Green Fingers: Should I stay or should I go
This year things stood still with very mixed germination rates at the start, and thereafter there was very little forward growth.
A pop group called ‘The Clash’ sang the song of this title and it could well be applied to much of our daily lives, including gardening. It sings about the tease of uncertainty, and for us about conditions of whether it will be wet, dry, hot, cold or windy and then what about the soil, pests and diseases.
It has been one of the oddest years for anyone growing crops, such as commercial growers, farmers, small holdings and the legion of amateur gardeners.
In a normal year, crops are grown according to the time of year and expected conditions, and after that it is a case of encouraging and tweaking to obtain the better crops.
This year things stood still with very mixed germination rates at the start, and thereafter there was very little forward growth.
Life is full of decision making but this year it was far worse and it seemed there were no obvious answers.
We have passed our halfway mark for growing and once that reality sinks in, the rest is easy.
Just make the decision that you have done your best, and accept conditions as they are and go more into relaxation mode.
The few Mediterranean evenings mean we can spend more time outside instead of the usual wrapping up in clothes pretending it is warm. We regularly watch the swallows speed around the trees and buildings and this is replaced at dusk by the emerging bats, all of which is a fascinating and wonderful experience to observe.
The newish word ‘staycation’ has been embraced into our language, and it just means those people who stay and holiday from the home base instead of facing the upheaval and uncertainty of going abroad. There is a lot going for it and it is probably less stressful. If you are into spending time in your garden then it is a ‘win win’ as you are enjoying yourself while getting things done at the same time.
It is difficult to do, but break habits and set up snug areas where you can eat, drink, read and chat outside in peace.
It might take a little effort but it is so much more enjoyable to start the day by having breakfast outside, and goodness knows it will be soon enough before we have to move indoors permanently when the summer is over.
There are some beautiful flower displays around and the trick to keep them going is to water them regularly, preferably late in the evening, and then with a weak feed every 14 days.
If you are away for a week or more you can move hanging baskets, pots and containers into a shady area and water them in where they will probably manage without any further attention until your return.
If you have any flower failures and they are in an important spot, do head out and replace them as there are many months of flowering time left. Begonias, geraniums, fuchsias and New Guinea impatiens all are long lasting, can take less than ideal conditions and will flower well into the autumn.
This weather suits some vegetables and they are growing strongly, producing delicious edible crops such as beans, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers and salads.
Our potato crop was light and the parsnips failed and some carrots, beetroot and spinach did so poorly that this week we have sown more within the existing rows to see if we can manage to get a harvest later on.
If you have any queries or comments you are welcome to share them with me on 051 384273 or orchardstowngardencentre@hotmail.com and if of general interest I will include it in a future newsletter.
