Monday, 9th May, 2022
The Day’s hand-picked ideas, tips to better grow Vegs, and meet people you should know.
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1
Our soil is depleting, consider sustainable alternatives to create change
"in 2014, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that soil around the world was degrading rapidly. They estimate that the remaining topsoil around the world will be gone by 2070. This means humans have less than 60 soil harvests left.
Can you even grow a plant without dirt? Yes, with Hydroponics. Hydroponic systems use as much as ten times less water than traditional soil methods. Water is retained and recirculated in a hydroponic system, whereas water can run off and drain into the environment when using soil methods.
Change is coming. Hydroponics and other soil alternatives will inevitably be the future of agriculture.”
I agree - but If you don’t have a garden or want to upgrade your mostly unused Greenhouse, I recommend going a step further, save even more water with Aquaponics! (and produce less waste, with less inputs… - (no, I’m not a big fan of Hydroponics)
2
Gardening Boom Will Likely Continue, At Least Overseas
"The COVID-19 lockdown gardening boom which led to record demand for plants during the pandemic is continuing in the United Kingdom, despite many people being back at work.
Since March 2020, Tesco, a leading multinational retailer in the region, saw demand for bedding plants and shrubs in particular rise by nearly 50% with more than 75 million individual plants sold.
Taking the British population size of 52.6 million adults and the proportion of these people with access to a garden or outdoor space (83%), this 6.71% change was equivalent to an extra 2.9 million people gardening.”
That’s a lot of people who need some help better growing Vegs in their own gardens - out of space at the allotment!
3
Anis isn’t just for Pastis
"Anise requires a long growing season of at least 120 days, and it can take years from planting the seed to having a full-grown bush in your garden. But as a Microgreen, you can enjoy it in less than 20 days. Anise microgreens are very different from the way anise is traditionally cultivated. Most of us are more familiar with the anise seeds or the full-grown plant. As microgreens, you will be enjoying the anise as a mini version, with bright green and somewhat spiky leaves”.
For French Veg Geeks, we normally “drink” Anis; but do give it a try as a Microgreen too (Get the Playbook to grow Microgreens)
4
Better together: Tips For Companion Planting With Cabbage
"Companion planting has numerous benefits, not the least of which is creating diversity in the garden. But the Cabbage isn’t friend with anyone: it should never be planted near tomatoes, beans, peppers or strawberries. They do love aromatic friends though: geraniums, dill, allium and rosemary.”
My daughter isn’t friend with the cabbage either.
5
Never a dill moment
How Using Chemicals in the Garden Was First Accepted: "When you first started gardening did you think that you had to use chemicals to be successful? It’s not a stretch to say that the majority thinks using chemicals is necessary for a successful garden”. I was taught this too when I was young. I’m glad I learnt this wasn’t right, at all. That’s why I do what I do on this site.
+ Fruity: "Why Are My Tomatoes Flowering But Not Setting Fruit? Tomato flowers don’t need insects to be pollinated. If a flower is not properly pollinated, blossom drop drop will occur, the flower will die and drop off. Tomato blossom drop can be caused by unfavourable weather conditions, low humidity levels, water stress, excessive nitrogen fertiliser, nutrient stress, and plant stress caused by pests and diseases” - Learn what you can do about it and guarantee better yields.
+ It’s that time of the year: "Transplanting Seedlings And Plants Outdoors: Spring’s warming temperatures and sunny days signal the beginning of the planting season. Many of our favourite vegetables need a long growing season to produce reliably. For many northern gardeners, that means transplanting seedlings that are started indoors. The best chance of success with these little plants depends upon knowing how to transplant a plant and get it acclimated to the outdoors. There is a bit more to transplanting plants than just installing them in soil”
6
Bottom of the compost pile
“Finished” compost (that which is totally decayed) doesn’t offer the soil life anything to feed on. Plant residue decaying in your garden is more beneficial. Long before chemicals, farmers used their crop residue to help return fertility to the soil. Plant residue is what adds energy to your soil. It’s the by-products of soil life breaking down organic materials that your plants will feed on. And as soil scientist Richard Parnes stated in his book, “It (the energy from organic residues) is required to maintain soil fertility and there is no substitute.“ If you are a lazy gardener, that justifies leaving residues in-situ and save you a trip to the compost bin at the back.
+ The history of no dig pioneers: “It would be fascinating to know the full human history of not working soil. Here are three gardeners (Arthur Guest, F.C. King, Shewell Cooper) who enjoyed amazing results, but were only on the fringes of mainstream gardening and farming. ‘Modern gardeners could do with more of this practical wisdom, instead of the celebrity-led television that seems to impart little.” Ouch. But see the dates? All of them also seemed to be successful BEFORE the big bad chemical fertiliser companies flooded gardeners with their toxic products. Definitely something to learn three.
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Anthony - Veg Geek