Your local gardening advice for Australian gardens
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2020 | ISSUE 95
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The Serenity Prayer
TM
Issue 95
Summer 2020 At your local - In season plants - Low hedging plants Cacti & succulents Drought or flood A Summer indoors
4 6
Cacti & Succulent p8 15
Some like it hot - chilli Capsicum
16 17
About Summer - Edibles - Summer squash - Flowers - Scented Frangipani - Climatic zones
Let nothing disturb thee. Let nothing affright thee Who has God. Wants for nothing. All things pass God alone suffices. God never changes. (St Teresa of Jesus) Patience gains all.
8 10 12
On the table - recipe - Mexican quinoa salad with chilli lime dressing
18 18 19 19 20
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3, 5-6
Con Searle
Front cover image: Gaura ‘Lillipop Soda Pop’
www.aussiewinners.com.au Managing Director: Conway Searle Contributors: Ashley Searle Magazine Manager: Alana Searle Design & Layout: Alana Searle ATG Group Co-ordinator & Advertising: Jason Searle About the Garden is published seasonally by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. ABN 21 076 919 992 • 4914 D’Aguilar Highway, Kilcoy or P.O. Box 70, Kilcoy Qld. 4515 Ph: (07) 5422 3090 atg@aboutthegarden.com.au
Summer Indoors p12
The material appearing in About the Garden is subject to copyright. Other than as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. No responsibility is accepted by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. for the accuracy of information contained in the text, illustrations or advertisements. Although believed to be accurately and correctly sourced, thereof disclaims any liability against itself, editor/s or employees arising from any person acting on the material herein. The opinions expressed in the magazine, or by contributors, do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. ©Copyright 2020 About the Garden Pty. Ltd.
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Gaura are deservedly popular perennials because they are so easy to grow and compliment many popular Australian garden styles across most climatic zones. ‘Lillipop™ Soda Pop’ grows equally well in sunny gardens, garden pots and larger baskets. Wands of butterfly-like pure white flowers are borne on fresh green foliage in abundance in Spring, Summer and Autumn, dancing in any wind that blows, a truly delightful effect.
Excellent in containers around patios, on terraces and barbeque areas or sunny garden borders. Plant in nutrient rich and free draining soil in sunny areas. Mulch around the plant and water regularly and this plant will give great performance for several years. Very little water is needed from then on once it is established. Prune back if looking shabby to encourage more flowers to develop.
Aloe Pink Blush would look gorgeous planted in a medium pot. The plant itself is star shaped with a pleasant ripple texture, and it’s leaves feature a mix of green, white and rosy pink stripes. An attractive orange flower will appear during Spring to Summer.
page 04 | About the garden magazine
SIZE
40cmH 30cmW
SIZE
15cmH 30cmW
The cheeky orange flowers on Echeveria Dondo will certainly brighten up your day. Flowering during Summer, this little succulent will surely bring your home and garden lots of cheer. It’s a small and compact plant with lush grey-green leaves and will suit a small-medium decorative pot. Water occasionally and pop in the sun. Plant in Searles Cacti & Succulent Specialty Mix.
NEW
Full sun loving deep red flowers adorn the top of this vibrant dianthus hybrid. Makes for a great statement piece in the middle of a large tub or in the landscape along side Dragons Breath Celosia.
This rainforest tree is fast growing and bears pretty-pink flowers in Spring & Summer. Usually little taller than 6m in sunny gardens, it's adaptable to a range of soils but likes good drainage. Can tolerate moderate frosts but dislikes strong winds. Attracts butterflies.
SIZE
30cmH
Salvia Salvatore Blue – Taller spike with the deepest of blue colour. Salvatore flowers from late Spring right into Autumn. Tough and hardy and attracts the pollinators to your garden.
About the garden magazine | page 05
Nandina ‘Flirt’ ‘FLIRT’ is a dwarf groundcover Nandina producing red new growth throughout Spring, Autumn and Summer. White flowers appears in Spring. Use as a ground cover, low hedge or a feature in a full sun to moderate shade position. It is very drought, humidity and cold tolerant, growing well all over Australia. Prune every few years if desired. Works in free draining to heavy clay soils.
