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  1. Home
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  3. Garden calendar
  4. January

January in the Garden

Pick your month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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January

It’s hot, hot, hot...

There’s no such thing as a “typical” Australian summer, despite the glossy marketing brochures showing bronzed Aussies and miles of stunning surf beaches. In tropical coastal areas, Summer is warm to hot and very humid, with torrential downpours and the occasional cyclone thrown in for good measure. 

 

Gardening in January

So, what should you do in the garden in January? Get your gardening year off to a good start this month.

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit & Citrus
  • Flowers & Bulbs
  • Indoor Plants
  • Lawn Care
Learn How to Grow Chillies in Simple Steps | Love The Garden

Chilli

It seems that most people now have at least 1 or 2 chilli plants at home – it’s become incredibly trendy. Growing...

Read more about Chilli
How to grow potatoes

Potatoes

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are tubers that grow and form at the plant’s roots. Plants also produce flowering shoots...

Read more about Potatoes
Cucumbers

Cucumbers

Delicious in salads and sandwiches, the crisp, sweet crunch of a cucumber is one of the joys of summer. Growing...

Read more about Cucumbers
how to grow spring onions

Spring Onion

Spring onions (also known as green shallots and green bunching or salad onions) are a delicious addition to a whole...

Read more about Spring Onion
Beautiful red ripe tomatoes on a green vine.

Tomatoes

Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes, freshly picked and warm from the summer sun. Slice them into a...

Read more about Tomatoes
how to grow peas

Peas

Nothing beats home-grown peas for their tenderness and taste. That's because when they’re picked, their sugars start to...

Read more about Peas
How to grow onions

Onions

The basis of so many delicious dishes, onions (Allium cepa) are an essential ingredient in every cook’s store cupboard...

Read more about Onions
How to grow Garlic | Love the Garden

Garlic

Growing garlic ( Allium sativum) at home is now very popular. It's an easy vegetable to grow - just plant a garlic clove...

Read more about Garlic
how to grow courgettes

Zucchini

Zucchini are now a common, summer staple in the vegetable garden. They are relatively easy to grow and they can be eaten...

Read more about Zucchini
how to grow runner bean

Runner beans

Runner beans, or more correctly scarlet runner beans, (Phaseolus coccineus) are among the easiest and most rewarding...

Read more about Runner beans
growing salad leaves

Salad leaves

Bags of salad leaves are quite expensive to buy and have a fairly short lifespan in the fridge. Grow your own salad...

Read more about Salad leaves
How to grow pumpkins

Pumpkins

Delicious in pies, soups and stews and full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are a tasty autumn and winter treat...

Read more about Pumpkins
growing sweetcorn

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn, or maize, won't really grow as high as an elephant's eye, but it will be sweet, tender and delicious -...

Read more about Sweet Corn
How to grow & care for asparagus

Asparagus

Asparagus is a classic spring vegetable worth establishing in your garden. You’ll need to wait 2 years from planting...

Read more about Asparagus
How to grow & care for cauliflower

Cauliflower

Drizzled with olive oil and baked whole or sliced into steaks, cut into individual florets and wok-tossed in a stir fry...

Read more about Cauliflower
How to grow & care for broccoli

Broccoli

Broccoli is a must have in every home veggie patch - it’s productive, nutritious and very easy to grow. Although they're...

Read more about Broccoli
How to grow & care for rhubarb

Rhubarb

Rhubarbs edible stalks grow from a central crown and this popular vegetable is most commonly eaten as a sweet! Once...

Read more about Rhubarb
Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

You might not like the cold weather, but Brussels sprouts do! Brussels sprouts grow best in cool climates with cold...

Read more about Brussels Sprouts
How to grow spinach

Spinach

Spinach is rich in iron, fibre and other essential vitamins and this easy to grow veg is ready to harvest, leaf by leaf...

Read more about Spinach
How to grow kale

Kale

Kale is an easy to grow leafy vegetable that has become popular thanks to its superfood status because it’s rich in...

Read more about Kale
How to grow & care for cabbage

Cabbage

Cabbages are an easy and versatile vegetable for you to grow and enjoy at home! It can be eaten raw, cooked into...

