February 2010 gardenworld happenings.

 Growing your own fresh produce is a trend that has grown immensely and is sure to be even bigger in 2010. Whether it is just a few herbs around the back door or a full blown vegie patch or orchard, there is nothing sweeter than picking your own food and using it to its maximum potential. There are many seasonal cookery books coming out that show you how to better use your harvest and minimise wastage.  A lot of schools are now educating our younger members of the community on food gardens and hence it is often families who are coming into the nursery together to learn about what crops they could grow and use. And of course there are many nationalities that we can learn from who have been food garden experts since they migrated here to Australia, whether it be Italians growing tomatoes or Vietnamese growing lemon grass, everyone can delight in their flavours with a little bit of knowledge.

At this time of year we are on the cusp of summer vegies finishing and winter crops being sown. Make the most of your tomatoes with sauce, drying, or stewing and then freezing them. You will appreciate their flavours even more once they are out of season. Consider sowing broccoli seed now, and consider that there are 3 main types: tall growing with big heads, dwarf growing that could also suit pots, and the branching types with edible stems, often known in the fruit shop as broccolini (which is a trademarked name that you won’t find them called in the nursery). Last year edible kale was also a very popular vegetable as it looks beautiful, contains a lot of iron, and keeps well in the fridge. I chop it up and put it in casseroles or stir fry. 

Raised vegie gardens are in demand at the moment and we have done a lot of research and found the best ones. These include the water tank ones in which we only stock quality Bluescope steel, which are coated on the inside to last for many years longer than inferior products. Prices start from $249.

  There are also some from South Australia which are made from recycled plastic but look like timber. They will not splinter, warp or crack. Prices start from $295 and we can also supply the soil to fill them.

 
  Thanks to some good January rains, the plants may better survive the February heat than last year, however one should not forget the destruction that three 43+ degree days did to our plants. Try to water well at least one of the 2 permitted days per week and mulch the base of treasured plants to prevent evaporation. Consider the many other water conservation products at your local nursery. The other thing to consider on the freak hot days is to protect your plants from the sun. Anything makeshift will do and may include umbrellas, shade cloth on rope, or even sheets.

Some hardy flowering plants at this time of year are dwarf blue agapanthus ‘Streamline’ which has finer foliage and stays compact. Also consider the perennial verbena ‘Purple Passion’ which is a low growing vibrant purple flowering ground cover that loves the hot weather. Another hugely popular group of plants at this time of year are the flowering Crepe Myrtle trees from Flemings which always sell out, but also, dwarf crepe myrtle bushes which only grow a metre by a metre and can be used in pots. The affects can be stunning. 

Jobs to do include tidy up the roses, feed your citrus and anything else that looks a little pale at this time of year. I tend to use a liquid fertiliser where I can, as I worry that maybe some slow release fertilisers dump excess nutrients in hot weather which can damage plants. Also consider putting your indoor plants outside on a mild February day. You can give them a good drench and not worry about the water running out of the saucer. A little bit of half strength liquid feed, and they will love you for it. 

So its all systems go – you must do at least a couple of the things you said you would do this year. Start now, because you know how quick the year goes and that soon it will be gone. We are approaching Autumn, so plan now, and soon your goals will be reached and the things that you cursed yourself for not doing last year, can be enjoyed this very next summer. There’s life in your garden – be in it !