SIZE
40cmH 50cmW
SIZE
20cmH 40cmW
Nandina ‘Lemon and Lime’ has a compact, evergreen form and tight habit. With stunning lime green foliage and an explosion of lemon tones year round, this Nandina is extremely versatile and tolerant of frosty conditions and full sun planting. SIZE
90cmH
y Pete’ Agapanthus ‘Bab y - compact variet
SIZE
100cmH 100cmW
P ho t o cour tesy of PM A-
www.pma.com.au
’ is Acacia ‘Limelight dging. perfect for low he A - www.pma.com.au
Photo courtesy of PM LOVES POTS
courtesymagazine of PMA - www.pma.com.au page 06 | About thePhoto garden
SIZE
40cmH 40cmW
Dianella ‘Little Jess’ is dwarf with short, upright canes producing masses of purple flowers during Spring to early Summer. Plant in full sun and moderate to heavy shade. Tolerates drought, humidity and frost. Easy to care for.
Photo courtesy of PMA - www.pma.com.au
SIZE
40cmH
Dwarf Whitestripe displays crisp green and white variegated foliage. Will flush back denser and fresher when trimmed down regularly. SIZE
150cm spread
Plant an ‘Ignite’ for an intense deep red foliage in Summer and warming purple tones in Winter. Extremely glossy, vibrant leaves. Dry tolerant and hardy.
Osteospermum ‘White Lightnin g’ Grows in any cl imate. Compa ct blooms from S pring to Autum n
Plant in a full sun to part shade position. Ideal colourful feature plant for mixed garden beds, informal borders and large containers.
Plant in a well drained soil of Searles Premium Garden Soil. Low maintenance with no special care requirements. Very dry tolerant once established.
About the garden magazine | page 07
Cacti & succulents are known for their hardiness and water wise habits, but they still need a little love and attention. Here are the simple rules to keep them looking their best.
Planting cacti & succulents
aphids and mealybugs. Their leaves and succulent branches can become pale-skinned with elongated stems or stunted leaves on spindly stems. Choose a sunny position for best results.
Watering cacti & succulents
Both cacti and succulents like embedding their roots in an open texture, free draining mix allowing optimal aeration. Most varieties are not fertiliser hungry, although they do require some nutrition for healthy growth and better blooms. Searles Cacti & Succulent Specialty Mix is a specifically designed soil mix which provides excellent drainage and is boosted with long term 12 month fertiliser. This mix can be used in pots or in garden beds where cacti & succulent are planted.
Many cacti & some succulents positively flourish on minimal moisture, due to their internal mechanisms for water storage. Although many succulents will perform better and produce more flowers with regular watering. Check the plant label of your succulent for watering guidelines. If starved of water, leafy succulents shed their leaves. If they still don’t receive any water, they will slowly die, starting from leaf tip. Water starved cacti will shrink into dormancy. Both will rejuvenate quickly once watered.
Light requirements
Fertilising cacti & succulents
Cacti & Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the variety of plant. Poor exposure to sunlight will reduce its flowering ability and make a better home for pests and disease, especially page 08 | About the garden magazine
Fertilising is simple and should not be overdone. Applying Searles Flourish Cacti & Succulent Soluble Plant Food during Spring and Autumn should provide them with all the food they need.
Pests & diseases of succulents
Cacti & succulents are remarkably resistant to attack by pests and diseases if given the correct amount of sunlight, water and fertiliser. Their tough leaves and stems discourage boring and sap-sucking insects and the dry atmosphere in which they grow makes it impossible for moisture-loving fungal diseases to proliferate. Plants grown indoors should be checked for scale, aphids and mealybug. Cacti and succulents can be affected by mealybug, red spider mite, scale, whitefly, snails and slugs. They can also be attacked by rodents and caterpillars, which nibble on fleshy plants.
