January

As the Summer heat continues to rise, so does the importance of watering. Watering is best done in the early morning or evening as the cooler temperatures at these times makes your watering more effective and reduces the risk of leaf burn. A couple of good deep soaking watering’s once a week is better than a little every day. Also don’t be fooled that a shower of rain has watered your garden, check after a light shower and you be amazed at how little the moisture has penetrated the soil – in fact, after a light shower is a good time to water, so long as the clouds haven’t cleared away and its come out bright and sunny as the extra water will help get the moisture deeper down where your plants need it most.
Mulching your garden helps keep the soil cooler and reduces moisture loss. If you don’t have mulch, try and keep the surface of your soil loose as moisture evaporates fastest from exposed compacted soil.
As usual at this time of year, weeds need to be dealt to regularly. Not letting weeds mature to seeding stage will reduce the amount of time needed to keep them under control.

Plant Health

Keep a look out for these pests and diseases in your garden

Fruit

Verrucosis
Blackspot
Leaf Roller Caterpillar
Scale
Aphids

Vegetables

Caterpillars
Aphids
White Fly
Bacterial Blight

Roses and Ornamentals

Caterpillars
Aphids
White Fly
Mealy Bug
Blackspot
Powdery Mildew
Rust

Seeds to sow this month

Flowers
Alyssum, Californian Poppy, Lobelia, Nasturtium, Pansy

Vegetables
Beetroot, Carrots, Lettuce, Pak Choi, Radish, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring Onion, Zucchini

Herbs:
Basil, Chives, Parsley, Rocket.