February in SE South Australia and Western Victoria, is often the hottest and driest month, with extreme heat lasting for several days at a time. Continue watering and harvesting as for January, but give particular attention to plants with surface roots, such as citrus, avocados, and Kiwi fruit vines, with extra water, and increased mulch.
Plants and trees in containers need to be checked daily for moisture. Water moderately if the soil is dry an inch below the surface. If the water goes straight through, the soil has dried out, and the container will need to be placed in a tub of water for several hours until the soil is wet again. Containers should have good drainage, and the 'saucers' should be filled with sand or gravel to prevent mosquitos breeding in them.

Average temperatures - Max. 29.3°C. Min.17.1°C.
Highest on record: Max. 43.4°C. Min.32.9°C.
Lowest on Record: Max.15.8°C. Min. 7.8°C.

Average rainfall - 22mm. Highest on record - 155mm.
Lowest on Record - 0
Highest Daily Total - 141mm.

Average evaporation - 216mm.

WHAT TO PLANT:
Vegetables - Seeds & Seedlings: Beans (bush), Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Endive, Lettuces, Radish, Silverbeet, Spinach, Swedes, Turnip, Zucchini.
Potatoes can be planted out now. Use whole, small seed potatoes. Sprout them first by placing them under a wet bag until the eyes start to grow (about 10-14 days).
Flowers - Seeds & Seedlings: Ageratum, Alyssum, Dianthus, Everlasting Daisy, Nasturtium.
Seedlings only: Amaranthus, Aster, Begonia, Celosia, Gazania, lmpatiens, African Marigold, Petunia, Phlox, Salvia, Snapdragon, Verbena, Zinnia.
Seeds only: Aquilegia, Arctotis, English Daisy, Calendula, Cineraria, Cornflower, Delphinium, Hollyhock, Linaria, Mesembryanthemum, Lobelia, French Marigold, Nemesia, Pansy, Polyanthus, Iceland Poppy, Primula, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola, Wallflower.
Tropical plants including Hibiscus, Frangipani, Bougainvillea and Passionfruit should be planted soon to give them a good start before the cool weather arrives.

LOCAL PRODUCE - apricots, peaches, plums, pears, blackberries & their cultivars, raspberries, passionfruit, early varieties of apple, table grapes, early almonds.

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