Tasmanian Planting Guide - Sustainable Living Tasmania

1. SUSTAINABLE LIVING TASMANIA
Gardening Basics
Gardening is one of the best ways to reduce our ecological footprint as well being an extremely
rewarding and rejuvenating pastime. Most of our food is transported long distances and grown
using harmful chemicals. Growing your own food and buying locally not only supports your
local community but greatly reduces carbon emissions, saves money & is more nutritious.
Water - Micro-sprays waste up to 70% of water
through drift and evaporation-and if the soil
Water is essential to all gardens. Tasmania is mulched, water will not penetrate through.
has been blessed with higher rainfall than
- Consider soaker hoses that deliver water to
Sustainable Living Information
much of mainland Australia, but most food
gardens still require some additional the roots of plants under mulch.
watering. Using water efficiently and - Water pots and plants with low pressure on
planting responsibly is the key to creating a the hose. The water should be running
healthy, productive garden that minimises slowly, not on a spray, as this does not
wastage of our precious freshwater supply. penetrate very deeply.
- Add organic matter and compost to your - Try to reduce your lawn area. Consider
soil. This not only adds valuable nutrients, extending mulched beds, using porous
but enables the soil to hold more water. paving or a drought-tolerant lawn. If you do
- Mulch your garden beds and pots. Up to have a lawn, cut it long over summer (8-
70% of water can be lost through 10cm)
evaporation from the soil. - Go for a tough drought-tolerant grass like
- Water in the cool of the evening and direct ‘Sir Water Buffalo’, a native grass such as
the water to the plant root zone with long, Microlaena stipoides or a native
infrequent watering. groundcover like Myoporum parvifolium for
the front garden.
- After you have watered, dig down to see
how far it has penetrated – it should be at - Greywater from the bathroom or laundry is a
least 10cm. Water the same area three great source of water that is available every
times in the same morning or evening to day, though there are some health concerns.
make sure the water soaks in. See sustainable living guide on ‘Greywater’.
- Use local plants, they are suited to your - Check the weather forecast to avoid
local soil and climate. Intersperse them watering before rain.
with other plants with similar water
requirements. Mulching
Mulching not only reduces water loss, but
- Group plants according to their water helps suppress weeds and can add nutrients to
needs. the soil as it breaks down. Mulch should be
- Check and clean you irrigation system applied about 8cm deep and topped up about
every spring. once a year, depending on what type of mulch
you use. Many different materials can be used
- Have either a timer on your taps or shut- as mulch, from pea straw and hay to black
off valves on your hoses to reduce plastic, depending on your needs.
overwatering.
Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc. trading as Sustainable Living Tasmania
st
1 floor, 71 Murray St, Hobart, Tas 7000, Phone (03) 6234 5566, Fax (03) 6234 5543
Email info@sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au
www.sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au

2. Pests Permaculture
Birds love nibbling at ripening fruits. The Permaculture (permanent agriculture) was
best way to protect them is by netting your developed in Tasmania by Bill Mollison and
trees, strawberry plants, etc. Pre-recorded David Holmgren in the 1970s. Permaculture
sounds, such as birds in distress calls, is a system for creating sustainable human
frighten scavenging birds away. Hanging settlements by integrating design and ecology.
CDs from stings in trees can help deter It is both a philosophy and holistic gardening
birds. One can also try the age-old technique style, which mimics natural systems and
of creating a scarecrow. embraces ideals of interconnectedness and
Many gardeners promote the idea of self-sufficiency.
planting sacrificial plants and/or companion
planting to deal with unwanted visitors. For Seeds
smaller pests, some people suggest inter-
planting garlic and/or marigolds amongst Saving your own seeds can save money and
your vegetables to repel insects. helps preserve local, organic plant strains.
Seeds can last many years if properly stored.
