Everyday something new and beautiful greats me in our garden, this week fragrant lilac, peony rose's, sweet-peas, English abutilon and KÅwhai to please the birds.
If you need to shift rhododendrons, azalea's or camellia's do it immediately after flowering, before they put on their new season growth, and if your spring flowering shrubs are in need of a trim prune them back once they have finished flowering.
Mulch right now will help keep the moisture we now have deep down where it will be needed if we get those October winds. Mulch breaking down into soil will not only retain moisture but improves soil structure while suppressing weed growth. Mulch can be straw, grass clippings, soft hedge clippings or weed free compost to keep exposed soil from baking while plants are establishing. To create a new top soil continual mulching plus gypsum breaking down into clay or poor draining soil will eventually convert poor soil into good growing soil.
Geraniums and pelargoniums are available now and should be planted in a sunny position where roots will never sit in water. Fuchsias are also on offer, they benefit from moist soil and afternoon shade to thrive as do hydrangeas, both fuchsias and hydrangeas take over from spring flowering shrubs to give summer and autumn colour and there are so many beautiful varieties to choose from.
Dahlias, will be shooting now, tubers will rot if sitting in wet ground too long, good drainage and full sun is the place for them.
Roses should now have new growth, this is the month to feed them with slow release Fertiliser which will add nutrients to roots when ever water is applied.
Potted plants also need slow release fertiliser, re-pot any plants that have been in the same container for more than three years. Pot bound plants will need have the root ball removed using a sharp spade, and can probably g into the same pot once most of the old potting mix is removed and fresh mix and water crystals are packed around the roots.
Cymbidium orchids can be divided and re-potted now if crowded, and time to look for shoots appearing on tuberous begonias, if they are beginning to move divide if needed by slicing with a sharp knife at an eye then bed into damp sawdust until ready to plant.
Water lilies are available this month and need to be planted in a basket lined with sphagnum moss or a double layer of chux dish cloths, then add garden soil, slow release fertiliser or manure, more soil then the lily and lastly a thick layer of shingle placed on top to help weigh the basket down in the water and stop the fertiliser / manure leaching out which will create green slime growth in the pond..
Lawns:
Moss will be a problem in lawns after all the rain, I will be dealing to mine with sulphate of iron watered on with a watering can ( directions on the back of pack). Moss will turn black and die, rack out with a metal rake, loosen soil and re-sow with grass seed. Poor drainage, shade or compacted soil will be the reason moss takes hold. Aerating with a fork or spiky shoes a top dressing with compost will add humus and encourage worms. Lawn weed spraying will work now also, I like to spot spray only in the hope of missing as many worms as I can.
Fruit and veg:
Right now in the veg garden there will be potatoes being mounded, planting of beans and salad greens, peas, and beetroot. Pumpkin, corn can be planted now also. That fabulous pig manure is on offer again, spread on top of soil to suppress weeds and the worms will take it down
Grapes are beginning to show leaf, if dampness hangs about they could be affected by fungus, if noticed spray with an organic fungicide while growth is new and continue until day's become hot and dry
Codling moths: If you have had trouble in the past with codling moth, get traps in place now before fruit forms, codling moths attack apples, pears, walnuts, quinces, crab apples and stone fruit such as plums and peaches. The females lay their eggs on the foliage near a young fruit and when the grub hatches it crawls to the fruit and eats its way inside. Once inside it is very hard to control. After a period of time of feeding it emerges and forms a cocoon in the loose bark or under the tree, where it will winter over to emerge as a moth in the spring/summer and start the cycle again. A female moth can lay up to 300 eggs during her short life. Some trees never attract the moth, but if one does you can be sure others will be chosen close by. Eradication of codling moth, quarter fill a tin or plastic milk container with treacle and hang in the tree to attract male grubs, the treacle is said to smell like the female pheromone which will attract the male grub into the container to reach a sticky end. A double bonus is that the treacle will attract grub eating birds.
Rockvale Garden in Weston is full of spring beauty right now and open daily, bring a picnic, seating is plenty, toilet available / donation entry.
Cheers, Linda
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