About the Garden is published seasonally by JC & AT Searle Pty. Ltd. ABN 14 002 898 893 4914 D’Aguilar Highway, Kilcoy or P.O. Box 183, Kilcoy Qld. 4515 Ph: (07) 5422 3000 atg@aboutthegarden.com.au
• Faster & stronger new plant establishment.
• Improves soils & adds nutrients.
• Feeds plants for 6 months.
see what’s new at your local gardening outlet
Cyclamen Illusia® ‘Dragon Blue’
Worlds first unique blue coloured cyclamen.
The Illusia Cyclamen bred in the Netherlands has won numerous awards across the world and it is making its way to Australian gardens this year. The unique flower shape of Illusia makes this is a very striking and attractive plant. Flowering is quite compact and upright. A large number of flowers that continue to develop the longevity of the plant is excellent. A perfect potted gift and for indoor displays.
Searles Cyclamen & African Violet is an ideal potting mix to suit their draining requirements and promote strong flowering and general plant health.
It is hard to find a great plant with lots of bright blue flowers. Here we have an improved version of Evolvulus, dwarf and spreading in its habit, which flowers its head off. This plant makes a statement in frost free gardens.
Keep soil moist with good drainage. Any well prepared garden in sun to semi-shade will be suitable. Liquid feed every two weeks with Searles Flourish Flowers & Foliage Soluble Plant Food to keep the plant flowering.
Brachyscome Fresco Candy
Brachyscome ‘Fresco Candy’ & ‘Brasco Violet’ display large showy, daisy like flowers over many months from spring through to autumn. Their easy care, compact mound habit suits displays for containers and hanging baskets, mixed borders, ground cover and will spill over retaining walls or rockery walls. Ideal for cottage, native or wild flower gardens. Grows well in most soil types given good drainage. Water wise once established but should be given occasional deep watering during extended periods of heat. Regular light trims will encourage repeat flowering and maintain a neat habit.
Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring for optimum results.
Brachyscome Brasco Violet
Is it possible to grow a simply gorgeous hydrangea in full sun?
With Hydrangea ‘Sundae Fraise’, it now is. Beautifully compact in form and literally covered in large flowers that begin green, turning to pure white and then to varied shades of pink. ‘Sundae Fraise’ is a true show-stopper, stunning for summer and autumn colour, it is easily cultivated and fast-growing while remaining compact, making it the ideal choice for smaller gardens, patios, balconies and shaded entertainment areas.
In pots, plant in Searles Platinum Potting Mix for long term feeding of hydrangea’s special needs.
This outstanding new Hydrangea paniculata produces conical, creamy white flowers on deep red stems for an impressive and unforgettable visual display. As the flowers age they gently change to shades of pale and deeper pinks. ‘Candlelight’ is an elegant, yet extremely hardy shrub with strong stems ensuring that flowers are held proudly upright from late summer through to the autumn season.
Growing notes: If you live in warmer areas of Australia, please check with your local gardening expert to ensure the best sun requirements for the hydrangeas mentioned on this page.
3IN1 colour
Long Flowering Flower Colour Transformation
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Diamond Rouge’ offers the reddest flower colour of this variety. During early summer it unfurls large white flower heads that gradually morph through a stunning range of pinks as summer progresses, culminating in spectacular shades of red in early autumn. ‘Diamond Rouge’ is a sun hardy Hydrangea making it great for many contemporary garden situations and has low maintenance requirements. Its bushy habit makes them great for courtyard pot displays.
Autumn is a time in the garden when colour is bountiful. Aside from the gardens, the indoor plants are bursting at the stems with colour, from the cyclamen to the African violet and anthuriums. For a more classical indoor flower, many orchids are in bloom. For outdoors, protea plants are amazing outside autumn bloomers or as a long-lasting cut flower indoor.
In the garden, the ever-popular geraniums are flowering and look great in hanging pots with their flowers and stems draped over the edges. Gerberas are an old time favourite but keep Searles Trifend handy for any sign of powdery mildew or rust.
Roses are coming back from the exhausting hot summer and putting on a display before winter. Chrysanthemum and dahlias are in full bloom. There are several lilies making their presence noted, and these make a great addition to a garden as a sudden pop of flowers when you have forgotten where you planted them. If you are lucky enough to be in a cooler region then you can start planting the violas and pansies, never a failure with these.
