Plant the Seed
Welcome to the after math of Cyclone Alfred!
What an incredibly intense time we had here in Canungra and surrounds.
So many potential issues that literally are swimming in dark recesses of the imagination when you see that you are going to be going headlong into a highly energetic and very unpredictable event.
Our home gardens, farming and domestic animals, agricultural cropping plus the natural bush flora and fauna bore the brunt of high winds and driving rain however I think that it was us humans that will wear scars in our subconscious longer if truth be known.
Plants are so stoic. They tend to just get on with it.
How do you prepare for something so unpredictable and destructive when it comes to your garden?
Part of the risk of summer is flooding and intense storms.
I raise up the garden beds and I cap them with a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil secure from being washed or blown away.
I cut back my summer flowering plants like dahlias, zinnias and cosmos (which later will reshoot from nodes again for another flush) so that they would be closer to the ground and minimise being blown horizontally and uprooted or snapped.
I also tied down precious plants so that they would have support.
Now I feel that we can relax and start to really enjoy the wind down into winter.
The days are pleasant, and the nights are cooler (which plants adore).
There is less mowing of grass now so think about slow release fertilising the lawn to keep it happy through the winter months.
One key focus in mid-autumn gardening is the preparation and planting of cool-season vegetables and herbs.
Crops like spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, and carrots thrive in the mild subtropical climate at this time of year.
Additionally, herbs such as parsley, coriander, and dill can be planted now, as they perform better without the scorching summer heat.
Many flowering annuals, like petunias, dianthus, pansies, verbena, violas, english daisies and cornflowers (all edible flowers) can add vibrant colour, pollinator forage and edible produce to your garden.
Happy gardening in your happy place!
