Spring growth is exploding! There is always plenty to do in the spring garden but do take the time to enjoy the fresh new growth and the colours.
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Here are a few tasks that warrant some attention now:
Stake tall-growing perennials before they get too tall and fall over.
Aim to keep on top of the weeds.
Start mulching in preparation for the summer heat.
Plant out annuals such as petunias, phlox, marigolds, asters, zinnias and nasturtiums. Protect against frost if forecast and against slugs and snails.
Lawns benefit from regular, light applications of nitrogenous fertiliser.
Spray with an appropriate weedicide if necessary, for broadleaf weed control. Keep a separate watering can just for use when applying weedicides to avoid costly errors.
There is little doubt that the flavour of home-grown tomatoes leaves the well-travelled supermarket ones for dead.
Feed your pot plants now, too.
Look out for self-sown seedlings and move them to new locations before they get too big.
Self seeders include digitalis (foxgloves), myosotis (forget-me-nots), nigella (love-in-the-mist), coreopsis, oenthera (evening primrose), many daisies, California poppies and poppies. Don’t mistake the little seedlings for weeds!
Now is your last chance to plant summer-flowering bulbs such as nerines, amaryllis, hippeastrums and daylilies.
In the vegie garden, a simple, easy way to grow climbing beans, cucumbers or even pumpkins is to grow them on an arch.
Metal arches can be purchased from local nurseries. Some that come packed in a cardboard box are not very strong but are great for climbing vegies and also add some structure and height to the garden.
Scarlet runner beans will easily reach the top of the arch, have fabulous red flowers, and die down over winter to regrow next spring.
The taller-growing varieties of tomatoes can also be a good on an archway. If you grew cherry tomatoes last year, it is likely you will have self-sown seedlings and all you need to do is water them.
There is little doubt that the flavour of home-grown tomatoes leaves the well-travelled supermarket ones for dead.
It’s nearly peak rose season. Stage 2 of the heritage Rose Garden at Saumarez is due to be opened in mid-November.
The garden is looking fabulous and worth making a trip to see how much it has grown and what a terrific asset it is to both Saumarez and Armidale.
The club’s next meeting is on Thursday, November 22 at 7.30pm in the Uniting Church Hall. Everyone is welcome.
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