February in Australia is not for the faint-hearted, nor for the faint-watered. The sun is fierce, the soil is dry, and the garden, much like us, is feeling the full weight of summer. But take heart. With a little thoughtful care (and perhaps a broad-brimmed hat), your garden can not only survive February – it can thrive.
For those of us who’ve seen a good many summers come and go, we know this month is all about working smarter, not harder.
If you do nothing else this month, water properly. Forget the light daily sprinkle; it does little more than dampen the surface and tease the roots. Instead, give your plants a deep soak two to three times a week, preferably in the early morning.
This encourages roots to grow downwards in search of moisture, making plants far more resilient when the heat bites.
It’s also worth checking whether your soil has become hydrophobic, that dreadfully stubborn condition where water simply runs off instead of soaking in. A soil wetter such as Ezi-Wet can work wonders, allowing moisture to penetrate deeply again.
And mulch – don’t be shy with it. A thick layer keeps roots cool, reduces evaporation, and makes you look terribly efficient.
February is peak harvest time for summer crops. Tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis are often producing faster than we can eat them. Pick regularly to keep plants productive and prevent over-ripening.
Camellias and azaleas are also forming buds for future flowering.
A suitable fertiliser now supports healthy growth and better blooms in the months ahead.
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