Geraniums are ideal for autumn planting. These hardy plants prefer well-draining soil enriched with organic matter and a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight daily. Autumn planting allows geraniums to establish their root systems before the onset of winter, ensuring vigorous growth and blooms in spring. Regular watering is important. Prune dead or leggy stems to promote flush new growth.
You will find some beautiful Autumn flowering orchids in stores. Phalaenopsis are the easiest to care for. Blooms appear on long, arching stems for up to six months of the year. Cattleyas are also a popular pick due to their large blooms and dynamic colours. Some are also fragrant which adds to the enjoyment of growing them in pots on patios when light is plentiful.
When potted into pots, orchids require an open mix of specially graded pine bark to allow optimum air space as well as provide suitable water holding capacity. Ideally use Searles Orchid Specialty Mix for best results. Orchids only require repotting every one to two years. They are happiest when their roots are dangling over the sides of the pot, so only repot them when they look like they are about to topple over.
Chrysanthemum
Some banksias are flowering now
Lomandra ‘Lady Tanika’
Beautiful, green, cascading tussock leaves of the Lomandra
‘Lady Tanika®’ and Lomandra ‘Shara Blue’ are a revolution in Lomandra breeding. Both are a compact, clumping plant, beautiful with its fine leaves but also highly diseaseresistant. Excellent for lowmaintenance landscapes, rooftop gardens and boggy areas.
Unlike male Lomandras, Lady Tanika® does not attract ants, significantly reducing the risk of root rot. Its leaves stay clean with fewer blemishes, and its flowers are selfcleaning, maintaining a neat appearance for longer periods.
In spring, Shara™ Blue Lomandra blooms with masses of golden-yellow flowers that contrast beautifully against its blue foliage tones.
Pandorea ‘Flat White’
Dense and compact climber Perfect for narrow spaces Only needs pruning twice a year
With masses of pure white flowers in late spring/summer and its more compact, dense foliage, Ozbreed Flat White™ Pandorea is ideal for narrow spaces. A climber for covering fences and trellises, ideal for narrow spaces.
Full sun to part shade. Suits most soil types. Moderate frost tolerance and good drought tolerance. Prune twice per year for a narrow tight climber.
‘Desert Flame’ produces a mass of long lived golden flowers above silver-grey foliage. If planted above retaining walls or in garden planters it will spill down the sides for a stunning cascading effect. Flowers all year long in S.E. Qld. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Ideal for ground cover, in pots, among trees and shrubs or as a border in open garden beds. Prune when the plant looks a little tired.
Stromanthe sanguinea
‘Triostar’
The Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’ is a striking tropical plant known for its vibrant, variegated foliage. Its long, lance-shaped leaves showcase a stunning mix of green, cream, and pink hues on the upper surface, while the undersides boast a rich purple-red tone. This eye-catching plant thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity, making it ideal for indoor spaces or shaded patios. A member of the prayer plant family, its leaves gently fold up at night, adding to its charm.
Philodendron
‘White Princess’
The Philodendron ‘White Princess’ is prized for its elegant variegated foliage. Its glossy, arrow-shaped leaves feature striking splashes of pure white, cream, and green, creating a sophisticated and artistic appearance. This slow-growing, low-maintenance plant flourishes in bright, indirect light and prefers well-draining soil with consistent humidity to maintain its variegation.
Fittonias are compact, low-growing houseplants with striking, veined leaves in shades of green, white, pink, or red. Perfect for adding a pop of colour to terrariums or indoor spaces.
Hanging
Epipremnum (commonly known as Pothos) around a mirror creates a lush, cascading frame that adds a natural, vibrant touch to any space.
Rex Begonia Silver features intricate patterns of silver, green, and sometimes hints of purple or pink. The textured, heart-shaped leaves have a metallic sheen that makes them stand out. Position in bright, indirect light and humid environments, Rex Begonias prefer well-draining, lightly moist soil.
Rex Begonia Silver
Autumn is a season of transformation, where trees and shrubs put on a breathtaking display of fiery reds, golden yellows, and warm oranges before shedding their leaves. This vivid change in foliage occurs as plants prepare for the colder months, reducing chlorophyll production and revealing underlying pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, autumnal colours signal a shift in the natural world, marking the culmination of the growing season and the beginning of dormancy. These changes create a picturesque landscape, offering both gardeners and nature enthusiasts an opportunity to appreciate the fleeting beauty of the season.
