Because it is warmer than summers 10 years ago, you might need to change what you normally do your garden. Maybe in February in your patch some of your summer crop is having a little bit of a last hoorah, you may find the tomatoes, eggplant and capsicum and still chugging along. In any case, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your garden for autumn planting. This month’s newsletter has loads of tips and ideas of what to do NOW that will ensure your patch is ready to go. Wait until the heat of the day is off and then spend some lovely time in the garden.
Weeding
Weeding is a great job to do at this time of year. Cut down the competition between your tasty treats and these space invaders, and tidy up your patch. It may sound tedious, but it’s incredibly rewarding!
Mulching
Top up the mulch on your vegetable patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds. This is especially important if you are heading away or caught up in the bustle of back to school. A hot summer tip is to mulch after watering the patch, to a depth of about 7cm. Keep mulch clear of plant stems, especially young seedlings. Choose sustainable, low environmental impact mulch (this means different things in different areas), one that will enrich your soil as it breaks down.
Planning
Time to think about what wonders you will whack into your patch come April. Preparing beds and plots now means that when autumn planting time rolls around, your garden will be ready and waiting. Removing spent plants, clearing areas of weeds and topping up organic matter is an excellent February job. A nail rake, some good organic compost and lovely sustainable mulch is the perfect recipe for productive patches of the future.
Shade for your plants
On non-gardening days, why not head out to the shed, and construct a couple of shade cloth tents. They don’t have to elaborate, just a simple, moveable structure that you can pop over the top of some of the sun sensitive veggies (like eggplant, capsicum and others) as the heat becomes more intense. Pop these around where required, especially on high UV days, windy days, and during your holidays.
Watering
Water smarter at this time of year and always first thing in the morning. A nice, deep drink a couple of times a week is far more beneficial than frequent, short watering.
Green Manure
Consider a green manure crop to add some life and love to an overworked patch. At this time of year try lablab, cow pea, mung bean, soy bean and millet. This will improve your soil incredibly, and, for a bit of forward planning, you’ll find it well worth the effort!
Warm Areas
Frost free or occasional light frosts (North from about Coffs Harbour and all the way across to the west to Geraldton)
- Give leeks, capsicum, chillies, cabbage, silverbeet, lettuce, sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli and tomatoes a go towards the end of the month.
- It’s too hot for most herbs, but you could try some lemongrass. Wait until the end of the month to plant some basil varieties, including our old favourite sweet basil, and the always-stunning purple basil.
- Want a super summer smoothie… for years to come? Then plant some banana, pineapple and mangos!
- Pretty up the patch with some marigolds and sunflowers. Planting these around your veggies will give some colour and interest to the patch, and act as beneficial insect attractors.
- The recent heat in the warm areas may have caused a bit of grief to many plants in the garden, with some foliage looking less than fancy. Don’t be too tempted to tidy these guys just yet – cruddy looking leaves will protect the new, young, sensitive shoots underneath from a serious case of sunburn. Wait until the evenings cool down in about a month or so to get your Edward Scissorhands to your scorched shrubs.
Cool to Cold Areas
Low temperatures for extended periods of time (all of Tasmania, most of Victoria, the southern highlands of NSW, the ACT and a tiny southern bit of SA)
- It is still fairly warm around these parts, but there are a number of incredible edibles ready to go in now. Try lettuce, spinach, leek, silverbeet, and some Asian greens towards the tail end of the month. Broccoli, leeks and spring onions could be worth a shot when the nights get cooler.
- Add some colour and movement to the patch, and pop in some of these little pretties: stock, dianthus, viola, pansy, verbena and ageratum.
- Give most herbs a miss just now, but, if you’re really keen, get rolling with parsley and watercress.
- Garlic is good to go once the weather cools a touch.
- Top up mulch on your veggie patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds. A hot summer tip is to mulch after watering the patch, to a depth of about 7cm. Keep mulch clear of plant stems….especially young seedlings. Choose sustainable, low environmental impact mulch, one that will enrich your soil as it breaks down.
- Plants feel the need for a feed at this time of year. A seaweed tea or low environmental impact liquid fertiliser is perfect, especially for the seedlings shoved in at the tail end of last year. Apply to the soil early in the morning, and in the concentrations mentioned on the packet.
