Page 21 - Simply Vegetables Summer 2023

Watering and weeding
RON NUTTALL
It is now July. The time of year when I
am revelling in the Summer sunshine cultivating my fruit and vegetables in
the allotment. The Cuckoo has arrived, done his singing, and returned back to Africa. Now the only summer visitor for me to enjoyed are the swallows flying around and perching on the telephone wires before they also return to a sunnier place, away from our winter months
Work in the allotment
After the winter digging, I considered that there was adequate organic matter in the soil, and encouraged by decent drainage, the ground was in good condition, all-set for roots to search for the necessary nourishment to provide good healthy growth and a satisfactory crop.
During April, as luck would have it, I had no perennial weeds. My most persistent problem was the annual chickweed crop, encouraged over the years by the generous use of lime and fertilizers. I now leave the soil in my beds bare. Regularly cultivating to make a fine tilth, necessary to encourage a succession of weeds to germinate ready to be hoed, die and be cleared away
in preparation for planting-out at the beginning of May.
Will weeding help when all
the plants are growing?
In a dry summer – Yes! My plan is to prevent weeds taking over and competing for any precious moisture and manure. With regular, shallow hoeing, the chickweed and annual meadow grass will be left on the top to dry and perish in the sun.
In wet weather, after hoeing, I will rake- off the weeds to prevent them developing and producing seed.
Will watering be of assistance?
In a dry summer – Again Yes! There will
be a remarkable benefit from watering, particularly for peas, beans, onions, and the courgette family.
In a wet summer, watering may only be needed to maintain moisture in the topsoil, with extra if there are signs of poor growth.
When will the plants require watering?
I do not find it so easy to check the moisture content of the beds. To help with that decision, I will dig a modest hole one foot deep and never fail to be astonished at the state of the soil at various depths.
Plants and cuttings: all are vulnerable and should be “puddled in” to support them as their roots develop. The main
Watering potatoes
beneficiaries being, lettuce, salad crops, greens, and outdoor tomatoes.
Shallow rooted crops like Strawberries, respond to an ample supply of water as they develop their flowers and fruit.
Peas, beans and other legumes: Will benefit from a generous watering as they come into flower, thus assisting a successful set and full pods.
Experienced growers: They will have their own programme. This could be as much as one pint of water for each specimen plant every day!
Myself: I will give the established plants a really good soak once a week making sure that the soil is totally moist around and down to the roots.
How much water will I need?
Each week I will top up the natural rainfall, avoiding disturbance to the topsoil by watering direct from the spout of my can held close to the ground. After a dry spell I will apply either one gallon for each plant, or two gallons a square yard.
If I am behind with my work, I have been seen to use my hosepipe as a backup.
It has a sprayer attached to promote accuracy and more efficient application whilst I enviously consider the modern efficient and time saving systems available.
In summary at my every visit to the allotment hoeing the weeds is my first job. Then I water the rows. Finally, I give my tomatoes and special exhibits a generous drink from a can of diluted liquid fertilizer.
Accurate watering of strawberries
Spot watering
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Simply Vegetables 21
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