It makes a huge difference going into summer knowing the soil is full of moisture and there’s plenty more on tap. It has me optimistically sowing watermelon and rockmelon seeds and even contemplating corn. I would never think of growing these crops in past seasons because they are just so demanding of water and nutrients; I couldn’t justify the garden space. But this year….
It’s still not too late to sow seed for all manner of summer veges. We still may get a frost or two, so think about protection for tender seedlings if you are planting them out. After raising from seeds in the igloo I give my seedlings a couple of nights outside to ‘harden them up’ before planting. On the first night, I place them under a tree or verandah so they can gradually acclimatise.
Mulch, mulch, mulch – now is a critical time to conserve moisture and improve soil structure. Don’t leave any bare soil exposed (unless you are germinating small seeds) over summer.
Note that these dates are generally for planting SEEDS – wait til the last frost has passed before you plant these summer veges as seedlings.
|What to Plant, When:Guide for temperate areas in SE Australia||Leaf Days: 1; 7-9; 16-19; 26-28 bok choi, cabbage, kale, celery, endive, kale, mibuna, mizuna, orach, rocket, tat soi, lettuce, mustard, silverbeet, chard, spinach, chives, garlic chives, coriander, dill, parsley, rhubarb, clover
Fruit Days: 1-3; 9-11; 19-21; 28-30
Broad beans, mustard, peas, snopeas, strawberries, berries
Root Days: 3-5; 11-14; 21-24; 30
Asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, beetroot, carrots, bunching onion, kohlrabi, onion, parsnip, radish, spring onion, shallot, potatoes
Flower Days: 5-7; 14-16; 24-26
Broccoli, borage, globe artichoke
|Other Dates to note:Moon Descending
Full Moon/New Moon
|Garden Tasks:Apply soil food
Apply foliar food
Transplant seedlings, plants, cuttings and prune
| 11 – 14; 21-23; 16 – 19
5-7; 24 – 28; 7-9
11-14; 21 – 23