SEASONAL TIPS

 

SUMMER GARDENING              

Summer is here and it is time to check how our gardens have survived the year.

Walking around my neighbourhood I have been surprised how many homes are featuring rocks of all sizes in their front gardens.  Most are replacing lawns or areas underneath larger trees.  Everyone has been constantly reminded about adding water crystals,  fertilising, several types of mulches to use, and to review the plants that have been struggling, also the essential pruning tasks.  So many necessary actions to prepare for the coming extreme conditions that will help keep the garden prepared.   If you didn’t have time to prepare to catch up on the suggestions it is not too late to get busy now before the weather gets too hot.

Shade cloth saved my small garden last year and I recommend that you give it a try this summer. 

 After careful planning throughout the year,  your garden could contain lots of different flowering plants, shrubs and trees and the profusion of colours will be there for you and your family to appreciate.

Some summer  flowering varieties of Annuals and Biennials (31),   Perennials (19),  Shrubs (29),  Climbers (14), Trees (5), Bulbs (14) and Natives (16).  The figures in the brackets give you an idea of how many varieties flower in summer.   A good gardening book will contain lots of information about When to, How to etc.  Please check with your local Nursery all throughout the year as they will give you an indication of the plantings for the following season.

       A few tips.    Camellias and Rhododendrons need to be kept moist as they are forming buds now for their next winter-spring display.

      Cut back summer perennials to encourage a second flush.

      Cuttings can be taken from Azaleas, Camellias, Daphne and Camellias.

      Roses can be deadheaded and fertilised to encourage their second flush of beautiful blooms.  They will require a good dose of a complete rose food.

      Bulbs of Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths and Jonquils can be left in the ground after flowering unless they didn’t flower last season.

 Easy Indoor Plants listed below.   Some survive outside under ferns and moist areas :

Busy lizzie (Impatiens) likes bright light

Calathea

Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra)

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)

Lady palm (Rhapis)

Bromeliads (doesn’t like it too dark)

Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sanseveria)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Spider plant Chlorophytum)

Sweetheart vine (Philodendron scandens)                                                                

Swiss Cheese plant (Monstera)

Umbrella tree (Schefflera)

 Vegetables

Beans   Dwarf beans can be harvested 8-10 weeks after sowing, climbing and runner beans in 10-12 weeks.   Try growing these on a trellis using the air space above your other vegies.

Carrots   It is important to prepare soil deeply as sticks, stones and debris will cause deformed roots.   Sow seed direct 5 mm deep and in rows 25 cm apart.  Pick 12 – 16 weeks depending on variety.

Lettuce   Prepare soil first by digging, liming and adding a 10cm level of rotted manure or compost, they need good drainage.  Sow seed direct in clumps spaced 20-30 cm apart and covered lightly with soil. Outside leaves can be picked about 8 – 12 weeks.

Pumpkin  seeds can be sown in early Summer.  Fully mature in 14-20 weeks.

Silverbeet requires full sun to part shade, harvest the leaves from the outside of the plant this will encourage new growth.

Tomatoes Plant these in a sunny, well composted garden bed.  Apply mulch and feed with a good soluble plant food when the fruiting starts to occur.  To keep water up to the plant, recycle a two litre soft drink bottle, make a hole in the lid and insert it into the soil on a slant, remembering to cut off the bottom so the bottle can be refilled.

A few garden visitors to look out for in Summer

Fungus diseases, such as rust, mildew and black spot are lurking out in the garden so  please keep checking under the leaves and in flowers.  Remember to wear your gloves.  Don’t forget the snails also the scale on evergreen trees and caterpillars.

Codling Moth –   A spray for fruit trees will be available from your local nursery.

 Visit your local nursery for a lovely colour pot of petunias for the front door.

 Enjoy your garden.

 Patricia