Page 12 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Effects of Climate Change
On your allotment Climate Change may have a marked effect. There are many predictions about climate change, reporting that our weather is to become warmer. I haven’t noticed this, but I am informed that over the next few years it will continue. The weather will be drier in the summer, wetter and warmer in the winter, with very cold winters becoming increasingly rare.
Global warming has its effect on pests and diseases.
After a mild winter, the more successful insects emerge earlier. Each year, warmer temperatures enable some pests to produce more generations, extending the period over which they are active and often resulting in lower crop yields.
The exception is our popular Bumble Bees. They have declined and are already in danger. Many flowers have been lost from the landscape which has left the bees in a scramble to find enough food. With their large body size and fuzzy hair, bumble bees are more adapted to colder climates and do not tolerate extended periods of high temperatures very well. This means bad news for them during a heat wave!
When they return from their winter hibernation, insect pests are programmed to continue their war, ravaging and actively hungry. If you use mesh insect-netting it will need to be in a position sooner than usual and remain there for a few extra few weeks at the end of summer.
Diseases and growing problems will increase.
A new early-warning system will be required to advise when to spray against blight on potato haulms and mildew on gooseberry leaves. Salads and other leafy vegetables are particularly vulnerable to drought conditions.
Cauliflowers are another potential
Drought damaged Euonymus alatus
casualty. They need a cold spell in the winter to develop, which may become increasingly rare. Many fruit require a cold spell of a certain number of hours if they are to break dormancy and have a good number of flowers and therefore fruit.
We may have to look at growing different cultivars in the future.
Some fruit and vegetables are considered lucky and will adapt to changing weather conditions. There will be a welcome to new apple cultivars, melons, pears and grapes.
Pineapples may also make a comeback to the delight of experienced gardeners, who over the years have tried all methods possible to produce them.
Late maturing peas, runner beans and sweetcorn thrive in damp, cold conditions and benefit from irrigation at flowering time.
Warmer temperatures will extend
the growing season and may increase production of root crops, beds of carrots, beetroot and parsnips that are all relatively tolerant to dry weather.
Potatoes are an important crop to give most concern.
Using up to one third of the garden the potato crop is easy to cultivate and has
a long harvest period being productive from early July onwards. Like other crops traditionally grown in the UK, they require a moderately cool temperature during the growing season,
Drought conditions are a nightmare impacting on yield and quality and there is this constant fluctuating between too much and not enough water, where the decision to irrigate is put to the test.
Equally when there is abundant rain at
Drought affected lawn
Sun scorch on Gunnera
Watering bag for trees
12 Simply Vegetables
RON NUTALL