For roses…
New season’s bare rooted roses are available now and it’s the best time to add another rose to your garden. Most flower from spring till late autumn and you can choose from bush, climbers or standards in a range of breathtaking colours, many with intoxicating perfumes.
And for those with repeat flowering roses already in your garden, July is the best time to prune them. Cut out dead and crossing branches and then reduce the height by half, as well as cutting out half of the canes at the base. This 50/50 method is a great way to refresh your plants, ensure great blooms next season, and reduce fungal disease.
For fruit trees…
Nothing beats the flavour of home-grown fruit like apples, pears, apricots, peaches and plums to name but a few. Take advantage of bare root season over winter to purchase new season’s deciduous fruit trees that are more affordable, easier to handle and establish better in your garden.
The term ‘bare rooted’ refers to the fact that all the soil is washed off the roots and they are stored temporarily in damp sawdust to keep their roots moist, however this should be discarded at the time of planting. Be sure to follow the pruning instructions on the bag and label at planting time to ensure your trees get off to a great start.
For winter vegies…
Growing vegies over the cooler weather is easy, however, to get the best out of what you plant, be sure to focus on getting your soil right first by adding compost and organic fertiliser. The quality of your crop is always determined by the quality of your soil. Also, always use seaweed-based plant tonics to help young seedlings to overcome transplant shock.
For garden maintenance…
After a long dry season, the driest on record in many parts of South Australia, it’s time to give your garden a waterwise assessment. If some plants struggled or died, now is the time to replace or rearrange them. Group plants in ‘Watering Zones’, with thirsty plants grouped together and drought tolerant plants together, so that you can apply water more effectively where it is required. Often simply by rearranging a few plants, you can make this possible and make surviving summer less stressful.
Recent Comments