Community
24 July, 2024
July’s veggie planting time
THE shortest day has passed and July brings excitement to the garden as veggies thrive and are ready for harvest.
Limberlost Garden Centre co-owner Ryan Rodgers said it was the perfect time to continue planting and preparing for the seasons ahead.
“In the kitchen garden, keep planting,” he said.
“The weather’s ideal for our cooler climate favourites, and there’s still plenty of the season left to enjoy fresh produce from your garden.
“Plant seasonal vegetables like kale, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, radish, zucchini, capsicum, tomatoes and carrots for a diverse kitchen garden.”
Co-owner Merodia Rodgers said pollinators and beneficial insects came in many shapes and forms.
“While a few chew marks are normal, it can be disappointing to find your newly-planted seedlings or crops demolished just when they’re ready for harvest,” she said.
Here are some simple tips for protecting your crops:
Plant plenty of variety in your vegetable garden. Large single crops are a magnet for pest insects
Protect newly-planted seedlings with a trusty toilet roll. Grubs and cutworms can destroying newly-planted crops quickly by chewing stems. A toilet roll around your seedling will create a physical barrier, while your seedling still gets plenty of sun and water
Use produce bags or nets to protect fruit and veg near harvest
Check your garden regularly for caterpillars nibbling your greens. Remove by hand, or choose an organic treatment, such as Dipel, to keep them from destroying your crops, or harming beneficial insects.
Ms Rodgers said choose a 1m x 1m sunny patch in your garden for sweetcorn. “Planting corn socially will help cross-pollination, producing larger, fuller cobs of delicious, juicy corn,” she said.
“Corn is a hungry plant, so boost your soil with a combination of ActivGrow and Searles Five-in-One before sowing seeds.
“Sow direct, 20-30cm apart and about 5cm deep, two per hole and water in well. Once seedlings have reached about 5cm in height, thin out any weaker ones.
“Water regularly until established, then weekly, and mulch for strong growth and stability. Shake plants gently as they flower to aid pollination. Harvest cobs when silks turn brown.”
Mr Rodgers said the orchard could be expanded with lunchbox favourites like mandarins, oranges, or bananas.
“They’ll give you plenty of choice for a tasty addition to your school or work lunches. Plant now to let them settle before the hot season,” he said.
“Some citrus trees are beginning to flower, so hold off fertilising until fruit has set to avoid leaf drop.”
He said bougainvilleas were loving the clear sunny weather.
“Trim lightly after each flowering, and fertilise with Nitrophoska to bring on more bright, showy blooms,” he said.
Ms Rodgers said roses were now in the spotlight.
“In tropical climates, they thrive in sunny, well-drained spots in the garden or feature pots on sunny patios,” she said.
“You’ll start to see the new seasons hybrid tea and floribunda roses available in the next few weeks.”
For best growing:
Prepare the garden by digging ActivGrow down to a shovel depth. One bag per 2-3sqm will help boost your soil and get your roses off to a great start
Ensure there is plenty of air flow around your roses, they’ll thrive better with minimise fungal problems
Fertilise monthly and prune after flowering to keep your rose looking best. Keep on top of pests and fungal problems with Trifend.
