April in Melbourne is a time of transition in the garden, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do! With cooler weather and milder sunshine, it's the perfect time to plant a whole new season of vegetables. Here's what you can get up to in your veggie patch:
Planting Power:
- Leafy delights: Sow seeds for spinach, rocket, lettuce, bok choy, and silverbeet They'll thrive in the cooler climes.
- Brassica bonanza: Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage are all happy to be planted in early autumn.
- Root magic: Beetroot, carrots, parsnips, and even garlic can all go in the ground from March onwards.
- Peas in a pod: Sweet peas and shelling peas love the cooler weather. Plant them towards the end of autumn.
- Bean there: Don't forget to start sowing broad bean crops. Broad beans love support and to be planted in blocks like a corn crop. This helps each plant to support the next. I also use wooden stakes and string to make a large temporary support structure to keep rogue plants upright.
Succession planting of all these crops ensure a longer harvest to get through the "Hungry Gap" of early Spring. Sow seeds every two weeks till the end of May.
Fruit Tree TLC:
Autumn is a great time to give your fruit trees a little love. Prune any dead or diseased branches and apply a winter spray to help prevent pests and diseases. Citrus trees, Feijoas, Tamarillos and Persimmons would love a handful of blood meal or organic fertiliser as they start to put their energy into fruiting these next few months.
Lawn Love in the Cooler Months:
Lawns benefit from a little autumn attention too. Core aeration helps improve drainage and allows water and nutrients to reach the roots You can also give your lawn a light feed with a slow-release autumn fertiliser. Better still, nows the perfect time to give up some lawn space to growing more vegetables this coming Spring. More food- Less Mowing!
Mulch Mania:
Mulching your garden beds with organic matter like bark chips or straw helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. This is especially beneficial for protecting delicate autumn seedlings from the occasional Melbourne frost. Don't forget all the free Autumn mulch of brown leaves that have fallen so far. This makes an excellent mulch as well as a much needed nitrogen boost to your compost piles.
Rain Dance:
Melbourne's autumn rains are a gift! Make the most of them by setting up a rainwater tank system to collect this precious resource. You can then use it throughout the drier summer months to keep your garden flourishing.
With a little planning and effort, your autumn veggie patch can be a vibrant and productive space. So grab your seeds, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the harvest of Melbourne's mild autumn in April!