GrowSmart Calendar - November

It's late spring time and the warm temperatures and a bit of rain cause rapid growth. Hoeing and weeding are important to keep weed growth in check and to reduce competition with desirable plants. Keeping beds mulched will reduce the need to weed, and maintain soil moisture.

For sowing and planting, see the October list here.

Successive plantings and sowings of these crops will ensure a continuing harvest throughout the season and into autumn.

Plant of the month - Pumpkin

A warm season plant which loves lots of compost and organic fertiliser but will grow in most places. Pumpkins form on a vine with a vigorous growth habit, so they need lots of room. Grow in a corner away from other vegetables, and near something it can scramble over. Harvest the pumpkin when the vine dies and the stalk is dry. They are great steamed or mashed, but are especially delicious roasted with garlic, rosemary and olive oil along with other root veges such as beetroot, carrot, parsnip and potato.