An exciting garden development
21.08.2023 - 12:04
/ theunconventionalgardener.com
/ Emma Doughty
What has changed in the garden since last week? Well, on Wednesday I got tired of waiting (for cold, windy days and then scorching hot days to pass) and planted out 3 of my squash plants. One Georgia Candy Rooster went out into the ‘allotment’ in the Sunset Strip, and two Rugosa fruilana courgettes went into a raised bed in the main garden. Each one was planted out into a mound of fresh compost, and protected with a plastic cloche and eco-friendly slug pellets. I replaced the black plastic mulch on the beds to give them extra warm and moist soil.
And then I panicked, because the sun came out and started blasting them. The cloches did their work and maintained a humid atmosphere, but it was hard on the plants. They wilted. I wasn’t sure if they would survive the night. Although I have more Georgia Candy Rooster, it’s the Rugosa Fruilana I really care about, because one ‘triffid’ fed us all summer last year, and kept us entertained with its roaming nature. There aren’t any more of those as a backup.
They survived the night. But then the sun came out again on Thursday, and I decided I had to do something – so I invented temporary ‘shade sails’ made from a compost bag and a garden cane. These plant parasols did their job, although I did have to move them a few hours later as the sun tracked around the garden.
On Saturday the plants were still alive, and had perked up. I won’t stop holding my breath until they’re obviously back in active growth, but for now at least it seems there will be squash this year! Sadly my Shark’s Fin Melon seedlings haven’t survived; I have sown some more, but may have to come up with a Plan B for their spot on the allotment.
You’re probably thinking, right about now, that this isn’t very exciting.
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