When it comes to healthy, productive vegetables beds, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and this involves my least favourite task – thinning.
I find it very difficult pulling out healthy little seedlings that have just burst into life but it is a must!
Overcrowding leads to competition for light, nutrients and growing space. So be cruel (pluck out) to be kind (allow a healthy growing environment that will repay you with an abundance of food) and make sure that you leave only the healthiest of your seedlings.
Overcrowding can also lead to issues with airflow, resulting in fungus problems, disease and a place for pests to hide and multiply.
So, if you have not done it already, start today - as soon as the second set of leaves appear, you are right to pluck away.
While thinning out excess seedlings, kill two birds with one stone and pull out any weeds that may also add competition for nutrients. Hopefully you have used sugarcane mulch at the time of seeding and weeds are few and far between.
Now is also time to water regularly, keeping your soil moist (not sodden) and don’t let the deeper soil dry out (just stick your finger in it to test).
As mentioned in previous columns, watering in the morning is the best time for your vegetable garden beds in the Whitsundays.
Remember to regularly liquid feed your vegetable plants too. I use Seasol every 2-3 weeks.
If you have a habit of forgetting when you last fed your garden, at the very least go for the first week of every month. That’s a good start to each month for your vegetable plants.
Remember to follow the instructions - a stronger concentrate does not mean a better feed, nor does it make up for a missed feed!
This time of year, is still great for seeding. I’ve just harvested my radish, and I am planting lettuce and spinach out at different time intervals, so they are right for picking for a never ending supply of leafy greens.
PLANT RIGHT NOW
Zucchini, corn, carrots, radish, kale, eggplant, capsicums and chilli and herbs. This is a great time to grow your own basil, coriander and my favourite – Dill.
TOP TIP
I’ve had a few people talk to me about bugs eating the leaves of their greens and leaves.
This year I have invested in fine woven vegetable pest nets (light weight 45gsm) and they are fantastic! Not only do they keep out all the pests, they are also UV stabilised with a 20 per cent shade factor which is perfect for our environment. Best of all, they are easy to use!
My greens have never looked better!
FUN FACT
Yes, humans eat seeds – try poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and chia seeds. It is important not to eat apple seeds, lychee seeds, plums and cherries - as well as being toxic to humans, they taste awful!
Be cruel to be kind and thin your seedlings
Radish are great to plant right now
Use a woven pest net to protect your veggies from bugs
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