No more scorched lettuce
Placement and planting the right variety can make a huge difference to the yield and quality of your crops. Find out which ones get the Micro Gardener tick of approval.
Anne Gibson is The Micro Gardener. She's done the hard work watching the seasons, trialling varieties and staying eagle eyed so you don't have to. Find out what varieties she plants and reap the rewards come harvest time.
What to plant now
Sow broccoli, rocket and peas as seeds to harvest as young microgreens. Ready in 7-21 days.
Broccoli and Microgreens
Broccoli di Ciccio, a warm season variety, which can be picked through to December when there is plenty of rainfall. It has a long harvest period for side shoots. During dry seasons, it’s easier to stick with microgreens.
Rocket
Annual rocket prefers moist soil and some shade if growing to maturity. Otherwise, allow it to flower and provide free seeds or grow perennial wild rocket instead.
Zucchinis
It’s a good time for zucchinis with enough warmth before high humidity sets in. It can be a struggle to keep powdery mildew at bay.
"I have had great success growing zukes vertically up stakes in well-ventilated positions out of the wind." Anne Gibson
Coriander
Try swapping ‘Slow Bolt’ coriander for perennial Mexican Sawtooth variety to take you through summer. Or grow it in self-watering pots so it has consistent moisture.
Spinach
Perennial summer spinach varieties like Suranim, Brazilian, Ceylon/Malabar, Sambung/Longevity and Okinawa will provide spinach leaves during our hot humid weather when our winter varieties ‘check out’! Try Perpetual Spinach or Warrigal Greens.
Tip: Asian greens can be sown all year.
Root crops
- turmeric and ginger, ideally on a root crop day during the moon cycle
- beetroot
- carrots
- sweet potato
- yakon
- radish
Don't forget these!
Asian greens, basil, beans, capsicum, celery, chilli, chives, choko, cucumber or cucamelons, eggplant, kale, leeks, melons, mustard, okra, oregano, parsley, pumpkin, rosemary, sorrel, spring onions, thyme, tomatoes and warrigal greens.
TIP: Include lots of flowers for beneficial insects
Heat tolerant lettuce varieties
Self-watering container gardens are ideal for all leafy greens and many herbs. Create a suitable microclimate and succession plant for lots of luscious leaves.
- ‘Salad Bowl Red’ or ‘Green’
- ‘Little Gem’
- ‘Parris Island’ Cos
- ‘Royal Oakleaf'
- ‘Summer Harvest'
- alternatively, try perennial sorrel, Indian or Tree Lettuce
TIP: Lettuce only needs 2-3 hours of early morning sun, shade onwards, and constant moisture.
The Micro Gardener
Have fun and get planting! Enjoy this time of year and if you need one-on-one help, check out The Micro Gardener's onsite garden consultations and live chat garden coaching services to help fast-track you to success.
M: 0407 777 049 | E: [email protected] | W: themicrogardener.com
