Summer Gardening in Nth QLD

[Shea Hughes]

It's Hot! Unfortunately it's just going to get hotter so I have started putting shadecloth over the vegies that will need it, for instance I still have broccoli growing. I don't know whether it will form a head or whether it will go to seed but its still going.

I have harvested my 1st lot of carrots and they were so delicious! The second lot will be ready in a week or two and the third lot is in the ground and just starting to sprout.

I find that my basil plants are growing really well, but my other herbs don't want to co-operate. I am trying to grow them from seed, and they don't get very far at all. Should I by plants instead?

My corn got ravished by horses, right to the ground and I thought I had lost it, but it suprised me and came on just as strong as before. I know have several cobs with the silks just starting to brown off.

I have started using the besser bricks laying around the place to create a border, and I am adding potting mix and manure to create raised beds as our clay soil gets so gluggy when it rains. I stand the besser bricks so I can also plant things in the holes... apparently parsley is really good to grow in the besser brick holes.

[Jane]

Hi Shea, I have been growing herbs in central Qld for about 20 years, you are right the only one that grows well in the summer is basil. I think you would do better with plants, then you can continue to take cuttings to keep them growing. Most of our traditional herbs, thyme, sage, savoury, lavender & rosemary come from a meditaraian climate so diffrent from ours, they do best in our winter. They will continue to grow if they have good drainage & not too much humidity, but I find I am always replacing mine. Good luck with your gardening. We have just received 100mm of rain in the last 24hrs, so now the plants & weeds will grow.
Jane