Spring is here....Time to plant.

[Murray]

I have been busy making up my new tomato wall...It is almost finished.
Now, what to plant to get a good start for summer.
Yesterday it got to 31 deg and overnight it dropped to 8 deg...strange weather.
I have been going through my seed collection and have chosen the following to go into the seedling trays this morning.

Rock Mellon - Hales Best
Hot Pepper
Cucumber - Marketmore
Lettuce - All Year Round
Spinach - Emerald Star (I think it might be a bit late for spinach, but whatever)
Tomato - Yellow Perfection.

Yesterday I planted into the grow beds, 5 x Celery, 6 x Lettuce, 2 x Cabbage seedlings.
I am trying to produce a constant supply of various salad greens, so I plan to plant a small number of seedlings on a regular basis.

According to the Yates Garden Guide, I should also be planting some Sweet Corn at this time of year, so I will be looking for some seed this morning.

What else should go in ???? Any Ideas ???

[Miki]

Hi Murray, it seems as if spring/summer is trying to catch up on us already with these high temps! I'm trying not to panic myself into sowing and planting like mad - today I picked up several punnets of cos, some fancy lettuce, more strawberries, 2 different types of cucumbers, pumpkin and zucchini - the last two will go into the 'normal' veggie patch where they can spread (hopefully) - has anyone grown these as AP? do they go very mouldy?
Also bought some corn seeds and will see how that goes and will give the celery a go.

Have you tried climbing beans or snow peas?

[Murray]

Miki, I have grown Zucchini and loads of cucumber in my AP system. Yes mold is a problem, but I have managed to control it enough by spraying regularly with straight cows milk. It does not control the mildew completely, but enough for the plants to bear good fruit.
I will not plant zucchini again in my AP system as the bushes just take up too much room.
Does anyone else knows a good organic way of beating the mildew ?????

Ordinary dwarf beens go well. Climbers should be ok I would think....

[Miki]

Thanks for that Murray - I'll be putting in the zucchini's asap, actually will split them up between the conventional veggie patch and AP and see how they go, just to compare.
You must be having the same great weather we are, its wonderful to see everything literally jumping out of the ground. At this time of year I always seem to panic into planting / sowing knowing that usually the fun is over by Xmas when its just too hot for anything. I'm really looking forward to the AP life of always having the joy of growing veggies all year round.

[doug.a]

It might be spring but has anyone had plants suffer from heat related stress. As i design my new system here in the wheatbelt of WA i think heat stress might be a problem any ideas.

douga

The only sill question is the one not asked!

[anniefish]

Hi Doug,
I have grown my veges under shade cloth for years, I grow tall plants to the west. I have found my plants are less stressed, and more lush.
Anniefish