Choose plants suited to your local soil and climate conditions. Some deciduous trees may perform better in cooler microclimates within warmer zones.
Australia’s diverse climatic zones allow for a variety of trees and shrubs that showcase stunning autumnal colours. Here’s a guide to some top plants for autumnal displays, categorized by climatic zones.
Liquidambar
Acer rubrum var.
Swamp cyperus
Chinese Tallow
Ginkgo ‘Lemonlimebilobaspire’
Temperate
Zones (e.g. Syd, Melb, Adel)
• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
- Fiery red, orange, and gold foliage.
• Claret Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia ‘Raywood’)
- Deep burgundy leaves.
• Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)
- Bright red, orange, and yellow tones.
• Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Rich reds, purples, and yellows.
• Golden Ash (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea’)
- Vivid yellow foliage.
Cool/Mountain Zones
• European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
- Stunning orange and copper hues.
• Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) - Red and orange foliage.
• Crabapple (Malus spp.)
- Yellow, orange, or red leaves, often paired with ornamental fruit.
• River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) - Bark colour changes paired with muted leaf transitions.
Lagerstoemia - ‘Diamonds in the Dark’ range, featuring near-black foliage
Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’
Malus ‘Crimson Knight’
Yellow
Ginko biloba
Gleditsia ‘Sunburst’ & ‘Sunmaster’
Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea’ - golden ash
Populus ‘Italica’
Betula nigra - tropical birch
Prunus persica - peach & cherry
Orange
Taxodium distichum - Swamp Cyperus
‘Blush Bloom’
Silver Birch
Crab apples
Maple Acer ‘Pixie’
Acacia ‘Limelight’
Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’
With colour foliage that is evergreen there are some native plants that hit the mark. Even the humble bottlebrush have varieties that have spectacular foliage like Callistemon ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and ‘Red Alert’. Often grey foliage is used to pop other colours in the garden, as photographers often use grey backdrops to accent the subject. Wonderful examples of these are Eremophila glabra prostrate ‘Blue Horizon™’ or Westringia ‘Grey Box ™’, they don’t have to be the stars of the garden but help the heroes of the garden shine.
Other colours that excite in a garden are lime shades, Nandina ‘Lemon Lime’ or Ipomea ‘Lime’ sweet potato. Of course there are all the rich maroon colours such as Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’, Azalea purperea, Alternanthera and Cordyline ‘Firestorm’.
Check out even more varieties with a huge range of colour: Coprosmos, Sedums, Coleus and Euonymus.
Photinias are great screening plants & boast red leaf new foliage
Senecio ‘Blue Chalk Sticks’
Pennisetum ‘Little Red Riding Hood’
Nandina ‘Lemon lime’
Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’
Olives
Plant olive trees in autumn in a sunny position in large pots or placed as a feature in the garden. Olives flourish in cool winters with hot dry summers with low humidity. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts and dry conditions. They need some cooling time to be more productive. Olive trees can take up to 7 years to fruit.
Figs
Apples
Many apple varieties are ready for harvest from late summer to autumn, some with extended fruiting time well into late winter. Some apples need a second tree for pollination.
Shepard
avocadoes fruit between February and May. Autumn is an ideal time to plant most varieties of avocadoes.
Persimmons
Persimmons can grow in a range of climates, from subtropical to cold temperate. Nonastringent varieties are well suited to subtropical regions, while frosttolerant varieties are better for cooler areas.
Plant in autumn, winter, or spring. Some cultivars need two trees to be planted for cross-pollination. Persimmons are in season from late February to mid June.
Figs produce two crops annually, autumn and spring, so now is ideal to plant one. Fig trees love a hot, fairly dry climate similar to their native Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, yet they are ideal for most parts of Australia where frosts aren’t excessive.
Pomegranates
Harvesting usually takes place from March to May. Skin colour can be an indication of ripeness, however colours differ between varieties, so check the label of your chosen variety for harvesting tips.
Plant in full sun. If planting, prepare your site with compost, soil improvers, or composted manure, and make sure the soil is free draining. Pomegranates love hot, dry places!
Pear trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements) you can grow pear in warm and subtropical regions of Australia too.
Pears are deciduous trees, losing their leaves in winter and blossoming in spring, with fruit developing over summer - ready for harvest from mid-summer to early winter depending on the variety.
