Time to prepare for the growing season … MID-Autumn is always a beautiful time.
MID-Autumn is always a beautiful time.
The weather is very pleasant and our gardens are loving it.
We’re in the midst of school holidays, after the first school term for a couple of years where school-based education hasn’t been interrupted by Covid-19.
It is a perfect time to get the kids into the garden and a great way to build their interest is to let them choose something to plant and take care of.
Our schools do a great job weaving the science of the natural world and gardening into the kids’ studies and a little reinforcement at home goes a long way.
There is nothing more satisfying than flowers or veggies you grow yourself.
It is worth repeating that this is the best time of the year to do major planting to get plants well established by next summer.
perennials like salvias are at their best now and are great for long-lasting colour and it never ceases to amaze the huge range of colours in the pansy and viola range these days.
With primulas, alyssum and cinerarias, there’s no need to have a dull garden bed over the coming months.
Kitchen Hack
IF YOU planted chillies, you should be still picking a plentiful crop at this time and you probably have more green chillies than you can eat.
Get some thread and a needle and sew through the stem of each green chilli, creating a string of chillies that can then be hung in a dry room.
You’ll have an instant and ready supply of dry chilli for those winter meals.
Companion planting
A LOT can has been said about the benefits (or not) of companion planting as a good garden practice.
Whether you are a devotee or not, a good practice is to take notice of what’s happening in your garden that has resulted in improved crop performance.
Anything that enhances pollination, makes good use of available space and controls pest is obviously a big plus.
We love growing garlic, and this year we will be using all the available spaces in our strawberry patch to plant this invaluable culinary favourite.
Strawberries, in particular, are prone to a number of pests.
After a little research, plants such as asparagus, beans, peas, spinach, lettuce, onion, horseradish and rhubarb all work well planted alongside strawberries.
Perhaps that’s a project for next year. Also, legumes – beans and peas – grown next to strawberries will improve the soil, fixing nitrogen and thus feeding the strawberry plants.
What is leaf mould?
LEAF mould is exactly what it sounds like - leaves left to rot down slowly over time.
Leaf mould can be used anywhere that you would use a homemade compost, can be used as a mulch and as a soil improver. Unlike compost, leaf mould is quite low in nutrients, and rarely contains viable seeds, making it ideal for homemade seed raising and potting mixes.
Last year we tried making leaf mould using the slow method (also known as the lazy gardener’s method) of putting them in an enormous pile and waited for them to break down.
With some regular watering and winter rains they eventually broke down for useable mulch but this year we are trying a slightly faster method as seen on Gardening Australia, last week.
Using big reusable potting mix bags, we will be collecting leaves daily until the bags are full.
Then we will be keeping them just wet enough to hasten the breakdown and hopefully the mulch will be ready to use much more quickly.
We will let you know.
Travelling Gardeners
WHILST our hills are not as green as they could be, passing travellers are making lots of comments about the beauty of the town at this time of year, with autumn colours and changing light.
One couple staying at our caravan park commented that they were very impressed with the Island Park area and in particular the community garden setup.
They said they helped themselves to some herbs for their meal and planted some vegetables as a thank you.
We often write about taking the time to notice things in our surroundings, but seeing or hearing things from the perspective of others is just as important in helping to build appreciation for what surrounds us.
‘To Do’ this Month
Plant of the Month
Tulbaghia (society garlic)
OFTEN used to create beautiful cottage garden borders, the narrow strappy leaves of this interesting clump forming plant come in dark green or a lovely silver variegated form and grow to about 30 centimetre in height.
Also useful as a companion plant, the leaves emit a garlic odour which serves as a useful pest repellent plant to grow beneath roses or in the vegetable or herb patch.
Flowers emerge on slender stems to about 60 centimetre that are dainty, lilac-pink, often flowering from spring through to early autumn in our climate.
Native to South Africa this hardy plant is drought tolerant and also able to withstand light frosts.
No pruning is required - simply remove spent flower heads to encourage further flowering and to keep a neat appearance.
Use a slow release fertiliser during spring.
