Striking Green Bounty

serenemaklong.blogspot.com

                                   (Portulaca or Japanese rose)

HAVING vegetable garden not only yields crops, striking colours and aromatic scents, they also complement other ornamentals. At the heart of this endeavour are inter-planting and diversity planting. Both yield more crops and, at the same time, offer a display of striking colours and aromatic scents. Such a garden will deter pests and attract pollinators on its own. In other words, we will have less work and enjoy gardening more.

Growing Conditions

You don’t need a big plot to grow vegetables. For example, brinjal, chilli and cherry tomato can be grown in a pot. Essentially, about 1sq ft (0.1sq m) should suffice.

Pick a spot that receives full morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon. It’s advisable to provide a temporary shelter for the plants in case of excessive heat, heavy rain or strong wind. If necessary, stake the plants.

Good organic soil ensures high-yielding and better crops. So feed the soil with plenty of compost as it is rich in nutrients and improves the water retention and aeration of the soil.

Don’t under-water or over-water the plants. But water thoroughly if the surface of soil is dry to the touch. Remove weeds if any.

Vegetable Selection

Go for vegetables that flourish in hot, wet and humid weather. These include brinjal, okra, chilli, pumpkin, French bean, yardlong bean, winged bean, bitter gourd, corn, carrot and radish.

If you’re thinking of growing tomato, opt for cherry tomato over the larger varieties as it’s more suited to our climate. Besides, high temperatures can disrupt fruit-setting.

Also, choose loose-leafed lettuce over the “hearting” varieties, and shallots instead of onions.

Inter-planting and Diversity Planting

Inter-plant flowers (including flowering fruit trees) and herbs that can complement your vegetables of choice, or vice versa (choose vegetables that will grow well with the plants in your garden). This will help in pollination, pest control and nutrient uptake for a productive crop.

Bright and colourful flowers woo pollinators such as butterflies and bees with their pollen and nectar. Flowers that attract butterflies include ixora, gomphrena, lantana and cuphea, while those that attract bees include portulaca, sunflower, morning glory and blue pea.

Most herbs repel pests with their strong scent and make good companion plants. For example, sage not only deters cabbage moths and worms but also provides the nutrients for better quality cabbage. Basil, meanwhile, helps cabbage, chilli, brinjal, tomato and beans to flourish by attracting butterflies and repelling pests.

Vegetables can become ornamentals before they are harvested for consumption. When grown with different types of plants, their flowers and foliage add colour and texture to your garden.

Grow plants of varying shapes and heights. The short varieties should be grown at the front or at the borders, followed by those in medium height.

Tips
•     For beginners, buy young vegetable plants from the nursery. Once you have learnt how to grow them well, opt to grow from seedlings.
•    Certain vegetables such as corn require a big plot for effective pollination.
•    When growing vegetables in the ground, settle seedlings or young plants during late afternoons so they won’t be “shocked” by the afternoon sun.
•    Mix minced garlic with a few drops of organic dish washing liquid and water and you have a homemade pesticide. Avoid chemical pesticides.
 

(Source: Stephanie Choo/New Straits Times)