Time-saving plot care

Time may be tight, but caring for your plot needn’t be a chore. There are lots of quick and easy ways to ensure you enjoy continuous harvests

Pick little and often

Most of these crops will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks, and with regular sowings there should be a constant harvest throughout the summer. Sow quick-growing crops every two or three weeks, and don’t overharvest. Pick just a little every few days, as and when you need it, harvesting across the rows to allow the remaining veg room to grow.

Water efficiently

Regular watering is essential, but it’s important to make the best use of water without wasting your time. Check the moisture level in your bed every day. You should never let veg plants dry out, so water regularly and frequently, every day if necessary. Don’t overwater – the soil should be moist but not soggy. Always aim the water at the roots, not the foliage, and water in the evening or early morning so the moisture doesn’t simply evaporate on warm days. To save time, buy a hosepipe so you don’t have to lug cans to and fro. A drip irrigation system is handy if you’re away or very short of time. Use liquid feed to combine two jobs in one.

Whip out weeds

Check your plot for weeds every few days. That way, you’ll spot them at the seedling stage, when they’re easy to pull out with just your finger and thumb, before they have the chance to get established, set seed and create real problems.

Tackle pests

Be vigilant every time you visit your bed, as the sooner you spot pests the less damage they can do. Protect young plants from slugs and snails with copper or gritty barriers. To deter carrot rootfly, sow carrots sparingly and harvest young to avoid thinning. This pest is attracted by the carroty smell of the thinnings.