Updated: 16-Mar-2021
You can’t just throw on more chemicals to get higher yields in an eco-friendly garden. Especially if you’re going to be putting the fruit and vegetables on the table. There are less toxic methods for those of us who understand the needs of the soil and the planet. Find out here the approach you should take to get more out of the land without putting toxins into it.
Higher yields in an eco-friendly garden
Plan a vertical garden. I’ve already written about the benefits, it’s time for action!
This one is easy. It’s like increasing the size of your garden by adding a whole new area. Make use of a wall or fence to grow upwards in order to maximise your use of growing space. If you don’t have an existing wall to make use of how about erecting a new fence or a vertical structure to support climbers?
Build a greenhouse to extend the growing season. The extra heat from the sun means you can begin planting earlier in the spring and carry on till beyond the winter frosts.
Select high-yield crops that produce lots of vegetables in a small space. Popular high-yield plants include tomatoes, squash, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes and beets.
Plan to grow crops in relay across the growing season. Think of it as a production line. That doesn’t sound very ecofriendly but nature does it all automatically too! Get a head start on your next crop by preparing seedlings before your current crop has been harvested. Sow seedlings in batches throughout the year in order to spread out your harvests and avoid the problem of gluts.
Use mulch such as bark chips or even old carpet to limit water evaporation from the soil and reduce competition from weeds. There are a host of other benefits too. Mulch acts like a blanket of insulation to keep the soil cool in summer and warm in winter. As it breaks down mulch will also improve the quality of your soil.
Compost compost compost! Improving crop yields comes from improving the soil that crops grow in. Instead of giving your soil a short-lived boost from toxic chemicals learn how to improve soil quality with compost. It takes time for compost to break down before it can be added to the soil so keep adding to your compost pile in the quiet months to ensure good results next year.
Handmade beehive composter, an essential that looks good too.
Available from Etsy UK for £72.
The message is clear: the key to getting higher yields in an ecofriendly garden is to Plan Ahead. It’s something gardeners are good at. You know what season is coming next and when it’s going to arrive (in an ideal world) so take a note of these points and… get ready.
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