Some varieties of pear will need a second tree for pollination, others are self-fertile. Pick the best variety for your climate.
Pears
Are scallions and spring onions the same variety? What is the difference between green onions and spring onions? Are leeks the same as spring onions, just more mature. Lets delve into the family genus of Allium and answer these common confusing questions. It is all in the name.
If it has long slender green leaves and a white end fresh from the garden or greengrocer, what have you selected? For the sake of easy recognition we use their Latin names to tell them apart. In different parts of the world and even from state to state, the names often differ. A recipe from one region state to use green onions, but in another region they are called spring onion, both are from the same species. Just to make it that bit harder, many refer to shallots when they mean green onions or scallions.
Green onions or scallions or spring onion have green leaves with white bottoms. The entire plant is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are milder than the white portion. Green onion are young onions or cropped before they fully mature or develop a bulb. Scallion are when they mature a little more and the bulb is just start to develop.
Shallots look like a small onion and are milder in flavour. They can be eaten raw or cooked and have a milder flavour.
Leeks are usually served cooked and using all the white portion and only lightest colour of the lower leaves. The oldest and darker part of the leaves (upper most) are tougher and not very nice to eat.
Allium fistulosum
Green onions or Allium fistulosum is also commonly called spring onions in Australia.
Scallions or Allium fistulosum is also commonly called spring onion or bunching onion or green onions.
Spring onions or Allium fistulosum is also commonly called Welsh onion or green onion or scallions.
Allium ampeloprasum Leeks.
Allium cepa gr. or Aggregatum synonymus with Allium cepa gr. ascalonicum or commonly called shallots.
simple recipes made from garden kitchen produce
Baked Pear with Gorgonzola Cheese
Whether for a in-season dessert or an appetizer, this easy bake dish will impress.
Prepare
3 ripe soft pears, halved, deseeded*
1 tablespoon honey + more to serve
Sprigs thyme
6 teaspoons soft blue cheese like gorgonzola
Walnuts, to garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* This recipes make 6 serves.
Place a teaspoon of soft gorgonzola or any other blue cheese into each pear centre. Garnish with walnuts and drizzle with more honey if desired. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You can serve these baked pears both warm and cold. www.aboutthegarden.com.au for more recipes, visit
Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Place pear halves flesh-facing up on a baking dish and drizzle with honey. Place thyme on top and bake for 10 minutes or until the flesh is soft enough when pierced with a fork. Let cool.
Moroccan chicken, olives & preserved lemons
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1.5kg chicken thigh, diced
Prepare
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
5 preserved lemon slices
1 cup green or black olives, pitted
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup of coriander, loosely chopped
Combine spices together in a large bowl. Pat dry chicken before coating with spices. Marinate chicken in spices for one hour.
Add to large frying pan olive oil, brown chicken lightly. Add garlic and onions, bring heat to low, cover pan with a lid and cook for approximately 15 minutes. Stir chicken.
Add lemon slices, olives and water, cover and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked and tender.
Serve
Mix coriander through once cooked and serve on a bed of either couscous or rice.
Potato & leek pie
Ingredients
750g potatoes, peeled and diced
3 tbs butter
4 medium leeks, sliced
2 tbs white wine
150g cheddar, grated
3 tbs parsley, fresh, chopped
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
150g creme fraiche, reduced fat
Shortcrust pastry to line pie dish
Prepare
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Cook potatoes in a pot of boiling water until softened, drain water well.
Melt butter in a large pan and cook the leeks until softened. Stir in the wine, cheese, parsley, mustard and creme fraiche and heat through for 2 minutes.
Stir in the potatoes and mix well. Add mixture to an already shortcrust lined round pie dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
There is not just one type of composting method, there is open air composting, tumbler composts, worm farms, direct composting into trenches and quite a few more types. Decomposition of organic matter can be a slow process, but this may vary with which composting method you choose. Here we look at traditional layering method.
What materials can be used?
For composting to be successful a layering method of ingredients is important for the traditional composting method. Often what you’re adding to the compost pile is either called brown or green waste. Brown waste includes straw, shredded paper, sawdust, twigs, dry leaves, bark chips, potting mix or light cardboard. Green waste can include scraps from the kitchen including eggshells, vegetable scraps, table scraps and fruit scraps, plant clippings and grass.
