Summer garden tips
Written by Adam Boddy Date Posted: 1 December 2012
Summer is one of the best times to be a gardener, it's the time of year that we get to reap the rewards of all our hard work. Plants grow so fast you can see them changing day to day and harvests are bountiful. Summer can also be a lot of work though, here are some tips to make your life a little easier:
Mulch
Mulching plants can be very beneficial not only does it shield the roots of a plant from the extremes in weather, it locks in moisture, keeps the weeds down and improves the soil quality. When mulching the vegetable garden make sure to choose a mulch that breaks down quickly like pea straw or lucerne. This is simply because other mulches like wood chips or pine bark take a long time to decompose and can hinder the growth of plants if dug into the soil.
Watering
- Water regularly but try and keep it even over time to encourage uniform growth.
- Once a plant is established give more water less often to encourage deeper root growth.
- Watering in the morning before the sun touches your garden is best and reduces the risk of disease.
- If your soil forms a crust make sure you break it to allow the water to penetrate more easily.
Keep on top of weeds
At this time of year weeds grow so fast they can overrun your garden. The trick is to keep on top of them. Hoeing is probably one of the easiest methods. Scratch the surface of the soil around plants to disturb young weeds before they have the chance to establish themselves. Doing this regularly almost removes the need to do any 'real' weeding. It'll save you time and your back and knees will thank you!
Transplant on cooler days
Transplanting can be very stressful for a plant, so give your plants the best chance by transplanting on cooler days and late in the day.
Pick flowers and vegetables regularly
Picking flowers, fruit and vegetables regularly encourages more growth and reduces the risk of attracting pests to the garden.
What to sow now
There are plenty of choices to sow in summer. Check out our sowing chart for what to sow in your climate.
Recent blog posts:
High-Yield Vegetables - How to Get the Most from Your Veggie Patch
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 5 October 2018
It may be great fun to experiment with growing unusual crop varieties, but if your harvest is a disappointment it can quickly make gardening a chore rather than a pleasure. This article describes ten productive plants all veggie growers should consider.
Annuals, Perennials, and Biennials - Understanding Plant Life Cycles
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 28 September 2018
Annual, biennial, and perennial. These terms describe the life cycle of the plant, and it's important to understand the differences between them when planning your garden. This article explains what you need to know.
Low-Maintenance Vegetable Gardening - Homegrown Produce Without the Hassle
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 24 September 2018
Not all veggies need hand-holding and constant encouragement. This article explains how to use low-maintenance plant varieties and techniques to fit vegetable growing into a busy schedule.
Growing Carrots - 9 Common Problems and How to Handle Them
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 11 September 2018
A veggie patch isn't complete without a row or two of carrots. However, many gardeners give them a try and are disappointed by a harvest of twisted bitter roots. But there's no need to be discouraged. With a little care, carrots are simple to grow.
5 Table-to-Soil No-Compost Additives for Your Garden
Author: Bob Drummond Date Posted: 5 September 2018
Even if you choose not to maintain a compost pile, you can utilise some common kitchen waste that does not require composting before use. Rather than waste them by throwing away all of their precious nutrients, add them to your garden.
View all blog posts
Comments (1)