Organic gardening tips for an abundant harvest | The Micro Gardener Newsletter

Hi and welcome! In this Newsletter, I’m sharing:

In my garden

Garden tasks – what to do now

Over the fence … in Colin’s garden

What to plant now

Moisture loving herbs

Nutrient-dense food tips

3 ways to use rosemary as a pest repellent

Recent articles

So tuck in!

If you missed the tips in my previous newsletter, CLICK HERE.

In my Garden …

I love this time of year in my garden, in the subtropical climate of QLD,

Australia. Most pest insects are hibernating due to cooler temperatures.

After a much needed rain event, we have finally got a reservoir of moisture

in the soil. This is the time of year for harvesting ginger, turmeric and

citrus fruits. Since it’s the beginning of winter, it’s nature’s perfect

timing that these are the very foods needed to boost our immune

system. I make a tea every morning with grated ginger, turmeric, lemon

or lime juice, cayenne pepper and green tea. This has wonderful anti-

inflammatory and anti-cancer/disease properties. A simple preventative

to build health. I have so many kilos of turmeric, I’m selling my surplus.

Some of the other vegetables that are thriving in the garden now include:

salad ingredients like lettuces and rocket, Asian greens, kale, spinach,

broccoli, beetroot, radish, garlic, onions, leeks, tomatoes, peas, beans,

spring onions, dill, basil, chillis, sweet potato, coriander and cabbage.

I love being able to take a basket and go ‘shopping’ for fresh ingredients in

my garden. As you can see, I try to plant a wide variety of colours and

textures. Each plant has different nutrients. The more variety on the plate,

the more health benefits. And it looks pretty!

Pick your leafy greens just before serving. Rinse and drain well.

When I have too many lettuces for salads, I use the leaves in stir fries.

Firm varieties like cos can also double as wraps for savoury fillings,

layered in lasagna or other cooked dishes as a spinach substitute.

“Growing your own veggies is the first step to self-sufficiency.” - Clive Blazey

Garden Tasks – What to do Now

In the southern hemisphere, during cooler weather, it’s a good time to:

Plant bare-rooted fruit trees. They’re cheaper too!

Prune back deciduous fruit trees and vines like grapes and passionfruit.

Divide perennials like garlic chives and lemon grass.

Remove weeds and wood piles that encourage pest insects to inhabit and breed.

Remove runners from strawberries.

Build new garden beds if the weather is more comfortable.

Protect frost-sensitive plants.

Watch out for cabbage white butterfly eggs/caterpillars.

In the northern hemisphere, in warm weather, it’s a good time to:

Sow seeds/seedlings regularly for a continuous harvest.

Grow edibles in container gardens in hot weather.

Mulch your garden and make lots of compost.

Recycle nutrients from garden and kitchen waste into your compost.

Remove suckers from fruit trees as soon as you see them.

Protect fruit from birds with netting or bags.

Maintain good watering practices to reduce plant stress.

Feed your soil organic slow release plant food and water in well.

Over the Fence … in Colin’s Garden

I hope you enjoy a few photos from one of my client’s gardens. Colin lives on a suburban block

near the beach. Since his wife passed away 10 years ago, he hasn’t done much in the vegie garden.

It was a passion they shared together. Now mindful of his health, he asked me to help him. A

couple of months ago we spent 1.5 hrs together. The goal was to create a new raised garden from

scratch. He had poor sandy soil that needed a LOT of improving. We overcame this problem by

using a simple DIY soil recipe. Something Colin could make again anytime he wanted to expand

his garden. I showed him the easy steps. By the time we finished, we’d created 3 new garden beds,

fertilized several other areas, mulched the beds and planted out around 40 seedlings.

Since then, I’ve been visiting his garden giving him tips along the way. Six weeks later, Colin’s

new kitchen garden space is thriving and nothing short of amazing. I’m so proud of his efforts.

He’s got (at last count!) 26 varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers planted and is harvesting lots of delicious healthy food.

He’s growing cucumbers, peas, beetroot, celery, carrots, rocket, sweet potato, garlic, herbs, salad greens, kale and more.

Colin’s done this on a shoestring budget, using very little energy and has thoroughly enjoyed watching his garden grow.

What I haven’t told you yet is

something pretty special. Colin just

turned 89! If he can grow such an

amazing nutrient-dense garden in a

small space in so little time, anyone

can! I’ll be sharing his full story on the

new website. You’ll be able to see

before, during and after pics.

Nothing brings me more satisfaction

than helping people learn to grow

good health. Especially when they can

eat the rewards!

CLICK HERE to learn how I can help you in your garden. If you’ve got a story you’d like to share, please email me.

BEFORE – Day 1 AFTER – 6 Weeks

What to Plant Now

We are in the new moon phase – a time for planting above ground crops suitable for

your climate. Check out my tips and resources on What to Plant and When. I maximize

planting each month during this part of the moon cycle and I encourage you to do the same.

I use a Moon Calendar to make it easy. It helps you know what to do EVERY month.

Sow seeds now in seed raisers or some microgreens. They will swell and germinate

faster due to the gravitational pull of moisture in the soil.

Moonlight will be increasing at night during this phase. Watch your plants have a growth

spurt. Take cuttings now to increase your chances of success. They are more likely to root

well at this time. If you’re pruning back plants, why not grow some more for free?

The gravitational pull of the moon is pulling soil moisture and water in plants (sap) UP in this

phase. Use this to your advantage by liquid fertilising now.

If your soil is dry, your plants can’t take up the soil nutrients. If you haven’t had rain or watered

lately, check it out. Water if your soil needs it. Your plants will then gain access to the ‘food

pantry’ in your soil.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your seeds, plants, secateurs or liquid fertilisers and get

growing! LEARN MORE about the benefits of moon gardening and why I’m so passionate

about this wonderful way of working with nature.

