Grant Douglas's Garden Diary

Week 36: Second week of September

With the mild weather we have been having this week lots of vegetable crops which have over-wintered are heading up for flowering. Some things like Leeks can be used even after they have gone to flower by discarding the central stalk while others such as Carrots, Parsnip, can be slowed down by cutting the tops off. We have just harvested the last of the Beetroot which was producing nice fresh leaves which is the prelude to sending up a flower stalk. If left too long, the Beetroot will become tough and stringy.

Have been a bit remiss in following my last year's diary and suddenly realised that last year I sowed the first of the indoor Cucumbers both Telegraph and Medium Length, and early Zuchinis approximately 10 days ago, so they have been added to this weeks list for sowing into pottles for planting out later. Also a good time of year for sowing such things as Phacelia and Tagetes (Marigold) and other wild flowers for help in pest control, by encouraging predators in.

Also seed sowing mix should be warm enough for sowing such things as Cape Gooseberry, Tamarilo (Tree Tomatoe) and Black Passionfruit. All these are easy to germinate, but can take a wee bit of time so be patient (specially the Passionfruit). Swan Plant can also be sown at this time of year to have nice big plants before the majority of Monarchs are around. (Soak seed for 4 hours, before sowing)

Lots of plants being eaten at the moment. If the edges of the leaves have been nibbled, it's probably slugs or snails. If the edges are jaggedly ripped, it's probably birds and if there are holes in the leaves, it is probably caterpillars, but caterpillars are rare at this time of year.

Sowing or Planting this week:

Tomatoes, Peppers, Chillis, Egg Plant (for Greenhouse or early sheltered Outside)
Basil (for Greenhouse or Windowsill)
Beetroot - possibly too early for direct sowing but can be sown in containers for planting out shortly.
Broad Beans (I am trying a new variety for me this year called Imperial Green, where the beans stay green, even after cooking) Standard Variety - Exhibition Longpod - Getting quite late.
Brocolli Spouting (Marathon Variety - sow now in punnets)
Cabbage (Spring or Summer varieties - sow now in punnets)
Cauliflower (Frieda - Summer variety - sow now in punnets)
Cucumbers (I choose Early Perfection for a Telegraph Cucumber and Tasty Green, for a long slim one)
Garlic (Getting fairly late)
Lettuce (Loose-leaf Fancy and Hearting (Webbs or Greatlakes)
Onions (for early areas)
Peas (I choose Easy-peasy variety)
Potatoes (for those in warm areas get a second succession sprouting, for those in colders area, get your first sowing sprouting)
Red Onions
Shallots
Silverbeet and Perpetual Spinach - these may go to seed in late Spring but will give you a small harvest if you are low on these veges in your garden
Snow Peas (Snap Peas)
Spinach (winter varieties eg. Hybrid No.7) - outside in warm areas, in punnets in colder areas
Zuchini (there are a large number of varieties and colours, plus Scollopinis which are a similar flavour, but are flat flying-saucer shape) I choose Blackjack as a consistent dark green tasty fruit.

Sow Direct: (In colder areas, under a cloche - protect soil surface from heavy rains)

Carrots (I find Topweight a good early variety)
Chinese Greens
Corn Salad
Corriander/Dill (Marginal)
Mescalin Mix
Rocket
Radish
Spring Onions

Happy Gardening. This week I'll sign off the way the Country Life Team did on the radio on Saturday with "Keep the gumboots close and stay positive".

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