Garden Journal Entry - Week 11
Seasons: early Autumn & Wet Season
Daytime Temps: 29°C - 34°C
Night Time Temps: 23°C - 25°C
Humidity Levels: 70 to 90%
Hours of daylight: 12 hours 15 mins
Rainfall: 76 mm (3 inches)
A February To March Update
After nearly a month's break from my online garden journal, it's time to catch up on what's been happening in my garden from mid-February to mid-March (end of Summer and start of Autumn). These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of weather events, with a setback or two, and a visit from a beloved family member. Amidst all of this, there has been some progress out in the garden, and a lesson or two learned.
Battling Heat, Heavy Rain and Humidity (the usual summertime conditions)
The biggest challenge this past month (& the previous two months) has been the wet season conditions. There is never a 'typical' wet season, so every year it's like starting over anew, awaiting whatever Mother Nature has in store! Just because the rain finally makes an appearance in the summertime, that doesn't mean pleasant weather has arrived and it's paradise outside.
February this year brought record-breaking heat. The day after I published my last garden journal blog post, the daytime high soared to 37.7°C, which ended up being the hottest day in the month of February, about seven degrees above average (highlighted in red print and red background in the table below).
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| Weather Information for the Last Two Weeks of February 2025 |
Following that excruciatingly hot day, the daytime temps. sat up around 32 / 33 °C for the remainder of February. With the high daytime humidity levels usually sitting round 60 to 70% as well, it felt more like 37°C each and every day for the last two weeks of February. Some called it a "heatwave", but locals just called it "summer"!
The conditions made gardening nearly impossible, except for very, very brief early-morning and late-evening sessions.
The intense UV rays made it even trickier for me, as I manage skin cancer issues and need to be cautious with sun exposure.
The UV Index sat at 'high' to 'very high' by 8.00 am every morning and then shot up to 'extreme' by 10.00 am. At that rating level, most people need to apply sunscreen every 15 minutes to protect their skin from harmful UV radiation. I need to retreat indoors!
After the record-breaking rain that fell in early February, rain continued to fall to the end of that month resulting in a total of nearly 1200 mm / 47 inches, making February 2025 the wettest ever on record in our region.
The start of March, and the start of our Autumn, saw a short break in the rainfall, but not the heat. We have seen record daytime highs continuing, along with the oppressively high humidity levels.
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| Weather Information for the First Two Weeks of March |
This past week has seen the return of rain, usually arriving in the afternoons after stifling, sweltering mornings. These afternoon showers and the cool breezes that have followed bought about noticeable changes in temperatures at the end of the day.
While the rain over this last week has provided relief at times from the heat, the rain over this whole wet season has caused hurdles for the garden which need continued attention - waterlogging, nutrient leaching and soil compaction.
Visitor Stay
A delightful interruption came in the form of a visitor who ended up staying longer than expected. His return home flight was cancelled a couple of times, because of an impending cyclone that was expected to cross the coast down south near our state's capital city, near his home. Whilst that caused him some concern, we were glad his stay continued a little longer than planned. Thankfully, Cyclone Alfred caused little trouble at his place!
While the visitor's stay paused my gardening activities, it offered a welcome break filled with leisurely breakfasts, local explorations, and insightful conversations. It was wonderful taking the time to create new treasured memories.
Dealing With Injury
Just as I was getting back into the swing of things, I injured my knee, forcing another gardening hiatus. Even simple tasks like weeding had to be put on hold. It was a frustrating setback, but it reminded me that garden maintenance can become a little more difficult as one ages, requiring a deal of patience and forethought when it comes to the lifting and moving tasks that are often required.
Garden Progress Amidst All Of This:
Pruning and Cleanup
The excessive rain encouraged rapid plant growth, resulting in some plants becoming leggy and weak. Constant downpours also caused branches to snap or break off entirely. Once the rain eased, the sudden full-sun exposure scorched leaves, adding to the damage.
To counteract this, I focused on pruning - removing damaged parts to promote healthier, stronger regrowth. My other half and I tackled the fallen branches and green debris, overfilling a large trailer before taking it all to the local waste facility.
Another major task was clearing out overgrown ferns in one section of the shade house garden.
Thankfully, they were easy to pull out, though I still managed to fill five wheelbarrows with the debris so it became a bigger job than expected!
Once cleared, I added a fresh layer of mulch to help retain moisture for the coming dry season and suppress further overgrowth.
I also moved some of the potted plants around to give the spaces a bit of a re-vamp.
Driveway Garden Makeover
One of the most noticeable improvements was the completion of the weeding and mulching job on one section of the long driveway garden beds. The difference is striking. The photos above show just one end of this section. You can see just how lush the weed growth was in the top photo and what the rocky garden bed looks like now it's cleared of all those noxious weeds.
This end though remains a bit of a challenge - the rocky, exposed area has proven difficult for plant success. I've tried hardy plants like Russelia, Crotons and others over the years, but nothing has thrived. Leaving it bare isn't an option, so I'll need to do some thinking and planning. I want something that will provide colour, will survive in full sun, will grow in poor soil and won't take over the space completely.
Soil Restoration and Nutrient Boosting
The record rainfall received this wet season has taken a toll on soil quality, particularly in the courtyard garden beds, washing away essential nutrients. To remedy this, I have applied a top dressing of general-purpose fertiliser with trace elements.
In areas where the rain had caused severe soil compaction, I have added nutrient-rich soil to restore balance.
Fascinating Plant Adaptations
One of the most intriguing observations from this wet season has been the response of certain plants - Acalyphas, Coleus and Begonia - to the prolonged moisture. They began producing aerial roots, likely as an adaptation to oxygen-deficient conditions caused by waterlogging. This natural survival mechanism helped them absorb additional oxygen and moisture, a fascinating reminder of how resilient plants can be.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps In The Garden
As we move through March, my focus will be on:
✅ Re-potting plants affected by the wet season
✅ Continuing soil enrichment to restore lost nutrients
✅ Further pruning and reshaping plants for healthier growth
✅ Planning and experimenting with new plants in the problem areas
Despite the setbacks, every day in the garden is an opportunity to learn as a caretaker of this ever-evolving garden. The changing seasons always bring new challenges, but they also bring renewal and fresh possibilities.
A Surprise Event At The Start Of March
March 1st brought an unexpected shock - literally! At 9.39 pm, our region experienced a 4.4 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 10 metres. The epicentre was close to Townsville, and the tremors shook houses across our city.
For those of us near the epicentre, the seismic waves arrived suddenly and in one intense burst, making for a frightening experience. Those farther away felt a slower, rolling, rumbling motion. Around 4,000 properties lost power, but thankfully there were no injuries or major damage reported.
After the record-breaking rainfall in February, an earthquake was the last thing any of us expected. It was a stark reminder of how unpredictable Mother Nature can be.
This Week's Garden Highlights: What's Blooming?