Moisture Loving Herbs

Some herbs ‘drink’ more water than others. It’s wise to consider what a herb needs,

before you invest in growing and maintaining it. In a dry climate or drought conditions?

Hardy herbs like rosemary, onion chives, oregano and thyme may be better choices. All

herbs will benefit from a layer of mulch.

When growing ‘water-guzzling’ herbs, consider the type of pot and location.

Unfired terracotta/clay may not be the best choice. Whilst this material is porous and

allows roots to breathe, water also leaches more quickly. So your plants dry out

faster. That means more watering = time + money! Choose a suitable pot like

ceramic, plastic or a self-watering type with a reservoir at the base.

These are 4 thirsty herbs that thrive in a consistently moist, but well-drained soil:

1. Mint – All flavours! This herb sucks up water. A large pot is ideal. Grow in the sun or partially shaded.

2. Lemon Balm – Grow in full sun or partially shaded. Makes a delicious anti-depressant herb tea that lifts the spirits.

3. Parsley – Grows well in full sun or partially shaded. Needs a deep pot for its tap root.

4. Coriander/cilantro – Infrequent or insufficient watering is one of the most common reasons people fail when

growing this popular herb. It hates dry soil!

Garden Design Tip: Have limited space for a raised garden bed? You can increase the vertical surface area for planting by heaping up the soil from the edges towards the centre. Mound the sides up, rather than leaving the soil flat. You’ll be amazed how much more you can squeeze in! Check out the Herb Spiral Garden design for more details.

Nutrient-Dense Food Tips …

Carrots are related to their herb and vegetable cousins in the Umbelliferae family:

parsley, dill, parsnips, fennel, cumin, anise and caraway. They are high in Vitamin A,

beta-carotene and antioxidants that help protect our bodies against many diseases.

STORAGE: This is a crop that I can’t grow right throughout the year in my

climate. Sometimes I need to buy organic carrots. I researched the best way to

retain the nutrient value including beta-carotene. I thought it might interest you

too. I store carrots in the refrigerator and create a humid environment. The way I do this, is to wrap carrots well in

damp paper towel and then in an air-tight container or enclosed bag. That way, even if they’re not fresh out

of my garden, I can still maximize the nutrient value. You can too!

ORGANIC vs CONVENTIONAL: There’s no need to peel carrots if they are organic. Just wash them well and then

prepare. Non-organic carrots are grown with pesticides and other chemicals. Conventionally grown carrots have

been found to contain 6 known or probable carcinogens (cancer-causing); 14 suspected hormone disruptors; 3

neurotoxins; 7 developmental or reproductive toxins; and 5 honeybee toxins. Personally, I try to prevent disease not

consume foods dangerous to my health and the environment. Definitely not something you want on your plate!

USING: Grated raw carrots and chopped carrot green tops are delicious in salads. I also chop the green tops and

freeze. I add to soups and when making vegetable stock. If you have chickens, they love these greens! I slice carrots,

celery and cucumber into ‘sticks’ as a healthy alternative to biscuits with homemade dips like pesto.

COOKING: As you may be aware, boiling can damage some of the sensitive nutrients in many vegetables. It’s not a

method I use very often for this reason. Based on the studies I’ve read however, the beta-carotene in carrots is

surprisingly heat-stable. What’s interesting is, that quick steaming carrots can cause the beta-carotene to become

more bioavailable. That’s great for our health.

“Eating a carrot a day is like signing a life insurance policy.” - Irena Chalmers, The Great Food Almanac

3 Ways to Use Rosemary as a Pest Repellent …

If you have problems with pest insects in your garden now and then, I recommend you

grow Rosemary. This is one of my favourite herbs. It adds amazing flavour in the

kitchen and many medicinal health benefits. In the garden, the fragrant flowers provide

nectar for pollinators and other beneficial insects. The bonus is you can also use it

as one of your pest management strategies.

These are 3 ways you can use rosemary in your garden:

1. Plant a rosemary hedge around your vegetables. The strong aroma of this herb acts as a general repellent for many

pest insects including whiteflies and aphids. The bonus is it looks so attractive. Like a frame around a picture!

2. Indoors, hang rosemary sprigs near your clothes in the wardrobe. The scent can help repel silverfish and moths.

3. Have trouble with cabbage white butterfly caterpillars eating your brassica family? e.g. broccoli, kale, cabbage,

rocket/arugula, cauliflower, etc. Plant rosemary nearby! Or move potted rosemary in between these vegies as a

temporary solution. This may help to ‘confuse and lose’ those naughty ladies!

I regularly take rosemary cuttings according to the moon cycle and replant around my garden. Having more than one

rosemary plant in different garden beds, means I have more options to manage pests. I always keep some in a pot so I can

move it around to where I need it most.

CLICK HERE to learn 13 Organic Strategies you can use to manage greedy caterpillars.

Missed an Article?

There are a wealth of tips & techniques, DIY projects, container gardening and inspiring ideas in my online library.

Here are a few suggestions:

9 Foods You Can Regrow from Kitchen Scraps

Tips for Growing a Garden in Pots

20 Creative Ways to Upcycle Pallets in your Garden

3 Key Factors to Consider when Choosing Pots

Inspirational Small Garden Ideas

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Wow! You managed to get to the end, so thanks for reading! Until next month, I

encourage you to embrace dirty fingernails, muddy boots and the joys of growing your

own.

I look forward to sharing more ways to grow good health soon.

Happy gardening,

Anne Gibson

The Micro Gardener

P.S. I really value your opinion. I'd love to hear your feedback

anytime. What do you like most? Want do you want MORE of? What can I improve

on? How can I serve you better? EMAIL ME!

'Making it easy to grow good health'

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