Young rocket and non-heading lettuce. Photo: Wynlen House.
Everything in the vegetable garden is looking a bit windswept and very thirsty at the moment, despite being adequately watered via drip irrigation.
Our region has had a dry, windy spring, and December, the first month of summer, looks no different.
In times like these, it is obvious that watering is not a substitute for proper rainfall, because the vegetables are growing but not flourishing or vibrant like they are after a good dose of summer rain.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the month from our friends at the BoM is not promising any real change in conditions. This includes an equal chance of less or more rainfall, accompanied by warmer days and nights and more heatwaves. With this in mind, the vegetable garden will require a bit of extra attention over the summer season.
Mulching, combined with under-mulch drip irrigation, is an effective way to water during dry spells. This was our go-to approach during the 2015-2019 drought.
Also, during dry spells, it is essential to use water efficiently and minimise hefty water bills, which can be a crippling result of watering ornamental and food gardens for months at a time. In parts of regional and rural Australia, water costs have skyrocketed, making this an increasingly important consideration.
The next tactic is to plant vegetables that tolerate dry conditions, producing well with less water and at higher temperatures. Silverbeet, often called Swiss chard, is a very versatile leafy green that copes well in hot, dry conditions. It grows relatively quickly from seedlings and can be cooked in omelettes and frittatas, added to soups and stews, stir-fried at the last minute, or lightly steamed/sauteed as an accompaniment to any meat or fish.
As a bonus, silverbeet will grow all year round in our cool/cold climate zone and will produce for up to two years before new plants are needed. It might wilt if water-deprived, but as soon as it gets a bit of water, it becomes upright and vibrant quickly with no ill effects.
Beans are another common choice for hot, dry conditions, as are squashes, pumpkins and peppers. Pumpkins and squash are surprisingly drought-tolerant. They develop a deep tap root and an extensive system of lateral roots, which are very good at drawing up and scavenging water. The common butternut variety is one of the best for this.
Zucchini is great in dry weather. Photo: Wynlen House.
Zucchini plants and spaghetti squash perform similarly well in dry conditions. Another benefit these plants have is their large leaf systems, which shade the ground, slowing water loss from the soil. There is still time to plant seedlings of these vegetables as the predicted warmer autumn will extend the growing season somewhat, giving these slower-growing vegetables time to ripen.
Rocket is another drought-tolerant leafy green. In dry conditions, it will produce smaller leaves but still yield a substantial crop. To prevent it from bolting, keep using it; cutting will encourage more growth. (It will benefit from a bit of shade cloth, as will lettuces in these hot, dry conditions.)
Kale and eggplant are also pretty efficient in dry conditions.
Eggplants are very efficient water users and can withstand drought. Plant the fingerling types as they grow faster and use less water. Kale does really well in all conditions, provided you manage the white cabbage butterfly, which absolutely loves laying eggs on kale.
Preparing the ground for planting during dry conditions is not onerous. Adding more compost than usual is recommended as soil built with organic matter holds water and air better. Lucerne chaff can be lightly dug into the soil to add organic matter (plus nitrogen and nutrients) that will break down quickly and improve soil texture and water-holding capacity.
A good-quality pelleted complete organic fertiliser, added in quantities larger than usual, should be applied to give plants ample access to high-quality nutrients and help them cope with the stress of harsh conditions. Using a thick layer of mulch (10 -15 cm) with under-mulch drip irrigation is the most efficient watering method because overhead watering may not penetrate well into the soil underneath.
Summer leafy greens in partial shade. Photo: Wynlen House.
Watering for longer periods but watering less often, ensuring the soil gets a thorough soaking, is recommended for dry conditions, as is watering in the early morning or evening. Don’t be afraid to water at night to give the soil and plants time for maximum moisture absorption. This is often frowned upon because it can increase the risk of mould and mildew; however, the benefits of letting water soak in will outweigh these potential undesirable effects.
Other vegetables usually planted now from seedlings include Asian greens, bulbing fennel, summer lettuce (non-hearting lettuce, which are more heat-tolerant), onions, spring onions and leeks, sweet corn (remembering that corn likes lots of water), beetroot, celery and celeriac.
Don’t forget to regularly inspect for insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips. They love the dry heat, so keep the eco-neem oil handy!
Bronwyn Richards and Helen Lynch run Wynlen House Artisan Village Farm and Learning Centre, a small village organic market garden in Braidwood, NSW. Since 2006, they have grown and sold fresh vegetables, eggs, preserves and garlic, and teach others to do the same.
Original Article published by Helen Lynch on Region Canberra.
