JULY - PLENTY TO KEEP GARDENERS HAPPY
TIME TO HARVEST...
All your winter vegetables should be coming on stream regularly (which is why regular ‘succession planting’ is important). Don’t be fooled by tall cauliflowers that seem to be ‘all leaf’ – they typically put out the ‘flower head’ late in their development (fold the large leaves over the flower head to protect from frost). Citrus will be ready through the cooler months.
TIME TO PLANT...
Strawberries and fruit trees.
TIME TO SOW...
French Red Shallots are available for planting now. Shallots are a delicious sweeter, milder version of Onions and are a real delicacy, especially when roasted whole.
Seed potatoes can be chitted ready for planting in approx. 6 weeks – set them out in a cool spot with indirect light (the woodshed or garage are good, or on a shelf in egg cartons). Seeds for early spring planting – broad beans, peas, onions, silverbeet, spinach, brassicas, and lettuces. use seed raising mix in seed trays in a warm sheltered spot or a greenhouse.
TIME TO FEED...
Resist feeding outdoor plants as the low temperatures decrease the benefits of fertiliser – get ready for next month!
Real Blood & Bone and sheep pellets can be mixed into the soil when preparing the vegetable garden. Real Blood & Bone – none of the blood component has been taken out to make into other products so it’s pretty much double strength.
TIME TO PROTECT...
Check stored spuds for signs of rot which can quickly spoil the whole harvest. Use frost cloth on citrus and any plants that will survive winter better with some protection.
Watch out for slugs and snails who love winter dampness and are happy to chomp on any new shoots that appear. I saw long snails’ trails across the terrace at home this week, so they’re still out and about.
TIME TO CONTROL...
The lower foliage on brussels sprouts – removing the lower leaves encourages larger tighter sprouts and directs the plant’s energy to developing sprouts rather than supporting excess foliage.
TIME TO PRUNE...
Free Flo Copper Fungicide - 100g, 200g
An organic copper hydroxide that controls a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals.
Superior efficacy and rain fastness due to fine particle size. Superior bio-availability giving better protection from fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Reduced elemental copper application means better environmental protection.
Quality formulation resulting in problem free handling, mixing and application. Certified input for Organics with no withholding period.
EnSpray 99® Spraying Oil - 200ml, 500ml
An emulisfiable, narrow range spray oil for the control of scale, thrips, aphidsmites and powdery mildew.
EnSpray 99® inhibits eggs, nymphs and adult insects and mites breathing resulting in suffocation. This mode of action is through direct contact. EnSpray 99® can also affect feeding and egg laying activity by interfering with a pest’s ability to detect host plants.
EnSpray 99® protects the plant from feeding damage and reduces the population density. Oil has been found to affect the feeding and egg-laying behaviour of thrips and mites