In the spring breeze, loosening soil, sowing seeds, and raising seedlings always feels relaxed and well-timed for growing vegetables. However, once Shanghai moves into the plum rain season that bridges spring and summer, both plants and gardeners seem to fall into anxiety at the same time—
Tomatoes that had been growing so well suddenly develop yellowing, curling leaves and cracked fruit; cucumber vines wilt overnight, leaves speckled with spots; and there are also dense swarms of aphids and whiteflies...
The plum rain season, when spring turns into summer, is a critical test for urban vegetable gardens. And that is exactly why we launched the “From Beginner to Urban Farmer” summer training.
On June 7, Shanghai Roots & Shoots once again teamed up with New Zealand horticulture expert Kylie. At her native rooftop vegetable garden hidden among city buildings, they kicked off the “From Beginner to Urban Farmer” summer training, helping 17 “urban farmers” manage summer garden risks, clear out the garden in time, and prepare to welcome a lush summer.
Summer is the “life-or-death pass” for fruits and vegetables
During the plum rain season, fruits and vegetables go through a kind of ordeal. For crops grown outdoors, on rooftops, and on balconies, Shanghai’s June-to-July weather is a “griddle-like” mix of heat and humidity: high temperature, high moisture, still air, and a steady stream of pests and diseases.
“What should I do? Why are my tomato leaves curling?” “The plum rain season is here — should I water more or less?” Before the training even officially began, the venue had already turned into a giant plant clinic, with participants’ “SOS signals” flying one after another toward Kylie. The horticulture expert from New Zealand smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Let’s talk about weather and climate first, and then we’ll go over the solutions.”
Theory class: From plum rain season to pests and diseases
Unlike the basic version of “starting from zero,” this session focused on the challenges of summer planting.
- Does high humidity and poor ventilation during plum rain season really become a breeding ground for pests and diseases?
- How can you tell whether a plant is underwatered or suffering from root rot?
- Which vegetables can withstand intense sun, and which need shade?
- For summer planting, should you choose physical pest control or chemical treatment? Which is better, and which is worse?
The new “urban farmers” listened, took notes, and pulled out their phones to take photos, paying even more attention than they did in class.
Garden tour: What does Kylie’s garden look like?
After the theory session, Kylie led everyone through her rooftop garden, which was in the middle of a transition.
Mint, basil, and thyme were growing vigorously, releasing their cool fragrance generously; colorful little chrysanthemums swayed in the late spring sunlight, while underneath their bright appearance, ladybugs and leaf miners were battling against armies of aphids; the soil covering and dead branches that had helped with insulation and moisture retention in winter had all been cleared away, leaving the dark surface of the soil visible in the carefully spaced gaps between the plants. Everything was ready.
“This is my first time trying to grow cotton in Shanghai. To prevent pests and diseases, I planted marigolds next to it,” Kylie explained as she walked and decoded her “planting password” on the spot. The roots of marigolds can release special scents that repel underground pests. More than that, it can also serve as a sacrificial plant, because to aphids, marigolds are tastier than cotton.
In addition to scientific companion planting, Kylie also used plants of different heights for staggered intercropping. This not only makes efficient use of space, but also creates mutual shade, improves airflow in the micro-environment, and helps the plants protect one another.
Hands-on practice: Anyone can learn it
“It’s too hot in summer, and many vegetables are hard to raise from seedlings. What should we do?”
Cutting propagation is a summer “cheat code” skill that suits urban beginners and greatly improves survival rates. Under Kylie’s guidance, each participant tried propagating water spinach by cuttings: selecting stems, making diagonal cuts, trimming dead leaves, planting shallowly in soil, watering to help rooting, and providing shade at the early stage.
By the time the sun was setting, everyone headed home with their heads full of a “summer vegetable garden TO DO list,” feeling satisfied and content.
Sowing is easy at the spring; guarding the garden is hard in midsummer.
Faced with increasingly uncertain weather — heavy rain, scorching sun, humidity, drought, and mysterious pests and diseases — don’t panic. Stay patient, observe carefully, avoid overintervening, don’t rush to spray pesticides, and follow natural patterns. Relying on ecological coexistence, you can also turn the situation to your advantage and protect a patch of green.
When the autumn wind rises, may every plant, every fruit and vegetable, and every urban farmer embrace the joy of “harvest” and enjoy the romance of simple contentment.