I always look forward to a change of season, especially after Summer.
I don’t know how anyone else feels, but I’m a bit over the heat…I’m dreaming of spending cool days in the garden and cold nights under the blankets.
I can feel a slight change in the air here on the Sunshine Coast, but we still have very warm days and nights, so my excitement to get out and spend hours in the garden is still a little slow!
Anyway, I’m looking forward to less humid days and cooler weather to allow my garden to thrive and new season crops to grow.
March in the garden is Autumn for us southerners and Spring for the fortunate gardeners located in the northern hemisphere.
So now what to do this month…let’s get going!!
For Southern Hemisphere gardeners –
- As it’s still quite warm around most parts of Australia, continue to prepare gardens ready for cool season planting. An article from one of my workshops may help with your garden preparation…Have a read here Preparing your Garden for Autumn Growing
Consider adding some gorgeous colour to your kitchen garden and ornamental garden by mixing flowers with vegetables. After my trip to France a few year’s ago I have a greater love for the French potager garden, le jardin potager (my French vocabulary isn’t very good, but I love trying the words!!).- Prepare deep rich soil for growing onions and leeks. For winter crops think stews, soups and slow cooked meals. Onions and leeks add delicious flavours to all winter dishes! Find extra tips for feeding your garden to grow more food in this article…
- After a warm summer re-pot any herbs and plants that have tired, old potting mix. One simple way to re-hydrate pot plants is to immerse the whole pot into a bucket containing diluted organic liquid fertiliser. This will give all the roots and soil a good soaking and prepare the plants for potting up or re-blending old potting mix with some fresh mix. Apply slow release fertiliser pellets when re-potting to provide extra nutrients to herbs, flowers and veggies.
- Autumn is a lovely time to grow fresh Parsley. Plant directly into rich soil or a container with quality potting mix. Parsley is a biennial and will grow for two full growth seasons before flowering and going to seed. Once seeds have formed and dried collect them for replanting.
For Northern Hemisphere gardeners –
- Aaah Spring !! I have loved seeing photos posted on social media from friends in the northern hemisphere. The excitement for allotment gardens is infectious and it looks like many of you are starting to see new growth in the garden. Enjoy this beautiful time of the year and the abundant crops you’ll grow!
- With the fresh soil needed to top up gardens, now’s a great time to ramp up the amount of compost being made. Follow my simple method to create a few in-garden compost bins. These are simple to use once the ingredients have decomposed…just lift up the bin, spread out the compost and plant directly into it. Add a dusting of blood and bone to the soil first and you’ll have a great blend ready to grow in.
Add some pretty colour to gardens by planting a great companion plant, Marigold. These gorgeous flowers will attract good bugs to the garden, add beautiful colour either dotted throughout the garden or used as a border plant. They are also edible and flowers will be ready for summer salads and outdoor dining.- Ready to plant now if your soil is warm enough (try using a soil thermometer to test soil temps before sowing/planting) are cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, spring onions, tomato, silverbeet. Try gardenate.com for more ideas on what to grow in your climate.
- If still needed, complete any pruning of fruit trees before spring growth appears. Use sharp secateurs and a small hand saw to remove unwanted stems and branches.
Have a question about your garden?
Join our Soil to Supper Facebook Club and post questions, comments and ideas each day!
Are you new to gardening?
You might find my Savvy Gardener Course helpful with learning all the gardening terminology, equipment to get started, how to become an organic gardener, plus more!
Register here for the Course – https://www.soiltosupperlearn.online/courses/steps-to-become-a-savvy-gardener
You’ll find a range of self-paced courses, events and free information at Soil to Supper Learn Online 
I look forward to seeing you there!
Cath
© cath manuel 10 march 2015
