Monday 1 March 2010

Old Wives Tales (1 March 2009)

Just wondering what OWT you know that you apply to your garden? Are any of them area specific? When I lived in Canberra there were a few which made a lot of sense

‘You plant your corn when the apple blossoms fall’

‘Plant tomatoes after Melbourne cup’

When I moved to Perth (a completely different growing zone) none of those OWT made much sense anymore. You can plant tomatoes pretty much anytime here provided you coddle them a bit and expect slow growth.

I know that there is one about planting on Anzac day but can’t remember if it’s for poppies LOL. Oh and Peas go in on St Patricks day, right?

Ohhh another one is about planting something on the shortest day of the year - garlic

2 comments:

The Crone at Wits End said...

4 Responses to “Old wives tales”
1.Vic Says:

March 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am e

Don’t put tomatoes in until the soil is warm enough to sit on with a bare bottom.

And I always heard it as sweet peas go in on St Patrick’s day.

2.admin Says:

March 1st, 2009 at 10:53 am e

Oh I love sweet peas

The Crone at Wits End said...

3.Em Says:

March 1st, 2009 at 2:04 pm e

Yes I’ve read the one about planting garlic and onions by (on) the shortest day of the year… which in Australia probably doesn’t apply to most of the country as our cool season is too short - need to plant in early autumn to give them enough time to bulb up before the summer heat. I’m still bumbling along trying things in this climate

4.nathalie Says:

March 1st, 2009 at 7:45 pm e

We make sure we have them in by the Autumn Equinox. Seemed to work very well!