We are currently starting to raise our winter crop seedlings. Over the next 6 weeks we will be first remineralizing, fertilising and topping up with compost for those customers composting at home in preparation for the winter plantout. Next maintenance will be a clearing and priming of the beds then the call after winter seed will go in, followed by seedlings the call after that. We thank everyone waiting for herbs for their patience during the summer period, our suppliers have moved premisis to Bullsbrook and as they are quite a large operation supplying many garden centers we are now only just starting to raise seedlings.

It has become undenialbe now that your garden needs shade through the december-february period. We are noticing that gardens with shade are thriving while shadeless gardens are roasting and wilting. We advise all of our customers to get shade sails for their gardens. We are working on finding a suitable company with a modest price that we can hopefully strike a deal with for Your Patch customers. In the mean time we are urging everyone to take the step and sort out some form of shade for their gardens to avoid drying out and disappointment.

Coming into summer (finally) once again, we are advising people to be very aware of their soil moisture levels. Two or three 35 degree plus days in a row can have a devastating affect on your crop if you do not handwater. While our reticulation usually provides good water flow most of the year, our summers are continuing to become increasingly hot and dry with scorching easterley breezes which neccesitates handwatering to cool down and rehydrate the plants themselves and the soil. The moisture and handwatering of your organic garden is your responsibility over summer as we can only do so much once as fortnight. We will manage your water timer settings and adjust accordingly but you must handwater on the extremely warm weeks 3-5 minutes per bed to keep optimum levels. Watch your plants, if they look like they are wilting, get out there with the hose and give them some love. They grow for you and thrive on your attention and involvement.

Your Patch will be closing for the festive period this year, with our maintenance roster finishing on the 19th of december and starting again on the 5th of january. During this time you may need to move the velcro plant ties up on your tomato and capsicum stakes to keep them in check.

You will notice on the ends of your zucchini, squash and pumkin the beautiful yellow flowers produced by the veges. Knocking these flowers off will stop them rotting back and spoiling the vegetable.

Due to these recent cold, moist nights you might be noticing a rusty tinge to some of your cucumber or zucchini leaves. This is a mildew caused from excess moisture at night. Removing these leaves from your plants will help control its spread as the leaves contaminate each other.