THE powers that say we are going to get a hot wet summer this year may be right and then they may be wrong.
I sometimes feel that the news is “made up” at times to sensationalise a story.
Sure, it pays to be aware and to make plans, but to worry about the future is mentally tiring and it seems to me that we have enough things to be concerned about.
During the hot months around Christmas and New Year you may not feel like gardening too much, especially if you have a large area.
It’s hard to manage in a humid environment and it’s a wonderful excuse to down tools and just let our gardens rest.
Maybe it’s the time to put in some vine type vegetables and just let them meander over the garden, over the edges, across the paths and let them do their own thing, hopefully reaping the benefits in February or March.
If reports are right, we may not even have to water our gardens at all. In my past life as a gardener, much to my wife’s dismay, I have planted pumpkins, squash, rockmelon, cucumber and watermelon and just let them do their own thing.
Vines growing over the pathways and up the cloths line with just enough room for my wife to be able to hang the washing out.
Having a small garden area shouldn’t deter you from planting some of the smaller vine plants like the cucumber or maybe even a mini pumpkin, there are all sorts of plants you could try.
Some of those have been mentioned in previous columns.
If you have a plant in your garden that is slow to fruit or it’s just hanging on, be ruthless, just pull it out and plant something else.
PLANT A TAMARILLO
And while you’re thinking about your garden, if you have room for a small tree, try a Tamarillo tree.
A smaller tree type bush that is sometimes called a tree tomato.
Originally from South America and well known now in New Zealand for their exports of the tamarillo fruit.
The taste and look is not unlike a passion fruit with deep red and yellow varieties available.
One scoops out the flesh and it can be used in desserts and on your morning cereal.
The thick skin protects from pests that may attack the plant.
It’s worthwhile noting that the leftover fruit can be made into a jam and used on bread or scones with a taste not unlike strawberry.
If you have some left over room in your garden, why not try one. It generally fruits in the first year and when cut back continues to fruit.
I must be getting soft
PUMPKIN CHALLENGE
My daughter has entered me in a large pumpkin growing family challenge, whereby a ‘large’ pumpkin seed is planted in October, (all family groups get one seed) with results as they grow placed on messenger’ for all the family groups to see. The biggest one wins.
I still don’t know what the winner gets, maybe a trip to Hawaii.
Maybe you could start a family challenge yourself, There are large seeds available on the internet, they are fairly expensive, but your family group could maybe just use the ordinary variety and see what happens.
Just a bit of fun for the whole family. Remember, plant in October.
Till next time
