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Title: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: Crystalmoon on August 21, 2008, 14:56:32

Hi all, just wondering if anyone else is having this problem....it has been very very wet here, mega heavy rainfall :o alot of my crops are rotting while still on the plant (they are not sitting on wet earth or badly drained areas). Courgettes seem particularly affected & also my butternut squash :'(
Kohl Rabbi & fennel have also been damaged badly :(
It has been so wet I havent sown the seeds I intened for July or August yet. Im beginning to think I may as well cover my allotment in black covering & give up for the winter months ::)
Any advice welcomed

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: betula on August 21, 2008, 19:37:23

My courgettes have given up.The garlic all needs pulling as they are sitting in water.So glad of my raised beds.Just try to make sure the ground is as well drained as possible :)

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 21, 2008, 21:16:59

I had the same problem last year. This year it isn't quite so bad, but some of the spuds have rotted as a result of the floods a few weeks back, and some of the beans and squashes have just sat and sulked.

Hopefully it'll pass, but if your plot becomes waterlogged regularly, it might be worth building raised beds.

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: Crystalmoon on August 22, 2008, 01:12:41

Thanks for your replies. I have built one wooden raised bed on my plot & have ordered a plastic clip together one that should arrive soon & will be easy to move around the plot if i want to change the layout next year (only had my plot for a few months).
I will sow some salad leaves & radish in the raised beds & maybe some other things into large pots.
Thought I should probably try to grow some green manure plants on the rest of the plot rather than just giving up & covering it all in black membrane ;)

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: Barnowl on August 22, 2008, 10:52:46

How about trying some Pak Choy (if you like eating it that is)? It is better sown in early or late summer because if it's too warm it goes to seed very quickly.

I think there are other similar oriental veg that should grow well at this time of year.

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: kitty on August 23, 2008, 07:33:02

the slugs beat me to the kohl rabi...
the race is on tolift the taters before they turn into potato colanders... >:(
kitty
xx

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: Crystalmoon on August 23, 2008, 19:40:20

Thanks Barnowl i will try some pak Choy as i really like it alot...will sow it in my raised beds though ;)

Hi kitty, I know what you mean about the potatoes...I havent been able to lift any main crop yet because of the weather...hoping I still have an edible crop :-\

Title: Re: wet weather rotting my crops
Post by: caroline7758 on August 23, 2008, 20:55:04

I dug up my last three rows yesterday- pretty poor yield and about 75% had holes (or 60% before I stuck my fork in >:()

Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Crystalmoon on August 21, 2008, 14:56:32