Temperate Zones
Occasional winter frosts (pretty much the rest of Australia, most of the inland, some areas of Victoria, most of SA and the southern area of WA)
- It’s still pretty warm outside, but there are some tasty treats you can plant out this month. Try silverbeet, leeks, spring onions, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, broccoli, cauliflower and celery… but wait until the end of the month.
- Lettuce is lovely at the end of February, but, because the days are still quite hot, consider popping the seedlings under some shade cloth, or a more established plant to protect its sensitive foliage form the sun. Even try growing in partial shade.
- Still too hot for most herbs but lemongrass will take the heat if planted out now. Basil is happy to go in now as well, so why not mix it up and try
some purple, Thai and lemon basils, as well as our old favourite, sweet basil. - Why not try some lovely flowering stuff in your patch as well, like nasturtium, verbena, petunias and marigolds. These guys are great at attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to your patch, and they look great as well.
- Want to save some money? Avocados are relatively expensive at the moment, but in a few years time that won’t worry you. Towards the tail end of February try planting an avocado.
some purple, Thai and lemon basils, as well as our old favourite, sweet basil.Of course, this is just a rough guide, and many of you will find your situation varies from the above listing, due to microclimates created in your garden, location in relation to your nearest major city, extremes of weather and garden type.
One thing that remains the same for all zones and regions is this: start out the year as you mean to go on, and give your patch some much-needed love. So, grab a cool beverage, slip, slop slap and spend some time under your favourite tree, admiring your patch!
Information sources:
Bagnall, Lyn,Easy organic gardening and moon planting, published by Scribe Publications, VIC.
McFarlane, Annette,Organic Vegetable Gardening, published by ABC Books, Sydney, NSW.
Photos:
Elaine Shallue – Basil and Zucchini
I'm an avid horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for sustainable gardening practices. My knowledge extends from traditional to organic gardening methods, and I've delved into various sources, including reputable publications like Lyn Bagnall's "Easy organic gardening and moon planting" and Annette McFarlane's "Organic Vegetable Gardening."
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about preparing your garden for autumn planting:
-
Weeding:
- Clearing weeds is crucial to reduce competition for nutrients and space in your garden.
- Weeding in February is recommended to tidy up the patch before autumn planting.
-
Mulching:
- Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Applying mulch after watering, to a depth of about 7cm, is suggested, especially in hot summer conditions.
- It's emphasized to use sustainable, low environmental impact mulch that enriches the soil as it breaks down.
-
Planning:
- Preparing beds and plots in advance ensures readiness for autumn planting.
- Removing spent plants, clearing weeds, and adding organic matter contribute to a productive garden.
-
Shade for Plants:
- Constructing simple shade cloth tents for sun-sensitive veggies during intense heat is advised.
- These structures are movable and can be placed as needed, especially on high UV or windy days.
-
Watering:
- Smart watering in the morning is recommended, with deep watering a couple of times a week for better plant health.
-
Green Manure:
- Consider planting green manure crops like lablab, cowpea, mung bean, soybean, and millet to improve soil quality.
-
Warm Areas:
- Planting suggestions for areas with occasional frosts include leeks, capsicum, chillies, cabbage, silverbeet, lettuce, sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes.
- Marigolds and sunflowers are recommended for adding color and attracting beneficial insects.
-
Cool to Cold Areas:
- In regions with low temperatures, consider planting lettuce, spinach, leek, silverbeet, Asian greens, broccoli, leeks, spring onions, and garlic.
- Mulching, feeding with seaweed tea or low-impact liquid fertilizer, and protecting seedlings are emphasized.
-
Temperate Zones:
- Planting suggestions for temperate zones include silverbeet, leeks, spring onions, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery toward the end of the month.
- Consider using shade cloth or established plants to protect sensitive foliage.
-
Herbs and Flowers:
- Recommendations for planting herbs such as lemongrass and basil in suitable weather conditions.
- Flowering plants like nasturtium, verbena, petunias, and marigolds are suggested for attracting pollinators.
-
Avocado Planting:
- Towards the end of February, planting avocados is recommended for those looking to save money in the long run.
It's essential to note that individual gardening situations may vary due to microclimates, geographical locations, and specific garden types. The overarching advice is to start the year with care and attention to your garden. So, grab a cool beverage, protect yourself from the sun, and enjoy nurturing your patch!
