A well fed plot is a happy plot  

Liquid Feeding

Giving your vegetables an organic liquid boost will offer them nutrients not always accessible in your soil.  Always carefully follow instructions as too much can damage or destroy your plants. 

All fertilisers include at least one of the major plant foods i.e.:

Nitrogen (N)-for stem and leaf growth
Phosphate (P)-for root growth
Potash (K)-for flower and fruit production
Look out for the NPK ratio on bottles.  For example, if the N:P:K ratio is 7:7:7,  you know that the fertiliser contains equivalent proportions of the above major plant foods - nitrogen, phosphate and potash.  The feed therefore should be appropriate for all-purpose use with all plants.  Don't put on fresh germinated seedlings as it is too potent for them. 

Two of the best organic liquid fertilisers on the market are:

Seaweed: Made from seaweed extract. For general use on established plants.

Tomato:    Formulated for tomatoes, but good for any flowering or fruiting crop.

Potato blight is a widespread but easily treated disease

John Adamson's of www.helpmegarden.ie tip of the week
Blight Spray

Main evening weather forecasts on RTÉ give good warning on the risk of blight in your area. Always have a blight spray handy and spray when warned.  Liquid Copper Fungicide - controls potato blight, black spot, mildew, rust, peach leaf curl, and some other common fruit diseases. It can be used on the likes of peach trees, potatoes, outdoor tomatoes, plums, cherries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries and roses.

The 2fm Allotment in midsummer

Crop maintenance    

It's now midsummer and the 2fm Allotment is flourishing.  Growth is now peaking and maintenance is key.  This week we focus on the principles of good crop maintenance, feeding and disease.   

 
If purchasing from your garden centre ensure you choose a healthy plant. There should be no discoloration in the leaves, a good root system, and be sturdy. Don't be afraid to carefully lift the plant from the pot to inspect the root system. Ideally the root system should look healthy, not too compact, strained or shocked looking. 
• Once purchased don't delay in putting the plant in your garden, do it right away.
• Prepare your ground properly, feed the soil with manure and fertilizer and ensure you have good drainage
• Get rid of weeds as they are a breeding ground for pests and diseases, and compete for light and nutrients
• Rotate your crops on a regular basis as this aids the control of, and reduces the build up of diseases
• Don't overcrowd your planting area as it can lead to crippled plants and diseases
• If you thin out your plants put them in your compost heap immediately, do not let them rot near other plants
• Feed and water on a regular basis, and ensure that you give them a good soaking to the roots.  Every other day is better than daily watering. 

John Adamson's of www.helpmegarden.ie tip of the week
Be on your guard against insects and pests right through the growing season.  Identifying problems early makes it easier to take action and save crops. Only use organic pesticides and follow manufacturer's instructions.  Mulching between rows will help control weeds and pests whilst also conserving moisture in your soil, and provide you with clear pathways to access your plants. You can use bark, grass clippings (without weeds) or straw for mulching.  Email questions on pests (with photos if possible) to john@hlepmegarden.ie. 

Tomatoes
The last few weeks' good weather will see your tomato plants thriving.  It is now time to direct their growth.  Between the main stem and each outwards stem you will notice a small sucker or side shoot, as per photo above.  This sucker shoot will not bare fruit, and will absorb valuable nutrients that would otherwise create stronger stems and a greater yield. If your suckers are small (1 to 5 inches) then cut them to the main stem.  If they are longer cut to about 3 inches from the stem.  This is called Missouri Pruning, and will increase your plants' resistant to disease.  Missouri Pruning also helps balance between vine and fruit growth - essential in producing a good tomato crop.

John Adamson's of www.helpmegarden.ie tip of the week
You can train your tomato plants by loosely tying the stem to bamboo stakes with soft twine.  Don't tie too tight as the main stem could get damaged.  It is best to tie the knot at a bamboo crease as this stops it from slipping down as the plant gets heavier.
Another way to train your plants is to fix soft twine from the base of the plant to a support about six feet overhead.  The stem is then loosely tied to the taut twine, as we did in our 2fm Allotment (see photo above).  Place the twine in loops into a dug hole, place your plant on top of this and fill in with organic matter/soil.  As your roots grow around the twine underneath, it will anchor the plant into the soil.  Tie the top support.  As your plant grows you should carefully wrap it around the twine to give support.

Comfrey plants (above) make a great organic fertilizer  

We are now in the month of June and you'll notice tremendous growth in your garden.  This is due to increased sunlight and warmer soil, along with your hard work to date.  Your plants now need more attention than ever, so regular inspection is required.  Be watchful for pests, diseases, growth, thinning out, weeds, side shoots etc.  Remember the time-tested maxim "You reap what you sow".  This week we'll look at homemade organic fertilizer and wildlife.  

Comfrey fertilizer
Comfrey is a common plant in the wild and can be bought in most garden centers, online and in nurseries. Comfrey leaves can be used as a nutritious mulch or compost activator, and once planted it will continuously grow - providing you with a continual source of free fertilizer.  To make your own fertilizer:    
 
Step 1
Let Comfrey plants grow to a height of about 15 to 20 inches.  Cut off all the leaves before it flowers and place them aside.  Then cut the remaining plant to the base and put in your compost.
 
Step 2
Gather your leaves (wear gloves as they can be spiky) and put them into a bucket with a lid.  Once in your bucket there are two ways to make your fertilizer:
 
A:    Place a few bricks on leaves to compress them.  Put a lid on the bucket (to stop rain getting in, and the smell getting out) and leave in a sunny position for 4 to 6 weeks.  Your leaves will rot leaving a black liquid.  Pour this liquid into a recycled container with a lid.  Put the remains of your leaves into your compost heap. Dilute the liquid to a ratio of 15:1 with water.  It should be of a pale yellow colour when used.
 
B:    As above, but pour water (rainwater is best) to the level of bricks.  After 4 to 6 weeks open the lid (be aware of smell!).  Pour this liquid into a container and dilute between a ratio of 10:1 to 15:1 with water to a pale yellow colour. 
This homemade fertilizer is very high in potassium, and makes an excellent organic feed.
 
Green plant manure
Green plant manure is made by mixing a variety of green plants. These can be prunings (cut leaves) or weeds pulled from the garden (if flowers are present take away the seed heads). A combination of weeds, leaves and grasses will result in a good mix of nutrients.  Place them in a container like an old bin and fill to about ¼.  Pour in water to reach over ¾ the bin height.  Make sure the lid is properly secured.  After about one month in temperate weather or two months in cold weather it will be ready to use.  To utilize simply water down eight measures of water to one measure of dilute. The ideal colour of the liquid when mixed together should be pale yellow.   Pour on the roots of your plants and not the foliage.  Be watchful and do not put it on ready-to-pick leafy green vegetables.  The mixture is great for your soil, young seedlings and established plants.

Wildlife and insects bring rich benefits to every garden 

John Adamson's tip of the week (see www.helpmegarden.ie for more)
Wildlife and Bees
Keep your wildlife coming back to your garden by keeping your feeders full, replenishing the water in birdbaths, and don't spray pesticides. The wildlife and insects will not only help in the pollination process, but they will also assist in getting rid of unwanted pests. Planting flowers is the prefect way to attract bees. They'll get their nectar drink and pollen food from the plants and require it throughout the year (unlike honey bees).