In Perth, December and January come under the Noongar season of Birak. Represented by the colour red, Birak is the season of heat, sun and fire.

During Birak, the rain eases and the hot weather really starts to take hold. The afternoons are cooled a little with the sea breezes from the south west.

Many veggies, herbs and flowers can be planted during Birak, but watch out for intense heat and low rainfall which can be a challenge for some plants.

Perth Planting Guide for December and January

With warm soil temperatures, a range of seeds should germinate easily and quickly during Birak. We recommend heirloom seeds because they are of the highest quality and viability grown or sourced locally within WA.

Tips for Watering Your Summer Garden

During the season of Birak you need to pay close attention to watering in the garden as the heat can quickly damage plants that are not getting enough water.

• Water deeply early in the morning to avoid the heat evaporating water too quickly.

• Check your reticulation to ensure it’s working.

• Hand water with a hose or watering can – this is often the best way to pay close attention to the needs of individual plants. 

• Bury an Olla pot in your garden to supply regular water to the root zone. Olla pots are ideal for herb pots and veggie gardens.

• Use self watering pot or bottle top self watering insert if you are short on time or going away for a few days. 

• Apply a generous layer of organic mulch around plants to ensure that the roots are protected and help with even absorption of water by reducing run off.

Ollas are terracotta pots you bury and fill with water to slowly release moisture to the surrounding root zone. A traditional water-wise watering method.

Protecting Your Veggies from the Summer Sun

While some plants thrive with intense direct sunlight, many others will benefit from some relief from the sun, especially in the hottest parts of the day.

• Plant leafy crops like summer lettuce in the shade cast by taller plants, your house wall or garden structures.

• Put up temporary shade structures for your vulnerable plants – you can makeshift a simple shade structure using hessian or an insect exclusion net.

• Move pots and containers around if the sun is beating down on them – find a spot that is more protected.

• Give your plants a feed of seaweed tonic to help cope with heat stress and boost immunity.

• Spray Kaolin Clay on your crops to protect them from damaging UV rays without preventing them from doing photosynthesis. Kaolin Clay acts like a sunscreen for plants, and is 100% natural. Use on plants such as tomatoes, capsicum, citrus, stone fruit, avocado, grapes, mango, cucumber, melons etc.

Spray Kaolin Clay on your plants to act as a natural sunscreen, protecting them from harmful UV without impacting photosynthesis. 

Mulching to Protect Your Soil over Summer

Mulch is crucial during the hottest part of the year. Here’s why:

• Mulch will improve your watering, preventing run off and quick evaporation.

• Mulch acts like insulation, regulating soil temperatures to prevent them from getting too hot and damaging your plants and all the microorganisms that live in the soil.

• Mulch will slowly break down, adding organic matter to your soil and improving its nutrition and its texture.

• Mulch suppresses weeds, and can help you better control what’s growing in your garden.

Keep your soil covered with mulch over summer, and keep the soil life alive and healthy!

The summer months can make veggie gardening a little more challenging than the milder parts of the year. But with some careful watering, attention to shade and a good layer of mulch, you can grow a range of veggies, herbs and flowers.

Happy gardening in Birak!