Page 9 - Simply Veg 4 2022

Exhibit at Gardener’s World Spring Fair
free or recycled containers and possible consider having a large tank installed in the garden (under the lawn) that can hold two thousand or more litres of water.
If you have a supply of organic matter
dig in as much as you can and save some for mulching both vegetables and fruit, if you do not have a supply make as much compost as you can, ask the neighbours for their compostable material. Also make full use of green manures, once
the rains come, I will sow
all spare areas with green
manure and dig in during
late winter or early spring;
make sure it is at least three
weeks before you sow or
plant any crops.
Apply any mulches in the spring at least 50mm deep and preferable 100mm deep this will both conserve water and reduce weed growth (unless the organic matter
is full of weed seeds!). All
fruit trees and bushes can
be mulched as can many
vegetables like sweet corn, brassicas, runner and French beans, peas and any other widely spaced crops and even the rows between other crops.
One idea that did cross my mind (WARNING my ideas can be dangerous!), many years ago I used to know a champion chrysanthemum grower who grew his
plants under a retractable cover which
he pulled over during late summer and autumn to protect the blooms from the weather. If a retractable cover were erected over parts of the vegetable plot / allotment it could be opened to allow in rain but closed to give some shade from the worst of the heat / sun. This should reduce evaporation as well as protecting plants from the scorching sun – worth a thought
of shows this year, two admittedly in Hampshire and one in the West Midlands. The first show the Gardener’s World Spring Fair at Beulieu where the NVS had a stand, the stand was supplied by Gardener’s World (am I allowed to mention another gardening magazine!) and the plants grown by a couple of vegetable growers who supply plants for the Chelsea Flower Show the same two growers also supplied Marshalls stand at Chelsea. The second show was the Gardeners World Live at the NEC in Birmingham (See Fiona Shenfield’s report in this magazine) where the plants were supplied by the same growers but this time for Marshalls seeds. One thing that surprised me a little were the number of people who said they had just got an allotment as I did not realise there were that many available as most places have
a long waiting list. Hopefully, these people will become keen vegetable growers and possible members of the NVS. With the current economic situation there is every incentive to grow your own produce.
The third show was the New Forest Show where the Southern Branch Championships are held, considering
the weather the quality of the exhibits
was amazing and it shows the quality of growers the NVS has as members (see Alison Clarke’s report elsewhere in the magazine). I am not sure how many new members we recruit from these shows and whether it is worth the time and effort but
Any system based on drip, trickle, porous hose or similar equipment are very efficient in the use of water
and trial?
Another option is to
change to automatic or semi-automatic irrigation systems that water during the night when it is cooler and deliver the water exactly where the plant requires
it. Any system based on drip, trickle, porous hose
or similar equipment are very efficient in the use
of water, have little waste and get the water directly to the roots with little evaporation. The foliage is also kept dry which reduces
the incidence of disease. If any members or readers have other ideas, please share them with us we all need to help each other and help the planet.
Having not ventured out of Hampshire (apart from some ten-mile trips over the border into Wiltshire to work) for the best part of two years I have helped at a couple
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