December – Gardening Diary
KITCHEN GARDEN
Plant now
All zones: Capsicum, eggplant, lettuce, tomato and zucchini.
Zones 2–5: Beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, celery, endive, pumpkin, radish and silverbeet.
Zones 6–8: Beans, chilli, cucumber, marrow, squash and sweet corn.
This is a month of rapid growth so ensure you pay attention to watering, weeding, feeding and spraying.
Protect plants from caterpillars with Derris Dust or Organic Caterpillar control.
If whitefly is a problem spray with Confidor.
Courgettes and cucumbers can be protected from powdery mildew with Champ DP or Organic Copper Oxychloride.
Feed tomatoes at least once a week with a fast acting liquid feed such as Seasol or Thrive. Remove laterals (side growths) on tall tomato varieties as they grow and ensure they are firmly staked. Water regularly.
Feed fruit trees for bumper crops later and water well to prevent fruit drop.
Protect pip and stone fruit trees with Champ DP or Fungus Fighter to prevent fungus diseases.
Protect citrus trees with Champ DP to prevent verrucosis and leaf curl.
Apply a layer of mulch around vegetable plants to conserve soil moisture, compost works well.
FLOWER GARDEN
Plant now
All zones: Ageratum, portulaca and sunflower.
Zones 2–5: Aster, begonia, calibrachoa, Californian poppy, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium,
petunia, phlox, salvia, Sturt’s desert pea and verbena.
Zones 6–8: Alyssum, calibrachoa, gomphrena, petunia, phlox, salvia, vinca and zinnia.
Plant seedlings such as Chrysanthemum, Dianthus, Gypsophila, Portulaca and Salvia.
Sow your favourite seeds such as Ageratum, Cosmos, Cyclamen, Rudbeckia, Salpiglossis, and Zinnia.
Roses and perennials can still be planted, ensure the new plantings are well watered.
Lift spring flowering bulbs once the leaves have died down completely, and store in a cool dry place.
A layer of mulch around the base of garden shrubs will conserve moisture and protect roots from the hot sun – especially Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias.
Remove dead flowers from roses to encourage new blooms.
Feed with a Rose Fertiliser and spray to control pests and diseases.
Water gardens in the evening or early mornings, especially plants in containers which will dry out quickly in hot or windy weather.
Use Water Storage Crystals in potted plants to help them survive infrequent watering while you’re away on holiday. This can be added without necessarily repotting the plants. Keep up watering in warm weather.