Read more about Cabbage
How to grow & care for silverbeet

Silverbeet

Silverbeet is also commonly referred to as Swiss chard, chard or rainbow chard. The rainbow variety has brightly...

Read more about Silverbeet
Ginger

Ginger

Ginger is a tasty and easy spice to grow in your own garden. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow ginger year...

Read more about Ginger
A pile of avocados with one on top cut in half.

Avocado

Avocado trees, once established, are very productive, beautiful evergreen trees that will supply you with plenty of...

Read more about Avocado
Bunch of Beetroot

Beetroot

Beetroot is the ultimate vegetable to grow for root-to-tip eating! Its young tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads or...

Read more about Beetroot
Celery

Celery

Celery can be a fussy vegetable to grow, it doesn’t like it too hot or too cold! But once you’ve got it growing happily...

Read more about Celery
Watercress plant

Watercress

Watercress is a peppery, nutrient-rich leafy green that’s delicious on sandwiches and in salads. It’s easy to grow in...

Read more about Watercress
Turmeric in a bowl

Turmeric

Turmeric is bright yellow, pungent spice, native to the monsoon rainforests of Asia, that you can easily grow in your...

Read more about Turmeric
Eggplant bunch

Eggplant

Eggplants are a heat-loving, productive and home garden-friendly crop to grow. They love a full sun spot and will...

Read more about Eggplant
Growing lots of capsicum

Capsicum

Capsicums add crunch, colour and nutrients to many dishes including salads, casseroles, stir fries and roasts. Capsicums...

Read more about Capsicum
Growing Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes rambling vines grow tubers beneath the ground. These vigorous and productive vines can be grown in a...

Read more about Sweet Potato
Growing Beans

Beans

Beans are a bountiful plant to have in your vegetable garden, they are easy to grow and heavy croppers. You can find...

Read more about Beans
grow radishes

Radish

Radishes are one of the easiest and speediest vegetable crops to grow! Perfect for the time poor or beginner gardener...

Read more about Radish
Growing Leeks

Leeks

Leeks are a sweet and mild member of the onion family. They thrive in cold and warm temperate climates but can be...

Read more about Leeks
Globe Artichoke small

Globe artichokes

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) are thistle like plants that produce edible flowers - harvested and eaten in their bud...

Read more about Globe artichokes
Fennel

Fennel

Fennel or Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) produces crisp white bulbs, topped with fern like fronds - all...

Read more about Fennel
Horseradish

Horseradish

Horseradish is a vigorous plant related to broccoli, cabbage and kale - but unlike its brassica cousins, horseradish is...

Read more about Horseradish
Patty Pan Squash

Patty Pan Squash

Squash or patty pan squash as they are often called - because of their UFO like shape - are an easy to grow summer...

Read more about Patty Pan Squash
Parsnip

Parsnip

Parsnips are a nutty and sweet root vegetable that can take 5-6 months to reach maturity! But the flavour of homegrown...

Read more about Parsnip
Shallots

Shallots

Shallots ( Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are a member of the onion family loved by chefs and home cooks for their mild...

Read more about Shallots
Lettuce

Lettuce

Lettuce is an easy to grow, staple leafy green that can be easily grown year round. You can grow lettuce quickly from...

Read more about Lettuce
How to grow small Okra

Okra

Okra, also known as Lady’s Fingers or Gumbo, produces long pod-shaped fruit that can be used in stews, curries and stir...

Read more about Okra
Taro

Taro

Taro is a staple crop in many pacific countries that produces an edible white tuber beneath the ground. The starchy taro...

Read more about Taro
Carrots

Carrot

Carrots are an easy to grow, staple vegetable that’s worth including in your garden. They’ll happily grow in a full sun...

Read more about Carrot
Snow peas

Snow Peas

Snow peas are heavy croppers that are easy to grow in home veggie beds or potted gardens. Snow peas flat pods can be...

Read more about Snow Peas
Turnips

Turnip

Turnip are a fast and easy to grow root crop that’s related to other broccoli, cabbage and other brassicas. Although...

Read more about Turnip
Yam

Yam

Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is an ancient food crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates as an alternative to potatoes...

