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Old Geezer the Gardening Guru: The dangers of a warm start to winter

Friday, 25 November 2011 4:44 PM

By Old Geezer

I've just been out in the garden, the sun is shining and there's a gentle breeze from the South West. The temperature is in the mid-teens; it's a beautiful day. It's odd to think that today is the 25th of November, yet I was in shirt sleeves!

Whilst this unseasonal weather is pleasant, it might spell serious trouble for the veggie patch.

It has been so mild the plants don't know what to do...so they grow. We have had just three very slight ground frosts so far. That's not enough to check growth. In fact the only things to suffer in my garden have been the Begonias!

So what are the consequences for our crops? The combination of beautiful weather and short days is making for soft growth, and a lot of it. My peas for instance: if they continue like this they'll be in flower by February! Of course this won't happen as soon the weather must surely change.

The broad beans, and onions, all are growing too quickly. There is very little that can be done, however it is possible to slow them down a little. If you have some wood ash then carefully put a row of it as close to the plants as you can. Put just enough to cover the soil and about an inch or so wide, then lightly water it.

Wood ash is high in potassium, this will at least turn the plants a darker green, and harden them up a little. It will not cure the problem, but it will help. Don't be tempted to overdo it though as this could scorch the plants.

Another little tip is to draw up a little more soil around the plants, just enough to stop them rocking around in the breeze.

The other thing we can do is to at least be ready to protect them when the weather does change. Fleece or polythene will do. I'm lucky as I have a sufficient number of cloches (glass covers) to put over them, these are even better.

However it is important not to do this unless an air frost is forecast as this will only make the plants under them grow even faster and softer.

As for the rest of the veggie plot: the weeds continue to germinate in large numbers, so keep hoeing. Alternatively you could use a three pronged cultivator. This has the added advantage of disturbing the white fly, which are still around in clouds.

Those still on your plants will mostly die off, it is the fertile females which nest over winter in the top soil. Disturbing them will at least kill some of them off, even if you're unlikely to get them all.

There are even colonies of aphids still around, if you see them in the tops of your sprouts an easy way to control them is with a spray mister. Simple water with a good squirt of washing up liquid in it will thin them out whilst not hurting the plants.

And to think that most people only dig up a few parsnips on their veggie plot at this time of year!

All the best, Old Geezer.

Old Geezer (Paul Rix) is the author of 'Beyond the Potting Shed' a comprehensive guide to growing your own. Available from all good book shops or Amazon.

Got a question for Old Geezer? Send them on over to editorial@aboutproperty.co.uk.

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