Some fertilisers are synthetic and some are organic, and there are also specific fertilisers for plant types, too… it can all get a bit confusing, says gardening writer JACKIE WARBURTON.
Now’s a good time to do any fertilising before the summer heat sets in.
Importantly, water the fertiliser in before and after application to ensure that it does not burn the roots of plants.
While there are many types of fertilisers to use, it can all get a bit confusing. Some fertilisers are synthetic and some are organic, and there are also specific fertilisers for plant types, too.
If there are too many different plants in the garden a general-purpose fertiliser will work just the same, but remember over fertilising will not encourage new growth but hinder it, so little but often.
EVERGREEN shrubs should generally be pruned after flowering to keep them compact, promote new growth and have them ready for flowering next year.
Old leaves will change colour and drop off once new growth is coming. Remove fallen leaves to prevent fungal issues and keep evergreens well-watered and mulched through the summer months.
ONE shrub I’m keen to try this year is Crinodendron hookerianum; it’s hardy and thrives in well-drained acidic soils.
Endemic to Chile, it has the most brilliant red flowers.
The Crinodendron “Ada Hoffman” is also a show stopper with its delicate pink flowers. It can be underplanted with a candytuft.
CANDYTUFT can be tricky to get going, but once established will thrive and flower in the driest conditions.
It likes acid soils and is good at repelling insects such as the cabbage moth and aphids.
While I have only ever seen white flowering plants in Australia, it does come in red, pink and purple.
THE vegetable patch and orchard are in full swing and, hopefully, all the winter soil preparation work is paying off.
Netting vegetable gardens will need to be done soon to keep pesky possums, birds and rats out of the produce. Netting must be a maximum of 5mm gauge and in a colour visible to birds and wildlife – the lighter the better.
Netting can be pegged with irrigation pins and, if possible, lifted during the day to allow bees to do their business, pollinating fruit and vegetables.
Sowing cabbages, leeks and lettuce can be done now. Cabbages grow quicker in a warmer climate, which means the cabbage moth is in abundance.
To get quick-growing cabbages, plant land cress around them to repel cabbage moths. Land cress is a “trap crop” and acts as a natural control for plants without resorting to sprays.
Leeks are a long crop, and it will take at least six months to harvest. They like a little lime in the soil so sprinkle before planting. Leeks can be sown or bought in a punnet. Stagger the planting to increase the yield. As the leeks mature, build up the soil around the base of the plant to block the light and blanch the stems. Harvest just before the flower stem appears or around 2.5cm wide.
Lettuces are easy to grow this time of year and, even growing from seed, can have home-grown salad for the festive table in summer.
Grow the variety you eat, plant in part shade, keep watering them and liquid feed every few weeks.
Jottings
- Foliar feed all garden beds in the cool of the day.
- Ensure all irrigation is ready for the warmer months.
- Time to fertilise, prune and water conifers.
- Plant Mediterranean plants to repel mosquitoes.
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