Mealybug on desert rose
Mealybug can affect both the top of the plant and the roots. This insect is usually covered in a powdery white deposit which creates a sticky honeydew. This honeydew attracts ants which can help spread the mealybug from plant to plant. Mealybug can be controlled by using a systemic pesticide such as Searles Conguard. Brown scars on plants can be a sign of red spider mite, which can be easily treated with Searles Wettable Sulphur. Cacti and succulents can also suffer from fungal diseases. Over watering, poor drainage or damp conditions can cause stem or root rot. Sooty mould can also attack plants damaged or weakened by very wet conditions. Provide ideal growing conditions to help avoid these problems.
A little prune
Some succulents especially spreaders and ones with height may need a light prune to keep them in check. The time to prune is late Winter and early Spring. Using a sterile pairs of secateurs or a knife and wear gloves, lightly remove unwanted branches. These branches can be used as cuttings to strike new plants. About the garden magazine | page 09
A cover up
Start with improving the soil
Garden plants will tolerate extreme fluctuations in weather better if the soil is healthy and full of rich composted nutrients with a free draining, open structure. Improve the soil at the beginning of Summer with good quality organic matter, such as 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser. This will improve any soil type, helping to condition it and increase water holding capacity but allowing free drainage. It is easier to improve the soil before planting, but soil can also be improved on established gardens by applying a layer of fertiliser over the soil under mulch. During long dry spells of hot weather, soils can become hard and compacted making the needed water from Summer rain either pool on the surface of the soil or run off immediately, both not allowing the water to penetrate into the soil and to the roots. This is called Dry-out. A good test to see if your soil is repelling water is to give it a good watering, and then dig into the soil to a depth of about 3–5cm. If the soil at that depth is still dry and has not become damp, an application of Searles Penetraide would be beneficial. Searles Advanced Penetraide Re-Wetting Granules improves water penetration by letting the water soak into the soil greatly increasing water holding capacity and maximising the amount of water that can be held in the soil. Once Searles Penetraide has been applied, its benefits will last for up to 12 months. Every time you water, the water will soak straight into the soil, reducing runoff and wastage. By allowing the water to penetrate deep into the soil, plants will be able to utilise the water that is stored and protected in the soil, thus enhancing plant growth with less water. The benefits of Searles Penetraide are improved plant growth with far less water. page 10 | About the garden magazine
Mulching is essential in our hot climate, especially from Spring through to Autumn, but it is also important to protect the soil structure in times of flooding. Mulch greatly reduces water loss from evaporation, keeping the water in the soil longer. As well as this, mulch helps to insulate the soil, keeping the soil cooler where the plant roots are. This helps to improve plant growth and reduce stress to the plants. Top up your Summer gardens with a fresh layer of mulch. Be careful not to apply too thickly as the water won’t be able to penetrate the mulch layer.
Watering in dry weather
The basic photosynthesis principle applies, the hotter and drier the weather the more your plant will lose water in evaporation and the more moisture uptake from your roots. So on very dry, hot days water more often and deeply. If the forecast is for a deluge of rain, turn off your auto irrigation system. Some golden rules of watering: 1. When watering, give long, deep, thorough soaking on an occasional basis in preference to regular, light watering. By watering deeply, the water penetrates deeper into the soil, where it is more protected from the heat of the sun and from evaporation from the soil surface. This will also encourage plant roots to grow deeper into the soil which will help protect the roots from drying out too quickly, protect them from extremes of temperature and also help anchor the plant more effectively. 2. Water very early in the morning or at night. Avoid watering during the day. By watering when the sun is down, the water has the best chance to soak into the soil before it is lost to evaporation. Avoid using a sprinkler; try to apply water directly onto the soil around the plants if possible. The use of microirrigation and dripper systems will dramatically reduce water usage and deliver it right where it is needed. If you follow these easy steps to wise water management, you will find that you can successfully create a living oasis in dry times with minimal effort.
Protect your garden from stormy weather
Summer brings many sun filled days of outdoor activities in the garden and it also brings stormy afternoon weather. Here are some simple tips to help protect your garden plants from the stormy weather. Let it drain Check your plants’ soil has adequate drainage. Heavy rain can water log pot plants causing them to drown if their drainage is poor. Ensure excess water can drain away from garden beds. Protect from winds Summer storms bring gusty winds. Secure taller potted plants or vulnerable trees and shrubs by tying them to a strong support such as stakes or posts. Protect from hail If your plants are mobile move them to a sheltered area to protect them from hail and strong winds. Stems can be bruised and many leaves lost from the impact of hail. To aid recovery, fertilise promptly after hail event with Searles Seamax Fish & Kelp to provide plants with rich nutrients and a plant tonic to stimulate their recovery.