Read more about Yam
Mustard Greens

Mustard greens

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) are a cool season vegetable, grown for their peppery edible leaves. You can eat young...

Read more about Mustard greens
How to grow blueberries

Blueberries

Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are...

Read more about Blueberries
How to grow strawberries | Love the Garden

Strawberries

Who doesn’t love strawberries? If you’re a strawberry fan, there are many varieties easy to grow at home, allowing you...

Read more about Strawberries
How to grow raspberries

Raspberries

What could be better than a bowl of sweet, fresh-picked raspberries in summer? These delicious fruits are easy to grow...

Read more about Raspberries
How to grow & care for cherry trees

Cherries

Homegrown cherries are sweet, juicy and delicious. Many varieties will be dripping with ready to pick cherries around...

Read more about Cherries
How to grow & care for apple trees

Apple

Apple trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements), you...

Read more about Apple
Choko

Choko

Chokos are an old-fashioned crop that’s making a comeback! Once upon a time, these vigorous vines covered pergolas...

Read more about Choko
Harvesting Blackberries

Blackberries

Blackberries sometimes get a bad wrap thanks to the wild, thorny, weedy ones! But growing blackberries in your garden is...

Read more about Blackberries
Growing Dragon fruit

Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit grows on a climbing cactus that produces stunning white flowers in summer. These flowers develop into pink...

Read more about Dragon Fruit
Growing grapes

Grapes

Growing grapes from your own grapevine really are the perfect summer snack! Fruiting grapevines are fast-growing...

Read more about Grapes
Fig Tree

Fig Trees

Fig trees originate from the Mediterranean where the summers are hot and dry, and winters cool - so they happily grow in...

Read more about Fig Trees
Mango

Mango

Mangoes are the classic summer fruit, loved for their sweet and juicy flesh. Mango trees thrive in tropical and...

Read more about Mango
Passionfruit

Passionfruit

Passionfruits are a popular and productive vine that will grow in most climates around Australia. They particularly...

Read more about Passionfruit
Persimmon

Persimmon

Persimmons are medium to tall growing deciduous trees that produce apple sized, orange coloured persimmon fruits in...

Read more about Persimmon
Pineapples

Pineapples

Pineapples are an easy care tropical fruit, that will also grow in other frost-free climates around Australia too...

Read more about Pineapples
Rockmelon

Rockmelon

Rockmelons, also known as cantaloupe, grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year. These sun-loving...

Read more about Rockmelon
How to grow Lychee

Lychee

Lychee fruit grow on medium to large evergreen trees that love growing in subtropical and tropical climates. They love a...

Read more about Lychee
Paw Paw

Paw Paw

Paw Paw or Papaya (Carica papaya) originate from tropical and subtropical climates, so they thrive in warm, frost free...

Read more about Paw Paw
Mulberry

Mulberry

Mulberry trees are a fast and easy to fruiting plant for every home garden! You’ll rarely find mulberries at the...

Read more about Mulberry
Watermelon

Watermelon

Watermelons grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year in Australia. These sun-loving plants can be...

Read more about Watermelon
Pear

Pear Trees

Pear trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements) you can...

Read more about Pear Trees
Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit grow on large, vigorous vines that need a lot of space to grow. To produce kiwifruit you’ll need to plant both...

Read more about Kiwifruit
Gooseberry

Gooseberries

Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) are native to parts of Europe, but they’ll happily grow in the cooler parts of southern...

Read more about Gooseberries
plum

Plum Trees

Plum trees are productive fruit trees, ideally suited to growing in the average backyard or in a large pot. There are...

Read more about Plum Trees
pomegranate

Pomegranate

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are heat-loving trees, native to the Middle East, that grow well here in Australia. The...

Read more about Pomegranate
Growing orchids

Orchids

Orchids are a great addition to any home, with their exotic, delicate and diverse flowers and their beautiful shapes and...

Read more about Orchids
How to grow sunflowers

Sunflowers

If you want to grow something spectacular, plant sunflowers. They come in a whole range of sizes from dwarf to giant and...

Read more about Sunflowers
How to grow Allium

Allium

Alliums belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks, as you can tell from the aroma when you crush the foliage...

