Double Your Harvests

We all know what it’s like - you’ve sown your seeds, planted them out, watched the seedlings wiggle out of the ground, and when it’s time to harvest… you thought there’d be more brassicas, beans and beetroot to pile in your basket. Frustratingly, a whole range of factors can be to blame for a disappointing crop. Poor or failed germination, substandard soil quality, wet or scorching weather and problematic pests are just to name a few. However, if you want to side- step these problems and enjoy bountiful crops of flavoursome fruits and vegetables, read on for our need-to-know advice.

Continued composting
As the ingredients for most composting includes 30-50 per cent green components (grass clippings and weeds) and brown matter (twigs and leaves) makes up the rest, composting encourages us to get rid of any unwanted greenery and debris that might be obstructing our emerging seedlings and out-competing them for natural resources,
thereby stunting their growth. There are two composting methods to choose from – hot and cold. Cold composting, as the name suggests, works without heat but it takes much longer for the natural bacteria and worms in the waste to break it down into compost. Hot composting, on the other hand,  involves piling alternating layers of nitrogen- rich green and brown waste into a heap until it reaches the desired temperature of 40-60C. The added warmth encourages the microorganisms to transform the waste in as little as 60 days. Both methods, however, will create a compost packed full of vitamins and minerals that can be used to improve soil quality. Healthier growing material will grow stronger plants – producing bigger and better crops of fruits and vegetables.

A protected environment
Investing in a greenhouse will also help to get seedlings off to the best start possible. After all, one of the biggest challenges affecting our plants is the UK’s temperamental weather conditions. Cold and wet weather can cause plant rot and hot temperatures and drought can stunt plant growth – sometimes for good. A greenhouse creates a microclimate of its own that will shelter vulnerable plants from the elements and help them to thrive. Another option is a polytunnel, a plastic structure that acts as a glasshouse, that can also be heated, allowing you to cultivate exotic plants such as kiwis, melons and sweet peppers that, depending on your location, might produce poor crops in the veg patch.

Supporting plants
Invest in some crop supports. Propping up developing tomatoes, cucumbers and other crops will stops them from falling over and the stems breaking off and becoming damaged. It will also protect the fruits. Netting, plant supports and environmentally- friendly, chemical-free pest repellents will deter slugs and snails and other beasties from feasting on crops and encourage bumper crops of fruits and vegetables to grow on happily without trouble.

Share this article