Winter jobs in the garden
June.
A good time of year to tackle heavy construction work in the garden. You will not get as exhausted as you can in summer heat.
Sharpen tools, oil timber handles and make sure the mower has sharp blades and a healthy spark plug.
Conifers and Camellias are at their peak in gardens and nurseries, now is the time to plant.
If you have a spot for a bare root tree, shrub or rose – now is the time to prepare the site by turning in some compost.
In the vege patch plant Lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, silver beat, onions.
July.
Plant and transplant deciduous plants now, July and August is the only time we offer trees as "bare root" stock. The plants are better value, they are much easier to transport (without potting mix) and there is the best range in stock right now .
This is the time to prune most Roses (the exception is Banksia Roses which should not be pruned until after they flower in spring) Grape Vines and fruit trees. Use Lime Sulfur spray after pruning. Check and treat any signs of borers in deciduous trees.
Prepare vege gardens now for the spring planting. Dig over any bare areas, add compost and manure
Seed Potatoes are in stock for planting now.
Water plants minimally through the cooler weather as waterlogging can be a problem, especially with pot plants and indoors.
Lawns are basically asleep over winter, for most grasses this is their dormant period, so you are best to leave them alone! Come early spring they will benefit from a “wake up” fertiliser to kick start their summer growth. Don’t think about top dressing until after growth has begun in spring and at least one mow has been required.
August.
Early spring colour is happening with Azaleas, Japonica Camellias and Diosma. When Camellias have finished give them a light prune if required.
Spray stone fruit trees with a copper fungicide at bud swell.
Watch your lawn for broadleaf weeds. These can take off before the lawn “wakes up” and you may need to spray.
This is the time to lift and divide Agapanthus.
posted by Evan Prentice - 2009-07-20