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We are definitely experiencing an Indian summer which means the Autumn flush of growth is spectacular and many summer crops are continuing to crop prolifically.
Take advantage of the warm conditions to get your winter crops off to a good start. Continue to sow seed of salad greens, rocket, mizuna, silverbeet, and spinach.
Coriander loves the shoulder season and will thrive right now.Asian greens are ready to eat in 6-8 weeks in Autumn (radishes and the little Japanese turnips, Hakurei) and you can still get the carrot, beetroot seed in so they are up and going before it is too cold.
Aim to have garlic in by the Equinox - prepare your beds now! Not too much nitrogen, plenty of organic matter, pH 5-7. If the days and night continue to be very warm, delay planting for a couple of weeks. Garlic likes a clean bed - mulch between the rows to minimise weeds and keep soil moist. Full sun is ideal.
If your place is frost free you may still get away with sowing snow peas - at my place they would be stunted and frosted if not well grown by May.
You can try to overwinter your capsicums, chillies, and eggplants. They are probably producing strongly now. Continue to harvest regularly and when the growth slows and vitality drops, cut back to 1/3 of the size (cut to a node on each of the main branches) and cover with hessian, frost cloth or a big load of loose straw. If it doesn’t get too cold the plant will re-sprout in Spring, and you will have much earlier crops.
It has been dry since I last wrote last month. Get yourself a rain gauge so you can actually measure the rain - a shower sometimes seems heavier than it is. Continue to base your watering on the condition of the soil - part the mulch and scratch down - good soil moisture will create a soil which holds together when rolled in your palm.
Don’t forget to feed your fruit trees while soil is still warm and before your deciduous trees lose their leaves and become dormant over the winter.
A basic combination is good quality organic pelletized chook manure combo, lime and sulfate of potash – the potash really helps with the flowering and fruiting. Citrus will be flowering now and need a good feed. Water in well and top up mulch from the trunk (not touching it) to the drip line of the trees.
We will be running the Backyard Veggie Gardening with series of workshops again this year. These workshops will are perfect if you want a deeper dive into successful home gardening. The series start in September and made up of three half day sessions, with a full day visiting some of the shires beautiful and inspiring vegetable gardens. We will be posting something on the website soon.
July in the garden is time for observation, organising and planning for the season ahead.
The SAGE committee and its various sub committees and working groups have been actively growing SAGE for 16 years. Many SAGE members have stepped up and contributed over the years and with the AGM due on 20 September, you might like to consider if it’s time for you to ‘take a turn’. Read on to find out more about volunteering on a SAGE committee.
Nicole Mensinga, SAGE member and Acupuncturist at Healing Hands Moruya offers some warming tips to support your body, mind, and garden this winter season.