How to aid garden recovery after a flood
As the flood waters recede what do gardeners do to bring their beloved garden plants back to their old flourishing self? Flooding tends to leach out nutrients from the soil. After the rains subside, wait until the soil completely dries out and the water has drained. Then it is a wait-and-see what plants naturally bounce back. Some plants may even revel in all the water. After the water has drained, the soil will benefit from a layer of well composted manure or compost to bring back the nutrients leached out. Searles 5 IN 1 Fertiliser is an excellent composted fertiliser, complete with a balanced nutrient ratio to replenish the soil and help plants flourish again.
Research shows constant mowing at a low setting over a long period of time will weaken the grass stem and root structure. Shorter grass stems will correspondingly result in shorter roots that are living closer to the soil surface and more vulnerable to the temperature conditions. Keeping your grass stems longer will also choke the weeds out and shade the roots to protect from the harsh summer rays providing a protective umbrella. It will also keep the soil cooler, locking in some of the moisture from the topsoil after watering. During times of flooding thick, healthy grass will help prevent soil wash out. Keep the lawn height higher and you will have less weeds, deeper grass roots and a stronger more robust lawn.
Protecting pot plants
Well designed potting mix rich in composted nutrients and water holding properties will allow the water to drain properly from the mix in the rainy period and hold moisture for longer on dry, hot days. Choose a potting mix containing plenty of well composted nutrients and fertiliser and Penetraide, coir and water crystals for excellent water holding capacity. Searles Platinum Potting Mix is a excellent potting mix containing all of these ingredients including an 18 month fertiliser. Remember to move pot plants during Summer to a more protected location in extreme hot weather or approaching thunder storms and heavy winds.
What about my lawns
Keep lawn grass height a little taller in Summer. This will provide many benefits for the Summer weather conditions.
About the garden magazine | page 11
A breath of fresh air
Indoor plants don’t enjoy extremes of temperature. The living areas in your home suit them best as these rooms tend to be kept at a fairly constant comfort level. Whilst air conditioning makes the summer heat tolerable, the unit actually sucks the moisture out of the air to cool the space. This can result in plant dehydration, making the plant foliage wilt and potting mix dry out. To ensure that your plants do not suffer too badly from moisture depletion, give the plant and foliage a good water when the soil starts to dry out.
I like this spot
Natural light is essential to indoor plants. Though some do quite well in dim surroundings, most need at least bright indirect sunlight for several hours a day to flourish. Generally, flowering indoor plants will bloom better with access to more light. When planning where to put your indoor plants, take advice from your garden centre and learn from your own experience. page 12 | About the garden magazine
Some plants, such as ZZ plants, flourish in low-light conditions, while others must have sun. Don’t place large, spreading plants in walkways or landings where they may suffer damage from passing traffic. To prevent uneven growth, quarter-turn pots regularly so all sides of the plants are exposed equally to the light. It is advisable to remove indoor plants from time to time to a sheltered position in your garden or on a verandah or patio for a week or so of outdoor living.
Feed me
Don’t over water or over fertilise. Keep a record of when you fertilise your plants and don’t be tempted to overfeed. Remember to feed and water less often in the winter months. Searles Flourish Green & Growth Soluble Plant Food will provide indoor plants with a complete plant food and trace elements for abundant leaf growth.
NEW
If you like the look and easy of care of ‘Zanzibar Gem’, meet its little more compact sibling. Requires the same light requirements tolerating low light to bright indirect light. Ideal compact plant for small indoor spaces, apartments or the office. Allow the soil to dry out before watering.
