December Gardening Guide for Temperate Australia

December in the Garden: Thriving Through the Aussie Summer Heat

December marks the official start of summer in Australia, and for gardeners in temperate climates, it’s a time of intense heat and sunshine. While some plants may slow down, there's still plenty to do to keep your garden thriving through the summer months. This guide will help you navigate the December garden with tips on planting, watering, sun protection, and general maintenance.

December Planting (What You Can Still Get In the Ground):

While the main planting season has passed, you can still sow seeds for quick-growing crops and heat-tolerant varieties:

• Fast-Maturing Vegetables: Plant quick-growing crops like lettuce, rocket, radish, and spring onions for fresh salads.

• Heat-Loving Herbs: Continue planting heat-tolerant herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

• Succession Planting: Sow seeds of beans, chilli, zucchini, and cucumbers for a continuous harvest throughout the summer.

Watering Deeply: A Guide for Summer Garden Survival

Deep watering encourages deep root growth, making your plants more drought-tolerant. Here's how to water deeply:

• Water Early Morning or Late Evening: This minimises water loss through evaporation.

• Water at the Base of Plants: Avoid wetting the foliage, as this can encourage fungal diseases.

• Water Slowly and Deeply: Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation for efficient watering. If hand-watering, water slowly and deeply until the soil is moist to a depth of at least 15-20cm.

• Check Soil Moisture: Use your finger or a moisture meter to check the soil moisture before watering.

Protecting the Garden from the Harsh Sun:

The Australian sun can be harsh on plants. Here are some ways to protect them:

• Shade Cloth: Use shade cloth to protect delicate plants from the midday sun. I have mine up all the time through summers peak!

• Strategic Planting: Plant taller plants to provide shade for smaller, more sensitive plants. Think companion planting long term.

• Mulching: A thick layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture.

• Watering Timing: If you have to use timed sprinklers, water in the early morning to allow foliage to dry before the hottest part of the day.

General Garden Jobs for December:

• Weeding: Stay on top of weeding in your veggie beds. If you have exposed soil, weeds will come to do their job - cover the soil! So you either need to plant more densely or mulch, mulch, mulch.

• Fertilising: Feed your plants with a liquid fertiliser like a compost tea to provide essential nutrients.

• Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your plants for pests and diseases and take appropriate action (not chemicals!).

• Harvesting: Harvest your vegetables and herbs regularly to encourage continuous production.

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

• Lawn Care: Raise your mower height to shade the soil and reduce water loss. Close trims kill lawn in summer.

Indoor Tasks for Summer:

• Seed Saving: Collect seeds from your favourite flowers and vegetables for next season.

• Tool Maintenance: Clean and sharpen your gardening tools.

• Plan for Next Season: Start planning your autumn and winter garden. It’s never too soon to plan.