Make sure your vegies thrive throughout the summer months by following these pointers.
1. Position
Sun, sun and lots of sun guarantees success when growing most vegetables. Lettuce and rocket are the exceptions, as they like shade from the afternoon summer sun, as well as protection from the wind.
2. Soil
Good soil is the essence of organic vegetable gardening and is essential for the best results, as well as a high yield. A healthy soil that is regularly fed with compost and manures is full of beneficial worms and microscopic organisms that provide an excellent start for all vegetables.
3. Dig
Dig in lots of organic matter like compost, poultry manure or cow manure before planting, and do this on a seasonal basis before planting a new crop. Organic matter adds structure to the soil, helps to retain water and slowly releases nutrients.
4. Fertilising
Even though you’ve already added manure or compost to your garden bed, your vegetables need extra fertiliser as they mature. The faster vegetables grow, the more tender and sweet they’ll be, especially leafy greens. Feed them at least monthly with an organic complete soluble plant food, watering the soil before and after adding fertiliser.
TIP: Container-grown vegetables and leafy greens need feeding on a fortnightly basis.
5. Mulch
Lucerne hay, straw or pea straw are ideal mulches for vegetable beds and pots. Mulch conserves moisture in the soil, keeps the soil cool and helps your vegetables grow steadily.
6. Water
Vegetables need to be watered regularly to keep them succulent and tasty, which often means daily in the summer.
How often you water depends on the weather, but don’t let the soil dry out.
Water in the morning at ground level to prevent fungal diseases.