Garden Calender for the Brisbane region
Other Months
NB: These notes are under development. At present, the following applies to the greater Brisbane region only. It's hoped to develop these notes further in future updates, adding more details and eventually, more regions.
Naturally, this is a general guide only and will vary depending on local conditions, weather, plant variety etc. Ongoing water availability is also a big concern these days, so take this into consideration too, especially if planning new gardens.
December 2011
With other distractions and the hot weather, December tends to be a month of general maintenance and enjoying the results of your previous work, rather than major garden projects.
Conditions have been very dry and unless we get significant rains soon, supplementary watering may be needed, especially if you want the garden looking good for Christmas entertaining (check with your local authority for current watering restrictions). Don't forget the pot plants - light rains might freshen up the garden but does little for container plants. In hot windy weather they'll use a lot of water.
As it gets hot, pests and diseases will be active, so be vigilant with control to prevent buildup of pest populations. When the rains come, don't forget to check the garden for mosssie-breeding sites, too.
Poinsettias and snowflakes can be given a cutback to promote bushiness and so, eventually, more flowers. If you're given a blooming Poinsettia for Christmas, remember they must be been artificially manipulated to bloom for a southern hemisphere Christmas. They naturally bloom in the short days of winter, and will reveret to that habit if you plant them in the garden. It is also possible that they've been treated with chemicals to produce a compact potted plant, which will wear off as well.
If you're having guests over the Christmas or New Year period, or just want to enjoy a relaxing "staycation", hurry to get as many garden tidy and repair jobs as you can done early in the month to avoid stress later.
Of course, removing or fixing safety hazards (overhanging branches, slippery or loose paving etc.) are your first priority, but if you're pressed for time, here are some tricks to improve the look of the garden in a hurry:
1. Remove dead and yellowing leaves from plants.
2. Remove as much visible weed growth as you can (do the job more thoroughly or spray when there's time)
3. Lay a fresh layer of an attractive mulch over garden beds. However, it's hot sweaty work - definitely not something you want to do the morning guests arrive (freshly laid mulch can be a bit smelly, too). If you're not up to doing the job yourself, consider a engaging mulching service that employs a blower applicator.
4. Crisp, clean edges on gardens and lawns.
5. Lightly trim hedges and other foliage shrubs (cut back too hard and they might not regrow in time for the party)
If you have a little extra time, create some feature container displays for high-visibility spots like the front door or patio area. blooming annuals ("potted colour") can be purchased from the garden centre. You might even tuck in potted plants you might already have as accents (e.g. cordylines, succulents, bromeliads) in a mixed arrangement.
If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet, your local garden centre can be a great source of gifts. (See Garden Gift Ideas if you need inspiration). If you want something for the garden, start dropping some big hints ASAP...
Vegetables
December and January are generally "go slow" months in the vegetable garden, given the extreme weather and the family committments that many people have at this time of the year. You may choose to put at least part of vegetable garden to bed for the summer under a good layer of mulch or and wait out the heat, humidity, pests and diseases.
If the rains return, you might like to try sowing a cover crop of "green manure". The easiest source is bird seed from the supermarket, but you might use leftover or saved seeds, or specialty cover crops from a seed supplier. They should germinate readily and grow like mad with all moisture about, and will help capture some of the valuable soil nutrients that might otherwise be leached away.
If you want to have a go at veggies, try tomatoes, capsicums and eggplants; lettuce; sweetcorn; radish; beetroot and silverbeet; beans and snake beans; cucurbits (cucumber, melons, pumpkins zucchini and relatives); okra and rosella; sweet potato.
If growing lettuce, be sure to select the more heat-tolerant varieties (check your seed packet or catalogue). Many people find the cherry-type tomatoes more successful at this time of the year, also.
Try to avoid walking on beds at all times, but especially when the soil is sodden. Raised veggie beds come into their own in these wet conditions - you can avoid walking on the soil and drainage is improved. And no muddy feet! Instead of plastic junk, how about investing in a prefabricated raised garden bed for the family this Christmas?
Garden shows, open gardens
See what's included in the Events Diary for December., although you won't find a lot of public events over the Christams and New year period. Submissions for 2012 are welcome now, so if you're organising a garden show, workshop, gardening opening or similar event in Qld next year and you have dates settled, please get in touch if you would like to have your event publicised for free on that page.
<< November January >> Other Months
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