Gardening and DIY: Windy weather!

Tying cabbages. Photo / Paul Thompson

Wind

The weather is a bit mixed at the moment and there are some strong winds around which is great for keeping densely-foliated plants like zucchini, pumpkin and cucumber well ventilated and fungus-free.

However, many plants are at an increased risk of being toppled as they hit maturity. The same plants that benefit from good ventilation have fairly soft foliage and delicate stems that are easily dislodged from their supports. Tall growing sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes are at risk from being blown over just as they reach their magnificent best.

It's worth spending a little time checking that everything is well-supported and adequately tied-in. Use bamboo canes for tall growing plants like tomatoes and mesh to support sprawling plants like cucumbers, beans and peas.

Tie stems just below a leaf joint and make sure that fruiting stems (on eggplants and cucumbers for instance) and trusses (on tomatoes and beans) are not constricted. If you have a clump of sunflowers then put stakes at each corner and encircle them with thick twine to give them some extra stability.

Make your own ties

Cabbage tree leaves are great for tying in many vegetable plants and they can easy be composted with spent foliage and stems at the end of the growing season. To soften them up, just stretch them by wrapping them around your hand before you use them.

Old tights are great for tearing into strips and using as ties - their elasticity allows for a little give.

Fresh ivy, bindweed, wire vine stems can all be used to make temporary ties.

Tying in tips

Tie tightly to the means of support first and then tie gently around the stem of the plant that is to be supported.

Allow a few millimetres of space around plant stems to allow for expansion as plants grow.

Many plants are tied in or provided with support every 18 inches.

Check your ties every few weeks to see if they need loosening as plants increase in size. Check stakes and supports too as these can work loose when plants mature and increase in weight.

Shake it!

When the male flowers form branches at the top of sweet corn plants and open out you'll see the pollen falling in clouds when they are given a shake.

It's a good idea to do this just in case insufficient winds dislodge pollen at the right time. Pollen falls onto the female flowers - or 'silks' - below and then these develop into corn cobs.

Gardeners on the go
Sow kale now for winter
Ensure chickens are given a regular supply of fresh water
Dead head companion flowers
Sow more salads - in shady spots if your garden is really sunny
Break up bare soil and hoe between rows of plants so that moisture can enter easily when it rains.

For full-scale, seasonal edible gardening advice and inspiration see www.podgardening.co.nz or check out Pod Gardening on facebook.