Welcome to February in the Garden. It’s been an amazing month in Northland with a few good rain storms, sunshine, high humidity and warm temperatures. The food forest and veges have been thriving.
This month I thought I would talk about the most important job (in my opinion) in the garden which is observation. Observing what wildlife and insects are present, the soil moisture levels, what ‘weeds’ are popping up (this can give you clues to what your garden needs), any reoccuring patterns you can see, shade/light in the garden at different times of the year, any plant or mulching gaps in the garden that need filling, the health of your plants, and any other patterns or changes you notice. I like to take an observation walk most morning in my garden and around the property to observe and connect with nature, and it always amazes me how much I learn from such a simple process.
One observation I have made over these warmer months in my propogation area is that a weekly liquid feed on my potted up seedlings has made a big difference with their growth rates and their ability to cope better on the many high temperature days that we have had. I have been using the Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic as well as a homemade version which seems to work well.
Week 1 ish (1st – 11th)
The start of February (the 1st) starts off very gently with a rest day for you and the garden.
From the 2nd – 6th it’s a great time for sowing green manure crops ready for autumn, companion flowers, leafy green vegetables, and basil.
Plant root crops this week.
If your onions are starting to flop over this week, wait until a couple of days of sunshine are forecasted to harvest and cure.
A good week for digging new and cultivating existing garden beds. For garden beds that have had their summer crops removed, make sure to feed, mulch and rest the beds before replanting.
New moon on the 10th is a low energy day so a great time to sit in comtemplation and connect with your garden.
To round up the week get those brocolli and cauliflower seedlings planted in the garden.
Week 2 (12th – 18th)
Early in the week is time to get your brassica’s and winter greens planted so they can get established before winter. Also pop more seedlings (e.g. carrots, parsley, basil, leafy crops) in the ground for late summer harvests.
Wednesday morning is one for staying out of the garden due to a node being in effect (I’m still learning about Biodynamics but nodes occur when the moon or planets cross the sun’s path. The lunar nodes occur every 27.21 days when the moon, earth and sun are on the same plane and it’s NOT a time that is recommended for planting and it IS a time for rest).
Towards the end of the week check that you have a good layer of mulch on your gardens and around your trees. Keep mounding up your potato plants. Give your citrus trees a good liquid feed. Check all your tomato plants and prune, delateral, and tie up as require. If you are in a warmer part of the country you could also sneak in another crop of potatoes. Plant out the last of your spring onion and leek seedlings.
Week 3 (19th – 25th)
Heading into this week, it is a good time for feeding any crops that are heavy feeders, with the 23rd & 24th being good days for liquid feeding the rest of the garden. Get your beetroot seedlings into the garden if you haven’t already.
Midweek is the time to liquid feed the garden.
Keep up with harvesting crops and a great time to start preserving, make sauces, and chutneys and all that soul-fulfilling homesteading stuff.
The end of the week is time to sow more beans (dwarf beans should work well) if you live in a warmer part of the country.
Week 4 (26th – 29th)
A great week for tidying up the garden, mulching, tidying,
Early in the week is good for direct sowing root crops.
Midweek is a garden rest day.
Thursday you can head back into the garden for thinning out seedlings as required and continuing with tidying things up.
SSome of the timing in this gardening guide is based on the Biodynamic Calendar that Monique Macfarlene from Natural Wisdom writes up for the Organic NZ magazine. Monique is a most wonderful and embodied biodynamic gardener (and so much more). If you are keen to learn more about her amazing gardening and gardening by the moon courses head over to her website to find out more. I have done a couple of her courses and learned so much. You won’t be disappointed!