7 minute read
AUTUMN’S RICHES
Autumn’s riches FOR A GARDEN THAT KEEPS m my Huynh T a ON GIVING ALL THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS, NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT IN THE WORK
Words TAMMY HUYNH
Gap Photos/Carole Drake.
Photography
Many salad greens and companion plants such as calendula and nasturtiums flourish in the winter sun
The heat has retreated and the last of the summer vegies are fading – which means it’s time to sow cool-season crop seeds. You may be surprised to learn there are plenty of goodies you can sow now to harvest from late autumn through winter. Here’s what you need to do.
Clean and clear
Start by clearing garden beds. “Remove weeds, debris and the dried remains of your summer harvest,” says horticulturist Sharon Fairbairn of Floriana (floriana.com.au). Then use a fork to dig the beds over and enrich the soil with organic matter, like aged animal manure or compost. “This ensures the soil is fertile and well aerated, perfect for sowing or planting,” says Sharon. A similar process applies to any vegetables grown in pots. “Remove old plants, scoop out a large portion of the existing potting mix, loosen the remaining soil and backfill with a premium mix,” says Sharon.
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Milder autumn temperatures make working in the garden pleasant, plus there’s less need for watering and bug patrol
Go to ground
Try to stagger plantings to ensure a steady supply. Plus, mulching is a must to help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. “This is an important task for every season,” says permaculture designer Laurie Green of Grow Gather Graze (growgathergraze. com). “Ensure mulch is kept away from stems as this can cause plants to rot,” she warns. You don’t need to fill every bed with vegies. “Let some beds rest by growing a green manure crop,” says Laurie. “The nutrients from these help to rejuvenate the soil and to feed and support next year’s crop.” Try Mr Fothergill’s green manure mix seeds.
Keep in mind...
n After applying fertiliser around edible plants, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. n Store all garden chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
VEGIES TO SOW NOW
Swiss chard Also known as silverbeet, with colourful varieties (above) referred to as rainbow chard, this is a stalwart of the autumn vegie patch. Its puckered leaves are robust, packed with vitamins and nutrients, and can be harvested for up to six months. It prefers a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. To harvest, simply twist and pull the stems from the base. Harvest: 8-12 weeks.
Broccoli This nutritious brassica is a must-have for the autumn vegie patch. It doesn’t take up much room and is surprisingly productive; once the central head is harvested, small side shoots develop and can be cut for use. Grow Broccolini® or ‘kailaan’ (Chinese broccoli) if you prefer compact flower heads and crisp stems. Feed fortnightly with liquid fertiliser. Harvest: 16-20 weeks.
Sharon Fairbairn, Floriana
Peas These crisp pods are delicious raw or cooked and are simple to grow in garden beds or pots. Snow peas and sugar snap peas can be eaten whole, but traditional varieties like ‘Greenfeast’ and ‘Telephone’ need to be removed from their pods before consuming. Choose a sunny, welldrained spot and provide a trellis for support. Harvest: 10-14 weeks.
Cauliflower It’s best to get this cruciferous vegie in early as it requires a long growing season to develop the flowering heads or ‘curds’. “But it’s also important to wait until the morning and evening temperatures start to cool, as planting too early can cause the heads to flower prematurely,” says Sharon. Position in full sun and dig in plenty of organic matter. Harvest: 14-18 weeks. Garlic Patience is required for garlic, says Sharon. “It takes up to nine months before it’s ready, but it’s super hardy and able to cope with cold winter conditions.” To plant, split the bulb into individual cloves and push them, pointy end up, into loose, friable soil. They should be just below the surface, spaced 10-15cm apart. Harvest: from 24 weeks.
Broad beans This bushy plant has large pods with beans that have a distinct nutty taste – perfect in soups or salads. Sow seeds direct where they are to grow and water in well. Avoid watering again until the first leaves appear. Use stakes or a trellis for support, especially once top heavy with pods. In warmer climates, delay planting until the weather cools. Harvest: 16-20 weeks. Spring onions Depending on how you like to eat them, spring onions can be used as a ‘cut and come again’ vegie – snip the hollow green leaves as required – or harvested whole. Either way, you will still enjoy the mild onion flavour. Place in full sun and feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser. For a longer supply, sow successive crops every 3-4 weeks. Harvest: 8-10 weeks.
Beetroot You don’t need a lot of space to grow this root vegie – it’s ideal for pots, containers or garden beds. Choose a spot in part shade to full sun, enrich the soil with compost and water regularly to ensure they’re tender and juicy. As the leaves grow, you can harvest the outer foliage for use in salads. Pick sparingly, though, as the plant still needs leaves to flourish. Harvest: 8-10 weeks.
SHOW THEM THE DOOR
Wherever vermin are hiding, there’s a tailored solution from RATSAK. Mice and rats love hard to reach places like ceilings, which is where RATSAK Fast Action throw packs are ideal; these chew-through packs can be literally thrown into the furthest corners of the attic, where they will kill in one feed. If traps are more your speed, RATSAK Clean Kill mouse traps feature a secured mechanism (safe for use around kids and pets) and no-touch disposal (great for the squeamish!), while RATSAK reusable trap stations are powerful enough for rats and designed for indoor and outdoor use. If you’re worried about pets nibbling on bait, RATSAK Naturals rodenticide bait pellets are made from natural ingredients, and are safe for use around dogs, cats, birds and livestock.
Rodent warfare
Autumn is peak season for rats and mice – make your home a pest-free one with RATSAK®
With the first hint of a chill in the air, rats and mice start contemplating a move to warmer climates – inside your home! But there are steps you can take to ward off pesky pests. RATSAK has you covered with their broad range of rodent-control solutions.
VERMIN ALERT
Rats and mice are champions of subterfuge, but if you learn to spot the signs of occupation, you can issue an eviction notice quick smart! Take note of gnawing and scuttling sounds, and keep an eye out for chewed cables or food, droppings, or smudges along the skirting boards. Stick your head in the roof space – that musky, ammonia whiff is a sure sign of pests.
SECURE THE PERIMETER!
There are just a few simple steps that will help to make your place much less inviting. n Keep food in sealed containers, remove uneaten pet food, clean crumbs off surfaces and move the compost bins away from the house. n Seal off entry points like gaps and open pipes, and remove potential nesting materials such as piles of newspaper or drifts of autumn leaves. n Make it part of the start of your autumn seasonal routine to put down a few ‘just in case’ traps or bait.
1 RATSAK ‘Naturals’ rodenticide bait pellets, $16.98, I/N: 0097060. 2 RATSAK ‘Clean Kill’ mouse trap, $12.50/pack of 3, I/N: 0280554. 3 RATSAK ‘Fast Action’ throw packs, $5.80/ pack of 5, I/N: 2960023. 4 RATSAK reusable rodent trap station, $32, I/N: 2961767.
For more information and expert advice, visit ratsak.com.au.
