The first 'Seedy Sunday' for 2015 will be on 1 February from 10.30am - 12.00nn.
We'll be sharing seeds, plant material and surplus produce + processing any seeds into our seed bank.
REMEMBER: If bringing something fresh like herbs or cuttings, please wrap the stems in some wet newspaper or paper towel. Alternatively, pop seedlings into a toilet roll 'pot' for easy transplanting.
If you’re new, come along and meet our friendly group – we enjoy listening to what others are doing or plan to do. It’s a great way for everyone to learn, grow their garden for free, meet your neighbours or network and connect with like-minded members in the community – we’ve formed some wonderful friendships this way.
There's still a lot of moisture in the soil from recent rain, especially if you have mulched well. With all the rapid growth, it's an ideal time to chop and drop this organic matter to build your soil. Add to worm farms, compost systems and as mulch.
Nutrients leach quickly in this weather, so check your fertilising routine. All plants benefit from regular applications of seaweed. Consider netting or shade structures to protect delicate seedlings and most plants from sunburn on hot days.
If you're struggling to grow in garden beds in this unpredictable weather, try raising seeds or seedlings in containers. You have much greater control and there are many benefits.
If plants are lacking nutrients, they will often be attacked by pest insects.
Grasshoppers and white cabbage butterflies are amongst the opportunistic pest insects in residence in most gardens right now. These are some organic strategies that may be helpful solutions to try:
Coping with Caterpillars - Part 1
Coping with Caterpillars - Part 2
If you want to maximise your harvests, consider planting by the moon cycles. According to the moon cycle, we are currently in a prolific period of above ground growth until 3 February. So if you're planning on sowing seeds, seedlings, transplanting, taking cuttings, fertilising or dividing plants - now's the time to do it! Try sowing crops like tomatoes, climbing beans, basil, eggplant, chillis, capsicum, cucumber and other summer vegies.
I'll have some Moon Calendars available for $12.50. They also make a wonderful garden gift. Or you can pick one up online any time.
As usual, at our meeting we'll be discussing what to grow in your garden right now - the challenges and successes plus sharing seeds from our seed bank.
Beginners, people new to the area and long distance visitors are all welcome.
Although our soils and microclimates differ in our subtropical gardens, it's a good time of year to grow basil, climbing and dwarf beans, beetroot, capsicum, chives, chillis, leeks, cucumber, cut-and-come again lettuce varieties (in a moist, shaded position), mustard greens, pumpkin, radish, melons, silverbeet, zucchini, tomato and corn.
Check out these guides for other ideas/tips:
Gardenate - Subtropical zone.
ABC Vegie Gardening Guide.
Aussie Organic Gardening.
We meet at Sweethearts Cafe who offer us a large space to get together for free (saving us a hall hire fee so no cost to you) but as a business are in effect hiring out that area to us for a couple of hours.
So as a courtesy please remember to at the very least order a tea/coffee or a yummy breakfast, to support the cafe. They have a delicious local and organic menu. Visit their website for more info @ http://www.sweetheartscafe.com.au/aboutus.html.
Venue: 2 Anzac Street (cnr Rosebed Street), Eudlo.
FREE to attend so bring a friend and carpool! Hope to see you soon.
By Anne Gibson
We'll be sharing seeds, plant material and surplus produce + processing any seeds into our seed bank.
REMEMBER: If bringing something fresh like herbs or cuttings, please wrap the stems in some wet newspaper or paper towel. Alternatively, pop seedlings into a toilet roll 'pot' for easy transplanting.
If you’re new, come along and meet our friendly group – we enjoy listening to what others are doing or plan to do. It’s a great way for everyone to learn, grow their garden for free, meet your neighbours or network and connect with like-minded members in the community – we’ve formed some wonderful friendships this way.
This Month in the Garden
There's still a lot of moisture in the soil from recent rain, especially if you have mulched well. With all the rapid growth, it's an ideal time to chop and drop this organic matter to build your soil. Add to worm farms, compost systems and as mulch.
Nutrients leach quickly in this weather, so check your fertilising routine. All plants benefit from regular applications of seaweed. Consider netting or shade structures to protect delicate seedlings and most plants from sunburn on hot days.
If you're struggling to grow in garden beds in this unpredictable weather, try raising seeds or seedlings in containers. You have much greater control and there are many benefits.
Coping with Pest Insects
If plants are lacking nutrients, they will often be attacked by pest insects.
 |
| One strategy you can use for coping with grasshoppers! |
Grasshoppers and white cabbage butterflies are amongst the opportunistic pest insects in residence in most gardens right now. These are some organic strategies that may be helpful solutions to try:
Coping with Caterpillars - Part 1
Coping with Caterpillars - Part 2
Current Moon Cycle
If you want to maximise your harvests, consider planting by the moon cycles. According to the moon cycle, we are currently in a prolific period of above ground growth until 3 February. So if you're planning on sowing seeds, seedlings, transplanting, taking cuttings, fertilising or dividing plants - now's the time to do it! Try sowing crops like tomatoes, climbing beans, basil, eggplant, chillis, capsicum, cucumber and other summer vegies.
I'll have some Moon Calendars available for $12.50. They also make a wonderful garden gift. Or you can pick one up online any time.
As usual, at our meeting we'll be discussing what to grow in your garden right now - the challenges and successes plus sharing seeds from our seed bank.
What to Plant in February
Although our soils and microclimates differ in our subtropical gardens, it's a good time of year to grow basil, climbing and dwarf beans, beetroot, capsicum, chives, chillis, leeks, cucumber, cut-and-come again lettuce varieties (in a moist, shaded position), mustard greens, pumpkin, radish, melons, silverbeet, zucchini, tomato and corn.
 |
| Spring Onions grow well right through the year - a must have crop in your garden. The seeds are very easy to save. |
Check out these guides for other ideas/tips:
This month's Seed Savers Meeting
So as a courtesy please remember to at the very least order a tea/coffee or a yummy breakfast, to support the cafe. They have a delicious local and organic menu. Visit their website for more info @ http://www.sweetheartscafe.com.au/aboutus.html.
Venue: 2 Anzac Street (cnr Rosebed Street), Eudlo.
FREE to attend so bring a friend and carpool! Hope to see you soon.
By Anne Gibson
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