Leafy greens are a summertime staple for fresh family salads, so it is heartbreaking to head out to the patch on a hot day to find limp wilted leaves instead of crisp juicy ones. Your journey to keeping healthy leafy greens in summer starts here.
Watering
Switch to more regular slow deep watering in the early morning so moisture reaches the roots before the heat of the day. This helps plants cope with hot afternoons and reduces stress.
Mulching
Cover the soil with a 5 to 7 cm layer of The Garden Family Sugar Cane Mulch to lock in moisture and cool the root zone. Mulch also helps suppress weeds so your greens do not have to compete for water and nutrients.
Shade cloth protection
For extra protection shade your crops with 25 to 30 per cent shade cloth supported on a simple frame. A few short stakes can act as tent poles or you can create a sturdier hoop structure made from polypipe or PVC conduit secured to the ground with short lengths of reo bar. Your greens will stay happy hydrated and far less likely to wilt.
For more tips on growing salad greens in hot weather read the article on Gardening Australia’s guide to leafy greens.
To shop The Garden Family range head into your local Bunnings Warehouse or find them here!