See Sustainable Living Information Sheet They keep best when stored in cool, dry
on ‘Pests’ for more ideas. environments. It is said that seeds held at 15
degrees Celsius with 60% relative humidity
Fertilizer will last twice as long as those stored under
normal household conditions. Easy ways to
Tasmanian soils are generally deficient in decrease temperature is to store in the
many nutrients. Adding these can greatly refrigerator, under the house or along a dark
improve the health and fertility of your soil. south facing wall. To lower the relative
Steve Solomon suggests adding a blend of humidity, keep seeds in an airtight container
minerals and trace nutrients that he has with some silica gel to absorb any excess
named, Complete Organic Fertilizer. This moisture.
mixture contains:
3 parts seedmeal Soil
1 part blood and bone
You could say building soil is the defining act
1/2 part dolomite lime
1/4 part agricultural lime
of organic gardening. By regularly
1/4 part gypsum (more in heavy clay soils)
replenishing the nutrients your plants use, you
1 part phosphate rock or guano
keep the soil productive. By mixing organic
1/2 part kelpmeal matter (preferably compost) into the soil
whenever possible, you mimic Nature's cycles
Add this with a bit of organic material to of birth, decay, and rebirth. Ideal garden soil
optimise your garden’s health. is dark-colored, smells kind of sweet,
compresses into a loose lump in your hand
Composting your kitchen scraps, shredded
when moist, and is full of earthworms.
paper, manures, lawn clippings, weeds and
many other items is a fantastic way to
The three main constituents of soil are sand,
reduce waste and feed your garden with lots
silt and clay. Sand has the largest particles and
of nutrition. Compost is an all-round soil
clay has the smallest, which is why it packs so
builder and plant tonic that can be made in
tightly together. Silt particles are of
your backyard at little cost and effort.
intermediate size. An ideal garden soil, or
See Sustainable Living Information sheet on loam, would be about 40% sand, 40% silt and
Composting for more information. 20% clay. The easiest way to see what type of
Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc. trading as Sustainable Living Tasmania
st
1 floor, 71 Murray Street, Hobart, Tas 7000, Phone (03) 6234 5566, Fax (03) 6234 5543
Email info@sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au
www.sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au

3. soil you have is to dig a few holes and take Backyard Organic Gardening
some samples. There are a number of simple http://home.vtown.com.au/~dbellamy/contents.html
tests you can do to determine the Originating from Hobart, this is a grassroots
composition of soil. One method is to take a e-source for information about the basics of
fistful of soil and squeeze it into a ball. If it backyard organic gardening.
is unable to hold its shape, your soil is ABC Gardening Australia
probably too loose, or sandy. Now try to http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/
break the ball apart by pressing on it with
your thumb. A good soil will break apart Garden for Wildlife
readily; if not, you http://www.gardensforwildlife.dpiw.tas.gov.au
probably have too much The 'Gardens for Wildlife' scheme supports,
clay in your soil. encourages and recognises people who wish
Another method is to to make their property friendly for local
take a couple of cups of wildlife and the environment.
soil and put them in a
large jar half filled with Permaculture Association of Tasmania
water. Agitate the http://www.permaculturetas.org/
mixture until all the soil PAT organises public events, member
is in suspension and then meetings, field days, and workshops in order
let it settle overnight. to share skills and knowledge.
The next day you will Sustainable Living Tasmania - Environment
see that three distinct layers have formed: Resource Library. 2nd floor, 191 Liverpool
sand at the bottom, then a layer of silt and Street, Hobart. (03) 6234 5566.
clay at the top.
Suppliers
Native Gardens
The Lost Seed – www.thelostseed.com.au
Planting natives, rather than exotics, in
Local seed and seedling suppliers specializing
ornamental gardens has many benefits.
in heirloom, open pollinated, chemical-free
Native plants require less water, are more
and non hybrid varieties.
resilient and are cheaper to buy. They also
tend to require minimal maintenance, so Woodbridge Fruit Trees –
there is less work for the gardener. Perhaps PO Box 95, Woodbridge, 7162
the best part of starting a native garden is www.woodbridgefruittrees.com.au
that it provides habitat and food for our Growers of chemical-free, heirloom varieties
unique Tasmanian wildlife. of fruit and nut trees.
