Spring bursts forth with a floral spectacular of blossoms and bulbs, followed by every shade of green, as the new season’s leaves appear on deciduous trees and shrubs.
Autumn also presents a colourful flower display in gardens, certainly equal to spring with the huge range of perennials. Asters or Michaelmas Daisies, salvias and sedums to name a few that are arriving in garden centres at this time. For a full list of perennials flowering by season go to Cedfacts at cedricbryant.com
FROM March, it will again be time to consider planting spring bulbs.
Grassed areas in Commonwealth Park, only just recovering from the last Floriade, will shortly be torn up for planting bulbs for this year’s Floriade. This may be the last at its present location, with a recent announcement from the National Capital Authority.
It is time that a permanent site is found and the Arboretum has been suggested, but this is unsuitable because it’s not level, is too far from normal transport links and has inadequate parking. I’d be pleased to hear your suggestions at cedricbryant@grapevine.com.au
WATERING, possibly the most important aspect of gardening (even more than fertilising), is also the most neglected. Many gardeners don’t realise the extremes between rainfall and evaporation. We have started this year brilliantly with regular rainfall; however, this is far from typical. A couple of Decembers ago we received just 75.6mm of rain with an evaporation of 275.4mm.
This demonstrates why drip irrigation is the only effective way of watering the garden. Most of the water, whether by sprinkler or hand held hose, is absorbed into the mulch only to be lost with evaporation within a couple of hours.
Drip irrigation is always placed on top of the soil and under the mulch. This means the water goes directly to the plants’ roots. It is never too late to start installing drip irrigation.
GARDEN tool manufacturers are missing a golden opportunity by making long-handled tools from rakes to spades and forks. I changed all my garden tools to long handles at least 30 years ago. I recommend if you are buying new tools, not necessarily for yourself but perhaps for ageing parents or friends, to consider long handles.
Jottings…
• After rain, keep applying Multiguard Slug and Snail Killer around veggies, berry plants and strawberries in particular. This is safer for pets.
• Trim lavenders back to just above the old wood, both top and sides.
• Feed and keep water up to citrus trees as the fruit matures.
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