Don’t forget to visit the Horticultural Society’s 2024 Spring Exhibition and Rose Show, 16-17 November, at The Abbey, Federation Square, Gold Creek.

The Ornamental Garden

  • Spring is coming to an end. Heritage roses are finishing as modern roses are coming into flower.

 

  • Late planted seeds of frost tender annuals should give a fine display of blooms in March before the first frosts.

 

  • Deadhead annuals and remove any that are past their best.

 

  • Continue to tie sweet peas, water deeply and pick flowers to extend their season.

 

  • Tall bearded iris should be divided if this has not been done for a few years.

 

  • At the end of this month remove spring annuals and prepare areas for summer and autumn plantings.

 

  • Continue to plant dahlia tubers. Cuttings can be taken from plants. Strong stakes are required for taller-growing plants and should be put in prior to planting each tuber to avoid damage.

 

  • Transfer tuberous begonias to larger pots. Keep moist, leave plants in the shade house till next month.

 

  • Trim evergreen shrubs and hedges.

 

  • Check roses for insect or fungal problems. Deadhead roses to a strong bud for another flush of flowers. Continue to do this through the season for best results.

 

The Kitchen Garden

  • Main planting month for tomatoes, capsicum, basil and eggplant.

 

  • Seedlings of beetroot, cabbage, cucumber, leek, melons, pumpkins, silver beet, sweet corn and zucchini may be planted.

 

  • Thin out and weed earlier plantings.

 

  • Tie and support peas and broad beans and harvest them as they mature.

 

  • Remove old winter crops.

 

  • Remove weeds as they compete for nutrients and harbour pests and disease.

 

  • Keep your plants growing strongly, as they will be less susceptible to pests and diseases.

 

  • Continue small sowings of most vegetables to spread the best of crops over a longer period of time.

 

  • Frosts are still possible, though unlikely. If cold nights are predicted, frost protection cloth (Marix®) can be useful. Sections can be spread over plants likely to be affected, such as new citrus trees, tomatoes, capsicum and egg plants.

 

  • Codling moth pheromone traps are useful, also fruit fly exclusion bags of waxed paper or cloth.

 

General Maintenance

  • Regular trimming of buxus and most hedges will encourage dense growth, but it’s best done before the days become too hot, otherwise burning of new growth may occur.

 

  • Watering may need to increase with warmer weather and the possibility of drying, northerly winds. Deep watering twice a week will keep most plants in good condition. Water and feed container-grown plants regularly.

 

  • It is far better to water occasionally and deeply than to water often and lightly.

 

  • Fill a pottery bowl with water for the birds. In dry times, the birds will greatly appreciate the water and will return regularly.

 

  • All climbers must be tied regularly to frames, trellis or wire mesh to prevent them from smothering nearby plants.

 

  • Slow release fertilisers are particularly useful in the garden. For pot plants, you will find a once-a-year feeder, as well as specific formulations for trees, shrubs, citrus and roses.

 

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