For all serious veggie gardeners who want to have chemical free plants that actually grow better and are better for you, and even taste like veggies used to taste, try reading the best ever gardening book, "Seasonal Tasks For The Practical Australian Gardener" by the gardening guru himself, (not me) Peter Cundall.
The book covers a whole year in the garden, week by week showing tasks to do, how to do them, when and why. It covers not only what veggie seeds or seedlings to plant, but also flowers, shrubs, trees, even landscaping. It also deals with tasks such as pruning roses and fruit trees, preparing garden beds, creating compost and using various types of organic matter as mulch. It is easy reading and not in complicated terminology.
Peter is the champion of home grown remedies, whether it be for garden pests, plant diseases or just for plants that are feeling poorly. These remedies are easy to concoct and mainly consist of everyday, cheap to obtain items. Above all, no nasty chemicals!
For those who have visited our garden and have expressed the necessary oohs and aahs, (which are appreciated), please remember it is the hand of Peter Cundall that is behind our success.
The only problem will be getting a copy of the book, it was published by McPhee Gribble - Penguin Books Melbourne in 1989, it may be available on EBay or through your local library, in any event it is very worthwhile tracking it down.
Mick W
For information, The Geelong regional Library does have a later copy (2007) of this book listed as catalogue 635.0994 CUN. Currently out on loan, but well worth ordering.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick,
ReplyDeleteI like Pete's book too, it's one of the first ones we bought when we came here from England in 2002. I was fairly new to veggie gardening (our garden in Oxford was the size of a postage stamp). Besides, I now had these 'back to front' seasons to contend with! Pete's book was a great help.
Another of my favourites is The Australian Fruit & Vegetable Garden, by Clive Blazey and Jane Varkulevicius. (2006, Digger's Club) I find its 'Choosing food plants' section very useful for planning the next season's planting.
Hi Mick,
ReplyDeleteI actually have this book but had forgotton all about it! Thanks for reminding me about it - it will stop me floundering around trying to work out what I should be doing in the vegie patch.
I should also add that I overheard another garden guru (Rory) say at your garden, that your vegie patch was superior to Peter Cundall's in Tassie! While you acknowledge Peter's influence, your garden is 100% pure Mick and Joy Wallis!!
Back to books, one I constantly refer to is "The Complete Book of Fruit Growing In Australia" by Louis Glowinski. It is packed with information but written in a very personal readable style. Highly recommended.