Now is the perfect time to plant more of your favourite fruit and veggies to ensure that you enjoy a continued supply of homegrown delights. Follow our guide below on what to harvest now and what to plant next.
If you had previously planted veggies, fruit and flowers, now will be the time when you will be reaping the rewards of your hard work. If you didn't do much gardening, we've gotten together some tips that will help you to keep your garden in sharp shape, all year round!
- If you had previously planted, now is the time to harvest those summer veggie crops of lettuce, tomato, cucumber and courgette, eggplant, new potatoes and onion as well as garlic, beans, peas, lettuces, radish, silverbeet, spring onion etc.
- If you hadn't planted but are wanting to get started, now is the time to plant: Alyssum, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries and Carrots. Download this handy planting calendar to see what to plant in your area, and when.
- Pick veggies every day to encourage regular fruiting – this is especially true with beans, peas and eggplant as well as cucumbers and courgettes.
- Plant new herbs and lettuce regularly to ensure consistent harvesting.
- Sweet corn cobs' end tassels dry and brown? Now's the time to pick them!
- Want more tomatoes? Remove the new side shoot laterals from the plant, and tie the main stem to the stake regularly. By removing the bottom leaves, you will help air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
- Early pip and stone fruit should be ready to harvest from orchard trees as well as your summer fruiting berries. Remember to protect your crops from pests and disease with netting or a fruit and veg spray.
- Keep your patch in top shape by regularly weeding, mulching, giving liquid feed and putting down slug bait.
- To encourage new blooms on flowering plants you will need to keep picking flowers and ‘dead-heading’ spent or dying flowers.
- First summer flowering bulbs like gladioli should be ready to flower - remember to check these plants, and their flower heads for insects or disease, and spray with insect and mite spray if required.
- Annual and perennial Summer flowering plants can still be planted in gardens and pots, they will need to be watered regularly until established.
- Weed regularly and use mulch, liquid feed and slug bait to keep the flower garden healthy and productive.
- Regular and deep watering during the month will keep your garden healthy and vibrant.
- Did you know that if you mulch around your plants, you are able to reduce the need to water, can cool the roots and are able to conserve up to 70% of the available water.
- Weeds will grow as fast as plants do at this time, and they will compete for valuable moisture, you must pull or hoe them out before mulching for best results.
- Consider using wetting agents to help get that precious moisture deep down to the root zone.
- Now is a fantastic time to enjoy these gorgeous blooms, especially in a vase.
- Be sure to ’Dead-head’ your rose bushes regularly, this will encourage more blooms. By watering regularly and deeply, you will also keep your roses in top condition.
- Be vigilant and check for pests and disease, especially on the new growth and flower buds.
- It is recommended that you regularly spray with a combination fungicide/insecticide at this time.
- Be sure to remove dead wood or badly affected growth to lower the risk of spreading unwanted problems.