Read more about Allium
How to grow roses

Roses

Roses are among our favourite garden plants – and deservedly so. They are versatile, produce vibrant colour through...

Read more about Roses
how to grow sweet peas

Sweet peas

The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an incredibly popular flowering climbing plant that produces masses of flowers from...

Read more about Sweet peas
How to grow & care for lavender

Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant small shrub perfect for cottage gardens, perennial borders and pollinator patches...

Read more about Lavender
How to grow dahlia

Dahlia

Dahlias produce colourful blooms throughout summer and well into autumn in Australia. Their flowers can be big and...

Read more about Dahlia
Azalea small

Azalea

Azaleas have the power to fill winter and spring gardens with masses of colourful blooms. Azaleas will tolerate a range...

Read more about Azalea
Gerbera

Gerbera

Gerberas produce bright, colourful flowers on long stems during the warmer months of the year. Gerbera daisies grow in...

Read more about Gerbera
Jasmine

Jasmine

Jasmine (Jasmine polyanthum) is a vigorous vine with sweetly scented white and pink blushed blooms throughout spring and...

Read more about Jasmine
Lilies

Lilies

Lilies or lilium are summer flowering bulbs with showy blooms that are often heavily fragrant. Lilies will grow in most...

Read more about Lilies
Marigold

Marigold

Marigold flowers will bring bright pops of colour to your warm season garden, veggie bed or pots. There are 3 main types...

Read more about Marigold
Gardenia

Gardenia

Gardenias are warm climate flowering shrubs or small trees, loved for their beautifully perfumed blooms. Gardenia plants...

Read more about Gardenia
Poppies

Poppies

Poppies will bring a flush of colour into your spring garden with their frilly flowers. There are many different types...

Read more about Poppies
Proteas

Proteas

Proteas are sun-loving beauties originally from South Africa, that grow particularly well in our poor Australian soils...

Read more about Proteas
Snapdragons

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are bright and cheerful flowering plants that grow in most climates. If you live in a region with heavy...

Read more about Snapdragons
How to grow hydrangeas

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophylla) are the perfect flowering shrub for part shade AND their big blousy flower heads...

Read more about Hydrangea
Geraniums

Geraniums

Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are hardy, sun-loving plants with brightly coloured flowers throughout spring and summer...

Read more about Geraniums
Carnations

Carnations

Carnations are grown for their beautifully fringed, fragrant blooms that make a long-lasting cut flower to enjoy in a...

Read more about Carnations
poinsettia

Poinsettia

Poinsettia is a Christmas favourite - their red and green colours are commonly used to bring festive cheer indoors over...

Read more about Poinsettia
Begonias

Begonias

Begonias come in a range of sizes and forms, and they’re loved by gardeners as indoor or outdoor plants for their...

Read more about Begonias
African Violet

African Violets

African violets are typically grown as indoor plants, but they will also tolerate growing outdoors in a protected warm...

Read more about African Violets
Forget Me Nots

Forget Me Nots

Forget Me Nots produce dainty pale blue, pale pink or mauve flowers in spring and summer. These pretty low growing...

Read more about Forget Me Nots
Rhododendron

Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are spring flowering shrubs or trees that are closely related to azaleas, so they like similar growing...

Read more about Rhododendron
Everlasting Daisies

Everlasting Daisies

Everlasting Daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are a colourful Australian native daisy often called Strawflowers or Paper...

Read more about Everlasting Daisies
Lilac

Lilac

Lilac shrubs or trees (Syringa vulgaris) are loved for their heavenly fragrant flowers in spring and summer. In autumn...

Read more about Lilac
ranunculus

Ranunculus

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) make the perfect spring and early summer cut flower. They grow from dormant corms...

Read more about Ranunculus
Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnias are colourful and cheerful summer flowering annual plants that are a must for all gardens during the warmer...

Read more about Zinnia
Fuchsia

Fuchsia

Fuchsia plants produce delicate and colourful hanging flowers that look like twirling ballerinas in spring, summer and...

Read more about Fuchsia
Aster

Aster

Aster (Callistephus chinensis) or Chinese Aster are fast-growing, flowering annuals that thrive in the warmth of spring...

