Hillingdon Allotment News 14: Watering of vegetables

1. Over watering is no cure for bad husbandry, watering on a daily basis is unnecessary even in very hot weather.

2. The Royal Horticultural Society makes the following recommendations. Watering every 10 – 14 days applying 25 litres per sq meter. (5 gallons per square yard). If therefore you have a bed that’s 1 foot wide, this will water 15 feet of row. Most vegetables have a critical period when watering will improve the crop considerably. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbages need a constant supply throughout their growth. If this is not possible apply water 10 – 20 days before harvesting will produce a significant improvement. For peas, beans, potatoes and sweetcorn apply water every 10 days in their flowering period. Root crops and onion family are least reliant on extra water.

3. Humus greatly reduces the need for water and soil preparation in the autumn is the key issue.

4. Mulching reduces the need for watering.

5. Growing plants in shallow drills ensures the water is retained near the plants and reduces the need for watering this is suitable for plots on a sloping or level site.

6. Bottles inserted neck down with their bottoms cut off or flower pots will also ensure the water reaches the area roots and is not wasted by run off.

7. Excessive watering leaches nutrients from the soil and reduces yield unless more fertilizer is applied which in turn requires more water which in turn…...

8. Water courses can become contaminated as a result of 7 above.

9. Clay soil is naturally retentive of water.

All of the above amount to good soil husbandry and plot management.

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