Organic gardening tips for an abundant harvest | The Micro Gardener Newsletter

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In this Newsletter, I’m sharing what to plant now, solving fruit pollination problems, plus quick vegetable and cooking tips.

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What to Plant Now

We are currently past halfway through the moon cycle phase, between a new

moon and full moon (waxing phase).

What does this mean for you? The moonlight is increasing at night. This

helps boost above ground plant growth. Plants don’t just stop growing

when the sun goes down!

The soil moisture is being influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon.

Moisture is being drawn UP in the soil and plants right now. That means you can

use this to your advantage by liquid fertilising now.

Your plants will pull that nutrient up through the roots and into their stems,

leaves, flowers and fruit. If your soil is dry, you will still need to water so

your plants can access the nutrients and grow.

Have you ever pruned a tree or shrub and seen the sap flow like crazy? It’s

likely that you were pruning during this same phase of the moon when sap

is flowing strongly. The next few days are ideal for planting any crops or

ornamental plants that produce most of their growth above

ground. i.e. leafy greens, herbs, shrubs, fruit trees, flowers, perennials and

most vegetables (other than bulbs, root crops or tubers).

It doesn’t matter if you are sowing seeds, seedlings or planting

out potted plants. Seeds will germinate faster during this period. So

grab your seed packets and sprinkle into your seed raisers now or sow

some microgreens.

Mow your lawns during this phase if you want to increase grass

growth. Transplant plants late afternoon as they will experience less

stress and have more sun and moonlight to establish.

It’s also the optimum time to take cuttings during the month. Do some of

your plants need a ‘haircut’? Your herbs, woody perennials, ornamentals,

flowers etc. If so, give them a snip now. Why? You have the best chance of

cuttings striking (in potting mix or water).

So what are you waiting for? Pick up your seeds, plants, secateurs or liquid fertilisers and go boost your garden

growth! LEARN MORE about the benefits of moon gardening and why I’m so passionate about this wonderful way of

working with nature.

Fruiting & Pollination Problems

Q. My pumpkin, zucchini and squash won’t set fruit. There are either male flowers or

immature vegies just drop off. What could be causing this problem? - Judy

A. Male flowers form before female flowers on curcubit (squash family)

plants. They produce pollen but no fruit. So you may just have to be patient until the

vine matures and female flowers appear!

This is such a common problem and I want to help you succeed. There are a number of

reasons why fruit does not set properly. One or more of these factors may influence this

problem in your garden:

Lack of Pollinators: Bees are primarily responsible for successful pollination.

Assuming you are not using chemicals in your garden, there may be other conditions present that are keeping them

away. Lack of water or flowers; windy conditions; overhead sprinkler systems or rainy weather. CLICK HERE to learn

how you can attract bees into your garden and improve your harvest. If lack of pollinators is the main problem, you

can learn to hand pollinate these crops very easily. DOWNLOAD MY PRINTABLE GUIDE in this article.

Lack of Water: Drought or moisture stress will cause baby fruit to drop. The ‘mother’ plant ‘aborts’ the immature fruit

because it can’t sustain it. Ensure your crops have sufficient soil moisture and mulch to help them through this growth

period. I think of them as ‘pregnant plants’! If these plant ‘mums’ have to carry their ‘babies’ through to full term (growth

period), then successful fertilisation needs to take place. Then the mother plant has to have sufficient food and water to

carry the extra weight and feed all these ‘babies’. So they deserve some extra TLC and nurture! Regular doses of

liquid seaweed can boost plant health with trace elements and prevent moisture stress.

High Temperatures or Nitrogen-Rich Fertiliser: Both encourage leaf growth rather than flower production.

Try protecting your plants with some light shade during very hot weather, especially in the middle of the

day. Compost is an ideal plant food along with balanced soil conditioners. Avoid NPK fertilisers that create

imbalances in the soil.

Cool, Wet or Cloudy Weather: Pollinators may be less likely to visit

flowers. Instead, hand pollinate in the morning when flowers open.

They will close up later in the day and you’ll miss your opportunity!

