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Connect and Grow Magazine - Edition 8 - April 2024
Community gardening brings people together and can be great for the person, mentally, physically and emotionally!
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a local community garden. The garden was in a community centre and included a vegetable garden, flowers, and different types of grass and trees.
The collaborative spirit of people of all ages coming together to cultivate various plants was genuinely inspiring.
It was heartening to see the diverse gardening community, with children, people with disabilities, their support workers, and retirees all playing their part.
As we approach winter here in Australia, I've included a few tips from the people at the community gardening centre.
Winter is a challenging time for gardening in Australia, but it's not impossible, and it depends on the state of Australia that you live in as to what is best to plant and when.
Here are some tips that can help you with your winter gardening:
1. Choose the right plants: Some plants can handle the cold better than others. For example, winter vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots grow well in winter.
2. Protect your plants from frost: Frost is a significant issue for winter gardening. To protect your plants, cover them with frost cloth or hessian sacks.
3. Water your plants correctly: Winter doesn't mean you should stop watering your plants. However, be careful not to overwater them as the soil takes longer to dry in winter.
4. Provide enough sunlight: Plants still need sunlight, even in winter. Ensure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
5. Prune your plants: Pruning helps to promote healthy growth and protect your plants from diseases. Cut back any dead or damaged branches to prevent them from spreading to healthy parts of the plant.
6. Mulch your garden: Mulch helps to keep the soil warm and retain moisture. Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to keep them healthy.
7. Check for pests: It's essential to check your plants for any pests that may be causing them to become unwell. Always read the instructions for any pest controls that you may use.
8. Enjoy your gardening: Whether it is vegetables or plants, flower gardening has many therapeutic benefits, such as bringing people together, providing food for yourself, and some beautiful flowers you can enjoy inside and in the garden.
Gardening is something that people of all ages can do, including children. It can be a great learning opportunity for them and a skill they can use as they grow.
It is also an opportunity to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine, which can also teach responsibility.
Every season has different flowers that can grow and bring colour to the garden and the home.
Best flowers that will grow in winter.
Winter is usually a challenging season for flowers in Australia, but some options can brighten your garden during the colder months. Here are some of the best flowers for winter in Australia:
1. Hellebores: These flowers, also known as winter roses, are perfect for adding colour to your garden during the colder months. They come in various colours, including pink, purple, and white.
2. Pansies: These flowers are known for their hardiness and can handle the colder temperatures of winter. They come in various colours, including purple, yellow, and blue.
3. Violas: These are similar to pansies and offer a range of colours, including purple, yellow, and white. They are hardy and can handle the colder temperatures of winter.
4. Primroses: These flowers come in various colours and are perfect for adding colour to your garden during winter.
5. Winter-flowering bulbs: Some bulbs, such as daffodils, snowdrops, and crocuses, bloom during the winter months. These can add much-needed colour to your garden during the colder months.
When planting flowers for winter, choosing plants that can handle the colder temperatures is essential. You can have a beautiful and colourful winter garden by selecting the right plants.
Primrose is a beautiful colour and an easy-to-grow flower.
Violas and pansies are also full of colour
Best Vegetables to Plant for Winter in Australia
There are many vegetables that you can plant in winter in Australia, but here are some of the best ones:
1. Broccoli: This vegetable is perfect for winter, as it can handle the colder temperatures. It's also a great source of vitamin C and other nutrients.
2. Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a great winter vegetable that is rich in nutrients like broccoli. It's also very versatile and can be used in many different recipes.
3. Carrots: These root vegetables are perfect for winter and can be grown in various soils. They are also a great source of vitamin A.
4. Spinach: Spinach is a leafy green that can be grown in winter. It's packed with vitamins and minerals and is an excellent addition to salads, soups, and other dishes.
5. Brussels sprouts: These small, leafy vegetables are perfect for winter and are packed with nutrients. They can be roasted, sautéed, or added to soups and stews.
6. Cabbage: This vegetable is perfect for winter and can be used in various dishes. It's also a great source of vitamin C.
7. Kale: This leafy green is perfect for winter and is packed with nutrients. It's versatile and can be used in salads, smoothies, and other dishes.
Choosing suitable vegetables for your specific area and climate is essential. By selecting the appropriate vegetables and following the tips
As I mentioned earlier, you can have a successful winter garden.
For those of you living in other parts of the world, spring and summer are approaching, so your plants and vegetables will be those that like the hotter weather. Your fruit and vegetables will be more water-based, such as tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, capsicums, strawberries, lettuce, and spring onions, to name a few.
hope these tips help you with your winter gardening; remember, it's essential always to have time for your garden and have plants that you enjoy.
Written by Jacqui Grant
(C) 2024 Break Free Consultancy Connect and Grow Magazine
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at the time of publication and is general in nature