To achieve optimal drainage for the traditional compost method, start with small thin branches or twigs as this gives larger gaps for air flow and for the pile to drain well. The layers can be up to 150cm each, and you alternate between one green and two brown waste and give it a light hose after each layer. Top off the pile with paper and then water. Some like to top this with sawdust, soil, potting mix or compost previously made to reduce odour. If your compost bin has a lid you can cover it with a lid as well.
Now for the muscle, every week or two turn the pile. The more aeration the quicker it breaks down. In schools,
tumbler compost bins work well as you have a seemingly endless supply of children who want to take turns spinning the handle. Remember the smaller the pieces added to the pile the quicker they breakdown. When the contents are brown and fine and all the individual parts have blended it is ready to use. The amount of time will vary from region to region and what has been added to the pile but usually it takes months to a year to breakdown.
Can every bit of garden waste go into compost bins?
Not every bit of waste can or should be placed in your compost bin. Putting in diseased plants in a compost bin does not automatically kill off the problems. Fungal disease spores can live months in the warm moist conditions and then reinfect the gardens when the compost is used to replenish beds. Toxic plants should also be avoided when composting. Some items like meat scraps, grease, oils, dairy products and whole eggs, will be slow to break down, and larger bones may not break down at all and attract rats or mice with the odour. Kitty litter and pet faeces or manure from sick animals should also be avoided for composting. Old timber that has been chemically treated or plants recently treated with pesticides or herbicides should also be avoided. Invasive plants or weeds that have gone to seed may survive the composting process and reinfest the garden when the compost is used.
allzones
autumn planting & care guide
many salvias blooming now
> Natives are susceptible to scale during autumn. Look out for evidence of these insects on leaf stems and branches on bottlebrushes (Callistemon and Melaleuca), lilly pillys (Syzygium), emu bushes (Eremophila) and wax flowers (Philotheca). Many banksias are in flower in autumn attracting birds from far and wide. The diversity of this genus will surely cater for any type of gardener and garden climates. Plant in Searles Native Plant Specialty Mix designed for Australian natives.
> Trim bougainvilleas and other out-of-control shrubs if they have grown too large for your garden over the summer.
> Some daisies, such as the federation daisies and Australian native brachyscome, have a style of classic beauty and elegance. Pretty, feminine flowers in gentle shades of mauve, pink, yellow or white give these long-time favourites a sense of calm and grace. Federation daisies are easy-care, compact shrubs and have long-lasting floral displays in autumn and spring. Brachyscome daisy flowers throughout the year in full sun or part shade. These daisies are great in Tuscan or cottage-style gardens and are beautiful teamed with rosemary hedges or lavender. Excellent in pots.
> Plant spring flowering bulbs now, like daffodil, jonquil, freesia, snowflake, anemone and bluebells. In warmer areas, wait until mid to late April before planting bulbs as they may flower before winter if planted too early!
3 IN 1 pest control - Searles Trifend is a triple action garden spray. It contains an insecticide, fungicide and miticide that controls common garden pests and diseases including aphids, thrips, blackspot, rust, powdery mildew and two-spotted mite. Suitable for roses, shrubs, flowering annuals and perennials.
> salvias
> pentas
> tibouchina
> red hot pokers
> euphorbia
> camellias sasanquas
> buddlejas
> Golden Penda var. Xanthostemon sp.
> sedum
> sweet peas
> pelargoniums
> geraniums
> heleniums
> rudbeckias
> hydrangeas
> daisies/argyranthemum
> cyclamens
> mandevillas
> ixoras
> gazanias
> calibrachoas/petunias
> grevilleas
> lobelias/marigold/nasturtium
> orchids
> abutilons
> pansies/violas/snapdragons
> dahlias
> plumbago
NOTE: This may vary in different climatic zones.
Pentas
Ixora
privacy plants
PRIVACY FOR SUNNY BALCONIES
Camellias
Bamboo
Lillypilly
Mandevilla
Star jasmine (perfumed)
Bird of paradise
Dwarf bougainvilleas
PRIVACY FOR SHADY BALCONIES
Climbing Hoya
Stephanotis (perfumed)
Ivys Abutilons
Hanging baskets may be looking tired now after a long summer. Rejuvenate them by pruning off any dead or straggly stems and sprinkle some Searles Recharge Fertiliser - Pots & Gardens, watering it in well. This fertiliser will boost plant growth for up to 12 months and reduce soil dryout.
