Steve’s Handy Hints Page
June 2006

Over the last 20 years we have become used to early Springs, but we are now faced with one that is late. There are lots of factors influencing plant growth, air and ground temperatures are most important and plants begin to grow when temperatures are above 43°F. This can be at any time between early February and late April.

Patricia Hewett said recently, when discussing the Health Service that the NHS should be praised for the efficient way it has dealt with the rise in winter demand, having just experienced "The Coldest Winter for 40 years"! In Southern England it was the coldest for nine years and in Northern Counties it was the coldest for just 50 years. In parts of Scotland it was the warmest winter since the early 1990's. Remember that we can still get frosty nights until the 3rd week in May. Watch the local weather forecast and be prepared to cover tender crops.

There are advantages to having a cold Spring, frosts break up heavy soils and sharp frosts kill off lots of crop damaging insects.

Towards the end of this month sow Sweetcorn, French beans and Runner beans. Keep earthing up potatoes, never let the tubers get near any light as they will develop green patches, which are poisonous.

Sow main crop Beetroot, Winter cabbages, cauliflowers and early and late leeks. Outdoor cucumber seed should be sown under cover in modules for planting out in June.

Tuck some straw around Strawberry plants to prevent rain splashes and slugs, remove all runners to get all the energy into the fruit.

Tip for the month

Conserving water

• Increase the water holding ability of your soil by adding well potted organic matter on a regular basis.
• Mulch after a good rainfall to reduce evaporation.
• Keep down the competition for water - eliminate weeds.
• Get the water around the plants by forming a shallow moat reservoir around plants.
• Collect water from the shed roof and keep containers covered to stop evapo¬ration and letting leaves clog up the butts.
• For thirsty plants sink a pot into the ground to get the water to the roots.
• Water in the cool of the evening to avoid quick evaporation or if you are an early riser you can water in the morning, but to obtain any benefit this has to be done before sunrise.

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