Grow

If you’re finding it hard to muster the energy to get a winter veggie patch going, you’re not alone. As the seasons shift and the days grow shorter, many of us feel that natural pull to slow down. But just because you’re not up for planting broccoli or garlic doesn’t mean your garden has to sit idle—or worse, lose its hard-earned soil health. Sowing a simple cover crop is one of the easiest ways to both rest and regenerate your patch at the same time.

It’s the same story every year – summer’s heat eases, the days shorten and despite your best efforts, a good chunk of tomatoes stubbornly refuse to ripen on the vine. Do you leave them and hope for a last-minute colour change, or do you admit defeat and find another way to use them? The good news is, unripe tomatoes aren’t just edible; they’re actually pretty versatile.

Autumn has arrived in Australia and for many gardeners that means one thing: an abundance of fallen leaves. Rather than stuffing them into the green waste bin or adding all of them to the compost, consider turning them into one of the best soil conditioners nature has to offer – leaf mould. It’s easy to make, requires minimal effort and will reward you with rich, crumbly organic matter that your garden will love.

The moon’s phases and its associated gravitational pull has a significant effect on the behaviour of tidal oceans, so it’s easy to understand how the moon can have a similar effect on the moisture in our soils and plants. By planning what you sow to coincide with the phases of the moon best suited to the type of vegetable and how you’re planting, you’ll give yourself a higher chance of success as well as increase your yields.

Would you like to continue reading this article? Sign up now to unlock all premium content.

Subscribe from $5

Already a subscriber?

Click here to login Sign for 7 Days Free Trial First Name* Last Name* email address* Password* Signup Login email address* Password* Login

If your patch is bursting with cucumbers right now, you’re not alone! With members of our community reporting a bumper season for the humble cucumber, it can be challenging to use them. While sharing your harvest with neighbours is always a good idea, here are some other creative ways to make the most of your […]

Living in a rental property or a small apartment doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own food. Microgreens offer an exciting solution for space-challenged gardeners, transforming even the smallest areas into productive growing spaces. Whether you have a sunny windowsill, a spot on your kitchen bench, or a sunlit corner in a room, you can create a thriving indoor garden that provides fresh, nutrient-dense greens year-round.