Embracing Winter with Aussie Green Thumb

Author

Nathan Schwartz
July 10, 2024

G'day Aussie gardeners!

Welcome to the July edition of the Aussie Green Thumb Newsletter!

As winter wraps its cool embrace around us, we’re here to warm your green thumb with insights into useful plants and tasks to keep you busy in the garden this month!

Monthly Wrap-Up:

  • Our featured edible this month is beetroot

  • Our featured bush tucker is the Illawarra Plum

  • YouTube videos to get you inspired

  • Latest blog posts from our website

  • Best veggies to plant this month

  • Garden tasks to warm your green thumb

  • Natives flowering this month

We’re Here to Inspire You To:

  • Grow edibles that can feed you and your family - saving you money!

  • Grow and learn more about our bountiful native bush tuckers!

  • Grow natives rather than introduced species to promote more sustainable gardens that welcome both people and local wildlife!

How to Grow Beetroots in Australia

When it comes to growing vegetables, there’s nothing that quite beats growing beets. Beets or beetroot are fantastic vegetables that offer a high, consistent yield without too much effort and can be grown in the cooler months of the year in Australia.

Podocarpus elatus (Illawarra Plum) Growing Guide

Today we’ll look at another spectacular native rainforest tree prized for its bush food and landscaping applications. This medium to large evergreen tree features shiny dark-green lanceolate leaves, blue to purple berry-like fruits and an ideal spreading form for decorative silhouettes within cultivated landscapes. 

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The small plum or berry-like fruits are traditionally known as the Daalgaal, Goongum or plum pine which refers to the fruit's pine-like taste. In New South Wales, the Illawarra plum is considered one of the best bush foods by Aboriginal people and European colonists alike. 

This Month on YouTube 📺

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Latest Blog Posts 🌱

Here’s the latest from Aussie Green Thumb this month.

How to Grow Tarragon in Australia

Tarragon is worth its weight in your garden and we will show you just how to grow this one-of-a-kind herb and how to identify it. A little goes a long way with tarragon and you’ll have fabulously flavoured, fragrant, fresh leaves right at your barely lifted fingertips!

How to Grow Chives in Australia

Chives are a versatile and easy addition to your vegetable garden, becoming a perfect companion plant and a go-to garnish for full-on flavour. Here we will show you just how effortless they are to grow in Australia and how they can benefit your garden and your plate.

Gear up for a vibrant winter garden! Discover the top veggies to plant now for a season bursting with freshness and flavour. Here is our guide to cultivating the best winter produce in Australia for July:

  1. Leeks: Planting leeks in winter sets the stage for a bountiful harvest in Australia's cooler months. Known for their subtle sweetness and versatility in soups, stews, and more, leeks thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.

  2. Beetroot: Embrace winter gardening by planting beetroot in Australia's cooler months. With well-drained soil and ample sunlight, winter is the perfect time to sow beetroot seeds for a vibrant and nutritious harvest. See our beetroot growing guide for Australia!

  3. Swedes: Optimal for well-drained soil and ample sunlight, this season is perfect for cultivating swedes, offering a hearty addition to stews and roasts, enriching your culinary experiences with their robust flavour. Check out our in-depth Swedes growing guide here!

Here are some essential tasks to ensure your garden thrives in July:

  1. Pruning: Winter is the perfect time to prune your deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re dormant. Remove any dead or diseased branches to promote healthy growth come spring. Pruning 101: When to Prune Your Plants

  2. Composting: Mid-winter is an ideal time to turn over compost piles to aid decomposition, ensuring nutrient-rich soil for spring planting. See our full at-home composting guide here!

  3. Plant Protection: If you haven’t already, you can consider installing frost cloths or covers to protect sensitive plants during the winter peak.

  4. Soil Testing: Testing your soil and amending it in winter will ensure it’s ready for spring planting. How to Use a Soil pH Tester

  5. Planning: Now is a fantastic time to start planning your spring gardens and ordering seeds and bulbs!

See our full winter gardening guide below:

4 Best Garden Forks for 2024 | Australian Buying Guide

The garden fork is one of the most important tools one could have living in their shed. Apart from the pick, it’s probably the first tool we grab when the job requires a little more grunt. Its multiple-pronged action can loosen soil with minimal damage to plant roots; aerate the compost heap; and, divide those clumping perennials without too much fuss.

9 Best Gardening Secateurs for 2024 | Australian Guide

You really can’t go wrong with a good pair of secateurs. When maintained correctly, your garden secateurs can last you almost a lifetime. When looking for the best garden secateurs in Australia, you’ll want to find a pair with a sturdy blade and handle that allows for effortlessly clean cuts. 

Winter has brought spectacular scenes of buttery-yellow fluffy flowers from our beloved Cootamundra Wattle. If you don’t have this plant in your backyard, it’s worth taking a relaxing bush walk to admire these flowers' beauty!

They can be seen profusely flowering in and around Sydney and greater New South Wales right now!

There you have it, Green Thumbs! Your July Gardening Update!

Don't forget to check out our detailed guides and tutorials on our website for more in-depth information. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest gardening videos, tips, and DIY projects.

We love hearing from our community, so feel free to share your gardening triumphs and questions with us by replying to this email. Give us a follow for daily tips, inspiration, and updates.

Happy gardening, and we’ll see you next month with more green goodness!

Cheers,

Nathan Schwartz 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our friendly team today!

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