Blog of The Organic Gardener

BACK ON THE BLOG

I'm returning to publish my blogs on these pages. Here's the last blog from my website Home of the Organic Gardener. I'll follow this soon with a few catch-up blogs to review what has been a busy and exciting gardening year.

4^th April 2006 - Gardening Diary Entry

GARDENING PLANS FOR 2006


Well the seed potatoes have arrived and the new fruit cordons - 3 apple varieties, plus a Jostberry, and Tayberry.

I've bought a new push mower.

I'm going to try a different method of growing runner beans arching over a taller long tent of canes. One more for the gardening diary a little later.

21^st March 2006 Gardening Diary Entry

THIS SPRING BEGINS WITH WATER SHORTAGE ?


I've since published a page with detailed advice on watering the garden.

It's true! Important resevoirs supplying the U.K. are virtually empty. Low pressure areas with rain bearing weather fronts are off course way up north... or perhaps it's the jet stream. Drier continental highs cover central and southern U.K.

Hose-pipe bans are planned already. Gardeners and all are discouraged from wasting water - washing patios and cars etc... needless to say... don't leave taps running and, do remember to turn the tap right off when finished.

Oh dear, gardeners are in trouble. We'll be awash with argument on what water usage is banned and what is allowed - allotments OK, gardens hoses at home NO, Car washing services OK, car wash in your own drive NO ???

AS ALWAYS I'LL TRY TO SUGGEST AN ORGANIC SOLUTION FOR GARDENING

• Cultivate deeply. Deep roots gives your plants access to more soil water. Click here for an easy way to build raised beds.


• Let the grass grow longer to encourage deep rooting.


• Ensure plants grown from seed for transplanting develop deep root runs - see Rootrainers.


• Avoid containers, but if you use them ensure the surface is covered in plastic or grit to reduce evaporation.
  see container gardening


• Use plastic sheet or loose mulch to reduce water loss to air. See my pages on mulching
  


• Incorporate plenty of organic matter into soil - leaf mould, garden compost, manure, etc...


• Water your garden plants early morning or evening. One good watering is better than many light waterings. Don't spray water into the air.


• You should have been saving whatever water you can collect. There are some good space-saving water butts available that can tie into down spouts from guttering. Go to Water Butts at Ferndale Lodge...


• Lay a narrow perforated pipe under the soil to the outer root zone weaving between plants.