Further information Plants of Tasmania Nursery - (03) 6239 1583
65 Hall Road, Ridgeway TAS 7054
Growing Vegetables South of Australia – Huge range of Tasmanian Native Plants.
Year ‘Round Tasmanian Food Gardening.
By Steve Soloman Soil Health Services – (03) 6295 0605
Tests and improves soil for growing nutrient
The Seed Savers Handbook rich foods.
By Michel and Jude Fanton
Growing Australian Native Plants from
July 2008
Seed By Murray Ralph
Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc. trading as Sustainable Living Tasmania
1st Floor, 71 Murray Street, Hobart, Tas 7000, Phone (03) 6234 5566, Fax (03) 6234 5543
Email info@sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au
www.sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au

4. Tasmanian Planting Guide*
August
January
Seed potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, shallots, peas,
Beetroot, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, English
broad beans, turnips, swedes, Asian brassicas,
spinach, lettuce (chill seed in fridge first), broccoli,
carrots, Kohlrabi, spring onion, silverbeet, turnip, English spinach and potato onions. Sturdy young
seedlings of cabbage cauliflower, celery, broccoli,
cabbage and late swede.
lettuce, onion and leek.
February September
Cauliflower, winter radishes, lettuce, Asian roots, Potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, globe artichokes,
spinach, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, kale, cabbage, chives, rhubarb divisions, turnips, swede, mustard
parsnip, silverbeet, leek and Chinese brassicas. greens, broad beans, peas, lettuce, carrot,
beetroots, kohlrabi, broccoli, spinach and small
salad radishes.
March Start seedlings of tomato, capsicum, zucchini,
Spring onions, cabbage, cauliflower, corn salad, pumpkin, sweetcorn, cucumber, okra, melons and
rocket, small salad radishes, lettuce, carrots, eggplant indoors.
coriander, beetroot, mustard greens, leeks,
endive/escarole, parsnip, Asian leaf and root
vegetables, English spinach, broad beans, turnip and
green manure crops. October
Globe artichoke and chive divisions, early
cabbages, broccoli, celery, parsley, parsley root,
summer carrots, silverbeet, potatoes, beetroot,
April spring onions, leeks, lettuce, English spinach,
Winter lettuce, corn salad, garlic cloves, late leeks, radishes, parsnip, cauliflower, spring and salad
silverbeet, broccoli, Asian cabbages and root onions, late peas, tomato, zucchini, pumpkin,
vegetables, tic beans, broad beans and green manure squash, melons, runner beans, bush bean and
crops. French beans.
Plant seedlings of zucchini, pumpkins, cucumber,
sweetcorn, melons, and tomatoes.
May
Continue sowing green manures like tic beans, broad
beans, Shaftal clover and lupins. Also English
spinach, Asian brassicas and root crops, spring and November/December
salad onions, shallots, chives and garlic cloves. Lettuce, cabbages, broccoli, parsley and parsley
root, silverbeet, beetroot, spring onions, leeks,
English spinach, kohlrabi, celery, parsnip, Brussels
June sprouts, Asian brassicas, pumpkin, kale,
Asparagus crowns, early potatoes, rhubarb divisions, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini, summer carrots,
Jerusalem artichokes, globe artichoke suckers, potato cucumber, melons, French, bush and climbing
onions, chives, shallots, long-keeping onions, broad beans.
beans, spinach and garlic cloves. Plant seedlings of zucchini, pumpkins, capsicum,
eggplant, cucumber, sweetcorn, okra, melons, and
tomatoes.
July
Asparagus crowns, early potatoes, shallots, potato
onions, long-keeping, salad and spring onion as *This is simply a guide, planting dates may need to be
small seedlings, rhubarb divisions, Jerusalem and adjusted to suit your specific location. Everything is
globe artichokes. directly seeded unless seedlings are specified.
Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc. trading as Sustainable Living Tasmania
st
1 floor, 71 Murray Street, Hobart, Tas 7000, Phone (03) 6234 5566, Fax (03) 6234 5543
Email info@sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au
www.sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au