Summer Gardening with Janita

Mulch is the catchword for this long, hot, dry Summer.

Whether it’s organic like sugar cane, tea tree, pea straw, lucerne or bark or inorganic like pebbles, there are four reasons to mulch - water conservation, weed suppression, keep the soil temperature constant and by using organic mulch you’re adding organic matter to the soil.  The depth of the mulch depends on the type you’re using.  About 6cm is ideal for coarse mulches.  You will need to apply a balanced organic fertiliser before mulching to avoid Nitrogen drawdown caused when soluble nitrogen is taken from the mulch during the decomposition process.  Nearly all plants and garden beds will benefit from a layer of mulch.

Pests to look out for this Summer:-

Fruit Fly – hang traps and use exclusion netting

Citrus leaf miner – use a horticultural spray oil

Scale – use a horticultural spray oil

Bronze orange bug – use Conguard spray or remove by hand (carefully)                           

Plants flowering around town include

Hydrangea, Buddleia, Agapanthus, Frangipani, Gardenia, Callistemon, Bougainvillea and Salvia

Annual flowers. vegetables and herbs to plant at this time of year include

Begonias, Vinca, Salvia, Portulaca, Pentas and Sunflowers

Basil, Chives, Tarragon, Parsley, Celery, Rosella, Corn, Beans, Radish and Tomato        

The main thing to do now is to keep your plants healthy and get them through the worst of Summer.  The best way to do this is by using a liquid fertiliser regularly. We now stock a product called Grow.  This a certified organic product that comes in a bottle that can be refilled at the nursery.

Come in and talk to the team about how this product can help your plants and help you reduce waste.

https://groworganically.com.au/