There’s lots to do around the garden as the weather warms up. Here are 10 jobs to get you started. Pot up some summer annuals, such as petunias, so you’ll have plenty of colour for Christmas. Fertilise lawns with a slow-release, organic-based lawn food. Admire the spring roses, but don’t forget to check for (and … Continue reading 10 gardening jobs to do this month
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If you dream of devouring home-grown watermelon this summer, now is the time to take action in most areas. Here’s how. Sow seed directly in the soil. If it’s still a bit chilly where you are, start seed in pots in a warm, sunny spot, and plant them out next month when the soil has warmed … Continue reading Grow your own watermelon
What’s the difference between organic and inorganic fertilisers, liquid and pelletised? What’s in them, and which is best for a given situation? Here are six different types, and how they work. Compost and manures make wonderful soil conditioners, as they encourage microbial activity, improve soil structure and increase the soil’s moisture- and nutrient-holding capacity, but … Continue reading Which fertiliser should I use?
A herb wheel is a simple and attractive way to grow several herbs in a small space. Here’s how to create this fun and practical garden bed. Choose a sunny spot not too far from the kitchen, then clear the area and improve the soil. Run a string line from a central peg to mark … Continue reading Make a herb wheel
Steppers are the finishing touch to a garden, creating pathways through beds, and connections between different zones. To soften their edges, consider adding some plants. Here are three choices to get you started. Kidney weed (Dichondra repens) Widely used as a grass substitute in shady spots, this native groundcover has creeping stems and circular green … Continue reading Step this way!
These highly ornamental fruit trees produce bright orange fruit in winter, and scented white flowers in spring. They make good-looking pot plants on a balcony, patio or couryard. Here are some tips for keeping yours thriving and producing. Any citrus grown in pots need extra attention to thrive, including regular fertiliser, trace elements and water. … Continue reading Q&A: How to care for potted cumquats
August is a crossover month in the patch, as the last winter vegies are eaten, and beds are cleared for summer crops. It’s also the last chance to plant bare-rooted specimens of deciduous fruit trees. Here are 10 jobs to do in the edible garden. Prepare beds for summer vegies by weeding, digging in compost, … Continue reading 10 things to do in your edible garden