The Summer Planting Guide

Summer opens up new opportunities in the veggie patch that didn't exist while the erratic spring weather was doing its thing. Here are some of our favourite heat loving varieties that are primed to plant now;

1. Chillies: Heat is key for growing chilies and they require a hot, sun drenched space, preferably up against a heat reflecting wall that helps to collect extra rays of warmth. Those in cooler climates often produce the best chillies in hoop houses or any other insulated environment. However, do not let its infatuation with heat throw the basic demands of the plant. Even the toughest dudes need food and water to survive and the chilli is no exception. Chilli is known to be an aphrodisiac but to arrive there you have to be persistent. For a long time you may just burn your mouth and ruin your meals, but there will be a turning point when you begin to understand just how sexy a chilli can be.

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With the change of seasons we restore hope for new beginnings and a greener garden.

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With more than 3000 varieties, there is one for everyone and the tomato you fall in love with could as easily be red and round, as it could be purple and brain-shaped.

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It’s hard to ignore the colours of citrus during winter. The long fruiting run - that commences way back at the peak of summer (with a burst of white flowers and citrus scents) - is one of the most drawn out gardening processes. In fact it is so long winded that it’s almost forgotten about…. until the bright colours burst through the winter gloom.  

Anyone without a lemon tree notices this phenomena more than most. For one, you should  immediately commit it to the memory map of where to find free food (however a door knock for permission is preferable). But it’s also that seasonal reminder of the joy you should be experiencing, if only you had planted that tree when you intended.

Somewhere along the way however you’ve had heartache, maybe even heartbreak, and definitely a deal of uncertainty at what you’re really looking for in a lemon tree. But now - at the peak of fruiting - we’re actually not far off the best time for planting a tree too and ensuring you don’t miss out again next season. Even those that hold memory like water, won’t have time to disassociate; lemons hold so well on the tree, there will still be a bunch of reminders dangling in front of you come spring.

So what are the lemon options? Lemons, just ain’t lemons. Let’s look at the differences in terms of their juice, skin, tree characteristics, along with the climates they grown in best.

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Christmas comes early for the edible gardener and it arrives at the break of spring. Just like the build up to Saint Nick’s big day, it is prolonged; drawn out by a calendar of events that keep reminding us that it’s just around the corner.

Each falls with the inevitability of a domino upon the next. It gathers momentum with the break of magnolias and fragrance hit of jasmine, and then approaches path’s end with the arrival of the blossoms. It begins with the almonds, closely followed by cherries and then plums. Then comes the rest, although by that stage everyone is too preoccupied to notice. September 1 - the calendar beginning to the silly season has no doubt sprung - and we’re all too busy emptying our stockings of goodies into the edible garden.

The way you approach spring is typically reflected by your maturity as a gardener, however just like Christmas, it has a habit of regressing us back to a childlike state. With eyes too big for our future stomachs it’s easy to get distracted by the lights that shine brightly now. So as the dominos continue to fall towards its break this year, we present our spring strategy to help you get the most out of the season.

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