Autumn edibles

Beetroot

Plant in late spring and early autumn, and winter in frostfree areas.

Good drainage is the main requirement of these otherwise tolerant plants. They are small and fairly slow to develop so they can be grown among faster crops such as lettuce and radishes to maximise the use of available space. Being small, they also make good container-grown vegetables. Beetroots prefer a position in sun, although they can tolerate some shade when cultivated in warmer months.

Broccoli

Plant broccoli when the cooler weather appears. One plant will weather appears. One plant will produce a large crop and ten plants produce a large crop and ten plants should suffice the needs of an average family. By cultivating a few plants of different varieties which mature at various times, the harvesting period can be extended.

Ensure good drainage and plenty of sunlight to produce a crop. Keep the soil between the broccoli plants weed free and fertilise fortnightly with SeaMax Organic Fertiliser.

Plant broad beans late autumn and winter, when high heat and humidity levels have passed. Broad beans need winter chill to trigger fruit set so are unsuitable to grow in tropical areas.

It is essential to grow broad beans in a position where they will receive maximum sunlight. They are large, heavy plants and will need support as they grow, so use a trellis or climbing structure.

Broad beans are susceptible to attack from black Broad beans are susceptible to attack from black aphids which colonise the young growing tips aphids which colonise the young growing tips and should be treated with an organic pesticide, Searles Ecofend Vegetable & Garden spray.

Full sun, good drainage and deep, rich soil to accommodate their extensive roots are the basic requirements for cauliflowers – growing them in a raised bed is ideal. They should be protected from frost, so avoid planting them in low-lying and exposed areas where this may be a problem. If heavy frosts have been forecast, protect the head with hay or hessian at night, but remove this during the day to allow air to circulate.

They require liberal quantities of fertiliser to produce the large, edible head so dig in some 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser before planting for brilliant results.

Cauliflowers need a steady supply of food and water Cauliflowers need a steady supply of food and water to develop good heads. Do not let weeds appear to develop good heads. Do not let weeds appear between the plants, as these will compete for the nutrients and moisture and inhibit the growth of your cauliflowers. Fertilise fortnightly throughout their growing period with SeaMax Organic Fertiliser.

The main enemy of broccoli is the cabbage white caterpillar which should be removed by hand. If aphids appear on the growing tips of young plants, wash them off with a hose.

Broccoli should be harvested before the compactness of the head is broken by the leafy points bristling through it. If the head has turned yellowish with flowers starting to open, it is too old to pick. Cabbage white caterpillars are the main problem with Cabbage white caterpillars are the main problem with cabbages, and should be removed by hand. Heavy infestations can be sprayed with Searles Bug Beater Natural Pyrethrum spray.

Cabbage

In cooler areas, plant in autumn, winter and spring. In warmer areas and inland plant late autumn and early winter.

Cabbages dislike wet feet, so good drainage is essential. As with other cold season crops, plant in a sunny position. Compact varieties grow well in pots.

Cabbages have large appetites and so it is important to grow them steadily with an abundant supply of food and water. Enrich the soil with plenty of Searles Soil Improver. Do not let weeds appear between the plants, as these will compete for the nutrients and inhibit the growth of your cabbages.

Cabbages should be picked when their heads feel hard. Dig up the whole plant, sever the head from the stalk with a sharp knife; discard the outer leaves, and store in the fridge until required.

Radishes

Plant all year round, except in winter in frosty regions unless cultivating in containers. When cultivating during the warmer months, radishes can be planted in sun, ideally protected from direct exposure by other plants or semi-shade.

They are a quick crop and can be used to fill spaces between other, slower maturing plants. Because they are small, they are ideal to grow in containers.

Cabbages dislike wet feet, so good drainage is essential. As with other cold season crops, plant in a sunny position.

