OUR gardening expert JOA GROWER is just as busy as usual now that Autumn is here. Here are more of her helpful seasonal top tips.
“SO will you be putting you feet up now for a little while?”
Customers are always asking me as soon as the winter gets here. In fact I always seem to be just as busy especially as the days are so short at the moment.
There’s nothing nicer than a bright dry sunny day in the vegetable garden or on the allotment to take away the winter blues. A great time to tackle that patch of earth that you were meaning to get dug over back in the autumn and never quite got around to it! This will be fine as long as the ground isn’t too wet (I know I’ve said it before but if the mud sticks to your boots stay off the soil) or it’s not frozen. Other jobs that need doing are repairs to compost bins or cold frames and of course the greenhouse can always do with a wash inside and out. Try not to leave these things until the spring when you want to start using them again. Maybe now is the time to redesign the veg plot and build some raised beds. It can transform the garden into a much easier space to work in and although the initial outlay can be expensive I have never met anybody who has regretted having them. Make sure your beds are no wider than 4ft (120cm) so that you can easily reach the middle from both sides and don’t make them so long (8ft to 10ft is ideal) that you can’t be bothered to go around them and end up stepping across them. Of course on the rainy days you could have a flick through all the seed companies’ catalogues or websites and plan what you’re going to grow this year. Why not try something new! There are always new varieties that are becoming available in organic seeds. Even if you are not planning on sowing your own seeds this year and are going to be buying vegetable plug plants (of which we believe we have the largest selection in the South West at Growers Organics) Its still nice to look back at the year that’s been and do a new vegetable garden plan ready for next year.
• Growers Organics nursery in Yealmpton is now shut for the winter season. We will re-open mid February 2021, and be back at Totnes Market then too. Looking forward to seeing you all then.
Joa’s A-Z of Organic Gardening
W is for Weeds. Weeds are plants that are just growing in the wrong place, and usually growing very well! Weeds fall into two categories, annuals and perennials. Annuals are plants that grow from seed but only last one season. These weeds should be pulled out or cut to the ground before they flower and eventually set seed which will create more weeds next spring. Perennials on the other hand return every year unless you remove their roots. Simply chopping a dandelion off at ground level will only annoy it and it will return bigger and stronger next time. Weeding can be so satisfying. Always give it the time it deserves.
Y is for Yields. There are several ways to get higher yields from your crops. Enrich your soil with homemade garden compost, manure or bought soil conditioners in late winter or early spring. Feed your plants regularly through out the growing season and keep on top of the weeds. Some plants such as peas and beans give higher yields when they are regularly picked. Those of you who only have very small area to grow your vegetables in could consider growing upwards. Rather than growing plants such as courgettes, squash and brassicas which all take up masses of space, maybe grow things like tomatoes, peppers, peas, mangetout, beans and what about growing potatoes in old compost bags?
Reconnect’s Organic Gardening column is written by Joa Grower of Growers Organics. Visit www.growersorganics.com for the online shop, or call 01752 881180.