A water peeled vegetable garden |Tunisia's press
There are many simple and effective tips to continue to cultivate our vegetables calmly ... while lightening our water bill!
• Drizzle without wasting
First reflex: water early in the morning or after sunset to drastically limit the waste of water by the natural effect of evaporation.By recovering rainwater at the foot of the gutters, you can even water gratis and anticipate the gaps at the time of the hot weather.Keep the hand light, some gardeners with an annoying tendency to water their vegetables too much, especially at the end of cultivation.Consequences?Plant hypersensitivity at the slightest stroke of hot, loss of flagrant taste, especially for tomatoes or melons.
Unlike watering with a hose or by sprinkling, drip makes it possible to control the intake.It is important to follow the weather forecast day by day to provide unnecessary watering a few hours before a rainy episode.A simple rainfall will inform you precisely about the recent precipitation, keeping in mind that between 5 and 10 mm, you will need to complete with watering.Beyond that, the earth should have absorbed enough water, provided that there are not too many losses by runoff.
• mulch the earth to limit
evaporation
Even if the famous adage "a hubby is worth two watering" remains a truth, the mulching turns out to be much less tedious and also reduced by half the watering.Be careful beforehand this protective layer on moistened sol, either by a beautiful downpour or by good watering the night before.Like the insulating materials of a roof, the mulching must cover the entire surface of the vegetable garden, allocated in the ground and foot passage, under penalty of seeing the water migrate to the non-covered parts and evaporate.Also be aware that the more a mulch is fine, but spread out in a thick layer, the more it will play its insulating role.
Thus, flax or hemp glitter between the rows of vegetables, just like mowing waste in the aisles, are much more effective than straw.Remember that 10 cm of dry mowing waste equivalent to 20 cm of straw.To improve your anti -Secheresse plan, the land of the vegetable garden will have to be previously enriched with compost.
Fine or coarse, this precious organic matter allows water, especially during strong summer thunderstorms, to penetrate in depth into the earth.It then constitutes an important reserve which will gradually be at the service of your cultures.
In sandy soil and therefore very draining, the addition of compost is also used to remember water.At the rate of 10 liters of compost per m2 of vegetable patch, you will have every interest in recycling a maximum of plant waste in several silos.
• Missing on sober vegetables
Imaginez que les laitues, les tomates ou les carottes cultivées sur 1 m2 réclament entre 2 et 4 litres d’eau par jour! Sans compter que ces besoins sont plus importants lors du semis ou de l’installation des jeunes plants. Misez plutôt sur l’oignon, l’ail ou l’échalote, qui s’avèrent être des légumes beaucoup plus sobres. Changez aussi vos habitudes en privilégiant les cultures dont les besoins en eau sont généralement couverts par les précipitations d’automne, voire d’hiver : épinard, panais, fève, radis noir et blette.
Another track: favor perennials such as Jerusalem artichoke, perpetual leek, cardboard and artichoke much more resistant to drought episodes than classic annual vegetables.More exotic, sweet potato, physalis, tetragon and chickpea will keep the head high under the heat wave.
• Favor the shadow
All the old gardening guides will tell you that a productive vegetable garden must imperatively grow with maximum sunshine.However, with droughts and temperature records beaten each year, you have to face the facts: a little shade does not harm.Besides, our ancestors used to cover the sowing, chicory and winter carrots sowed at the height of summer.You can also use this technique to offer a little shade to your squash fruits and pumpkin with such sensitive skin.
Also use large plants that will effectively protect the smallest in the sun.Thus, dwarf beans will benefit from a beautiful plant shade if they are surrounded by two rows of Jerusalem artichokes.With the protection of large cosmos or chickpeas, your strawberries will cross summer without incident.
Canvas shade, popular with tropical climates, can be very useful to protect zucchini, squash and even bulbous fennel.Also use the shadow range of large trees or a hedge to bring your vegetable square squares closer.
