Page 13 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Straw mulch on apples
the wrong time, another decision has to be made. “Can the crop be harvested or are the potatoes to be left in the ground”?
As a gardener, what can you do?
Improve your water storage you are likely to receive too much rainfall in the winter and not enough in the summer. So, increase your water storage capacity with more water butts or tanks.
Investing in a stronger polytunnel will reduce the chances of damage from severe winds and protect against the cold, it will enable you to start work earlier in the
year, and can protect ripening fruit and vegetables against changeable weather later in the summer.
Produce as much compost or organic matter as you can to improve the fertility of the soil.
Mulch round your plants at the beginning and during the growing season. The winter rains will be protected from evaporation and hungry weeds will not get a chance
to grow. (see the photos for some ideas in mulching – ED)
Plant a bed of wildflowers and make a source of nectar to attract lots of pollinators especially bees.
Buy seeds for plants requiring less water. These being tolerant to drought conditions and more resilient to heat which will increase your chances of getting a good crop.
Already there has been many predictions about climate change, and I am sure
that there will be many more to come. I haven’t noticed if the weather has become noticeably warmer and drier during the summer, and it will suit me if very cold winters become increasingly rare!
Life will make its way back when we leave space for it. Build up the Phosphate and Potash levels in your soil as a reserve for harder times when, once again we have to “Dig for victory”.
Dry lawn irrigated tree
Frost damage on Kiwi fruit
Mulch of shredded compost
Drought cracks
Mulching fruit
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