The season is shaping up to be a terrific spring with most dams and water storages full and the water table also at capacity.
Spring brings with it several weeks of westerly winds which can dry the garden out surprisingly quickly.
Mulch around plants, especially any you have recently planted, and also any bare areas of soil to limit moisture loss as much as possible.
A sure sign that spring is just around the corner are the wattles with their glorious yellows, in flower across the district, both in gardens and in tree lines along roadsides and in paddocks.
Spring brings with it several weeks of westerly winds which can dry the garden out surprisingly quickly.
There are many varieties that grow to varying sizes so there is bound to be one out there that will suit your garden.
There are gardening jobs that can keep both you and the garden in good shape in late winter and early spring.
Spray peaches and nectarines for leaf curl when the buds swell – once the buds begin to open it is too late.
Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials such as agapanthus, anemone (windflower), aster, bergenia, nepeta (catmint), liriope, campanula, perennial phlox, michelmas and shasta daisies, kniphofia (red hot poker), etc. Don’t leave this too late as it is easy to damage the new shoots.
Feed early spring flowering bulbs with a light dressing of complete fertiliser or liquid fertiliser as they appear. Dead-head winter irises.
You might also just have the opportunity to prepare to plant bare-rooted shrubs and trees.
To prepare holes for planting, make the hole large enough to take the roots without cramping them.
For trees and tall shrubs, put a stake in before planting, on the windward side of the plant to prevent rubbing. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and/or compost into the soil and put it all back into the hole until you get your plants from the nursery.
Avoid choosing plants that are already shooting.
Just a reminder that winter and early spring is the time when evergreen ground covers really earn their keep.
Often plants touted as great groundcovers for shady spots, such as hostas, agapanthus, trachelospermum, lily of the valley and ferns don’t stand up to our New England winters very well.
Take a look around your garden and consider replacing any that are not up to scratch. Good performers include epimedium, iris cristata, hellebores, liriope, mondo grass (ophiopogon), Viola hederacea (violets), Dichondra repens (kidney weed) and scleranthus (emerald cushion).
The Armidale Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30pm in the Uniting Church Hall. All members are encouraged to attend and new members and visitors are most welcome.
