Seasonal Tips

SUMMER GARDENING 2011

Summer is here and Mother Nature has had her wires crossed again.  The result has been rain, rain and more rain.    Although no one is complaining, as we all know how precious rain is after the last ten years, it has been causing severe flooding along the rivers and surrounds.  In the garden, the soft soil makes removal of the dreaded weeds so much easier, so it is time to check how your weeds are growing in the garden and get rid of them.  Application of mulch will keep the garden beds cool when, and if,  the hot summer sun finally arrives.
Most gardens, at this time of year, are most colourful with many varieties blooming.  December is the time to remove the early spring annuals.   It is not too late to plant some summer annuals, your local nursery will have plenty of stock available.    Tall herbaceous perennials may require staking for protection from blusterly winds.
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 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 the flowers, they will also be lurking in your vegetable and herb patches.  Don’t forget the snails, I crush egg shells and scatter them around anything they love to munch on.
Other pests are small green caterpillars, aphids, pear and cherry slugs.  On those very hot days the thrips will pay you a visit too.Codling Moth –   A spray for fruit trees will be available from your local nursery.

A few tips

Camellias and Rhododendrons need to be kept moist as they are forming buds now for their next winter-spring display.
Frangipani loves being in the sun, so if it has been in a protected area, move it now.
Fruit on trees can be thinned now and your fruit size will improve.
Shrubs & Trees which can be pruned lightly are azalea, bottlebrush, clematis, gardenia, grevillea, honeysuckle, jasmine and rosemary.
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.CalatheaCast-iron plant (Aspidistra).Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema).Lady palm (Rhapis).
Bromeliads (doesn’t like it too dark).
Moter-in-law’s tongue (Sanseveria).Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).Spider plant Chlorophytum)

Vegetables Water regularly and feed with weekly liquid fertiliser.  Worm liquid is a splendid fertiliser and costs nothing!

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.

Visit your local nursery for a lovely colour pot for the front door to welcome your family and friends.

Enjoy your garden.

Patricia