This is the quick version this month (as we have had such a busy time with guests and work here at the farm while it’s not raining for once) but here are some ideas of what you can do in the garden this month while working with the phases of the moon. With our busy lifestyle we sometimes just do what we can when we can, but wherever possible we do try and work with natures cycles to get the most out of our garden. Also, remember to talk with your garden and trust your intuition, both will teach you more than any books or other resources ever can.
With the warmer weather keep watch on your soil moisture levels. I use the highly scientific method of putting my finger into the soil up to my second knuckle and if there is no moisture in the soil then it’s a good time to water. You are better to give your garden a really good soak every two days, rather than every day to encourage plants to send their roots deeper. It’s best to water in the early morning or in the evening (as long as there is enough day to ensure the leaves have dried off before nightfall).
Week 1: Direct sow root crops like beetroot and radish into your garden. Prune fruit trees as required to remove dead or diseased branches. Chop ‘n drop bio mass plants in the food forest. Dead head flowering plants to encourage more flowers. Harvest crops.
Week 2: Feed your soil with organic compost and sheep pellets (we use the Tui organic range), check if your tomatoes need more support and staking and cover fruit with bird netting if they are getting munched before you can harvest, mound up and side-dress any potatoes you still have in the ground, and if you are putting in new gardens this is a great week to get all the digging done. Keep on top of weeding/chop ‘n’ drop. Harvest crops.
Week 3: Plant and sow crops like dwarf beans, tomato’s, egg plants, spring onions, parsley, sweetcorn, kale, gooseberry, silverbeet, basil, salad greens, capsicum, courgette, celery, and chilli. Flowering plants which can go in this week include petunias, impatiens, calendula, dahlias, echinacea, verbena, alyssum, cosmos, and marigolds. Harvest crops.
Week 4: The 24th & 25th are great days to liquid feed your garden. Keep up with harvesting and keep on top of weeding.