Welcome To Our Notes For September
Spring is here! It feels like we’ve been waiting forever to see the end of our very cold winter. While we’re still going to have some cooler, showery days, we’re finally seeing some sunshine and temperatures approaching 20 degrees. Our gardens certainly know it’s spring—there are flowers and new growth everywhere!
Summer Veggies & Flowers Are Here—Tips For Planting In Cooler Soil
All the summer veggies are in stores now, and even though you might be eager to start planting, the soil is still too cold for tomatoes, capsicum, basil, and chili to go directly into the ground. We need the soil temperature to reach around 20 degrees (at least a couple more weeks away). In the meantime, you can pot these up in 140mm or 200mm pots and let them grow. Last year, my tomatoes were nearly 50cm high and flowering before it was warm enough.
Summer flowers are also in and ready to go; most of these are not as temperature-sensitive as the veggies. I planted out petunias over the weekend. If you’re doing any planting, keep in mind that there are plenty of snails around at the moment. To prevent your plants from disappearing overnight, sprinkle some snail bait around. There are iron-based snail pellets available now, which are a much more pet-friendly option than those containing metaldehyde.
Speaking of fertilising, it’s time to feed most plants in our gardens. Lawns are beginning to grow now that we’ve had some sunshine, so they’ll be looking for a feed. Fruit trees, berries, and grapevines are all coming to life and will need nutrients to help them set and develop this season’s fruit. As always, keep giving citrus a light feed monthly. Indoor plants will also need feeding at this time of year, either with a liquid or slow-release fertiliser. Repot them now if necessary, but be careful not to go more than one pot size up.
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Preparing Your Garden For Warmer Weather: Watering, Mulching, And Irrigation Tips
As we move into warmer weather, it’s important to keep an eye on watering in the garden. I have quite a few pots at home and have been watering them regularly for some time. I’ve also just applied my early spring mulch layer to help conserve soil moisture and keep weeds under control. Even with mulching, I still need to hand-pull and spot-spray to manage weeds, especially soursobs, which should ideally be controlled when they start to flower, as this weakens the chain of bulblets in the soil.
If you haven’t already done so, check your irrigation system to ensure it’s working properly. Replace drippers and sprays where necessary, clean out filters, and mend any leaks. It’s also a good idea to inspect hoses and hose fittings now. O-rings can perish over time and may need replacing, while our harsh Australian sunshine can cause hoses and fittings to become brittle and crack.
Protect Your Citrus & Roses: Seasonal Care Tips And New Arrivals In Store
Citrus gall wasp is an increasingly prevalent problem in South Australia. These pests target fresh new growth to lay their eggs, causing unsightly raised lumps called “galls” on the branches of citrus trees. The wasp larvae develop inside these galls and emerge in October/November to continue the cycle. Spraying with White Oil or Eco Oil can act as a deterrent to egg-laying and also help control citrus leaf miner, another pest that attacks plants around this time.
Roses are now showing strong new growth, which means they’ll need feeding. Keep an eye on them for mildew and black spot if we experience warm and moist weather. Aphids attacking new growth are another concern, but they can be easily treated with a spray or even just a burst of water from the hose. New season potted roses have arrived in stores. Bush, floribunda, climbing, and standard roses are all available, with a wide selection of varieties, including old favorites like Just Joey, Mr. Lincoln, and Peace, along with a good range of new releases. Easy to grow in the ground or in pots if space is limited, all they really need is at least half a day’s sun to thrive.
Another collection of plants back in stock are the Alstroemeria, commonly called Peruvian Lily. These plants love our climate, thriving in even the hottest, most exposed spots with minimal care. The most common now are the dwarf varieties, growing approximately 25-40cm tall in clumps up to 50cm wide, and they come in a huge range of colors. Grown in full sun or part shade, they will provide months of color in the garden, especially if you pull off the old flower stems, which encourages a flush of new flowers.
Final Notes
As I said earlier, spring is definitely happening, and it’s a lovely change to be able to get out and enjoy the garden without needing to put on extra layers and a beanie. Now that it’s a bit sunnier, be mindful to stay sun-smart by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen.
Ask one of our knowledgeable garden staff members for advice if you have any questions regarding anything having to do with your garden, indoors or out. We would be pleased to lead you on the correct path. Call us on 1300 165 165 or visit your local store.