SEASONAL TIPS

IN THE WINTER GARDEN…2010…………….

Autumn has arrived late this year,  most of my trees and the ornamental grape vine still has  most of its beautiful  leaves of  all shades of  reds and yellow.  However, a couple of good windy days will put an end to this beautiful part of my garden and winter will have arrived.

Then the work begins to rake and collect this valuable asset for the soil to be covered in a lovely thick mulch.   Storing the leaf falls for a future valuable tonic  to add to the garden next year, a little extra exercise,  and all of this at no cost.  The worms just love these when added to their working environment.

Pruning in Winter

After Autumn you need to get busy with the maintenance concerning blocked gutters filled with leaves, pruning roses especially the older ones, fruit trees and deciduous trees. Prune dead diseased and misplaced branches from ornamental trees while they are dormant.

In July, prune summer flowering shrubs abelia, crepe myrtle,  fuchsia,  oleander and  plumbago, they all like gentle shaping.

Also prune sasanqua camellias.

Perennials

Now is the time to get busy with dividing your perennials.   Some are happy to be undivided, however, If the clumps are very large they will produce less flowers., so get to it.   Remember to give away your excess perennials to friends.  This time is right for planting new perennials and can be planted until August, Shasta daisies, gerberas, delphiniums, penstemon and perennial phlox.

Pests

In June, White Scale.  They like rose bushes and if left untreated will multiply to cover stems and branches.  Treatment during their dormant season in winter, prune and burn badly infested stems.  Spray the rest of the bush with white oil.   Remember to keep an eye out  for snails especially when we have had some rainfall.

In July, Mealy Bugs.    They can infect a large number of plants.  Spray with pyrethrum.

Roses

July, plant bare-root and potted roses. There are so many local nurseries and mail order firms to select that special rose you have been looking for.  Also the web site for Roses Victoria is well worth a look, so much good information on care, selection, society news and great places to visit.

Prune at the end of July or early August for an abundance of blooms in spring and summer.

Bulbs

Your spring flowering bulbs should be popping their heads up by now.    Be careful weeding between them and keep an eye out for slugs and snails.  Be careful if you have  any pets.

Winter and Spring Vegetables

Have you joined the garden lovers who are planting, cooking and sharing their crops of vegetables?    It is exciting that so many groups are popping up in the suburbs and are planting vegetables in their plot gardens.  Recently a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Como kitchen garden was a delight to behold.   The vegetables look so fresh, the leaves so green and the aroma of the herbs was delicious.  Most important to dig over the vegetable garden now, adding compost and manure to the spring planting areas.  Plant some Asparagus , broad beans, carrots,  lettuce, onion, peas andspinach.

Fortnightly feeding is beneficial.  Visit your local nursery for some healthy plants.

Fruit Trees

At the end of June prune fruit trees, destroying any diseased prunings.  Apple and pear trees – shorten heavily fruit laden branches.   Nectarines and peaches will fruit on the previous season’s young shoots, so they should be pruned accordingly if you want fruit next growing season.

Flowers

Sow seeds for spring colour of alyssum, calendula, columbines, cosmos, forget-me-nots  and zinnias.

Happy Gardening to all

Patricia