Blackspot
Black spot is a prevalent fungal disease effecting roses. Black spots appear on leaves, quickly turning the leaf yellow and dropping off. Fungal diseases spread quickly during periods of wet weather, high humidity and the cooler seasons. Healthy plants are better at keeping black spot at bay. Control black spot early and improve the health of the effected plant by using a combination of organic liquid fertiliser
SeaMax Organic Fertiliser and Searles Rose Pro – Black spot and Insect killer.
So you have decided your plant needs a different home in your garden. A little bit of prep work will ensure your plant doesn’t suffer shock from the move.
Scale
The colourful foliage of cordylines, crotons, bromeliads, coleus, euphorbias can bring year-round colour to your garden and a tropical look to even cool-climate gardens. Surprisingly drought tolerant and easy to propagate.
Scale is an immobile, sap-sucking insect which can seriously weaken plants if it colonises in great numbers. Control with Searles Pest Gun. To use this spray effectively, spray onto insects directly to kill.
Bromeliads
Crotons
allzones
autumn planting & care guide
> Autumn is a great time to plant cool season vegetables, such as brassicas, cauliflower, celery, onion and cabbage. These veggies prefer an alkaline soil, so prepare garden beds by digging in garden lime - along with plenty of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser for good nutrition - at least two weeks before planting. If you’re limited for space, miniature varieties of these veggies can be grown in pots with Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix
> Planting citrus trees in autumn allows roots time to establish a little before winter. Fertilise citrus trees with Searles Fruit & Citrus Plant Food while fruit is forming to ensure bountiful crops later on. Keep trees well mulched, water them deeply and regularly. Yellowing older leaves can mean magnesium deficiency, in which case a dose of trace elements will correct any nutrient deficiency. Prune lower branches and dead branches to concentrate new growth into new branches and flowering.
> Autumn and winter are a great time to plant onions and spring onions. They tolerate poor soils and dislike fresh fertiliser. Good drainage is essential — raised beds in an open, airy position are ideal.
> Now is the time to plant peas (which includes snow peas). In frost-prone areas, sow seed by April. Choose a sunny spot with a trellis so they have something to climb onto. To promote flowering, fertilise with a liquid
Citrus leaf miner is a tiny insect that tunnels through the inside of leaves as it feeds. Control infestations of these pests with Searles Ecofend Fruit & Garden spray.
potash. Once mature, continual harvest will increase the crop.
> Plant cool-season herbs like coriander, chives, garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme, winter tarragon and rosemary, now. In the tropics, now is the time to plant basil, a warm season favourite in zones further south.
> Zucchini can be planted in the garden and in pots now. If planting in pots, one plant per pot. Use Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix for strong growth.
Autumn is perfect for planting passionfruit. Before planting passionfruit, ensure the vines have full sun and a fence or trellis to support them. Keep them well watered until established.
> Carrots can be planted now and are a favourite with children. They generally dislike being transplanted, so sow them directly where you want them to grow and thin them at a later date rather than starting them in seed trays. Carrots like poor, lump-free soil, so don’t add any fresh fertiliser into the soil at planting. Plant in full sun and keep them fairly moist.
Powdery mildew
With the cooler weather comes the diseases such as powdery mildew and rust on cucurbits and pome fruits. Spray with Mancozeb Plus when the risk of disease is high and repeat spray every 10 days.
Citrus leaf miner
>
Now that the last of the summer heat has passed, plant some quick sprouting greens for a culinary supply until the slower growing winter crops have time to produce a harvest. Micro greens, lettuce, dwarf beans, Asian greens (pak choy and chinese cabbage), sprouts, spring onions, peas, rocket and leafy herbs will produce a crop within weeks. Tip: plant seedlings for quicker produce. Ideal for small areas and in pots for easy reach. Plant in Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix for excellent deep green leaf growth.
Tomatoes can be grown again in warmer climates and cooler climates love this time of year. Give tomatoes a welldrained, compost rich soil, full sun and feed fortnightly with SeaMax Organic Fertiliser Liquid
Slugs & Snails
Slugs and snails. You will see these slimy creatures on the rampage in autumn and winter, either early mornings or at night. Control snails Searles Snail & Slug . These pellets have a pet and children taste deterrent. Alternately for organic control, use barrier netting on young veggies.
