Page 30 - ALG Issue 4 2022

on the...
June to mid-August 2022
Kings plot
Well June, July and August in East Anglia has been the driest for many years. Looking back since the 6th of June until mid–August, we have only had 20mm of rain, the last of which was 2mm on the 29th June. So, as
you can see, we have not had any significant amount of rain for about 10 weeks. It is a wonder anything is alive on people’s plots, and I have probably watered more this year than normal. My three best friends have become the water standpipe on the allotment site and my green and red watering cans. I have carried so many cans this year, it feels like my arms are dragging down to my knees.
With the extreme temperatures, it has as expected prompted calls to the Office about drought resistant crops. Plant breeders are probably working on drought resistant plants, and possibly have some already suited to more naturally dry climates in different parts of the world. With climate change I am sure they will be testing these in the UK and trying to improve others to cope where possible, but as I am sure you are aware breeding a new plant is not a quick job and can take over 20 years.
Who knows what the climate will be then; we may want plants to cope with monsoon weather?
Personally speaking, most vegetables will grow in these conditions if given
the correct start. Unfortunately, many allotment gardeners want an allotment but don’t want to put in the work in the autumn and winter. I find good
soil preparation in autumn and winter months, turning in plenty of organic matter and leaving the soil rough dug all winter helps capture the winter
rains and stores that moisture below for vegetables to draw on later the following year. Too many allotment growers don’t start till the spring, turning over the soil or running a rotavator through it and releasing all that stored winter moisture and wonder why their crops don’t thrive or their soil goes hard as a rock.
Apart from fleshy crops like squashes, courgettes and beans, I don’t put
loads of water on my other crops. I have cabbages as big as footballs that were planted out in April, given a good soaking in and have had no more water other than what the heavens has given this year which as already mentioned is not much.
When I sow seeds, I water the seed drill thoroughly before sowing the seed, which is then covered by dry soil, so the moisture is trapped below where the seeds need it.
The times I see gardeners water with aroseontheendofacanandthink they have given the plants or seeds a drink; all they have done is given them
The times I see gardeners water with a rose on the end of a can and think they have given the plants or seeds a drink
a shower and probably helped cap the soil so it is harder for the plants to grow through. When I give plants water they get a really good soak, not a dribble. I have a 20ft double row of runner beans; these are given 10-12 gallons of water every other day in very hot weather,
so the soil is soddened, and these are cropping ok this year, but the yield is slightly down. Unfortunately, runner beans do not like the hot nights which has caused some bud drop this year, caused by stress as they struggle to cope with the conditions. Keeping them cool as possible reduces the stress and giving them a good soaking at night, and splashing the foliage helps. On the 10th August, I picked 17lb of runner beans with plenty more set for later pickings.
30 Allotment and Leisure Gardener