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| Thursday, March 29, 2007 |
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MARCH - TIPS
By SuperUser @ 8:13 AM :: 543 Views ::
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The first month of Autumn in the garden, time to sow and plant for lots of colour in the Winter and Spring garden and for Winter and spring eating in the vegetable patch.
Continue to tidy and trim spent perennials and pull out Summer flowering annuals which have become unsightly. Plant winter flowering annuals, pansies, violas, foxglove, primula, wallflowers, stock, iceland poppies, nemesia and cornflowers. Before planting mix together a teaspoon of potash with about a cup of blood and bone to the square metre of garden bed and rake into the soil. Water seedlings in well with a seaweed extract to reduce transplant shock and encourage strong root development.
Now is the time to plant or lift and divide perennials. Drifts of grasses, flax and Dianella look most effective when interspersed with bands of kangaroo paws for an Australian version of a prairie garden
Perennials to plant now include arctotis, ajuga, penstemon, geum, salvia gaillardia, arctotis and salvia.
Bulb planting is a priority in March and April and these fragile seeming plants are tough and undemanding to grow. Try planting scarlet tulips with euphorbia mysinites whose lime green flowers are on display at the same time. Ipheion look good in drifts under deciduous trees, flower for up to six weeks in Spring and are extremely hardy. However take care as they can become a weed if neglected. Drifts of deep blue grape hyacinths (Muscari) look wonderful interplanted with scarlet or red anemone or ranunculus. Most bulbs enjoy an open sunny position in well drained soil, however woodland bulbs such as crocus and bluebells will tolerate light shade. Plant bulbs at the correct depth, about three times the width of the bulb is a good rule to follow.
Dig in some compost and a complete bulb food at planting time and again when flowering is finished, allow the foliage to die back naturally as this ensures the growth of the bulb next season. Tulips should be placed in the fridge for about six weeks before planting.
Autumn in the edible garden is a delightful time as the worst of the heat of summer is gone but there is still enough warmth to ensure strong growth before Winter.
Sow seed of carrot and beetroot, Asian vegetables and spring onions. Broad beans can be sown over the next few weeks. Plant seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. Time also to plant green manure, try broad beans, lupins, or oats, slash and dig in before flowering in early Spring.
In the herb garden take cuttings of sage, lavender, thyme and scented geraniums, sow seed of dill, coriander, chervil, borage and parsley and plant plenty of garlic cloves, individually, pointy end up and cover lightly.
Time to think ahead and plan for bare rooted purchases this winter, if you have something special or specific in mind talk to the team here at Meredith Nursery .One group of plants which have come through the drought with flying colours have been the Malus (Crabapples) there are many varieties of this small tree, all are attractive, with a beautiful display of flowers in Spring, a crop of tiny apples in reds and yellows in summer, followed by a glorious burst of colour in Autumn.
For visual impact in the garden a grouping of trees can be most effective, one that is particularly striking is Eucalyptus caesia (Gungurru) this small tree has a graceful weeping habit and silvery foliage which looks great in a wide variety of garden situations. For a similar effect in a non-native try the olive, a tough small tree with a graceful habit, it also makes a great specimen in a pot for a courtyard.
Consider replacing some of the losses from the drought with our own native plants. Once established they drought tolerant and are tough and undemanding. There are many beautiful groundcovers, specimen plants, shrubs and small and large trees for a range of situations and they can be incorporated with exotics in your garden most effectively. It is important to remember however that they dislike phosphorus, so always use a low phosphorus fertilizer formulated for native plants.
The dry conditions of the past few years have been important in focusing our attention on the way we approach our gardens, with so many beautiful plants now available which have low water needs we can continue to enjoy gardening and our gardens.
Did You Know
The Victorian Government is giving a $30 rebate on the purchase of one or more water saving products with a combined value of $100
Visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au for more waterwise information |
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