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[susanspain]

Hi All.. We are just into our 7th month of seriously growing our own organic veg...
Lots of success with brocolli, potatoes, leeks, onions, beans etc etc - up till about May.. Then the heat came..
We water liberally twice a day (3 times if necessary).. and lots of success with courgettes, cuandalucia gardening ers and 3 types of lettuce - initially.. by end of May/mid june - too hot for anything to grow? - Oh - apart from the toms of course!
Does anyone have any tips for keeping a good crop growing (salad things mainly) throught the summer..
We are experimenting with shade/raised beds etc.. But soooo disappointed we are having to buy in lettuce! 
Any comments welcome.  Thank you!
SJ

[Liz]

Hi Susan,As I read of your successes but dissapointments with lettuce I´m reminded that on the other side of Malaga, near t Nerja, these plants are grown under plastic sheeting.   Not black but any light or white colour.   These nurseries are renowned for their hideous appearance but the system works.   Give it a try but allow breezes to enter and exit - like  a tunnel idea.   Good luck and let us know how you get on.   Liz

[susanspain]

Thanks Liz, I have suggested to the other half this idea - as in my mind it will work (esp with the breeze entering and exiting freely).. but they are adamant 'not one scrap of plastic in my back yard!' (Although that said, when they were nervous for their tomatoes from wind last winter -a plastic tent appeared on the canes. Ummmm...). 
Clodagh & Dick Handscombe - authors of numerous books on gardening in Spain recommend putting Terracotum (a type of soil I think?) in the seed drill holes - Apparently it is a type of water retaining soil - so I should have no problems in this direction.  I am willing to give anything a try...
My role in the garden is support and 'ideas'. Let's see what the other half thinks to this one!
regards, SJ

[Liz]

Hi SJ, yes I have heard of this soil, but truthfully had forgotten the name.   Sounds good, so best of luck and enjoy.   L

[Campo Girl]

Hola SJ

I have seen the bags over the plants here also and that is a great suggestion, here is some more food for though

Growing lettuce in summer is not impossible but does require some careful thought. Choose leaf varieties rather than head forming lettuces. Once the lettuces are 4-6 inches in height you can cat them. Cut just these outer leaves and allow the center leaves to continue growing. This is called 'Cut and Come Again' and it tends to shock the lettuce plant, preventing it from thinking it has matured and should go to seed or bolt.

Planting your lettuces under the shade of other plants is a very good idea and positioning them around your tomatoe plants will provide cool shade during the heat of the day.

Regular watering of course, we do this by a way of an irrigation system, although during the hot summers I give them a little extra every other day to keep them perky. Remember not to water in the midday sun, avoiding scorching the leaves.

If all else fails, dig them out of the ground and replant them. As with the cutting back to shock, diggin up will have the same effect and your lettuce seedling will focus on growing roots and leave the setting seed for another time.

Hope that helps and let us know what is happening

[susanspain]

The other half replies thus..
'Have looked for the leaf only type - but can only find head types.. please recommend any varieties/where to source of leaf only type. I have had some success with the red leaf 'summer' variety - but only where there is ample shade.  The Terracotum is helping alot in my seed planting (directly into ground and in my 'paper cups') - and I am getting a germination success rate of about 50% - Which is Ok for now.  I am still watering 3,4 times a day in this heat.  For now it seems the combination of shade (either natural from the trees and my netting efforts) and terracotum are just about getting me there.  But would be pleased to find a way to get the amount of lettuce (and other veg) I want through the whole summer.  I.e Courgettes started off OK (think the natural shade of the leaves helped!)... but then on some plants the fertilization slowed down and no fruit. Likewise, cuandalucia gardening bers have been a disappointment.
But overall - I see it as a challenge and it has been an interesting summer!'.

