15/07/2013 - Research for the Month of July

Actual Temperature
9 degrees Celsius
Humidity : 85%
Rainfall : 0.00mm
Wind : Lighty Wind

Over the past few years I have grown wonderful winter vegetables and herbs grown wonderful winter vegetables and herbs such as sage, coriander and rosemary in the containers. Lettuce and mizuna flourished even though the coldest months, although it pays to choose a winter-hardy type of lettuce. Ideally, low compact-growing vegetables do best as container plants. Vegetables suited for container growing including many of the miniature pumpkins, cannon ball cabbages, cherry tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, green onions, lettuce, radish and parsley. Cucumbers also do well in this type of garden, as long as they are watered generously and regularly and have a rich soil and plenty of sun.

Getting Ready

Planting or sowing under clothes is one way to deal with wet soil and cold conditions. Covering soil with polythene for a few months prior to planting or sowing will ensure that it is workable. Working a heavy clay soil when it is waterlogged will do more harm than good. Such soil has a short period of "workability" in mid-spring. Raised beds may be the only solution to heavy soils and drainage problems, particularly in northern areas where winters are wet. Don't be in a hurry to remove protection from frost-tender plants. Plants can be uncovered during the day, but keep the protective material at hand in case of frosty nights.

Frost-prone Areas 

In southern parts, wait until the end of the month or August before making a serious start in the vegetable garden. If you have a heavy clay soil, then you may have to delay sowing unless you've have the ground covered for at least part of the winter. Remember, you should always be guided by local weather conditions before deciding to sow seeds or plant out seedlings. A few radish seed sown in a  warm area will provide fresh salad greens, as will the might mizuna, which is remarkably frost-hardy and can be raised in pots or in the winter garden. It can be sown in masse in a single pot for producing tender young leaves for salads. A pot can be set inside on a windowsill or in a window box.

Frost-free Areas

Sowing seeds of hardy vegetables and annual flowers outside can begin n earnest this month. Sow lettuce, onions, peas, silver beet, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower directly into the garden, if the soil is warm and free-draining. Seedlings of all of these vegetables can be planted out. Winter lettuce and endive can be planted out in sheltered areas. In cold gardens, they can be set out in pots in a sunny patch near a door for ready use. Be vigilant for snails and slugs, especially in warm northern areas, as they will devour young seedlings with relish. Quash is an ideal and relatively safe way to get rid of snails.