Re: strategies for hot dry weather

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• To: Samantha Lane <s*@academy.net.au>
• Subject: Re: strategies for hot dry weather
• From: b*@netvision.net.il
• Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 20:56:49 +0200
• References: <199801140537.QAA24879@dialin.academy.net.au>

Samantha Lane wrote:
> 
> Here in adelaide summer is in full swing and I'm having trouble
> getting seeds started.  
> Any suggestions on how to cope with this?
> 

Greetings from the Mediterranean!

One wise suggestion I read in John Jeavon's book on sustainable
gardening: start seeds in flats rather than in the field/garden. (A flat
is a shallow, rectangular tub used by gardeners for seeding and rooting
cuttings. Nowadays it refers to the trays of little plastic cubes in
which seedlings are grown and sold.) Growing seed this way saves an
enormous amount of water in a dry summer area and lets you control
things a bit more by shading or sheltering the flat.

A big problem - especially if you are starting seeds using peat-based,
soil-less mix - is keeping the soil/peat from drying out. In winter, I
seal the entire flat in a plastic bag to make a mini greenhouse - but in
summer this will cook your seeds.
Try filling the bottom of each cubicle of the flat with sharp sand (not
beach sand) to retain moisture.
You can also cover the flats with shade cloth or screening to reduce
evaporation.

If you have mild winters, why not just wait until the weather cools
down?

Hope this helps.

Joshua
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• References:
  • strategies for hot dry weather
    • From: "Samantha Lane" <samantha@academy.net.au>

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