BEAT THE HEAT!

Anticipating another very hot and dry summer this year, KG reader and keen allotment gardener Peter Dean explains his growing plans to cope with a changing climate

- Peter Dean

With the forecast of hotter summer temperatures and warmer springs it could be wise for gardeners to consider planting vegetable crops that can be harvested in June and July rather than in August and September.

With this in mind I have chosen to grow two early maturing potato varieties – ‘Maris Bard’ and ‘Rocket’. They should be planted in April and will produce new tubers by July. Early maturing carrots will also be sown. The ‘Early Nantes’ variety is what I have chosen. I usually go for autumn carrots but I have learned that it can be hard, and expensive, to keep root crops supplied with water all summer. Early maturing crops should avoid the need to be soaked twice a day. They may be smaller on harvest but are much sweeter on cooking to eat.