As the mild spring season gently turns into the more intense summer months, it becomes an exciting time for gardeners and food growers alike. The unfurling of the new rhubarb leaves, the fattening of the broad beans, and the ripening of the mulberries herald the onset of a period of productive gardening.
This is the time when gardening activity reaches its peak and gardeners find themselves amid a bounty of lush produce. It’s the heart of the sowing season, and it’s all about enhancing the soil with homemade compost, meticulous weeding, and continual planting.
By the middle of October, the soils begin to warm up, creating an environment conducive for seedlings. They start to thrive and absorb all the essential nutrients from the nourishing environment and the direct sunlight they are exposed to.
However, amongst the hustle-bustle of growing an abundance of plants, the trick lies in choosing what to grow. Many beginners often start by buying seedlings from the market that need to be placed 50 cm apart in the soil. Nevertheless, soon enough, space turns out to be the critical issue. There are always more things that everyone wants to eat than the space available to grow them.
To tackle this, one needs to prioritize the plants they wish to grow. A trend that’s taken gardeners by storm is growing Asian vegetables, herbs, and fruits in their own backyards instead of the usual, like tomatoes and zucchinis. The likes of long beans, shark fin melon, choko, and loofahs are slowly gaining popularity.
Many gardens in Melbourne have successfully created warm microclimates using sunny brick walls or greenhouses, ideal for growing plants like ginger and turmeric that do exceptionally well in warm environments.
Gardening enthusiasts also lean towards Australian edibles like saltbush, callistemon, banksia, and Geraldton wax. Although it’s challenging to find these plants at your local nursery, many incorporative them into their everyday cooking. Using native trees, shrubs, and climbers can lend an interesting flavor to many dishes.
Despite this, many amateur gardeners prefer not to have specialized “edible beds” in their gardens. Contrary to popular belief, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to these beds. The method of setting up the garden depends heavily on the grower’s preferences and the kind of food they want to grow. Spending time in other gardens and observing how different people garden can stimulate ideas for setting up a personalized garden.
Formal edible beds edged in Dutch box, seasonal vegetables in raised timber planters, potted herbs, and high-end gardens are all of considerable interest to gardeners and offer countless possibilities for producing our food.
However, irrespective of how well certain gardens are doing, not all plants are suitable for all spaces and climates. For example, a garden that might be too exposed for citrus, too cool for bananas, or too boggy for olives is a challenge. Understanding and accepting these limitations can help focus on plants that are more likely to succeed and provide abundant yields.
Lastly, as the weather warms up, some plants start going to seed. By letting your plants flower, you can attract pollinators that, in turn, help your vegetables get pollinated. However, don’t be too laid back in planning for next season. Timing your planting correctly is essential to enjoy a fruitful harvest. If you’re looking to enjoy summer produce, it’s time to get moving now.
