It's August, it's autumn and it's now time to start looking at your vegetables and possibly harvesting them. This week 2fm's John Bela Reilly and John Adamson of helpmegarden.ie look into peas, pests and next season's soil.

Peas
If you have peas it is vital that you harvest as many as you can to encourage new growth in the weeks ahead. If you have a large crop you can blanch them and put them in bags in the freezer for later use.   Ensure you are not letting any of your crop go to seed as this will take away from the flavour.  Preventing potato and tomato blight by protecting plants with copper fungicide is vital as discarded potatoes from last year carry disease over and can pose a threat to this year's crops.  We had a slight warning this week so keep your ear out for blight warnings on RTE news broadcasts.

Pests and blight

Pests are also building up with influxes of blackfly into the runner and French Beans, beetroot with cabbage aphid and cabbage butterfly, and moth caterpillars in the brassicas.  Organic sprays and nematodes are ideal solutions.

Maintaining soil

Refrain from walking on soil you wish to grow crops in. Doing so damages the natural structuring of the soil, compressing it, and making it difficult to dig and weed.  Good soil should be teaming with bacteria and worms. Trampling on it will reduce the diversity of life in it and in term, affect fertility levels.  Also, it reduces the amount of air available to the soil.  If you need to cross a patch, use a good plank of wood to distribute your body weight. The soil will compress slightly, but not enough to cause lasting damage.

  There are few things in life as complimentary as a herb garden. This week 2fm's John Bela Reilly and John Adamson of helpmegarden.ie look into chives, mint and sage.

Mint                                                                                                                              

Mint is a vigorous plant and is usually best planted in its own container as it tends to re-root itself everywhere in your garden, so keeping it pot bound is the best solution.  Mint leaves can be taken at anytime during the growing season and can be used in a variety of dishes.  Keep it well-watered as they do not like drought.

Chives                                                                                                                    

Chives are a herb with many uses and should be grown by everyone.  You can pick your chives anytime during the growing season.  But do not pick the flower stalks as they are tough.  Common thyme, place the cut stems of the plants on a flat surface or hang them in bundles in any shady and arid place. Remove the dried leaves from the stems and store them in a sealed container.

Sage                                                                                                                        

Fresh sage is a delicious addition to a wide variety of meals.  It is a member of the enormous mint family and is a versatile and easy-to-grow herb. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavour a variety of dishes including beef, pork and poultry.  If you prefer the taste of the herb when it is fresh, simply harvest leaves as required.  Wash well and dry with a paper towel before adding to the pot.   Herbs have a stronger flavour once dried, so realize that when harvesting sage for immediate use, you will need to use about twice as you would with dried sage.

Send us an email to allotment@rte.ie for a free monthly, downloadable, printable document with everything you need to know nurture your favourite vegetables from soil to dinner table.  You can also get tips, advice, photos and much more in our regular updates at www.rte.ie/2fm/theallotment

A beautifully sunny June has given way to a more mixed July and we at the 2fm Allotment are now tasting some of the early rewards of our labour.  This week 2fm's John Bela Reilly and John Adamson of helpmegarden.ie look into onions and beetroot.

Onions
Keep watering your onions, unless they start to swell, and remove flower spikes that may appear.  Start harvesting after leaves start to turn pale yellow.  Lift some for cooking, or dry outside for a few days and put into storage.  Store in a dry, well-ventilated area like a shed.  Any that rot should be removed.

Beetroot
There is still time to plant beetroot in your garden up to the end of July. It would be ideal to sow this weekend and again in two weeks for successive harvesting.  They enjoy a sunny spot in fertilised soil.  Speed up germination before sowing by soaking seeds overnight in a little water.  Sow in a one inch deep drill and place two seeds every four inches.  As soon as they germinate you can remove the weaker seedlings allowing the stronger to thrive.  Ensure soil does not dry out and that it is weed free. 

Take care when weeding not to damage the roots of your plant.  After about six weeks give plants a little fertilizer to help their vigour.  You can usually harvest your crop after about 14 weeks.  Remember smaller beetroot are tastier.  Do not allow to grow bigger than the size of a tennis ball.  Beetroots leaves are tasty and versatile and can be used in much the same way as spinach.

John Adamson's of helpmegarden.ie tip of the month 
Encourage worms.  They are fundamental to your soil.  Their casts help promote root growth, their burrows act as drainage and aeration channels - essential for good plant growth.  Their digestion process reduces mineral particles in size, thus making them more accessible to micro organisms.  Entice worms to your soil by mulching and keeping your soil well-watered.  Worms also love greens like grass clippings greens sprinkled on your soil.  Turning your soil too much can kill your worms. 

The 2fm Allotment is continuing to thrive with early planted vegetables now coming to fruition.   One crop you will be taking up soon is early potatoes.  This week 2fm's John Bela Reilly and John Adamson of helpmegarden.ie look at early crops and sowing in July.

