Taming the summer jungle

I've got a confession to make. Summer is not my favourite season in the Brisbane garden. It's a time where I think I'll get lots done and yet, things just get away from me.

The weeds are taking over the rosella seedlings in this bed

Firstly it's all hot and sticky. Even Special K is not interested in being in the sun during the day. I'm sure we've also been ruined by having air conditioning and can no longer tolerate the sun and humidity at full strength.

Then there's the weeds. They seriously seem to have a steroid shot and grow higher than the plants in half the time.


And the bugs! Biting bugs, sucking bugs, voraciously hungry grasshoppers, ravenous caterpillars... I swear there is an insect orgy going on every afternoon. So much so I feel like I'm intruding when I venture out into my own yard!! (Of course the mosquitoes are also a major deterrent, and donning head to toe covering clothing is less than appealing in the heat.)

These beans were producing
until they got eaten themselves!

A few days ago this was silver beet.
Now it's skeletonised nothingness!

The grasshoppers are having
a ball on my comfrey

So what to do to tame the jungle?

Step 1: Lather self in bug repellant

Sunscreen, cold water, a shade umbrella and mossie coils. Use all the weapons you have on hand to make your time in the garden as pleasant as possible. 

Step 2: Mow the lawn! 

Why?? Because the seed heads in the lawn are constantly getting blown into the garden beds. (And it will make you feel better to see something a little tidy!)

The lawn mower is a key
weapon in getting rid of weeds.

You always feel a bit better when things
look temporarily tidy.

Step 3: Concentrate on one area. 

Just like house work.... Don't flit from one garden bed to the other or you will spend a lot of time achieving nothing. Focus your energy on getting one area sorted and then move on.

Step 4: Plant something you want to grow in place of weeds.

It's all a competition folks! If you don't plant what you want, to use the available light and nutrients, the weeds will take advantage and simply grow back.

Step 5: Mulch, mulch and more mulch. 

Block out the light to stop more weeds from growing (see Step 4) and keep the plants you have put in nice and moist. This is the best way to try to give your plants the head start to outcompeting anything else and the key to surviving summer!

Pick a bed to concentrate on!
Before: unwanted plants and weeds taking over.

After: Rosella seedlings and plenty of mulch around them.

Step 6: Accept that things can get a little out of control in the subtropical garden in summer.

 Perhaps dull your view of the weeds with a glass of cold wine while you enjoy your yard. The weeds at least have been wonderful food for the chickens and I try to remember they are turning them into yummy eggs for me. (There's that silver lining!)

Step 7: Pick any produce regularly before the bugs beat you to your dinner. 

Brave the heat and get picking. Be grateful and use what produce you have and swap with your friends! If you have lots of eggplants (as I do), make roasted eggplant salad, make Baba Ganoush, throw extra in your spaghetti bolognaise and devise a new eggplant frittata recipe! Swap your produce with friends and hopefully between a few of you, there will be a larger selection of summer produce.

Pick your produce and use them before the bugs tuck in.

Step 8: Remember cooler weather is coming. Phew!