FIVE TIPS FOR GROWING VEGETABLES IN A TEMPERATE CLIMATE

Nikka Veronni Factolerin Espinili-Restovic, 32, is a seafarer turned Filipina gardener based in Serbia, where she grows Philippine or Asian vegetables.

For Espinili-Restovic, tricky is a word that best describes vegetable production. Here, she shares the basics of growing vegetables, even outside the native soil.

Know the plant variety. Before anything else, learning the plant specifications is vital. This must involve the category where the vegetables fall into; whether hard, half-hardy, or tender. “Knowing the plant classification can help us and our plants thrive at the right temperature or in the right weather condition.”

Fertilize. Plants can thrive best when provided with essential nutrients. Each plant may differ in terms of its choice of booster or fertilizer. Espinili-Restovic said, “There are plants that do not like wood ashes [because] wood ashes increase the soil’s pH level and lower down its acidity level. Therefore, it is not advisable to put this particular fertilizer on acid-loving plants like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.”

Fight pests naturally. Use natural pesticides to deter pests that can ruin the vegetables. Natural repellents can save the environment, growers, and consumers from toxic chemicals.

Prune. This step is also crucial for the active growth of vegetables. “Like for tomatoes, the so-called ‘suckers’ are to be taken out as early as possible to help the plant produce better fruits, and the whole plant could focus well on producing a good harvest, ” the gardener said.

Talk to the plants. Speaking to plants is an effective approach for faster development. When talking, humans produce carbon dioxide that’s advantageous to plants. Some studies also show that vibrations promote plant growth and help increase the plants’ resistance to diseases.