Calcium or Boron Deficiencies: Missing minerals can also cause

immature fruit to turn yellow and fall off. Add a balanced rock mineral*

blend to your soil when preparing the garden bed or potting mix to prevent

this. A soil test can reveal if you have any deficiencies. [* Rock minerals are

crushed rocks that feed the plant with major nutrients like calcium,

potassium, phosphorus etc].

Cucumber fruit fly (Darus cucumis): These insects lay eggs in curcubit fruit (including pumpkins, squash and

zucchini) and can also cause fruit drop.

This advice should help you boost your harvest and avoid pollination problems with your squash family crops.

"There is nothing that is comparable, as satisfactory, or as thrilling as gathering the vegetables one has grown." - Alice B. Toklas

Cooking Tips …

Quiche in a Sweet Potato ‘Pastry’:

This is a delicious, easily adapted recipe. You use sweet potato slices as the

quiche base. No gluten or flour needed! Change the vegetables to suit your own

taste or what you have growing in your garden. WATCH VIDEO

To Peel a Tomato:

Cut a small X in the top of the tomato (not the stalk end). Drop each tomato into a pot of boiling water one by one. Count

20-30 seconds (no more or they start to cook)! Lift out with a slotted spoon. Add straight to a chilled bowl of water (a few ice

cubes will do). Use a sharp knife to remove the peel.

Easy Salad Dressing & Marinade:

One of my favourite recipes is making this Asian inspired dressing in a glass jar. It takes about 2 minutes to assemble

ingredients and make.

Add ½ cup organic olive or rice bran oil; ¼ cup white or apple cider vinegar (or freshly squeezed lemon juice); 1 tblspn each

x tamari (organic soy sauce); pure maple syrup (or raw honey) & sesame oil.

Put lid on the jar and shake well to mix ingredients. Drizzle over salads

or use as a marinade for baked vegetables. It’s delicious! You can add

a little minced garlic or mustard if you wish. Keep refrigerated. If you

prefer it saltier or sweeter, just adjust the ingredients according to

taste.

Sweet Basil & Sunflower Pesto:

I've been harvesting armfuls of this wonderful herb and making pesto

to freeze for the winter months ahead. Pesto also makes a delicious

homemade gift. You can use the flowers in salads or in pesto.

CLICK HERE for the Recipe

Vegetable Tips …

Peas Please:

If you love peas like me, sow snow peas first. The pods don’t need to fill out to ripen,

so you can enjoy a quick pick. Then sow your sugar snap or garden shelling pea varieties.

They take longer to grow and fill out before maturing. This helps extend your harvest.

CLICK FOR TUTORIAL.

Potatoes & Tomatoes:

Avoid planting potatoes in the same soil as where you’ve grown tomatoes for at least 2-3 years. They are members of the

same Solanaceae family. Crop rotating will prevent soil borne diseases developing in your garden. This applies to other

members of this family including eggplant (aubergine), capsicum, peppers and chilli.

Spinach:

The nutrients in this vegie help protect against age-related memory

loss, prevent cataracts and have anti-cancer health benefits. A few to

try are Silverbeet, Chard, Suranim, Brazilian, Ceylon, or English

spinach varieties.

Artichokes:

Soak harvested artichokes in water for a few days. They will taste a lot

better, as this process leaches the bitterness out.

Missed an Article?

There are a wealth of tips & techniques, DIY projects, container gardening and inspiring ideas in my online library.

Here are a few suggestions:

Choose Safe Containers for Growing Food

Grow Your Own Herb Tea Garden

Getting a Small Kitchen Garden Started

Saving & Sourcing Open Pollinated Seeds

How to Garden on Your Benchtop - Grow Sprouts

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Wow! You managed to get to the end, so thanks for reading! Until next month, I

encourage you to embrace dirty fingernails, muddy boots and the joys of growing your

own.

I look forward to sharing more ways to grow good health soon.

Happy gardening,

Anne Gibson

The Micro Gardener

P.S. I really value your opinion. I'd love to hear your feedback

anytime. What do you like most? Want do you want MORE of? How can I serve you

better? EMAIL ME!

'Making it easy to grow nutrient-dense food in small spaces'

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