Read more about Aster
Iris

Iris

Iris flowers appear in spring and summer in Australia on long, slender stems that can be around 60-100cm tall. Irises...

Read more about Iris
Nasturtium

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are an easy to grow, flowering companion plant that’s also edible. Nasturtium flowers have a peppery flavour...

Read more about Nasturtium
Petunia

Petunia

Petunias are sun loving, summer flowering beauties that provide masses of colour over the warmer months. Petunias love...

Read more about Petunia
Tulips

Tulips

Tulips are spring flowering bulbs that love climates with cooler winters. However, if your winters are milder in...

Read more about Tulips
Orange-pink Coral Charm peony flowers in bloom.

Peonies

Peonies are a superstar of the flower world. Big, blousy and beautiful, they're bound to draw compliments from the...

Read more about Peonies
How to Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs

Fiddle Leaf Figs

With their lush, upright stature and huge, glossy leaves, the Fiddle Leaf Fig ( Ficus lyrata) is one of the most popular...

Read more about Fiddle Leaf Figs
Peace Lily

Peace Lily

With their dark green foliage and pure white flowers, Peace Lilies are a stunning addition indoors. Being just as...

Read more about Peace Lily
How to grow Monstera

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa is also commonly called the Swiss cheese Plant, Fruit Salad Plant or Monstera. Its large green glossy...

Read more about Monstera
Philodendron Plant

Philodendron

There’s a reason why Philodendrons make such great indoor plants… well several actually! They look good, aren’t fussy...

Read more about Philodendron
African Violet

African Violet

Cheerful, bright and compact, African violets are the perfect indoor pot plant. They have eye-catching purple, red, pink...

Read more about African Violet
Devil Ivy

Devil's Ivy (Pothos)

Devil’s Ivy ( Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, is most commonly grown as an easy going indoor plant - it’s one...

Read more about Devil's Ivy (Pothos)
Snake Plant

Snake Plants

Snake Plants are the easiest houseplant of all to grow. This undemanding plant will grow in the most challenging of...

Read more about Snake Plants
Aloe Vera plant

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a striking succulent plant, with medicinal properties, that can be grown in your garden or indoors as a...

Read more about Aloe Vera
Hoya

Hoya

Hoya, also known as wax flower, are evergreen vines (or sometimes shrubs or succulent plants) with fragrant flowers in...

Read more about Hoya
Anthurium

Anthurium

Anthurium plants are tropical, flowering plants with glossy leaves and heart shaped flowers. They’ll thrive outdoors in...

Read more about Anthurium
String of Pearls

String of Pearls

String of Pearls is a cascading succulent with pearl-like foliage, hence its name! These succulents thrive best in a...

Read more about String of Pearls
Maidenhair Ferns

Maidenhair Ferns

Maidenhair Ferns have a reputation for being fussy and tricky to grow, but they don’t have to be!

Read more about Maidenhair Ferns
Air Plants

Air Plants

Air Plants ( Tillandsia spp.) do not need soil to grow and they don’t really have roots like other plants - the roots...

Read more about Air Plants
chain of hearts

Chain of Hearts

Chair of Hearts plants, despite their delicate appearance, are actually a succulent plant! Their long trailing tendrils...

Read more about Chain of Hearts
Epipremnum Pinnatum leaves

Dragon Tail

Dragon Tail ( Epipremnum pinnatum) is a popular Australian native, mostly grown as an indoor plant. In the wild, it...

Read more about Dragon Tail
Rubber Plant

Rubber Plant

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) are very popular indoor plants because they’re so easy to grow. Rubber Plants are loved...

Read more about Rubber Plant
Spider Plant

Spider Plant

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are possibly the easiest and most adaptable house plant to grow! They are happy in...

Read more about Spider Plant
Syngonium

Syngonium

Syngonium or Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) are a brilliant indoor plant for beginners to grow. Initially they...

Read more about Syngonium
Calathea

Calathea

Calathea (Calathea sp.) also known as Prayer Plants, are tropical plants grown commonly as indoor plants so their vivid...

Read more about Calathea
ctenanthe

Ctenanthe

Ctenanthe species (pronounced te-NANTH-ee) are often mistaken for their cousins the calatheas and confusingly they are...

