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6 Reasons why you should Maintain your Vegetable Garden

Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by Tracey in How to Grow Veg, Making Compost

The mange tout is going yellow and looking straggly and the runner bean plants need space to breath so I thought it was about time to tidy up the vegetable plot. There are a few good reasons why you should maintain your vegetable garden.

2 Slugs under leaves

1. Slugs and snails lurk where there is dead and decaying matter

When a plant dies it drops dead leaves, bits of stalk and branches. The leaves then become part of the ground ecosystem where the insects and bacteria take over. The leaves decay and turn brown and are shelter and food for a variety of insects and yes that dreaded word gardeners never like to hear, Slugs.

When removing old dead plants, remember to use gloves and look under leaves for any signs of slugs or snails. They usually leave slime trails or holy leaves behind so are sometimes easy to spot. Remove them by picking them up wearing gloves or a trowel and dump them in the compost bin, salty water or squash underfoot.

More information on Slugs here: Pest Control – Slugs and Snails

Brown Caterpillar

2. Caterpillars hide on the ground and in the undergrowth

During the summer months various moths and butterflies including the unpopular cabbage white choose the underside of strong leaves to lay their eggs which hatch into caterpillars. If you shake the plant or removing plants from the area, the caterpillars will fall to the ground and are usually lime green, dark green or brown.

More information here: Pest Watch – Hordes of Caterpillars

Veggy Plot Before 25.07.09

3. Visual Impact on your garden

What I’m trying to say is when it looks a mess, it does have a visual impact on the area. If your vegetable garden is in your main garden, like mine, your eye is automatically drawn to the ‘dying and yellowing mange tout’ or ‘weeds’. I usually grab the secateurs, cut the stalks and pull out the roots by hand or by fork. It doesn’t take too long and looks much better after its done.

4. Get in touch with nature and insects

Whilst you are in close contact with the soil and in the undergrowth you may spot some of the insect world going about their daily business. I encountered quite a few different types of spiders, tiny shiny beetles, a yellow and black spotted ladybird and a couple of moths.

More information here: Beneficial Insects in your Vegetable Garden.

Full Up Compost Bin

5. Top up the compost bin by recycling plant waste

Grass cuttings and dead plants are building up at this time of the year in the compost bin. Remember to add a good mix of both green and brown waste. Every time you add grass cuttings or plant material, add a nice layer shredded newspaper, egg boxes, toilet roll tubes, bits of cardboard and give it a good water to wet the paper and board, this will help it break down more quickly.

Find out more here: Composting – Where do I start?

Row of Pak Choi

6. Sow something else!
The best thing about maintaining your vegetable garden is that you can see spaces to grow something else!

For small spaces, try Pak Choi, Lambs Lettuce, Mustard Greens.
For large spaces, try Spring Cabbages or sow a quick crop like Pak Choi or Lambs Lettuce whilst waiting to plant Garlic, Onions or Peas for overwintering in September to November.

Click here for Vegetable Seeds to Sow in July.

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