Daylesford is about a month behind Newstead’s growth, maybe even more if the last week or so is a gauge. I’m still putting peas and kale in, whilst Newstead gardeners are probably thinking beans and tomatoes and other summer pickings. And I’m still losing on the slug and snail front, whereas the warmer conditions ‘up north’ (!) means the plants can finally gain ascendancy over the bugs.
Still, beware of late frosts. In central Victoria it’s usually the best option to grow seedlings in an igloo or sheltered spot and then plant them out as advanced plants once the threat of frosts has well and truly gone. If you aren’t so organised as to sow your own seeds – always preferable – then buy some seedlings, look for heritage, organic where possible and avoid ‘sappy’ overgrown things that will be shocked to go from the cosy, coddled nursery to garden bed. Ideally, harden them off outside for a few days (gradually, from verandah to full outdoor conditions) before you plant into well dug over soil with a handful of compost or composted manure/pellets. Water them in really well. Water again for the first few days and they should be on their way.With tomatoes, I usually plant deeper so the first couple of leaves are covered with soil – this will give you a much stronger root system.
Oh, and if you have new seasons asparagus, try to wait til they’ve been in the ground for a full three years before you harvest. Let this lot go to flower. It’s tempting, but by all reports well and truly worth the wait. Our purple ones are looking magnificent. Happy planting and gardening this month.
| Plant What, When:
(temperate areas in SE Australia) |
Leaf Days: 1-3, 10-13, 20-22, 28-30 amaranth, basil, bok choi, cabbage, chinese cabbage, chives, celery, celeriac, mibuna, mizuna, orach, dill, kale, celery, coriander, endive, kale, rocket, tat soi, lettuce, mustard, silverbeet, chard, salad greens, spinach, chives, garlic chives, coriander, dill, parsley, radicchio Fruit Days: 3-5, 13-15, 22-24, 29-31 Broad beans, bush and climbing beans, capsicum, chilli, corn, cucumber, eggplant, mustard, okra, peas, pumpkin, rockmelon, snopeas, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini Root Days: 5-8, 15-18, 24-26, Asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, beetroot, carrots, bunching onion, fennel, kohlrabi, leek, radish, spring onion, shallot, potatoes, parsnip, turnip Flower Days: 1, 8-10, 18-20, 22, 26-28, Broccoli, borage, globe artichoke, sunflower, marigold, nasturtium, all flowers |
| Other Dates to note:Moon Descending
Moon Ascending Moon Opposite Saturn(good for transplanting and planting) Full Moon/New Moon Nodes*: Perigee***: Apogee***: |
2-17, 30-31
17-30 12
12/27 2, 17, 30 27 12 |
| Garden Tasks:
Apply soil food Apply foliar food
Mulch Transplant plants, cuttings and prune Graft |
15-17, 12-15 1, 27 – 30
Anytime, but straw mulch can accentuate frosts 5-8, 12, 15-17 1, 18-20, 26-28 |