Strawberries grow well during the autumn season. Their pendulous rubyred fruit make ideal hanging basket, pot and planters displays for easy access and to protect the fruit from the touching the soil. Everywhere outside the tropics, new strawberry plants are best planted by late autumn. Tropical gardeners might prefer to put them in earlier, from March to May to give them the longest growing season. Give strawberries a sunny position and for hanging basket and pots, plant in Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix.
plant & grow by climatic zone
dirt doctor grubs in your lawn
Do you have unexplained sudden dead patches in your lawn?
You might have grubs or armyworm in your lawn and they can quickly devour the whole lawn within days. Armyworm are armycoloured, khaki-green caterpillars and are the larvae of moths of the Noctuidae family. Armyworm consume the leaves, stems and seed heads of grass. They can decimate entire lawn areas, leaving behind practically nothing but bare earth.
If you notice patches of lawn suddenly dying, this could be evidence of armyworm activity. You may also notice small, grey moths flying around your lawn. (These moths are armyworms in their adult stage, looking for a place to lay their eggs.)
Sprinkle Searles Dead Grub Pro evenly over the lawn where they are present and water it in well. The granular shaker bottle means there are no messy concoctions or spraying.
The Serenity Prayer
not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3, 5-6
Let nothing disturb thee.
Let nothing affright thee
All things pass
God never changes.
Patience gains all.
Who has God. Wants for nothing.
God alone suffices.
(St Teresa of Jesus)
FLOWERS
> Cyclamen (pictured) and cymbidium and Phalaenopsis orchids make perfect Mother’s Day gifts and indoor decor plant with their proud flowering stems and can be easily grown as an indoor plant in bright filtered sunlight.
> Dahlias, pentas, geraniums, salvias and mandevillas are showing their brilliance in the autumn garden.
> Large shrubs and trees looking their best during autumn are firewheel tree, ivory curl tree and golden penta.
EDIBLES
> Tomatoes are back on the menu. Tomato seedlings can be planted again during the autumn season. Water consistently to avoid blossom end rot and flesh skin splitting and feed fortnightly with an organic liquid fertiliser, SeaMax Organic Liquid Fertiliser to feed their fast growth.
> Most vegetables can go into the ground now. Cooler season vegetables, such as, broccoli and cauliflower can go in late autumn. New fruit trees and vines like passionfruit will establish well if planted in autumn.
PLANT CARE
> Caterpillars and pests are enjoying the garden, as well as lawn grubs ravaging the lawns.
MORE ON YOUR CLIMATE ZONE FOLLOW US
FLOWERS
> Cannas, bird of paradise, angel’s trumpet (pictured), hibiscus and hydrangeas all are flowering though autumn.
> Colour up your garden this autumn with a mix of calendula, alyssum, amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, pansy, phlox, portulaca, salvia, zinnia, gerbera, snapdragon, petunia, sunflower, torenia, nasturtium and marigold. Plant in Searles Planting Mix for gardens or Searles Platinum Potting Mix for great potted results.
EDIBLES
> Plant new citrus, Davidson’s plum, loquat, macadamia and avocado now. Before planting, mix into existing soil 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser to provide plenty of organic nutrients for growth.
> With the milder weather, many vegetables seedlings can be planted in the soil.
> Figs, pawpaw, jackfruit, mango, pineapple, starfruit and durian all fruit during autumn. Protect fruit from fruit fly activity and use netting to avoid bird attack.
GARDEN CARE
> Grasshoppers are on the hop at this time. Hand pick them off at dawn or spray them on contact with the natural pyrethrum spray, like Searles Bug Beater.
> Prune tropical foliage plants that have become overgrown during the summer months.
LAWN CARE
> Autumn is a great time to fertilise lawns for thick, green growth. Use Robust Lawn Booster for controlled release fertiliser.
Autumn is a good time of year to plant new roses.
Prepare ground by digging into the soil Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix.
Before planting, soak roots with diluted solution of SeaMax.
Fertilise with Searles Rose & Flower Food during winter to promote new spring growth.
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plant & grow by climatic zone
FLOWERS
> Many take this time to plant bulbs for winter and summer flowers. For garden displays, plant into Searles Planting Mix
> Sweet pea planting time.
