Waste Not, Want Not

Water-wise methods of vegetable gardening 

- JANE GRIFFITHS

It's disheartening to see our lovingly tended edible plants die because of lack of water. But with some simple techniques, this doesn't have to be the case.

Healthy soil

No-dig gardening methods and increasing the amount of organic matter and humus in the soil improve its water-retaining ability. Humus acts like a huge underground sponge. Instead of water running off, it is soaked up and held in the soil with air pockets so it doesn't become waterlogged. Water does more than provide liquid for plants to drink. It breaks organic matter into soluble nutrients, which it carries through the soil to the roots.

Mulch, mulch, mulch

Mulching (adding leaves, compost, manure and other organic matter to the surface of the soil) is one of the simplest yet most beneficial things we can do. Mulching creates a forest floor environment that plants love.

It reduces weeds and the spread of disease, strengthens roots, improves the quality and fertility of the soil, and, most importantly, retains moisture and regulates temperature.

→Weed and water well before applying mulch.