February

The hottest and toughest time of the year for a garden! Anything you DO plant out now must be given lots of attention and TLC for it to thrive. Do check your mulch - it may need a top up to be as effective as possible. If you are sheltering inside waiting for summer to pass, use your time to look through books and magazines to get inspiration and ideas for your autumn garden. Look around you - what needs more shelter/protection; can you plant any trees or vines this autumn that will help protect your garden and/or house next summer? Go through your autumn/winter seeds and see what you might need to order now to be ready for planting. Later this month it might be time to start brassicas (especially Cauliflower & Brussel Sprouts) from seed. These are slow growing crops, so getting them in early can lead to a more successful harvest.

Jobs to do in the garden this month:

Jobs to do in the garden now:

• Start seeds of 2nd crop summer vegies & herbs or plant out established seedlings
• Feed your established vegies with liquid feed.
• Check plants are getting sufficient water.
• Incorporate Sand Remedy to water repellent beds.
• Check garden mulch is sufficient – top up if necessary.
• Create shade cloth structures over vulnerable plants.  Green Life Soil Co has horticultural shadecloth in stock.
• Start seeds of winter vegies (particularly brassicas) to get off to an early start in autumn.  Plant in trays and keep well protected to avoid stress.
• Remove spent summer crops and compost.
• Research and plan for your autumn garden.  What worked well last year and what will different things will you try to grow?

What to sow now:

Beetroot, Capsicum, Chillies, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kale*, Leek, Lettuce, Spring Onions, Pumpkin, Radish, Melon, Silverbeet, Squash, Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Zucchini * ideally a winter crop - grow under insect netting or as a microgreen for best results.

Things to watch out for in the garden now:

Caterpillars, powdery mildew (after summer rain and in humid conditions), slaters, grasshoppers, heat stress and sunburn

Moon Planting for February :

Fruiting & Flowering Annuals: 6,9,10

Root Crops & Perennials: 16,17,18,19,20

Leafy Annuals: 1,5

Least Fertile (good days for weeding and composting): 4,6,13,23,25,27

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