As already told, the heat wave and drought have been quite harsh this year. The highest temp in a day has been over 35 deg C for a few weeks. They say even summer vegetables won't grow if the highest temp goes over 35 deg C. All the green beans have been withered. So did from 30 to 40% of sweet melons. Others have also been weakened despite of some watering once a day or so. Some professional farmers are watering their vegetables with continuous irrigation system. It is not a pratical idea for an amateur like me.
I have tried grass mulching again. Carrots need much water until budding when sowed on soil. Home grown carrot seeds were sowed once with total failure even watered twice in a day. Then I put some grass mulch on it while watering in the same way. They were successfully germinated as this photo shows. Of course, the mulching has been taken off when buds were recognized.
The seeds of carrot are well known for being photophilic. I was afraid the mulching would have disturbed germination hiding light reaching the seeds. But it didn't matter. Seems the sunray in summer was strong enough to get through the mulching. I am happy those home grown seeds would grow to be harvested in several weeks. It is a step toward self contained farming.
This is the rose with grass mulching I have posted a few days ago. Putting further grass beneath its branches around, the soil has been pretty wet even in the hardest sun shine. There are new leaves grown on branches as well as some new flowers. The grass would become compost in some time and nourish the tree in the future.
On the other hand, global warming which has brought about this heatwave should be handled with as soon as possible. Before we are over the tipping point. I was convinced about it again this summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment