9th May 2024 - Grow Your Own

  

Doug began his talk by describing some new, scientifically engineered methods of killing off weeds from food crops which do not involve widespread use of chemicals and insecticides. Using heat to ‘cook’ and sterilise weed seeds, (using robotic cameras equipped with hot ‘guns’ and Laser technology) are being actively trialled. There is even a scheme to ‘farm’ spiders which will eat certain flies! 

The RHS ‘New World’ Vegetable Garden at Wisley is at the forefront of such experimental methods: seeking to dispense with toxic products in favour of (often ‘age old’ methods) to control of weeds.

As an advisor and lecturer to the RHS, as well as many other horticultural training institutions, Doug is passionate about how gardening can be sustainable yet also very productive. 

Doug talked about using a ‘no dig’ style of growing vegetables and the benefits of using home-made compost. He also suggested dividing small plots into grids (with companion planting) for rotational vegetable growing - the 'Patchwork' Approach'! In itself, crop rotation helps to keep the chemicals in the soil in better balance, improving prevention against infection. Rain water too helps healthy growth. So rain water needs to be captured but also used (not becoming stagnant).

Doug warned us about the need to research what veterinary medications might have been administered to any cattle/horses before using their dung to enrich our garden soil . Also what sprays / weed killers might have been used on the straw bedding of such animals (as this bedding is inevitably mixed in with manure). Antibiotics and worming treatments can have a negative impact on food production.

There were reminders during the talk about making full use of plastic products; not discarding them when they can be re-used in many innovative  ways. Plastic as a product is very useful. Take care that wooden raised beeds may be harbingers for slugs & snails!

In summary, Doug reminded us to be 'mindful' of how we nurture our productive vegetable gardens. And of course whilst doing so we must take breaks for our wel being, 

"... stopping often and listening to the birdsong."

Written by Jude Jansen