Soil and moisture from pot plants can create problems if they come in contact with flooring, especially over long periods. Most good garden centres will sell plastic shields to protect your floor from moisture, abrasion and spillages from indoor plants. These shields are made from barely visible, transparent plastic and can be placed between pots and floor covering. They can also be placed inside woven baskets before pot plants are put inside them to keep the fibres clean and dry.
Pilea ‘Moon Valley’
Deep, almost corrugated, foliage which resembles surface on the Moon and rich bright green in colour with purplish veins makes this plant so appealing. Compact plant for indoors and likes humidity.
Bromeliads make the perfect table centrepiece! Generally, they prefer shade or filtered sunlight, but there are also bromeliads that prefer full sun. If you’re buying one for instant decor display, make sure it is in flower. Of course, there are many bromeliads with brightlycoloured foliage that will catch the eye at any time of year.
Sections of old carpet can be used as ‘coasters’ to prevent pot holders from scratching or marking polished wood floors. A convenient option is to attach the carpet permanently to the base of the pot-holder. To do this, place the pot holder over the piece of carpet and draw around it with a marker or soft crayon. Cut along the outline with sharp scissors and glue it to the base of the pot holder. About the garden magazine | page 13
Indoor Ferns
Ferns are among the most beautiful houseplants, with lacy fronds, classic textures and are low-maintenance as long as you’re careful to provide the right amounts of light and moisture. Most ferns are happy with indirect light that does not become too hot. Protect herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife.
You’ll know if the fern is too dry as the tips of the fronds turn brown or die. To increase the moisture in the surrounding air, put your fern on top of some pebbles in a tray or saucer filled with a little water. Best to not let the plant touch the water, so its roots won’t rot.
Protect vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and buildings from cockatoos, crows, ducks, pigeons, rosellas, starlings, swallows, other birds, fruit bats and microbats. Protects homes, gardens, patios, shop fronts and paved areas from both dogs and cats or rats and mice.
Protects one plant or a whole area — perimeter &/or band sprays. Repels — without harming animals or humans. Not considered a poison — no withholding period. Easy to use — spray on. Effective when dry. Safe, Proven and Effective. Available in 100g, 1Kg & 4Kg Sizes.
is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it". D-TER, Dept. A, PO Box 3, Oyster Bay, NSW 2225. Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703 Fax: (02) 9589 0147
Although most ferns like to stay evenly moist, don’t let them get soggy. Wait until the water drains out the bottom of the container and dump any excess. Give your fern good air circulation. If scale, mealybugs, mites or other pests show up, spray affected area with Searles Pest Gun.
GG20-260/02
For more specific information send 2 x $1 stamps, Please mention your problem, post to:
Misting your fern is another easy option — not directly on the foliage, which could invite diseases, but around the soil or in the air.
simple recipes made from garden kitchen produce For more tasty recipes from the garden, visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au
1 1/2 cups of quinoa 2 1/4 cups water 1 green capsicum 1 cup black beans Punnet cherry tomatoes 1 cup corn kernels 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup coriander
Chilli lime dressing 1/3 cup
olive oil 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbsp lime juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small chilli, deseeded & finely chopped salt & pepper
Lightly toast quinoa on medium heat for a few minutes to bring out the nuttiness of the quinoa. Add water to pan and bring to boiling point. Once on boil, reduce heat to low and simmer covered until quinoa is fluffy and the liquid as absorbed. Chilli lime dressing Combine all the ingredients together and set aside. After quinoa is cooked, give it a quick stir to fluff up and transfer to bowl. Add vegetables and chilli dressing and stir gently to combine. Sprinkle with coriander and chill before serving. About the garden magazine | page 15
Chillies originate from Mexico and were domesticated around 7000 years ago. There were about four original species and all of our modern cultivars are derived from these varieties. The chilli is basically a hot capsicum. They are in the same family as the capsicum Solanaceae and there is only one difference; a chemical that chillies produce called capsaicin. This chemical is what gives chillies their ‘hot’ flavour. It can also make their juice irritating to the skin, so if you have children make them aware of this fact.
