Tips to start a garden.
Some things to remember when starting a garden - watering, useful weeds and other leafy bits.
LEAVE ROOM FOR PLANTS TO GROW
Always leave room for plants to grow into, as overcrowding can impede the growth of some young plants.
Valuable or slow growing trees can benefit, however, from what is known as a nurse plant, a hardy species which is placed to protect the more valuable tree from bad weather, drying winds or salty air, or to fix nitrogen, provide shade, etc.
The nurse plant provides care for the young plant, creates a better microclimate and allows the tree to establish before its nurse is removed.
The root zone is important to consider, as some large trees have extensive root systems, which can damage wall foundations or simply out-compete any other plantings for light, water and nutrients.
The Water Authority has a fairly comprehensive list of trees, their root sizes and heights. If you ring and ask they'll post one out.
NEARLY PUMPKIN TIME AGAIN.
Many fungal problems are caused by overcrowding or lack of air flow. This is largely seen on cucurbits, such as pumpkin, squash and zucchini which easily get powdery mildew. Here's a few hints for succesful pumpkin and squash growing.
* Make sure they have plenty of room and lots of sun.
* Water in the morning only! The extra humidity around the plants at night after an evening water will only encourage the problem.
* When planting the seed or seedlings of cukes, pumpkins, etc, put in a stake next to it so you know exactly where to water for maximum water conservation.
* Liquid seaweed concentrate is a great booster to apply to the pumpkin family. One of the few times you should wet the leaves is when watering with Seasol or other seaweed products. There are minerals in seaweed which protect the leaf from fungal attack. It is useful for other types of plants, too.
* Remove the worst affected leaves as they get older. These can safely be put into the compost.
WATER DEEPLY AND INFREQUENTLY
Many plants that are adapted to dry conditions and most perennials with a deep root system prefer to be watered deeply to encourage roots to delve down.
Many plants can show signs of serious water stress in early summer, especially after a dry winter- plants wilt and leaves curl. This may be mistaken for a fungal disease. If watering then occurs it may be too late, and the plants stressed system collapses.
IMPROVE THE SOIL
Sand as a soil medium can be hard to cope with. But it can be done.
The addition of minerals and manures as well as using a good potting mix or soil conditioner when planting will make a huge difference to your gardens' health. It will make the soil softer and allow water to soak in more deeply.
If non-wetting occurs it can be remedied by incorporating some organic matter (such as mushroom compost, old straw, green manure, etc), into the soil if the area is free of plants.
If there is a plant in desperate need of a drink because of non-wetting soil, turn the hose on to a very slow trickle, and leave it on overnight. Make sure the water is on slow enough that it is actually soaking in.
Make a bowl shape, or berm, under the plant's dripline, to catch and hold moisture, leaves and other detritus that may just happen by, which can help feed and protect the soil.
Once the ground has been thoroughly wet once it should be easier to soak again next time. Some people have been known to place a long piece of pvc pipe upright into the ground at planting time so that its end is below the tree or shrub being planted. It certainly helps with deep watering and establishment of precious plants.
Trickle systems are the most efficient way of watering, providing the tricklers are checked frequently and the filters cleaned.
WEEDS
A weed is any plant in the 'wrong place'. This means any plant, from tiny annuals to huge big trees. A 20 year-old lemon-scented gum is a weed in Perth's native bushland, but gorgeous in the right back yard. The back yards next tenant might think it's a weed, though, if they don't like them. Some folk consider all non-native plants as weedy.
The job weeds do is very important when it comes to protecting and improving degraded or bare soil. In many cases, the weedy species are the only thing that will survive in those areas, then silly humans come along, pull them out and wonder why the area won't support any life!
In some cases, it may be better to leave them in the ground, to protect the soil from blasting sunshine, prevent soil erosion and to provide some retreat for soil life.
Many tap-rooted flat weeds, such as dandelion, capeweed and cats' paw bring
nutrients up from the subsoil, to deposit them on the surface.
I have seen the soil underneath dandelions teeming with worms at the end of
summer (with reticulation, I must admit). They are constantly building up the
soil, and after three years the roots are good for harvesting.
Other common leafy weeds (including dandelion, sow thistle (NZ's 'puha'), amaranth and nettle, for instance) are really good food. Many are high in minerals and vitamin A, etc.
Just be sure not to pick them near busy roads or popular dog-walking areas.
WATER
A lot of water can be reused, reducing your water bill and allowing enriched sink grey water to help keep your garden alive. There are plenty of non-edible parts of a garden where water can be re-used.
Compost bins can benefit from fine food particles in washing up water, and even
a bit of detergent isn't too bad, as long as it's not too strong.
Soil wetting agents are basically detergent with no extra smells or additives.
Planting things with similar water needs together is important, too. Many commonly grown leafy food plants need lots of water, while the smelly Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, sage and lavender actually grow better with less water, their scents being stronger in drier areas.
SEEDLINGS
Keep note of what, when and where you plant seeds, especially if you want to collect seed and know what varieties you've planted.
Progressive sowing is also a good habit to get into, resowing some of your favourite
and most commonly used veg seeds, spring onions, carrots, lettuce or whatever.
Beans can be resown when the last lot starts to flower.
Of course a lot of what we do in gardens is an experiment, which will hopefully work the first time, but if it doesn't maybe we can see why and share that knowledge with others.
As climate change affects us all, those of us perched on the edge of the desert,
in this, the most isolated city, will need to learn how to garden with little water.
If we share the strategies we learn and look to permaculture principles as a
guide it may not be as scary as it sounds...
Good luck,
Vicki.