Look after your plants in the heat
It’s too hot to be planting much, so give your garden some TLC over summer.
Plants are hungry at this time of year. A seaweed tea or organic liquid fertiliser is perfect. Apply diluted worm teas every couple of weeks to help keep up the growth and yield.
Your plants are also thirsty! It’s time to water smarter rather than more. Water first thing in the morning and give a nice, deep drink a couple of times a week rather than daily sprinkles.
Soil, Mulch, and Holiday Plant Tips
Looking after your soil is vital to looking after your plants – grow a green manure crop such as millet, lablab, or cow pea to improve your soil structure, drainage and moisture-holding capacity. This helps your plants tolerate fluctuations in weather conditions, e.g. torrential summer rain to a hot, dry stretch.
Top up mulch on your veggie patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds, especially important if you are heading off this holiday. Mulch after watering and keep mulch clear of plant stems.
Don’t forget about your pot plants if you are going away. Mulch the top of the pots and sit them in a saucer of water or the bathtub if it gets enough light.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
- Bramble Buzz: Updates from the Community
- Podcast Review:Christmas Past
- New Netflix Christmas Classics
- Jungle Perch Kuhlia rupestris
- Steam Through History on Christmas Twilight Train
- Tis the Season for Giving…and Scamming?
- Next Step Beyond Year 12: Exploring Future Pathways
- The Ghost of (Sandgate) Christmases Past
- All-Abilities Dance Takes Centre Stage At Sandgate
- Student Reporters Get the Scoop
- The Birds of Summer
- Nashville Students Collaborate With Musician For Road Safety
- Sparkle Into the New Year with Sandgate Celebrations
- Summer Fun Starts With Safe Swimming Habits
- Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe
- Ready for Storm Season
- Uniting Church Celebrates 30 Years of Christmas Lights
- Festive Fun with Santa Water Sports on Sandgate Beach
- Fishing For School Holiday Ideas? Summer Fun Around Sandgate
- Shorncliffe Station Closes for Major Heritage Restoration
- Christmas is in the Air
- Try Curling: A Quirky Olympic Sport to Kick Off the New Year
