Post date: Apr 26, 2020 11:28:58 PM
Uma Shashikant, April 26, 2020
Today is an especially windy day. You must be worried that your plants will topple. They mostly won’t. Here are some notes to think about.
1. The role of wind in a plants life is to help its roots grow. As the wind blows, the plant develops the ability to hold on to the ground and stay put. Without wind, roots will be weak.
2. Seedling nurseries have a fan. Always. They turn it on when true leaves have appeared so that the roots can entrench well. Make sure your little seedlings get some air, natural or from a fan. A mere stroke of the hand on top of the seedlings also works.
3. Wind dries out the soil. Without a drip irrigation system you will find cloth and air pruning grow bags going dry. That is because the same wind that helps the roots also dries the soil. Keep them watered well.
4. Wind acquires momentum when it gets a channel to flow through. Step out and watch the natural forests at your backyard. The tops of the trees will sway, but the wind won’t be able to get through. Planting in straight lines creates wind channels. One strong wind and they all fall. Plant so that you create a wind screen. Not a channel.
5. If the bottom (not top) of your plant sways in the wind, its root systems will be constantly disturbed. It won’t grow well. The plant has to be firm in the ground. That is why we stake plants so that the main stem doesn’t sway. We also hill the main stem to support it.
6. When you transplant, push the plant in. And water immediately. You will cover the air gaps and enable roots to spread easily. Such transplants will be strong and sturdy. Push grown plants gently in, to firm them up, if you think they aren’t deep enough. They will take off immediately.
7. Plant tall plants in a patch. Not in a line. Tall sun flowers, okra, zinnia and corn will support one another if they are grown a patch in close rows so the plants support one another from wind.
8. Sow plants with tender stems also in a thick patch - peas, greens. They will
Support one another from wind and won’t fall down.
9. Your seed starting mix must be airy. Without wind penetration, the root systems won’t develop. The roots rot with fungus. Weighing your sowing mix down with some sand is a good tip to keep your seedlings grounded.
10. Wind helps soil to dry out, thus killing of many disease causing fungi and other harmful soil organisms. It also helps the plant breathe well. Remember that plants breathe from bottom to top, and need their feet to be free to be aired. That is why trees shed all lower branches as they grow. Don’t keep the base of the plant crowded and branched. Prune the first foot or more to keep the plant healthy.
Work with the elements to make the most of nature for your gardens. End of long note.