Climate change and growing in challenging conditions
This section informs how to adapt and grow successfully with changing seasons and weather patterns
1. GROWING TOGETHER IN CHANGING WEATHER Practical ideas for resilient vegetable gardens, allotments and community plots Our weather is becoming less predictable. Explore simple ways to protect crops, use water wisely, care for soil and keep harvests coming. A. Read the Weather Plan for earlier springs, hotter dry spells, heavy rain, warmer winters and stronger winds. B. Build Healthy Soil Improve drainage, add organic matter and mulch to hold moisture and protect the ground. C. Protect and Adapt Collect rainwater, water deeply, stager sowings and keep fleece, mesh and shade ready. D. Choose Crops Wisely Grow a diverse mix of dependable, warm-season and resilient varieties to spread risk. LOOK • LEARN • SHARE Explore the following sections, compare experiences and take away one idea to try on your own plot.
2. UK Vegetable Growing in Changing Weather WEATHER CHANGE CARDS Warmer Temperatures Effect: A longer season and more chances to grow tomatoes, chillies and sweet potatoes. Try: Warm-season crops, while keeping frost protection ready. Earlier Springs Effect: Earlier sowing may be possible. Try: Check soil temperature and frost forecasts instead of relying on fixed dates. Later Autumns Effect: A longer harvest period. Try: Make extra late-season sowings. Wetter Winters Risk: Waterlogging, compaction and fungal disease. Try: Raised beds, better drainage and no digging when soil is wet. Hotter, Drier Summers Risk: Drought stress, bolting and poor establishment. Try: Mulch, collect rainwater, water deeply and provide shade. Heavy Rain Risk: Erosion, nutrient loss and damaged crops. Try: Improve drainage, cover bare soil and avoid flood-prone areas. Extreme Weather Risk: Greater chance of crop failure. Try: Stagger sowings and grow several varieties. Warmer Winters Risk: More pests may survive. Try: Insect mesh, crop rotation and regular inspections. Stronger Winds Risk: Damage to plants and supports. Try: Sturdy stakes, sheltered sites and windbreaks.
3. PRACTICAL ACTION CARDS Build Healthy Soil Add compost or well-rotted organic matter to improve structure, fertility and resilience. Improve Drainage Use raised beds and permanent paths on wet ground. Keep feet off planting areas. Mulch the Soil Cover soil with compost, leaf mould or another suitable mulch to hold moisture and suppress weeds. Collect Rainwater Connect covered water butts to greenhouse, shed or house guttering for a dry-weather reserve. Water Deeply Water thoroughly at the base, less often, to encourage deeper and more drought-tolerant roots. Protect Crops Keep fleece, cloches and shade netting ready for frost, wind, heat and strong sunlight. Stagger Sowings Sow small batches at intervals to spread weather risk and extend the harvest. Grow for Variety Combine cool-season and warm-season vegetables and use more than one variety.Keep Records Note frost, rainfall, sowing dates and crop performance; use the results to plan next season. Choose Resilient Varieties Look for pest-, disease- and bolt-resistant varieties suited to local risks. Create Airflow Space plants well and thin crowded growth promptly to reduce fungal disease. Rotate Crops Move crop families to a different bed each season, especially potatoes and brassicas.
4. CROP CHOICE CARDS Generally Dependable Potatoes - Carrots - Beetroot - Leeks - Onions - Kale - Chard - Broad beans - Peas Warmer or Protected Conditions Tomatoes - Cucumbers - Courgettes - French beans - Sweetcorn - Pumpkins - Squashes - Chillies - Sweet potatoes More Heat- and Drought-Sensitive Lettuce - Spinach - Coriander - Radishes - Some brassicas - Potatoes in hot, dry periods
5. EXAMPLE MIDSUMMER SALISBURY PLANTING PLAN (Heat Tolerant Crops) What You Can Sow from March to August VEGETABLES Okra • Sow late June–late July • Harvest Sept–Oct • Thrives in heat French Bean Climbing (Blue Lake) • Sow Apr-Jul • Harvest Jul-Oct • Thrives in heat French Bean Bush (Quartz) • Sow Apr-Jul • Harvest Jul-Oct • Good heat tolerance Runner Bean (Firestorm/Moonlight) • Sow May-Jul • Harvest Jul-Oct • Self Pollinating Cucumber • Sow Mar-June • Harvest Jun-Aug GREENS Kale – Nero di Toscana • Sow July–Aug • Harvest Sept–March • Shade during heatwaves Leaf Beet (Perpetual Spinach) • Sow Mar-Aug • Harvest all year round Amaranth (Red Garnet) • Sow June–Aug • Leaves ready in 30 days Collards (Hi Crop) • Sow Apr-July • Harvest autumn–winter HERBS Basil • Sow June–Aug • Harvest July–Oct • Loves heat, companion to Tomato FLOWERS Sunflower (any) • Sow Mar-Jun • Flowers Jul–Sept BED LAYOUT Bed 1 – Heat Lovers (Full Sun) • Okra • Basil • Courgette • Cucumber Bed 2 – Soil Builders • Runner Beans • French Beans (succession sow) Bed 3 – Autumn Greens • Kale – Nero di Toscana • Collards • Leaf Beet Bed 4 – Pollinator Strip • Sunflowers • Basil • Amaranth CARE TIPS • Water daily during hot spells • Mulch to retain moisture • Ventilate polytunnels • Feed courgette, basil & amaranth every 10–14 days • Shade cloth helps kale & collards