Well its nearly that time of year again when everything starts to slow down, and we all get into that holiday mood but before we do here’s a few more tips for your garden that you may want to take notice of.
Remember that water is the lifeline of the vege garden in summer. Plants are best watered in the morning or early evening, not during the searing heat of the day. Water deeply every few days rather than a little every day, as this encourages plants to develop deeper roots. It’s also a great idea to use Daves organic liquid humate as a foliar feed once every 7 – 10 days. This will help to promote growth and sustain the plants through any stressful periods. Most common way of using this is to mix 100 mls into 10 litres water and using a watering can pour liberally over the foliage so that the plant is getting a foliar feed plus a soil drench at the same time.
Enjoy the festive season by harvesting and using fresh crops and flowers from the garden. Sprigs of mint brighten up salads, drinks and, of course, new potatoes, which will be ready for Christmas if they were planted in early spring! It seems only fitting that plenty of red coloured fruits ripen this month including strawberries, raspberries and currants – just in time for the festive season!
Leading up to Christmas pick vibrant summer blooms (including roses) in the morning and they can last for a good week in a vase with fresh water.
Planting: Plant Basil, beetroot, beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chilli, coriander, courgette, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, lettuce, mesclun, parsley, parsnip, peas, potatoes, pumpkin and squash, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spinach, spring onion, sweetcorn, tomatoes. A little bit of planning and regular seed sowing can keep you and your family in fresh vegies & herbs for months.
Remember to use organic humate when planting – particularly with tomatoes as they are such hungry feeders. Just a handful per hole is all that is needed. This will ensure that the plants get off to the best possible start. Ensure that your tomatoes are firmly staked, well-watered and remove the laterals (side growth) when they are small.
Harvest: Onions and garlic: these are traditionally harvested within a month or so of the longest day. The leaves of both onions and garlic will tell you when they are ready to be harvested: the tops will begin to wither and die down. Harvest by digging up the plants with a fork, knock off the excess soil, and leave to dry in the sun for several days until the skin resembles paper. Store in a well-ventilated, dry place.
Finally, as the summer gets into full swing it’s vital to monitor the moisture levels in the garden by regular watering at times of need.
Happy Gardening, Dave