[Alec]

I'm going through the same learning process myself, with much the same results. One thing I've found is that the natural local soil - which seems to be ground-up rock - isn't up to the job unless fortified with masses of organic material - one large sack of the plain substrate to each raised bed in my case. It also helps to watch what the locals grow successfully and follow their lead; one thing I've noticed is that with many crops they seem to grow two separate batches, during spring and autumn, leaving the ground to be grazed bare by livestock during the worst summer heat. Many crops which we planted in spring in the UK are started in November here, even potatoes.
Alec

[Alec]

I would just like to add one further thought to the above. I have found that my "thorough" watering has not always penetrated to any great depth, and if I dig down I soon come across completely dry soil. This encourages surface rooting, which makes the problem worse.

While we were living in France, every garden had dozens of half-buried upturned one-litre water bottles (bottoms cut off, and about a 4mm hole drilled in the cap) which gets the water deep down. I have seen the idea used occasionally here, but it should be used more. I had forgotten all about it until these messages appeared, and I have just been out there cutting, drilling and planting my bottles!

I would suggest to those with watering problems that you get out the trowel and dig down a foot or so; you may discover the reason for your problem.

Alec.

[susanspain]

Thanks Alec for the info on 'upturned bottles' - will sugget this to the 'gardening dept!'.
Meanwhile.. Thankfully... since the rain/cooler weather came we are suddenly getting a spurt on green stuff above ground and we are well on the way to another bumper crop of carrots, brocclli (the last winters plants have survived the summer heat with some TLC and slowly beginning to sprout), onions doing well, as are beetroot etc. TGF (the other half - aka - 'Ten Green Fingers'!) - nursed along lettuce seeds in paper pots, put in discarded white poly boxes (good for storage/drainage) all summer and we have been harvesting lettuce for past month! 
The Terracotum, while we think did 'something' - was not enough to keep things alive.. and we will likely give that a miss next year ('maybe'!!). I have just organized some large plastic sheets (which we might give a quick coat of white emulsion to cut down on the penetrating/burning sun rays next summer) & MY winter project is to erect same with frame ready for use as shade next summer. (My theory is that everything planted in the shade of the custard apple tree survived - so it is not a 100% clear cut case of 'too hot'.. Will report to all in good time!).

Winter looking good.  Onions, lettuce (over wintering toms), some courgettes, loads of broccoli, beetroot and carrots good. (Am sure I am forgetting something here - but will add as/when!).

Happy gardening all!
sj & TGF !

[susanspain]

We have encountered problems with rotting brocolli stalks. Looks like we will have to pull all the plants out and start again.  If it isn't enough water, then it is too much! (I am 'guessing' that it was the storms/heavy rain we had last month, but waiting to see if anyone comes back with any more suggestions!).
Our lettuce, onions, leeks, beetroot, carrots, chard & spinnach are coming on a treat. We are eating already!  We think the summer effort of putting all seeds in trays & pots has paid off and we might be 6 weeks ahead of where we would have been if we had not.
We have taken delivery (donation) of some plastic sheets which we will paint with emulsion and use over the raised beds next summer as 'inverse hot frames'!  Not sure if it will work, but one can but try! (We think the Terracotum is a must, plus we will give the water bottles a try too).
How is everyone doing on the veg front?

[jonas]

Hi!
I will buy my own place in the sun soon, I am just a bit curious about the water, how do you pay for it, and what about the very warm season? Is there any restrictions when it comes to watering?

Thanks!

Jonas

[CampoGirl Gina]

Hi Jonas,

It will really depend on where your house is located, if you are going to be using mains water then you will have to pay, as it is on a water meter. But if you are going to be in the country (campo) then usually you will have your own water well, which is free!

Do you know where abouts you are moving to yet?

CG Gina

[jonas]

Hi Gina!

I am not so sure where i will stay yet, i have to get down and drive around a for a while to get to know the areas..as long as its not to far from the coast:) and it has water and good soil for vegetables and of course a house..


Thanks!

Jonas

[CampoGirl Gina]

Hi Jonas,

I live in Coin, which is only 15 Mins from Simone in Monda. It is only a half an hour drive to the coast and also to Malaga airport. The soil here in Coin is a very rich clay type of soil and is great for planting veggies and fruit trees and just about any plant!

Hope you find your perfect retreat in the country soon 

Gina

[jonas]

Sounds Great, And what about the water, is it from a tap and no cost?


Jonas