The month of May is beautiful here on the Sunshine Coast and I’m noticing the change in foliage colour on many deciduous trees around our town.
I love the change in seasons as this gives us opportunities to enjoy the many different plants to grow, flowers to smell, flavours to enjoy and time to relax in our glorious gardens.
Here’s a few ideas for things to do this month…
For Southern Hemisphere Gardeners –
Check fruit and new growth on citrus trees to prepare for crops in winter and into spring. Treat pest or diseases if needed…find a few ideas here - A Thriving Garden. Apply slow release fertiliser or minerals if leaves are showing signs of nutrient deficiency, usually yellowing through leaves. Organic liquid fertiliser can also assist with this, so give a fortnightly dose over foliage and onto drip-line.
- Prepare covers for frost, if needed. Protect delicate foliage plants and water mid-morning when the day warms up.
- Garlic can be planted early this month for warm climates and throughout autumn for cooler areas. Ensure you have a deep, loose soil as garlic won’t grow well in wet, heavy soil. Use certified organic garlic bulbs for growing healthy, disease-free plants. See greenharvest.com.au or www.diggers.com.au
- Start gathering autumn leaves to add to compost or as a natural mulch. A dose of Blood and Bone will assist with decomposing leaves.
For Northern Hemisphere Gardeners –
- Plant Strawberry runners this month in containers or a prepared garden bed. Apply good compost or rotted manure and mulch with hay or straw to support fruit and suppress weeds. Apply an organic liquid fertiliser during growing period and keep an eye out for birds eating your crops!!
Care for shrubs – new shrubs can be planted this month, check for pests or diseases on foliage, dead-head old flowers as needed and prune any branches or stems hanging on the ground. Find out more about plant diseases HERE.
- Check Roses for aphids, black spot or other problems. Remove infected foliage and spray aphids with a hose (early in the day only) until they’re all removed. You may have to do this a few times until aphid attacks are under control. Try growing chives or lavender as good companions for roses. Read more HERE.
- Feed flowers and herbs in containers with diluted liquid fertiliser and keep an eye out for plants in terracotta pots drying out. To fully soak the plants roots and soil, place the pot plant in a bucket of water for approx. 15-20 mins or until all rising air bubbles disappear ( that’s the sign that the pot is dry!).
I hope you have a wonderful time in your garden this month. Now’s a great time to visit other gardens for inspiration or join a community garden or group to learn more or share your knowledge!
Until next month Happy Growing and Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful Mother’s everywhere.
Do you have any questions about your garden?
Join our Soil to Supper Facebook Club and post questions, comments and ideas each day!
Would you like to be a part of an online gardening community to gain a deeper understand of growing fresh food?
Consider joining the Soil to Supper Community where I’ll provide you with a monthly gardening guide, information on what to do and extra support to help you grow a thriving garden, amongst a group of other wonderful seasoned gardeners.
More information here soiltosupper.com/community/
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© cath manuel 29 april 2015
