THINGS TO DO IN JULY

COOL & TEMPERATE

VEGIES

• Apply organic liquid fertiliser to stimulate growth on cabbages and tasty greens such as rocket and soft-hearted lettuce. Apply it every 7–10 days.• Keep greens coming by sowing seeds or planting seedlings every few weeks.• Also plant broad beans and spring onions, two easy-to-grow vegetables. Broad beans do best with a climbing trellis or stakes for support.• Plant silver beet, English spinach and peas (podding and snow peas).• There’s still time to plant perennials like asparagus and rhubarb. These• Continue to inspect all brassicas for snails, slugs and, most particularly, green caterpillars, which are damaging to many winter brassicas, especially new plantings. Handpick pests daily and check the backs of leaves for eggs and newly hatched caterpillars.• Keep snails and slugs away with an iron-based bait, which is harmless to pets and wildlife.