Down to Earth: Minimising water stress
Summer is in full swing, as is the work in the garden. Moisture in the soil is critical now as crops are producing so much. Lack of water leads to stress, which often means more pests, diseases and bolting. Here are a few tips to minimise water stress.
· Add lots of organic matter to your soil (eg compost), either as you prepare the ground for crops or as mulches (grass, seaweed or seagrass).
· Set up an easy watering system that works for you, maybe a rainwater drum and watering can, hand-held hose with adjustable nozzles, soaker or leaky hose, sprinklers on a timer, drippers on fruit trees, etc. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
· Best to water in the morning.
· Water the garden when soil is dry but not too often. Generally fruiting crops and leafy greens need more water than root crops.
· Ensure young seedlings never go short of water.
· Weed often. Weeds compete for water and nutrients.
Fruit care:
· Protect young subtropicals from wind.
· Prune citrus at harvest. Summer-prune trees.
· Prune out old canes off berryfruits that have borne fruit. Select and tie only the strongest new season canes.
· Tip grapes to two leaves past fruit. Tip passionfruit runners too.
· Thin fruits. Mulch fruit trees and berries.
· Put pheromone traps in orchards.
· Watch out for silverleaf in fruit trees and insert bio-dowels into trunks (trade name vinevax @ CRT).
· Remove diseased fruit and burn.
· Use preventative sprays of seaweed on fruits.
Herb Care:
· Weed and mulch.
· Clip back perennials to encourage fresh growth. Dry and store for winter use.
· Sow annual herbs. Direct sow dill, parsley, coriander for best results. Transplant self-seeded herbs.
Vegetable care:
· Plant winter crops now: leeks, Brussels, kale, cabbage.
· Liquid fertilise weekly. · Weed and mulch.
· Stay observant for pests and diseases, removing affected parts/plants to avoid spread.
· For caterpillar pests on brassicas spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 2-3 days.
· Delateral tomatoes and cucumbers and tie/train up stakes.
· Mound potatoes and celery.
· Thin carrots and eat, allowing rest to get bigger.
· Mulch asparagus.
· Hothouse: Keep ventilated. No mist watering. Hang yellow sticky cards and treat pests with garlic and pyrethrum or soap sprays.
· Harvest early potatoes, garlic, onions and shallots (when tops flop). Briefly sun dry alliums and hang dry.
· Keep harvesting beans, zucchinis and peas to encourage ongoing cropping.
· Tip pumpkins and melons when three fruits have formed to aid good fruit development.
· Let rocket, lettuce, mizuna, endive, coriander go to seed. Stake and tie up. Scatter seed around garden for ongoing crops.
Sow for transplanting: Leafy greens (summer spinach, lettuce, endive, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, silverbeet/rainbow chard and celery) (best 22nd Jan). Broccoli, early cauliflowers (best 20th Jan). Late sweetcorn & zucchini. Herbs: basil, parsley etc. Flowers.
Sow direct: Radish, parsnip, carrots, beetroot (best 16th-18th Jan). Spring onions, salads, silverbeet/chard (best 22nd Jan). Late French/butter & climbing beans, sweetcorn, pumpkin, squash, cucumber and zucchini. Flowers, eg violas.
Plant: Between 24th Jan-5th February. Salad greens, spinach, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, silverbeet/rainbow chard, beetroot and leeks. Late potatoes, tomatoes and zucchini. Annual herbs. Flowers.
General Garden Care:
· Mow lawns and mulch clippings.
· Prune back flowering plants. Shred prunings.
· Weed and mulch ornamental areas. Make and turn composts.
Sol Morgan, GroWise Consultancy. Ph 525 9110.
