Despite the weather, it’s a busy time of year in the veggie garden to get all the jobs done before the beginning of the warm weather and good sunshine, says gardening writer JACKIE WARBURTON.
KEEPING the veggie patch weed free and starting a few vegetables by seed in punnets on a window sill inside is a cheap way of growing a lot of produce.
The seeds to start now are leafy greens, tomatoes, zucchini and silverbeet.
Give seeds a good start soak and then, in a little diluted seaweed solution, discard any that are floating on the surface. The seeds that are full and have sunk should be viable.
Sprinkle seed lightly on seed-raising mix and add a little sand or more media to the top to hold the seed in place. Water with a watering can and be careful not to dislodge the seed, keep on a sunny window sill, keep moist and water with tepid water.
Keep the garden beds tilled, weed free and ready for planting in the spring. Plan out where the summer vegetables are to grow and add lime to the soil where peas and beans will be and sprinkle around apple trees now to keep a high pH in the soil of around 6-7. Add boron to apple trees to help with flower set and fruit formation.
There are still lots of leaves fallen from large trees that can be lightly spread on bare ground. The smaller the leaf, the quicker it will break down.
If there is a glut of leaves, mound up and add any organic matter or a bit of soil. Turn occasionally and when unrecognisable as a material then put on the garden lightly at a maximum of five centimetres deep.
Spring is near but the soil is still cold until at least next month and into November.
A TROPICAL garden in Canberra can be achieved with a little imagination and the right plantings for our climate.
Knowing which are tough plants that cope with our cold winters and hot summers can be a challenge, but not impossible.
I first choose plants that have large leaves to give that tropical feel. Then strappy plants for fillers in between. My go-to plants at the moment are Fatsia, Monstera and fishbone fern. Plants such as these like a shady, east or south-facing spot with lots of good organic matter to try and mimic their natural environment as much as possible. Add compost and moisture for encouraging the microclimate these plants need and they will grow well.
WITH the scent of spring just around the corner, there is anticipation of the 34th Floriade (September 17 to October 16). Commonwealth Park is an important part of the urban landscape in Canberra and holds memories for many locals with more than 34 hectares of natural and constructed spaces. There are majestic trees that were planted when it was called Central Park. Though now in decline, it is nevertheless an iconic part of Canberra’s history.
THE blooms of magnolias, Forsythia’s and flowering quince are coming out now and are a reminder of the tough Canberra hardy plants that offer structure in large gardens.
Magnolias need a little protection to grow just like the one pictured on the grounds of Government House. They are tough trees once they have matured. The flower colour ranges from white to deep pink and the scent is delicious.
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