. Do not let weeds appear between the plants, as these will compete for the nutrients and inhibit the It is vital to maintain constant moisture levels around the plants for two reasons: to prevent around the plants for two reasons: to prevent the radishes from splitting; and to make sure the radishes from splitting; and to make sure they develop at a steady rate otherwise they develop at a steady rate otherwise they may acquire an unpleasantly strong they may acquire an unpleasantly strong flavour. Keep the soil around the plants free flavour. Keep the soil around the plants free of weeds, taking care not to disturb the of weeds, taking care not to disturb the delicate radish roots. Radishes grown in delicate radish roots. Radishes grown in containers should be fertilised once at containers should be fertilised once at seedling stage with a soluble fertiliser such as seedling stage with a soluble fertiliser such as

Searles Flourish Vegetable & Tomato Plant

Food.

Plant peas in late autumn and early winter; they like cold weather but the flower buds won’t form until frosts have finished. Select the types most suitable for your climate. Stagger planting every month to prolong the season for produce.

A sunny position is essential for good flower and pod development, although in very warm areas peas can be grown in semi-shade. They are not fussy about their soil providing it is well drained and made fertile with the addition of compost in both heavy and sandy loams.

All peas perform better if they are grown on a trellis or special pea netting, which should be erected before sowing seeds or planting seedlings, to prevent damage to the young plants. Snow peas mature into tall plants so make sure their support is at least 1.8m high.

Searles Liquid Potash Searles Liquid Potash can be applied once can be applied once a fortnight once flowering commences to encourage good pod development. pod development.

Planting fi gs

Fig trees love a hot, fairly dry climate so are ideal for most parts of Australia, where they can be planted at any time of year. They need full sun but dislike strong winds, so choose a sheltered position if this is an issue in your area. Although they grow happily in alkaline soils, they especially enjoy a compost-rich, slightly acidic soil, so

don’t hesitate to dig plenty of Searles Soil Improver into

the soil before planting and fertilise every season with

5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers as

this will encourage excess leaf production at the expense of fruit. Good drainage is essential, so if you have heavy, clay soil, build up soil in mounds to improve drainage or plant on a slope where water will drain away easily in wet weather. Figs enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, so don’t overwater during the summer. Excessively wet weather or overwatering during fruit set can cause the fruit to split. They can also be sensitive to frost when young, so be prepared to protect them with a towel or shade cloth if necessary, for their fi rst 1–3 winters. Once established, they can tolerate quite heavy frosts. Figs can be grown in large pots. Plant potted

fi gs in Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix. This mix

contains fertiliser to promote fruit production. Potted fi gs will need to be watered more regularly than fi gs in the ground.

Harvest

Most fi g trees produce two crops annually. The fi rst crop is known as the Breba crop and usually has larger fruit but a smaller yield. The second crop is called the Higos crop and is considered the main crop for the year. Figs are very perishable and fresh fruit are best eaten within days of picking for best quality. Figs are ready to harvest when they droop rather than stand erect on their stems and should feel soft when given a gentle squeeze. The fruit may split slightly and the ‘eye’ at the base of the fruit may form a small opening and ooze a sweet syrup. Hold the fi g from the stem and twist-pull gently to remove it.

About the garden magazine | page 15Ripe fruit can be stored in the fridge for several days,

but don’t wash it until it is ready to be eaten. Figs can be harvested when almost ripe and allowed to ripen at room temperature indoors. Unripe fruit that is picked prematurely will ooze a milky, latex sap from the stem and will never ripen properly.

Feijoa trees produce an abundance of bi-colour scarlet fl owers in spring and by autumn the delicious, fragrant fruit which taste like the tropics will to ready to pick. When not in fruit, their lush evergreen foliage with matte green and silver leaves make for beautiful feature tree in ornamental gardens or in large container plantings.

Feijoa trees prefer cool winters and moderate summers, so are well suited to cooler climates of Australia. They will also grow happily further north in certain regions. Check with your local gardening outlet for the best varieties. They are generally hardy with minimal pests. Find a sunny position in the garden for them with well drained soil. Dig into the soil plenty of Searles Soil Impover to start healthy growth. Fertilise early spring with 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser - Fruit & Flower just before fl owering and again early summer to develop the fruit.