What’s the weather like today?
It is a damp, slightly chilly day in May.The temperature up until now, has been in the late teens. The community garden in Jampa Ling is cared for by lots of people who come and go. Sometimes it is difficult to find ways to be consistent.
Constancy loves Consistency
Plants are similar to people. In that feeling secure is paramount to a sense of wellbeing. When a person can’t get out of their chair for some physical reason when they become a little chilly and are in need of an extra layer, it is lovely when a thoughtful person puts a blanket over them. So it is for plants. On cool damp summer days it is best to keep the doors of the polytunnel closed. As well as that, only water a little those plants that are the big drinkers. For the ones who like less water, for example plants that originally grow in Mediterranean or sub tropical climates, don’t water those at all on cold damp days.
This is in stark contrast to the preceding weeks. I was in a panic running around, trying to keep everything watered. Non gardeners must think I am mad. From the outside it looks as though I can’t make up my mind. ” But you said it was IMPERATIVE we should Always water in the mornings!” I know, I know.
Fortunately we don’t have leaf curl at present. But once a plant gets stressed as in one of it’s needs are not met then….it becomes vulnerable to disease. Lets go back to the person who can’t get out of their chair to get a warm rug to put over themselves.
5 stages of plant disease (I just made this up)
stage one: the person (plant) is uncomfortable
stage two: optimum body temperature drops
Stage three: pathogens in the environment seize the opportunity to invade, not consciously of course … not in a Napoleonic sort of way
Stage four: Immune response of individual kicks in. If the (Person) plant is healthy and vigorous and help arrives soon no lasting damage.
Stage five: Immune response is compromised, (plant) person is undergoing stress for a period of time, pathogens take hold and the person (plant) becomes ill, catches a cold, or worse case scenario, God forbid the plant/individual dies.
Catching a cold in the old days was a big deal. Just watch Sense and Sensibility. Note the scene at 1:00 minute if you don’t have time to watch the whole thing.
So we are always focused on plant centred care in this instance. What are the needs of the plant and how can we help to achieve them so as we can all benefit from the beautiful garden. It is basically a holistic approach. Our garden is not controlled by use of chemicals but by the careful management of it’s internal and external environment.
more about seedlings next time
