5. Good Organic Gardening - September-October 2016 AvxHome.in

GARDEN CALENDAR | Spring
Things to do in
september
Spring fever grips gardeners and non-gardeners alike
with the urge to nurture the soil and grow plants
By Jennifer Stackhouse
Vegetables
COOL & TEMPERATE
After a long, cold winter it’s reassuring to see
new shoots appearing. The appearance of
the first asparagus shoots in the vegetable
garden is an exciting moment. Harvest them
daily, as the spears quickly become tall and
woody. Not so welcome are weed seedlings,
which are also appearing now. Keep weeds
under control around existing and new
plantings by regularly hoeing the soil; also
spread mulch to deter weed growth. Sow
summer crops including chilli, capsicum,
tomato, eggplant, cucumber, pumpkin,
squash, zucchini and beans. Also plant
lettuce and herbs, including basil, parsley and
coriander. Potatoes, beetroot and carrot can
be planted now in all areas. When planting
potatoes, use certified disease-free seed
potatoes (tubers). In areas that are still cold
and where frosts are likely, hold off planting
warm-season crops. Instead, sow broad
beans, broccoli, English spinach and rocket.
TROPICAL
As the high humidity returns, switch to
planting vegies that tolerate increased rain
and humidity, including all sorts of beans,
cucumbers and Chinese greens. Choose
cherry tomatoes instead of larger-fruiting
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varieties as these are more pest- and
disease-resistant. Cherry tomato seedlings
may also be appearing self-sown in the
garden at this time. Cherry tomatoes have a
sprawling habit, so staking them or training
them on a trellis will help manage them in
the garden. Cherry tomatoes are prolific,
too, so pick fruit frequently. To keep herbs
growing well as the humidity rises, grow them
in terracotta pots filled with free-draining
potting mix. Shelter them from excessive rain
by keeping them on a covered but brightly
lit verandah. Shade leafy vegies to reduce
foliage burn and water loss.
Fruit
COOL & TEMPERATE
Fast action is needed in early September as
this is the last chance this year to control peach
leaf curl. This disease, which affects leaves
on peaches, nectarines and apricots and can
reduce crops, must be prevented before the
new leaves emerge by applying fungicide to
the swelling buds. Apply copper spray in late
winter or very early spring. If trees are already
in leaf, it’s too late to spray as the copper
can burn foliage. As the disease progresses,
infected leaves become distorted, red or pink
and swollen and then drop. Feed and water any
affected trees well during spring to encourage a
healthy crop of new leaves as the tree replaces
lost foliage. Also finish planting bare-rooted
deciduous fruit plants. If space isn’t available in
the garden, temporarily pot them up into large
containers with good-quality potting mix until
a permanent home is ready. Prune and feed
overgrown passionfruit vines. Also feed citrus,
as the fruit sets, and avocado trees.
TROPICAL
In hot areas, fruiting trees such as citrus and
lychees appreciate light shade, especially as
they establish. The overhanging branches
of fruiting trees also provide light shade for
vegie crops that are stressed by full sun.
If birds and insects regularly destroy fruit
crops, grow fruiting trees and shrubs in a
large, netted area. Spring is a good time to
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start a crop of rosellas. These small shrubs
produce red hibiscus-like flowers that are
used for making jams or preserves. They can
be grown from seed or seedlings. Feed citrus
with complete organic citrus food.
Compost & soil
COOL & TEMPERATE
Many vegetable beds have been resting
through winter. These beds can be dug over
now to ready them for spring planting. Dig in
green manure crops that have been growing
over winter; this adds natural nourishment
to the soil. Also dig over the compost heap.
Turning the compost as it decomposes helps
to kick-start the composting process, adding
oxygen to the rotting-down material. Digging
in a few spades of manure such as the litter
from the chook shed helps to reinvigorate the
compost heap after winter. If the heap is cold
and not breaking down material quickly, cover
it with cardboard or matting to help it warm up.
TROPICAL
Where soil drainage is poor during the long, wet
summer, make raised rows or beds, especially
in the vegie patch, to assist soil drainage and
reduce root-rot diseases. Spread compost under
fruiting trees and renew mulches to protect soils
and reduce weeds. Chop up prunings, including
fallen palm fronds and other leafy material,
to spread as mulch around trees and shrubs.
Mulches can also be used to surface pathways .
Kerry Boyne, CanStockPhoto
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