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What to grow in June 2015
Cold weather is starting to set in, which means it is time to start making marmalade, lemon curd or preserved lemons as citrus fruit ripens. It is also time to set up a support frame and sow broad...
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What to grow in July 2015
Plantings in July are very similar to those for June. Don’t forget to snap some outer leaves of cauliflower plants and bend them over the curd to prevent the curds discolouring in sunlight. Reminder –...
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Cloche for seedlings
With very cold weather set to continue over much of Australia for some time, gardeners can protect young seedlings with an easy-to-make cloche. This simple structure named for the French word for...
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What to grow in August 2015
If peas have been cropping well, give pea plants and bulb fennel an application of seaweed liquid tea to help peas’ resistance to powdery mildew and fennel bulbs to fill. Remember to save some of your...
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Bees and lavender
Bees love lavender, and because French lavender* flowers during winter, it provides them with nourishment when there is little else in flower. Lavender is known for its calming effect on people and it...
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What to grow in September 2015
For gardeners on the east coast – don’t forget that it is a legal requirement in some areas to remove galls from citrus trees by the end of August. Gall wasps lay eggs in main stems or fruit stalks....
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Zing ginger
Recently, I received a sample of certified-organic Zing ginger, and it certainly suits its name. It was grown on Bauer’s Organic Farm in the Lockyer Valley. Rob Bauer is a very knowledgeable and...
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What to grow in October 2015
Spring bulbs have been providing a lovely display. Once flowering has finished, allow foliage to remain on the plants until it has completely died back. As foliage yellows it is drawing nutrients from...
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Moving trees and shrubs
Sometimes it is necessary to move an established tree or shrub. Deciduous plants can be moved in winter or early spring, and evergreen plants in spring. This is best done in two stages if you have to...
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What to grow in November 2015
Garlic should be getting close to maturity now. Slowly reduce irrigation as bases mature. Garlic needs to be harvested in dry weather, so keep an eye on weather predictions. It will dry (or cure) more...
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French beans
Occasionally, garden gurus will say that “beans will grow on the smell of an empty fertiliser bag because they will fix nitrogen in the soil”. This is not true in Australia, where the soil bacteria...
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What to grow in December 2015
Birds and snails love strawberries as much as we do and, although many of us are very busy in December, it is worthwhile sparing the time to put some bird-netting over the strawberry patch as fruiting...
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Honey
Yes, there’s honey still for tea. Our small colony of bees have been busy through winter and spring despite some extreme weather conditions.
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What to grow in January 2016
We wish all our readers a very happy, healthy 2016. The new year begins with the Moon in the best phase for weeding and garden maintenance. However, relaxing under a shady tree with a cool drink and a...
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Frangipani from seed update
This method of frangipani propagation is becoming popular with readers, and one of our readers, Margaret, has been kind enough to share some photos of her very successful efforts. Why choose...
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What to grow in March 2016
Autumn is a busy time in the garden as there is a lot to do. Check citrus trees for nutrient deficiencies, particularly magnesium (yellowing in older leaves) or iron (yellowing starts in young...
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What to grow in April 2016
Gardeners in temperate climates can plant spring bulbs and lilies this month, and gardeners in temperate and cool climates can divide irises and daylilies. English spinach is a good crop to sow...
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What to grow in May 2016
It is International Compost Awareness Week from May 2 – 8. For those who haven’t yet discovered all the wonderful benefits of compost, I’ll be posting some tips on compost making this week. It’s time...
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Compost
Composting recycles organic waste into a product that makes garden soil healthy. Mature compost is a dark brown, sweet-smelling material that can be added to topsoil. There are two ways to make...
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