Growing plants and vegetables in our hot weather

Good morning my gardening chums!

When the weather is  hot and humid like here in Malaysia, some special growing techniques help vegetable gardeners to keep their cool.
Asian gardeners are blessed with some real advantages. We have a long growing season, fertile soils rich in organic matter and plenty of sunshine. We also face some real challenges: heat high humidity, excessive rainfall...and drought, often in the same year. Oh yes, and there are insects, diseases and strong winds.

How can you live with these problems and still enjoy growing vegetables here? One way is with careful scheduling. Wet season crops are easy if they are planted in October to March, but they are a disaster in summer dry season. Dry season vegetables are planted in  April or May and again in August or September. To grow your own transplants, sow seeds six to eight weeks before the setting-out dates. For example, broccoli and cauliflower (wet season crops) should be seeded in late July for late transplant; tomatoes (a dry season crop) should be seeded in late January for spring transplanting.

To deal with excessive rainfall, and the resulting waterlogged soil, gardeners often plant in raised beds. Construct beds 8 to 12 inches high using recycled timber or broken concrete. Reduce soil loss from raised beds by lining the inside with a weed barrier fabric.

As an alternative to raised beds. vegetable crops can be planted on ridges of soil worked up in the garden. Use a tiller to form the ridges or do it the old-fashioned way with a shovel. First dig a trench 6 inches deep. Put down a band of fertilizer (one pound of 15-5-10 per 100 feet of row, or use an organic like chicken manure). then replace the soil and heap on more soil from each side of the row. You now have a ridge of soil on which to plant, your crops should be sale from all but the worst of floods.
High humidity makes outdoor work unpleasant when the weeds are growing fastest: it can also contribute to problems with fungal diseases. Wider spacing can help with the diseases. For instance. put tomato plants 4 feet apart instead of 3 feet. The humidity level won't change, but the improved air circulation will reduce disease problems and make it easier to spray if necessary. There is really no relief for gardeners except to get up early and work in the garden before the temperature and humidity become excessive.

At other times, usually early in the dry season and perhaps late in the season, high winds can damage tender transplants.

Actually, the bright sun and heat offer some pest control opportunities. Nematodes, those microscopic roundworms that attack plant roots, need soil moisture to survive. If you "dry till" the soil several times while it is hot and dry you can significantly reduce nematode populations.
Solarisation of soil does even more: it helps to control nematodes, weeds, soil-borne diseases and insects. Till the soil while it is slightly moist; water it if necessary. Then cover the area with a double layer of clear plastic for about six weeks during July, August or September. A single layer will do if it is resistant to ultraviolet light. Be sure the edges are tucked in a trench around the perimeter and leave the plastic a little floppy so tough weeds can't poke through.

Malaysian gardeners, like gardeners everywhere, are faced with certain climatic challenges and limitations. Meet the challenges with creative solutions and you'll find that vegetable gardening here can be fun and fulfilling.

Regardless of where you are planting, from the front yard to the vegetable garden, it is important to select plant varieties that are adapted to your climate. This advice is especially true in humid Malaysian gardens.


Dry season vegetables: ladies fingers, long beans, hot peppers, eggplant, chilli's, Strawberry plants, sweet corn,

Wet season vegetables: broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, multiplying onions, Vanilla, golden bringel, garlic

Pick the right fruits,herbs and vegetables to suit the right time of year and you will enjoy fresh produce all year round, its all about planning your garden, creating the right crop rotations to reduce disease and to allow the soil time to recover from the previous growth.