> Feed azaleas and camellias in readiness for the next flush of blooms. Searles Azalea & Camellia Plant Food is perfectly designed for these big bloomers. Now is a great time to visit your local centre to see what sasanqua camellias are in flower.
> Tibouchinas, ivory curl, gordonias, blueberry ash and buddlejas are in bloom now.
> Powdery mildew can destroy crepe myrtles, begonias, dahlias and roses. Remove and bin affected leaves and spray promptly with Searles Wettable Sulphur
EDIBLES
> Many fruiting trees and vines are fruiting now such as figs, feijoas, passionfruit, apples and pomegranate. Autumn is also an ideal time to plant new trees to give time for the roots to establish through winter and be ready to burst into growth in spring.
> Most veggies can grow through autumn. Plant winter veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower late autumn so they are hitting their main growth period mid winter.
LAWNS
> Give the lawn its last fertilising before winter, to thicken the thatch and keep the weeds down for spring.
FLOWERS
> As it gets cooler the true vivid colours of the deciduous trees are evident in the nurseries and now is the time to choose your plants and brighten up the garden with backdrop trees or shrubs.
> Potted plants that are sensitive to frosts or the cold could be moved to warmer places in the garden. Consider changing shade cloth covers or tunnel gardens to garden blankets to protect them and allow vegetables to be grown out of season.
> Plant spring flowering bulbs now such as crocus, daffodils, tulips, bluebells, freesias, Dutch iris, hippeastrum and liliums.
EDIBLES
> Plant avocado, persimmon, loquat, olive and feijoa trees. Plant all citrus including mandarins, lemons, limes, oranges and kumquats.
> Plant your winter veggies - beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, English spinach, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce (pictured), onion, parsnip, radish, silver beet, spring squash, swede, tomato, turnip and zucchini.
PLANT CARE
> Remember to remove from the lawn any fallen tree leaves as this can make terrific mulch.
> Check trees for disease and fungal issues, remove affected branches and bin and treat with registered sprays for that problem.
feijoa flower
FLOWERS
> Prepare beds with pansies, violas, poppies, snapdragons, primulas and cineraria for winter blooms. Plant dianthus, gypsophila, hollyhock, impatiens, lobelia and marigold for autumn colour. Salvias and lavender flower well now.
> Plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths now to ensure a stunning spring display.
> Remove any spent rose flowers and tidy up bush for winter dormancy. Fertilise roses with Searles Rose & Flower Food to keep plants healthy which in turn helps to fight off pests and diseases.
FLOWERS
> Acacias, sennas, eucalypts, eremophilas, grevilleas, melaleucas, callistemon and native grasses are all water wise plants for the bush garden.
> If pot plants are your inland garden, many annuals and perennials are suitable to plant in autumn. Salvias, petunias, daisies and torenias make great displays. Feed flowering plants Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food - Flowers & Foliage for fast blooming growth.
> Australian natives and wildflowers are popular to plant this time of year, like aloes (pictured), gazanias, salvias and pigfaces.
> Don’t forget some native shrubs put on good autumn displays, visit your local gardening outlet for varieties to suit your climate.
EDIBLES
> Olive trees, fig trees, citrus trees, loquat, grapes, bay trees, quince and pomegranates are all extremely popular choices to plant in Mediterranean gardens in autumn. Many of these also perform well in pots which makes the style ideal for compact courtyard gardens too. In pots and gardens, plant in Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix
> Plant tomatoes, capsicum and zucchini early autumn for another crop before winter sets in. Winter veggies can be planted later in the season. Artichoke, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, leek, lettuce, radish, onion, shallot and silverbeet can go in. Chives, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, tarragon and thyme are great autumn growing herbs.
> If planting roses, plant into Searles Platinum Potting Mix for great performing pot displays or Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix for garden or pots.
EDIBLES
> Opt to plant hardy vegetables. Grow leafy greens fast and pick young for the tasty result. Water daily and liquid feed fortnightly for quick growth. Root vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, turnips, and radishes are also ideal. Autumn is perfect for planting onion and garlic staples in cooler inland regions. Broad beans and peas flourish in cooler weather and improve nitrogen levels in the soil.
> Look out for autumn garden plant pests such as scale, citrus leaf miner and mealybug, treat with Searles Ecofend Fruit & Garden spray at first sight. Hang fruit fly traps around your citrus and vegetable garden to monitor the presence of fruit fly.
