Story: The Beginning of Summer Gardening
Episode: 12
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 30 November 2024

Trevor shows us how to embrace the summer garden season with tips on mulching, planting heat-loving veggies, feeding your plants, and extending your garden hours with lighting—plus weekly irrigation checks for a thriving outdoor space.

• As the season shifts, trees like gums and avocados shed their leaves to conserve moisture. These fallen leaves act as natural mulch, reducing evaporation and the need for extra watering. Don’t be quick to remove them—leave them in place or compost them with chicken manure for faster breakdown.
• In the hot summer months, mulching is key to retaining soil moisture. Straw is a great choice, as it holds moisture well and breaks down slowly once wet, keeping your garden hydrated and healthy.
• Now is the time to plant heat-loving vegetables such as chillies, capsicum, tomatoes, melons, squash, pumpkin, and zucchini. These edibles thrive in the full sun and heat of summer, giving you a productive harvest.
• To ensure your garden plants and lawn stay healthy and vibrant through the growing season, apply a controlled-release plant food. This will deliver essential nutrients, including trace elements, over a 3-month period, supporting optimal growth.
• Summer heat requires efficient watering. Perform weekly checks on your irrigation system, ensuring each sprinkler is functioning correctly and is free of obstructions like plant foliage. An app-controlled irrigation system allows you to check and adjust settings easily without running back and forth to the controller.
• Make the most of summer evenings and mornings with garden lighting. Adding lighting to your garden allows you to enjoy your outdoor space during the cooler hours. Visit our website for advice on the best lighting systems for your garden’s size and needs.