Read more about Ctenanthe
Zanzibar Gem

Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant)

The Zanzibar Gem plant, also commonly called the ZZ Plant, is a low-maintenance houseplant characterised by its shiny...

Read more about Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant)
Chinese Evergreens

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema sp.) have lots of large leaves with either silver, green, pink or yellow variegation. They...

Read more about Chinese Evergreen
Alcocasia

Alocasia

Alocasia, also called Elephant Ears, are tropical herbaceous perennials that grow from a tuber or rhizome beneath the...

Read more about Alocasia
peperomia

Peperomia

Peperomia plants are grown as indoor plants for their decorative and colourful leaves. You’ll find peperomias (also...

Read more about Peperomia
Weeping fig

Weeping Fig

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) are elegant houseplants loved for their glossy leaves that hang gracefully from arching...

Read more about Weeping Fig
Mistletoe Cactus in a pot

Mistletoe Cactus

Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis campos-portoana) are easy to grow, lush plants that suit growing in hanging baskets or wall...

Read more about Mistletoe Cactus
Parlour Palm

Parlour palms

Parlour Palms (Chamaedorea elegans) bring a tropical vibe to any home without the need for a tropical climate. They...

Read more about Parlour palms
Tradescantia

Tradescantia

Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina) is an easy-to-grow, trailing plant with multi-coloured green/purple leaves for real...

Read more about Tradescantia
How To Grow & Care For Buffalo Lawn

Buffalo Grass

A popular stalwart in Australian gardens for good reason, buffalo grass makes for an incredibly resilient lawn. It is...

Read more about Buffalo Grass
How To Grow & Care For Kikuyu Lawn

Kikuyu Grass

Kikuya grass, or Pennisetum Clandestinum, is a vigorous plant often used in Australian lawns and common in public...

Read more about Kikuyu Grass

Vegetables

What to harvest now:

There should be plenty to harvest from the veggie garden now, including beans, lettuce, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, beetroot, spring onions, snap peas, silverbeet and sweet corn. Pick early in the day before the sun becomes too intense. Give them a quick rinse in cold water before eating.

 

 

 

What to plant now:

 

Seedlings of salad and Asian greens may still be planted now into well prepared, moist soil. Water in with a half strength solution of liquid fertiliser. Alternatively, grow them in planter boxes filled with Osmocote Professional Vegetable, Tomato & Herb Potting Mix. Move them into the shade on days of extreme heat.

Check your local garden centre to see what other veggies are on offer.

Plant seedlings of the following:   

  • Asian greens
  • Lettuce
  • Radish
  • Silverbeet
  • Spring/Green onion

Veggie patch tips for January:

Keep vegetables and herbs growing and producing well with a liquid plant food like Scotts Osmocote® Pour+Feed for Tomatoes & Herbs or a certified organic fertiliser. 

Vines tired to a fence to stop dropping

 

Check the ties on bush tomatoes and other veggies to ensure they are not too tight.

  • Make sure your climbing crops like peas and beans are growing up their supports and not smothering other crops close by.
  • Hand pull or hoe out weeds that compete for nutrients and moisture and may also harbour pests that could attack your crops.
  • Water early in the day direct on to the soil – avoid wetting leaves because this could encourage diseases.
  • Bird netting over the entire veggie patch will keep birds and possums out. Make sure the mesh size is less than 5mm to prevent birds or animals being caught in it.

Fruit

What fruits to harvest now:

Stone fruits like apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums should all be ready to harvest this month, depending on the varieties being grown. Pick ripe fruits early in the day, before they heat up. Leave those still very firm to the touch on the trees until they are fully ripe. If you find any rotting fruits, pick and discard them immediately, before they release fungal spores.

Apricots in a tree waiting to be harvested

 

Never put diseased fruits (or plants) in the compost bin – wrap them in newspaper and place in the household rubbish bin so they’re removed from the property.  Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and other berries will be plentiful this month. Enjoy them while they last because some have quite short seasons. Passionfruit will also be ripening now. Tropical fruits and citrus are still cropping in warmer areas, and honeydew melon, watermelon and cantaloupe are still in season in hot, dry climates.

