There is no need for watering at the moment with so many rainclouds
on the sky! But who knows, there might be another dry spell coming and to save time and money keep a few tips in mind.
IF you have been following previous podcasts about lunar gardening
you should have strong plants now, with deep roots to withstand a dry spell without suffering too much.
The secret for that is, NOT to water too frequently but soak the plant when planting
out or keep the seeds moist when sowing. After that, make sure the soil is covered with mulch around the plant (never mulch
dry soil) The mulch (which could be grass cuttings, leave mould, mushroom compost or whatever you can get your hands
on), will protect the soil from drying out by strong wind or sun.
During
the growing season and dry spells you can water with a watering can or hose directly around the plant, not the leaves, best
in the morning or evening, avoid watering in the middle of a hot day. IF you use a sprinkler in the middle of a
hot,sunny day you might do more damage than good. Most plants prefer rain water to cold tap water, so another
reason to install a water butt which also saves money on your water bill.
When watering with a hose and spray attachment,
the soil looks wet on the surface but if you dig down, no moisture has penetrated and the roots are forced to stay
right under the surface, rather reaching down . So any dry spell and your plant will suffer unless you waste more water and
your time . With strong roots, most plants can be left a week without extra
water even in a hot dry period. It also depends on your soil, and compost rich soil as well as clay holds the moisture a lot
better then sandy soil. IF you grow your plants in containers or window boxes, more frequent watering is required, but
nowadays there are lots of watering devices on the market, if you don't want to ask your neighbour to do the work. There
are also lots of products available for green houses with timers and water containers to bridge the gap whilst
you are enjoying your holidays.
Having planted the water hungry
crops like cucumbers and French climbing beans in trenches lined with soaked newspaper, proofed to be helpful
in the driest spring we had for a long time and I can recommend it . It is a cheap and easy way to save watering if
we are lucky enough to have hot dry summers .
"Lunar gardeners",
who want to add any extra nutrition's to the water should do so when the moon is waning, as it gets absorbed
by the roots a lot better.
See article about home made fertilizers.
HARVESTING
Now is the time of abundance and you finally get rewarded for the efforts you have put
in earlier in the year .It's such a great time in the gardening year, harvesting lots of produce and having meals
prepared from home grown vegetables,lettuces and fruit.
After
a visit to the allotment I come back with the basket full of ripe strawberries and raspberries. No red current and cherries
I am afraid, as the birds have eaten them . Netting them next year will secure a harvest for me next time. We are eating a
bowl of mixed lettuce every day and the cut and come varieties (like red salad bowl, lollo rosso, Mizuma ) plus rocket
and few flowers like borage and nasturtiums or pea flowers will add interesting flavours and colour.
Peas and mangetout are also quite frequently on the menu and there are so many that I can
supply friends as well or pack them in the freezer. The Mangetout look fantastic and would look good in any flower border
as they are similar to Sweet peas but provide a healthy snack
Root
crops are coming along nicely as well and the radishes have been a success . There will be a lot of beet root to be eaten
as all the transplanting of the seedlings went well, due to the cooler days in June. (I had left it rather late and normally
transplanting bigger seedlings in hot weather doesn't work very well. But the rain and low temperatures back in
June guarantees a bumper crop.
I already have harvested the garlic
bulbs and even the French would be impressed with it .It is quite easy to grow and very beneficial to your health .
If you have read any of the lunar gardening methods, harvesting of crops is better during
the ascending moon phase.(shown in light blue on the calendar) OF course this mainly applies for harvesting crops
when storing or preserving.
Peas and French beans and of course lettuces
or raspberries and so on need constant harvesting.As for onions, garlic, potatoes or pickling beet root, making strawberry
jam.... I always choose the appropriate day. Your onions and potatoes will taste better and last longer if you bear that in
mind.
Enjoy!