Planting Chilli
Chillies need a well-drained soil and protection from frost. They are at their best during the warmer months of the year and tend to sulk a bit if the winter is too cold. In very hot regions, semi shade can be preferable, otherwise full sun is best for chilli cultivation. Like most fruiting plants, chilli need a nutrient-rich soil to bear a good crop of fruit. Planting Chillies in Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix will give them a great start and all they need for healthy produce.
Fertilising & watering Chilli
Feeding with Searles Flourish Tomato and Vegetable Soluble Plant Food from November to April will help produce more fruit. Continually harvesting your chillies will also encourage more setting of the fruit. In really hot weather, regular watering is beneficial. Keep in mind in tropical and
With our multicultural population it’s not surprising that the chilli has become one of our most popular spices. Considering how easy and cheap chillies are to grow, why not grow your own?
page 16 | About the garden magazine
• • • • • • • • •
Anaheim: 2 (for the timid) Jalapeño: 5 Purple delight: 6 Siam: 6 Cayenne: 7 Bell: 7 (and so ornamental) Thai Rainbow: 7 (great in pots) Birdseye: 9 Habanero and Tepin: 10+ (for the diehards!)
Even if you are not a fan of chillies for eating, they are still worth growing just for their ornamental value. They can add a fantastic splash of colour to the vegetable or herb garden and can be easily grown in pots. Chillies are guaranteed to brighten any sunny verandah. So spice up your life today and become a chilli grower.
When & where to plant
ring Flowe
subtropical areas the chilli is grown as a short lived perennial but in colder regions it’s usually grown as an annual with bushes being replaced each year.
In Spring or Summer, choose the sunniest part of your vegetable patch to plant capsicums. They require heat to enable their fruit to ripen. Make sure the soil is deep enough to anchor their extensive root system. Do not plant them where other members of the Solanaceae family (eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes) have previously grown. Capsicums are highly ornamental and make ideal container plants providing they are not allowed to dry out, so mulch them well.
ca
ye
Want more chilli plants?
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Plants can be easily propagated from seed in Spring and Summer or planted as young plants during the warmer months.
Pests and diseases
Root knot nematode: Chillies belong to the same family as tomatoes, capsicums and eggplants which makes them prone to root knot nematodes. This is usually only a problem in very poor soils. To counteract this, add plenty of organic matter such as compost and manures before planting. Bacterial spot: Use a copper based spray and avoid overhead watering. Fruit fly: Set fruit fly traps to monitor populations and spray an organic fruit fly spray if needed. Another option is to use exclusion bags to cover and protect chillies from being stung. Aphids, scale and thrips: Use a pyrethrum spray, Searles Bug Beater or white oil as a spray applied to foliage to keep these pests at bay. Blossom end rot: Apply dolomite to the soil before planting, apply mulch and water when needed to ensure soil is consistently moist.
How to plant
If growing in containers or sowing directly into the garden bed choose a moisture-retentive vegetable mix such as Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix to facilitate good root development, and give the bed a long, deep soak of water before planting. Plant seed or seedlings, following the packet or label directions and make sure young seedlings never dry out. If you are growing any of the taller varieties of capsicums, place a stake next to each young plant to support it as it will get heavy when laden with fruit.
How to maintain
Keep the roots cool by covering with a light mulch throughout the warmer months. Ensure the soil is kept constantly moist and weed free. Fertilise fortnightly with SeaMax Fish & Kelp and Searles Flourish Tomato & Vegetable Plant Food right up until fruit set. If growing in containers, increase fertilising to a weekly routine. In mild, frost-free climates, capsicums can be treated as perennial plants, performing best in their second year. Simply cut them back after fruiting has finished in late Autumn and they’ll shoot again the following Spring.
Pests and diseases
Ripening fruit can suffer from sunburn if exposed to sun for prolonged periods and should be hidden among the foliage on very hot days. Few pests and diseases affect capsicums. If fruit fly is a problem, remove affected fruit and install fruit fly traps. Pick the developing fruit as soon as it is ripe enough. Diseases such as spotted wilt and powdery mildew can be minimised by spraying with wettable sulphur. For insect infestations like aphids, mites and thrips, use Searles Ecofend Organic spray.
