WEEKEND GARDENING | Summer shade Summer protection tips Choose site-appropriate plants <strong>in</strong> the first place. There are varieties and cultivars of many species that are specially bred to cope with particular conditions. Know plants’ water needs and plant those with similar needs together so you can water accord<strong>in</strong>gly. Improve your soil with organic matter so it holds moisture with<strong>in</strong> the soil. Mulch to protect roots from temperature extremes and to help soil reta<strong>in</strong> moisture and suppress weed growth. Mulch will also help prevent erosion and slow heavy ra<strong>in</strong>fall so it soaks <strong>in</strong>to the soil <strong>in</strong>stead of runn<strong>in</strong>g off. Plant <strong>in</strong> pots. That way, you can move plants around accord<strong>in</strong>g to plant species’ cultural requirements and the weather conditions. Create shade and w<strong>in</strong>dbreaks with either liv<strong>in</strong>g or non-liv<strong>in</strong>g options. Install or build a pond. This will help create a microclimate with<strong>in</strong> a garden and have a cool<strong>in</strong>g and moisture-creat<strong>in</strong>g effect, especially if prevail<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ds and airflow cross over it. (See The Shed, page 68.) Use antitranspirants. These products stop plants from transpir<strong>in</strong>g and los<strong>in</strong>g water dur<strong>in</strong>g periods of high temperatures. They also protect plants from frost and aid <strong>in</strong> reduc<strong>in</strong>g transplant shock. I am not aware of any certified-organic options on the market, though. Sometimes the flowers of tomatoes, for example, may drop from heat stress, or fruit development can suffer. Establish<strong>in</strong>g new plants When try<strong>in</strong>g to establish new plants such as shrubs and fruit<strong>in</strong>g trees, aim do to so <strong>in</strong> the cooler months if possible — spr<strong>in</strong>g at the latest. If this is not possible, the use of water wells, water bags, water tubes and even water bottle spikes are good options for ensur<strong>in</strong>g regular water dur<strong>in</strong>g summer. Inconsistent water dur<strong>in</strong>g plant establishment can lead to poor growth and even death. Drip irrigation is always a better option and far more effective than mist<strong>in</strong>g irrigation <strong>in</strong> any situation. Applications of seaweed and fish emulsion will not only reduce transplant shock but also strengthen the plants’ vascular systems and cell walls, mak<strong>in</strong>g them more tolerant of weather extremes and less likely to succumb to pest and disease attack. Liv<strong>in</strong>g shade: a wall of sunflowers Underplant corn with plants that need a little shade Lemongrass is happy <strong>in</strong> the heat Brassicas like kale tolerate some shade Summer performers Plants that cope with <strong>in</strong>tense sun Look<strong>in</strong>g to Southeast Asian or Mediterranean crops can be helpful for know<strong>in</strong>g what will cope with our hot summers. It just depends on what type of summer you have: hot and humid subtropical–tropical or hot, dry Mediterranean-type summers. Asian natives that like our tropical summers <strong>in</strong>clude kang kong, amaranth, snake bean, New Gu<strong>in</strong>ea bean, luffa, Ceylon sp<strong>in</strong>ach, Sur<strong>in</strong>am sp<strong>in</strong>ach, Ok<strong>in</strong>awa sp<strong>in</strong>ach, lemongrass, perennial or sawtooth coriander, taro, cocoyam and rosella. Capsicum, tomato, eggplant and chilli love a Mediterranean-style summer, while pumpk<strong>in</strong>, melons, cucumbers and sweet corn also thrive <strong>in</strong> the heat but, if extremes are expected, even these warm-season crops may suffer. Plants that cope with low water If you need to ration water, plants that won’t m<strong>in</strong>d too much <strong>in</strong>clude rosemary, lavender, artichoke, loquat, bay, olive, persimmon, fig, pomegranate, various nuts, feijoa (p<strong>in</strong>eapple guava), sage, thyme, samphire, grapev<strong>in</strong>es, aloe vera, day lily, dandelion, chicory and nettle. Plants that cope with a bit of shade Keep <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d that, although be<strong>in</strong>g grown <strong>in</strong> a semi-shaded position reduces the chance of scorch<strong>in</strong>g, it’s the ambient air temperature that causes a lot of the leafy green vegetables to bolt to flower and seed. Some edibles that will tolerate grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a bit of shade, however, <strong>in</strong>clude broccoli, kale, mustard, rocket, lettuce, sp<strong>in</strong>ach, silver beet, endive and radicchio. CanStockPhoto, Jana Holmer, Shutterstock 56 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Summer shade | WEEKEND GARDENING Leafy greens need some protection <strong>in</strong> the tropical heat Feijoas don’t need a lot of water <strong>in</strong> hot weather Targeted shade Around 60% of our rubbish <strong>in</strong> landfills can be composted Sandra Tuszynska, CanStockPhoto, Shutterstock Compost<strong>in</strong>gHome.com.au for all you need to know and products that will help you produce compost. <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 57
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