Caliente mustard reduces root invasion from potato cyst nematodes.
The mustard should be sown, on the ground which is going to grow the potatoes, in the early autumn before the potatoes are to be planted. The mustard is chopped up and incorporated into the soil in the spring, before potato planting.
Caliente mustard releases a gas called isothiocyanate when it is chopped or crushed in damp conditions. This gas acts as a biofumigantin the soil, and reduces the actions of potato cyst eelworm.
March has been the driest since 1961 for England and Wales, according to Dr Liz Bentley of the Royal Meteorological Society, & founder of the Weather Club.
Dr Bentley says the next few weeks could be critical for water companies, farmers and wildlife, and could determine if there are hosepipe bans later in the year. Farmers & gardeners have already started to water their crops.
watering-onions
It is unusual to irrigate crops this early in the year & it is due to lack of rainfall over a prolonged period.
water beans
The Big Butterfly Count newsletter says that ‘despite the incredibly cold weather last December, butterflies and moths have got off to a ‘flying’ start this year. February was a very warm month, by normal UK standards, and March was much drier and sunnier than average.’ In fact it was the driest March since 1961.
water
damson-blossom
Damson trees look spectacular when in blossom.
damson-tree-in-flower
The tree is covered with small, white flowers.
Click this link to buy a damson tree.
Damsons usually blossom in early April.
Plums are one of the first fruit trees to flower, bringing a welcome sign of spring, but watch out for the frost. The branches can be covered with light net curtains, or similar material, when frost is forecast.
victoria-blossom
The plum blossom is borne on bare branches before the leaves appear. They are particularly vulnerable to frosts :
vic-plum-blossom
The frozen flower buds are badly damaged if the sun warms them up too quickly. So it is important to plant the plum trees:
victoria-plum-flower
If the blossom is frost damaged, no plums will develop. Hopefully, we have not had any frost this year while the Victoria plum has been in flower, so we look forward to a good harvest!
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