Organic Gardening

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Many herbaceous plants, such as poppies, have weak stems and need to be supported. The best technique is to install the support before the plant starts to grow too tall and allow it to grow through. There are special wire frames for this purpose or you could use old wide-mesh wire netting or even thin twigs bent over at the top. Tall herbaceous plants, such as delphiniums and dahlias, pay day loans will need the support of single canes or posts. Tie them in regularly with soft string as they grow.

Alternatively, you can support climbers on a wooden archway, or "pergola", or on a single pillar of stout, pressure-treated timber. You must drive the stakes at least 45cm (18in) into the ground, so buy timber of an adequate length. Tie the plants to the uprights loosely, using soft string.

VEGETABLES

In the vegetable garden, the main methods of support are canes, strings and netting.

The best way to support beans is with a double row of 2.5m (8ft) bamboo canes pushed about 30cm (12in) into the ground. Set them 30cm (12in) apart in the row, making two rows with 60cm (2ft) between them. Tie the canes so that they meet in the middle of the row and tie a cross cane in the V at the top to provide support and rigidity. A cheaper way is to set two strong 5 x 5cm (2 x 2in) posts about 2.5m (8ft) tall at least 45cm (18in) into the ground, one at each end of the row. Then run a wire or strong nylon twine from post to post at the top and another about 30cm (12in) from the ground. Next, tie vertical strands of nylon twine at 30cm (12in) intervals from wire to wire.

You can also train beans, cucumbers and melons on to "cane" wigwams. You need four 2.5m (8ft) canes. Put them in the ground to form a 90cm (36in) square and then tie them together at the top. Plant at the base of the canes and tie in cucumbers or melons at regular intervals; beans will wind themselves around the canes naturally.