As the spring sown veggies reach their peak, renew the veggie garden with a second sowing of quick growing veggies. Cherry tomatoes, bush beans, beetroot, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and radishes are all quick crops. They will supplement long fruiting crops like brinjals, peppers, capsicums, vine tomatoes and runner beans that have a long harvest period.
December through to February is usually the hottest time of the year which means more regular watering. This is especially during germination when the soil needs to be consistently moist even if it means lightly watering twice a day. If the soil dries out at a certain stage during germination the crop can fail.
A 60% shade cloth erected over garden beds at a height that allows air to move through can give some respite from the heat. It reduces evaporation and the soil stays moist for longer. A diluted liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger is less likely to burn plants if they need supplementary feeding during hot weather.
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February’s midday heat can be particularly punishing. Place veggies in containers where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Strengthen newly germinated seedlings with liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger.
Thin out seedlings when they develop their first true leaves. When transplanting from seed trays do so in the late afternoon when it is cooler or during cloudy weather. After planting, water with a liquid fertiliser to help the seedlings overcome root shock.
Cherry tomatoesare quicker to mature than medium to large tomatoes. ‘Bumble Bee Mix’ consists of cherry tomatoes in striped, pink, purple and sunrise colours. Plants grow 1-1.5m high and some support is advisable.
Water regularly during the growing season and feed pot grown tomatoes with a liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger once a month. The fruits are juicy, full of flavour and pickable, or for snacking off the vine, within 80 to 110 days from transplanting. Bean ‘Mardi Gras’consists of purple, cream and green beans that turn light green when cooked.
Grow in full sun, in well composted soil, space plants 20c apart in rows 60cm apart. Harvest within 70 to 75 days and pick regularly to encourage more fruit. ‘Red and Gold’ Beetrootis a mix of Detroit Dark Red and Golden Detroit, which has a slightly honeyed taste and keeps it colour when cooked.
Detroit Dark Red is sweet and best harvested young. Space plants 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Ready for harvest within 50 to 60 days.
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