What fruit to plant:

Planting of evergreen and potted deciduous fruit trees is not recommended in mid-summer.

Flowers

 What flowers to plant:

Purple flowers growing

 

Plant seedlings of the following into pots, tubs or baskets (not into the garden):

  • Candytuft
  • Carnation
  • Linaria
  • Nasturtium
  • Petunia
  • Portulaca
  • Salvia
  • Scabiosa
  • Sweet William
  • Verbena
  • Wallflower
  • Zinnia 
Garden jobs for the month:

Freshly made lemonade with lemon and limes

 

  • Summer is all about the outdoors, so make sure you spend plenty of time relaxing and enjoying your garden, with a cool drink in hand, a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of sunscreen.
  • If the mulch on garden beds has compacted or is starting to break down, top it up with fresh material to a total depth of about 100mm. Pea straw, lucerne or sugarcane mulch will keep the soil cool, moist and weed-free.
  • Fortnightly applications of Osmocote Boost+Feed All Plant Types will keep your garden healthy and growing well.
  • Continue regularly trimming evergreen trees and shrubs to keep them neat, particularly those being trained as topiary, mop-tops or other geometric shapes. 
  • Any spring flowering bulbs still in the soil should be lifted now. Leave them to dry off for a day or so before brushing loose soil off them, then store in a cool, airy and dry place until it’s time to plant again in autumn.
  • When high temperatures or strong winds are expected, take down hanging baskets and move them, together with outdoor pots, to a sheltered spot where they won’t get burned to a crisp.
  • Some flowering plants may need dead-heading now to keep them neat and encourage more flowers. Roses in particular appreciate having faded flowers trimmed off. They will produce new shoots that will produce a second flush of flowers in late summer and autumn.

Person pruning an outdoor plant

 

Pest Control:

  • Watch for thrips on young plants and flowers. This insect is tiny and may be hard to see but the damage it causes is highly visible – white streaks or blotches on flowers and leaves. You may only learn of its presence when you see hundreds of dark specks on white washing hanging on the clothes line. Thrips are attracted to light colours. Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray will control them. Don’t forget to spray the undersides of leaves as well as the top surface.

Person hanging yellow sticky traps among plants to attract and catch pests

 

  • If you don’t want to use chemicals, hang yellow sticky traps among plants to attract and catch pests.
  • Watch for powdery mildew on roses and other plants including pumpkins and zucchinis, especially when nights are warm and humid. Use a copper-based fungicide to control them.

Indoor Plants

Tips for Indoor Plants:

  • Water indoor plants when the top 5cm or soil of potting mix feels dry to the touch. Allow excess water to drain freely from the base of the pot. Don’t leave pots standing in saucers of water.
  • Keep the air around indoor plants humid by regularly misting plants with a water atomiser.
  • Feed fortnightly with ready to use Osmocote Pour+Feed Indoor Plants – no mixing required. There are also Pour+Feed products for orchids and cacti. When you come home from holidays, give all your indoor plants a good drink before returning them to their usual positions. 

Lawn

Maintenance tips:

While regular mowing will keep existing lawns looking neat, avoid cutting the grass when extreme temperatures are forecast or when heavy rain is predicted. The longer the grass, the better insulated the roots and soil will be and the risk of soil erosion will be minimised. 

  • Make sure the lawn is well watered at least once a week, if permitted by local water authorities. The earlier in the day you water, the less risk there is of the sun burning the grass through moisture droplets. 

Person standing on the lawn with no shoes on

 

  • If you have a broadleaf weed problem, buffalo and lawn substitutes can be treated and fed with Lawn Builder Buffalo Weed, Feed & Green Up, a hose-on product that can be safely used on all lawn types. 
  • If bindii is spreading through the lawn, get on top of it quickly with Lawn Builder Bindii, Clover & Broadleaf, a ready-to-use, hose-on lawn weeder that’s safe to use on all grasses.
Suggested Products
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Scotts Osmocote® - Premium Potting Mix

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Scotts Organic Potting Mix For All Plants

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Scotts Organic Plant Food Ready to Use

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Scotts Osmocote® Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Potting Mix

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