Page 41 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2023

Mulching fruit
likely to stay high even when the war in Ukraine is over. Therefore, look at your fertiliser use, do you really need to apply any, what is your current level of nutrient availability? Could an application of organic
matter replace the nutrients used by crops? Regular applications of manure etc should maintain soil fertility and reduce the need for fertilisers either organic or inorganic. It goes without saying that all garden waste
Reuseable items
should be composted and returned to the soil. Make good use of green manures to protect the soil from erosion and leaching but add organic matter to the soil.
Using peat free growing media will become the norm in the next couple of years as the government has banned the sale of peat-based compost to the amateur market. I have to admit getting decent
peat free composts is very difficult and expensive, the quality is very variable and inconsistent from year to year. Owing to the poor quality of growing media available it
is worth while making your own if you can source the right ingredients. The following will produce good growing media leaf mould, sharp sand and partly sterilised
soil, approx. a third of each is worth a
try and then modify to suit your growing conditions. For seed sowing no fertiliser needs to be added but for growing on add either John Innes Base or a slow-release fertiliser. Home made compost can be used in place of leaf mould but it needs to have been hot composted at 60°C or higher
to ensure no weed seeds or diseases are present.
Try to avoid the use of chemicals for pest and disease control, they should be a last resort, prevention is better than cure! Use resistant cultivars where available
and biological control is a good option for greenhouses and polytunnels. Encourage biodiversity in your garden and allotment by having a pond or at least drinking water for birds and other creatures. Also provide habitats for them and a few native plants for food and shelter. Plant some trees to offset your carbon production, there are
a good range of fruit trees that can be planted in large or the smallest of gardens.
Overall look at managing your garden and allotment using less water, fertilisers, pesticides, peat and energy (petrol or electric), aim to reduce your inputs yet maintain your outputs using sustainable methods.
If we care about future generations especially the family, we need to take action now not wait for the disasters to occur; the more of us taking action the greater the chance of averting a crisis in the future. Our politicians talk fine words (at times!) but it is up to the public to take action and it is likely to save you money!
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