With Winter well underway here in Australia many people are experiencing heavy frosts and windy conditions, while here in South East Queensland we’ve enjoyed lovely sunny days!
The harsh weather conditions are challenging times for gardeners. Frost burns soft foliage, the dry wind unsettles trellises and other structures and flowers get damaged along the way.
Our friends in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing warm days which is perfect for spending time outside in the sunshine harvesting crunchy crops and picking delicious fruits. I’m sure you are enjoying this beautiful weather!
I love the varying temperatures as it provides opportunities to see flowers bloom, beautiful smells to enjoy, (picking Jonquils is one thing I love to do) and delicious seasonal foods to taste. Wherever you are enjoy the beautiful weather nature is providing for us.
Here’s a few ideas for things to do this month…
For Southern Hemisphere Gardeners –
- Be ready for Spring planting by preparing new garden beds now. Build no-dig gardens to create sustainable garden spaces. Follow my easy and quick method here - How to Build a No-Dig Garden
- Harvest Peas, Beans and Snow Peas to encourage more flowers and
apply a dose of organic liquid fertiliser to the foliage and soil during mid-morning. Get your kids to pick these as they’re a delicious, healthy addition to school lunches!
- Later this month Asparagus can be planted and I’ve found the best way to grow these (actually the quickest way) is by planting crowns. Asparagus grow slowly and if grown from seed will take 2-3 years to produce edible stalks. By planting crowns you’ll generally have spears to harvest within the second year and continue to pick up to 20 years! Choose a space that these plants can spread, as they will, so I’ve found an old bathtub or other large vessel great for growing these delicious little shoots.
- If you have deep garden beds then consider a crop of Beetroot. I love the taste of the leaves in salads, as well as the beet if eaten when small. If sowing Beetroot seeds you will need to soak them overnight in a shallow dish of water, before sowing into soil, to help the sprouting process.
- For delicious, crunchy peppery flavours plant a crop of Mustard Greens. If you don’t like hot flavours, then don’t eat the leaves raw!! Enjoy them in stir-fry, curry dishes or lightly steamed to retain nutrients. They’re easy to grow, just watch out for white cabbage moth flying around as that’s a sign of possible attack on your plants and the small green larvae will eat their way through your Brassica crops. I find the best biological control is to introduce birds to the garden with a bird bath. They’ll happily eat the grubs in your garden and save the crops for you!
For Northern Hemisphere Gardeners –
- It’s late Summer now, so with the warm weather keep an eye out for dry soil. If rainfall has been low, give your soil a regular deep watering to encourage strong root growth during the last of the warm months.
- Keep the watering up to your container plants. If the soil is low apply
a layer of quality compost and water in with organic liquid fertiliser. If the pot plants are completely dry immerse them in a bucket full of water and soak until air bubbles subside. Allow to drain before placing back into their normal location.
- Continue to harvest Summer crops as they are ready. This includes Potatoes, which can be dug up after the foliage yellows and flowers die off. Cut back foliage and lightly loosen the soil. Leave Potatoes to dry for a few days before gathering.
- Apply liquid potash around the soil of Pumpkins, to encourage good fruiting…ready for Halloween!
- Grow quick pick crops of leafy greens during the last warm weeks.
We’re coming into a change of seasons with Spring and Autumn just along the garden path. Now is perfect (well, it always is…) to plan your next round of fresh veggies, fruit and herbs.
If you’re looking for a few inspirations for planning your garden then have a read of my recent post…How to Plan Your Perfect Garden
What are you going to grow next?? I’m thinking Summer Salads already!
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♥ Cath
© cath manuel 29 july 2015
