippings do break down very quickly so need to be reapplied often. Trimmings from herbs and flowering perennials, and even pulled-out weeds can be laid on the ground as mulch, as long as they are free of weed seeds, diseases and pests. Newspaper and cardboard, while not the most attractive option, both protect and improve soil moisture. Bark and wood chip mulches break down very slowly and are more appropriate for permanent garden beds than for using on the vege garden. Don’t pile mulch up against plant stems. Leave a little space for allow air movement.
2 Build soil humus.
Adding compost or organic mulch builds humus in the soil. It is humus that gives topsoil its healthy dark colour and humus that holds the most water without water-logging the soil - just like a sponge. Make your own compost so you can pile it lavishly around your plants as mulch or add it at planting time. During winter, stockpile fallen leaves for the garden or compost heap.
3 Feed and water, especially when fruit appears.
Plants get hungry and thirsty when loaded with rapidly swelling fruit, needing regular watering and nutritional support if they are to give their best quality and highest yields. When fruiting plants like courgettes and tomatoes suffer erratic watering, nutrient uptake can suffer, leading to deficiencies that result in a disorder called blossom end rot.
4 Water the soil
and roots only. Wet leaves and flowers are an invitation to disease pathogens. Update watering equipment and irrigation systems and swap holiday watering responsibilities with friends and neighbours. Water deeply every few days rather than light watering every day. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil where more water is stored and your plants will become more drought resistant as a consequence. Make the most of grey water. Read more on page 28.
5 Pamper plants with seaweed.
Seaweed has proven itself time and time again as a powerful tonic for all plants. More than a fertiliser, seaweed enhances a plant’s natural immune systems and because it also stimulates soil microbe activity it enhances plants ability to absorb the nutrients that are there for them in the soil, including those added by the gardener. Vegetable seedlings and other potted plants suffer less from transplanting shock when soaked in seaweed solution at planting time. The natural hormones in seaweed assist germination and promote thicker cell walls rendering plants more resistant to attack from pests and disease. Read more on page 17.
6 Provide shelter
from strong wind. Some air movement is important for plant heath but, even when the soil is well mulched, wind will rob the moisture from soil via plants leaves. Tall crops like corn and brassicas can provide useful shelter for smaller and younger crops.
7 Seek afternoon shade
when planting lettuces and soft herbs such as basil, coriander and parsley. Salad greens enjoy some protection in the hottest part of the day, provided they get some sun. Morning sun is good.
8 Block flying pests.
Protect fruit from birds. Bug net provides excellent protection from the likes of white butterfly, caterpillars and psyllids. UV-resistant mesh drawstring bags (pictured above) come in a range of sizes. Read more at protectyourcrop.com.
Tip: Closer planting means more food can be grown in less space while blocking weeds and protecting the soil. But allow space for air flow between plants.
9 Nurture pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Create a habitat to attract a diverse range of insects. Plant their favourite flowers and take extra special care to avoid harming beneficials when spraying for pests and disease control. Read the instructions, spray at the correct time and only those plants that are infested.
10 Get into the swing of things.
Planting a pack of seedlings or sowing a fresh batch of seeds every few weeks ensures a continuous supply of summer salad greens. Quick crops like radishes and dwarf beans romp away when sown directly into warm summer soil. Keep up with watering and mulching for rapid and continuous growth.