Early potatoes will soon be ready for harvest

When you harvest take care to remove all the tubers from the soil. Any tubers left in the ground will not only develop into weeds, but will also act as a magnet for disease and potato blight spores from the previous year.
After harvesting potatoes it is ideal to add organic matter.  Mustard is ideal as it adds nutrients thus adding green manure.   It also controls wireworms which will attack your crop.  French Beans also support much foliage, have good root systems and are great nitrogen providers for future planting.

What you can sow in July?
You can sow many things this month including winter vegetables like Spring Cabbage,  chicory, kohlrabi, carrots, French Beans, peas, beetroot, lettuce, radish, Chinese Cabbage, swedes, turnips, chicory and endive.   So why not allocate space in your garden and get planting?
Cleaning your garden tools
Regularly keep your tools clean.  It's simple and greatly speeds up garden tasks. Blunt tools cost you time and effort, and you are more likely to injure yourself trying to force blunt equipment into the ground. 

Clean tools are effective tools

John Adamson's of helpmegarden.ie tip of the month                                                                                                                    Make a habit of cleaning your tools after use to preserve their longevity.  Also dirty tools spread disease from one area to another.  Similarly, you should always clean your secateurs after use to avoid spreading disease from one plant to another.  Mentholated spirits and a clean cloth are perfect cleaning agents.
Send us an email to allotment@rte.ie for a free monthly, downloadable, printable document with everything you need to know nurture your favourite vegetables from seed to dinner plate.  You can also get tips, advice, photos and much more in our regular updates at www.rte.ie/2fm/theallotment 

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).

Companion planting mixes different complimentary crops together 

John Adamson's Tip of the Week 

Companion planting
Companion planting is the mixing of different crops close together, on the premise that they help each other out in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors essential to a good crop yield.  For us gardeners, the combinations of different plants also make for a more diverse, attractive vegetable garden, as well as allowing more prolific use of space.  It's a good idea to grow plants with a strong aroma around your vegetables as they will deter unwanted pests.  
By planting these you will repel Aphids, Carrot Fly, slugs, Cabbage Fly, Spider Mites, ants and various other pests.  Some of the easiest plants to mix into your vegetables include: Nasturtiums, Stock, Onions, Marigolds, Tagetes, Violas, Batmix, Butterfly Mix or Bumble Bee Mix flowers.  The most important thing to take into consideration is not to plant anything that grows over ten inches as it will only compete for light and nutrients with your vegetables.

Click here for printable companion planting chart.pdf 

Carrots are straightforward and produce good yields  

Carrots
Carrots are relatively easy to grow once your soil is suitable.  Homemade compost or well-rotted manure is the perfect addition to any soil.  Fish blood and bone or seaweed powder are both perfect fertilisers.   Create a drill about half an inch deep, water the drill, place your seeds and cover with soil.  If growing in containers, ensure the container is well-drained and 9-12 inches deep.  You should leave a distance of about six inches between each drill.  When seedlings start to appear you should thin out by taking away the weaker ones, leaving the healthiest to thrive. 
Keep weeds clear from your carrot beds and water the soil, rather then the foliage when dry.  The carrots worst pest is the carrot fly which lays its eggs on the soils.  The best solution is to cover the ground with horticultural fleece.  The time to harvest your carrots is usually about 14-16 weeks after planting your seedlings.  Good varieties to grow are:  Early Nantes, Parano, Flyaway, Amsterdam Forcing and Nantes 2.

Organic grown parsnips are tender and flavoursome

Parsnips 
Like carrots, parsnips are easy to grow once your soil is suitable.  Sow up to the first week of June.  Use the same method for planting your seeds as mentioned for the carrots (above) but leave at least 12 inches between each row to allow for a broader foliage.  Thin out seedlings to about six inches apart after they grow to over one inch in height.  Always keep the area weed free, and take care not to damage the tender foliage.  There is no great pest threat to parsnips.  A covering of fleece will protect form moths, slugs and snails.  Harvest about 14-16 weeks after planting. Good varieties to grow are: Offenham, Gladiator, White Gem, The Student and Tendor and True.

A slug beer trap is simple and effective

JOHN ADAMSON'S TIP OF THE WEEK
Beer Traps for Slugs and Snails.  An infestation of slugs and snails can be solved without the use of inorganic and potentially harmful slug pellets.  Like many of us, slugs too like beer.  So, all you have to do is leave out a dish, or sink the dish into the soil, so the top of dish is level with surface. The dish should be 2-3 inches deep and filled with one inch of beer.  Slugs will happily dip in, but once drunk won't make it out.  You might take some comfort in that they probably drown happily.  Always check your dish the following day to dispose of its contents, and don't allow pets to drink from dish.