Summer is the time for hopes for the crop, but an unpleasant picture can be found more and more often on the beds. The delicate leaves of the salad are rude, become bitter and suddenly bloom, not having time to ripen. For the gardener, this is a sign that something went wrong. The reasons for this behavior of plants lie in stress.
Which provokes premature flowering
The salad is a capricious culture. If he lacks moisture, it is too hot or the soil is heavy, he begins to fight not for the leaves, but for the continuation of the genus and releases a peduncle. This is a protective reaction to adverse conditions. The plant decides not to grow, but to give seeds faster. As a result, the leaves become tough, lose their taste and you can not count on the crop.
How to avoid bitterness and flowers in the garden
It is important to create a comfort salad. It is especially important to avoid sharp heat and drying of the soil. But there are tricks that help to soften the conditions, even if nature is capricious.
One of the best techniques is the landing near the salad of other crops. This is called mixed cultivation, and it really works.
Useful neighbors for salad:
1. Tagetes (marigolds). These bright flowers not only delight the eyes, but also scare off pests, especially nematodes and flies.
2. Carrot. Serves as a kind of bait for insects, which otherwise would damage the salad.
3. Dill. Its smell is not to the taste of slugs, so it takes on the role of the guard of the bed.
Competent alternation of cultures
A good strategy is the alternation of the rows. First, a salad, then carrots, then again a salad or onion. Such alternation not only saves place, but also complicates the task of pests, preventing them from focusing on one culture.
Soil preparation
Nothing will save the salad if it is planted in a heavy, poorly aerated soil. The earth should be loose with good drainage and nutrition. Compost, mulch, regular loosening. All this gives the plant a chance of full growth.
Attention to details
Follow the weather. In hot days, do not water during the day, it is better to do it in the evening, abundantly, but not excessively. This helps to preserve moisture and reduce temperature stress.
Work in the garden is not only concern for plants, but also constant training. The salad will tell you what it lacks. You just need to listen.
