MARCH
Our Autumn gardens require lots of physical attention with those essential tasks of weeding, thinning, feeding, replacing and planting some new plants, shrubs or trees depending on the size of your garden. This accomplished, your garden will reap the rewards of your efforts and look wonderful. While the weather is getting cooler, the soil is still lovely and warm.
Let’s get started. The secateurs are cleaned, glove, sunhat and sunnies on and we’re ready to start. A light prune of your shrubs and they will look good, add some fertilizer around and while you are there have a look for any unwanted snails hiding in the shrubbery.
For those who have a working worm farm, their worm castings can be spread around the garden with a light addition of soil on top. Perhaps the worm trays could do with a clean. Remember to keep turning over your compost bin.
APRIL
Start raking fallen autumn leaves or collect a bag or two from any friends who have some deciduous trees’ leaf fall they can share. Bring the bag/s home and keep turning the leaves over as they dry If you don’t they will become wet and won’t do their usual job. Colourful Spring flowering bulbs can be planted now and will be ready for a Spring show of colour. Before planting bulbs give the area a good dig over, make sure it will get good sunlight. Also, if you have some perennials growing, they can be divided and replanted (and shared with friends). Roses will need you to cut off any old flowers or hips and then feed bushes to encourage their Autumn flush. If rain has fallen watch for the snails and slugs around any new seedlings. Most gardeners scatter snail pellets but don’t do this if you have any pets.
Vegetables. Your soil is still warm and before any planting enrich your soil with some good fertiliser. Visit your local nursery where they will have their usual assortment of vegetables, why not try planting only green vegetables. Do something different, there are so many vegetables available. After planting seedlings, apply weekly an all-purpose liquid fertiliser and remember to water them regularly.
Don’t forget the Garlic!
Lawns. Now is a good time to aerate and feed your lawn or the nature strip. Perhaps it may need some work, if so, get busy repairing.
Next month try planting broccoli, cabbages and leeks. Don’t forget your herbs, there is nothing nicer than to go outside to their area and disturb the leaves their aromas are so pleasing. Not to mention how easy they are to grow. Parsley and basil are my favourites. Oh, I forgot to mention mint. All they need is light and water and a good hair cut often. A little bunch of herbs is a lovely gift for a neighbour who may not be able to maintain a garden.
MAY
Planting of strawberries in a pot or in the vegetable garden or even a hanging basket whatever you decide on but remember they need regular watering as drying out occurs quicker. Plant them in hanging baskets in a protected area and guess what, you’ll never have to bother about – snails.
Now is a good time to view the selection of roses at your local nursery it so beautiful to have one in the garden or two or twelve in the garden, I’m not allowed to have any more than that.
For existing Lemon and Orange trees can be sprayed with white oil as this will help control of scale on older citrus trees. Lime Sulphur helps with a pre-winter pest. Lemon and Orange trees can be planted now.
Time to check your pruning tools are clean and ready for next Winter’s pruning tasks that will be required. The indoor plants watering can be reduced to fortnightly and kept well away from heaters, sometimes a change of position can be beneficial to them.
A FEW JOBS TO ATTEND TO...
If you are lucky enough to grow a Wisteria successfully the canes can be cut down to a few flowering spurs.
If you have an abundance of composted Autumn leaves give them a good sprinkle of blood and bone. (Yummy say the worms)
Have you noticed how many times I have mentioned snails?
Happy Gardening to All
Patricia