Harvesting
Capsicums can be picked as soon as they are large enough to be useful. The more you pick them, the more fruits are produced. Remove the fruit with some stalk attached to improve its keeping qualities. About the garden magazine | page 17
allzones r Sta
ar
th
summer planting and care guide
ve sti ng
m an goes in Summer
> Lessen the effects of heat stress on your plants with a fortnightly feed application of SeaMax Fish & Kelp to give them a balanced array of nutrients and minerals to keep them healthy and increase their resistance to hot, dry summer days. > Time to plant pumpkin, rockmelon, capsicum, cucumber, watermelon, eggplant and sweet corn.
Summer squash is an easy, warm season crop to cultivate and looks attractive growing in summer gardens. Summer squash grow well in full sun during Spring and Autumn or semi-shade in the heat of the summer. For cooler climates wait until the last frost has passed before planting out. Like most other vegetables, they are heavy feeders, so dig in plenty of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser which is rich in organic compost and nutrients. After planting, place a soft, thick mulch gently around each plant. Squash uses a lot of water when it is young and rapidly growing, so it should be irrigated regularly to enable the fruits to mature properly. Use a dripper system so the foliage, stems and fruit are kept dry. Once the fruit appears, reduce watering even further. Gently push mulch under the stems to keep the fruit off the soil. Harvest before they become overgrown and woody. Prevent mildew (a fungal infection caused by poor drainage and overwatering) by watering only the roots and keeping the fruit and foliage as dry as possible.
page 18 | About the garden magazine
> It is mango harvesting season. Protect mangoes from birds by picking fruit slightly early or netting fruit. Watch for anthracnose on mango leaves and developing fruit. Spray with Searles Mancozeb to stop the fungal disease from spreading. > Grow heat loving herbs and pick regularly for better taste. Plant chives, lemon thyme, lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemongrass, chilli, coriander, kaffir lime, mint and ginger in warm and sunny parts of the garden. > Pumpkin and watermelon grow well during summer in most Australian climates. Plant in full sun and give them plenty of room to spread their vines. Dig in plenty of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser before planting and mulch under vine leaves as they grow. Provide ample water during fruit development to create a tasty harvest. > During the warmer weather leafy greens will turn bitter quickly if not watered daily. Provide a shade for them until the hot days have passed. Harvest young before they start to head. > Harvest macadamias from the ground. Store them in a dark, dry place to prolong their sweetness. > Those fruit destroying fruit flies are at their peak during the warmer months. Hang Searles Fruit Fly traps around the perimeter and at the centre of your veggie patch or orchard to monitor activity and stop their breeding cycle. > Keep water up to fruit trees as they are starting to develop flowers and fruit. Add some Searles Fruit & Citrus Plant Food for these hungry feeders.
> Summer Rose Care: Roses are prone to more pests and diseases in sultry summer weather. It is important to maintain a regular check on blackspot which loves hot humid weather. Maintain moisture levels and increase watering especially during hot, dry conditions. Don’t prune rose branches heavily during summer. Wait until the hottest part of the summer is over. Liquid feed with SeaMax Fish & Kelp to reduce plant stress from floods or drought. Keep soil well mulched and weed free. > Climbers are wonderful space-savers and not all of them are rampant. Allamandas (yellow, dusky pink, purple and maroon), dipladenias and mandevillas (both pink, white or cerise) can all be kept within manageable proportions. But if you have got the space for something bigger, nothing beats bougainvilleas for brilliance. Again, it’s the bracts which are the focal point and these appear for most of the year in every colour except blue. > NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) and New Zealand Christmas bush (Metrosideros sp.) are two hardy, summer flowering bushes, both with pretty red flowers peaking around Christmas. > Feed hydrangeas fortnightly with Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia during their peak flowering period. > Drought busting bloomers for summer colour are dianthus, lobelia, strawflowers, marguerite daisy, butterfly bush (buddleja), geraniums and salvias (Heatwave series). > Poinciana (Deloniz regia), golden shower (Cassia fistula), and leopard tree (Caesalpinia ferrea) are on show during Summer. > Summer flowering native trees, such as water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) and the red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), have wonderful summer flowers and make great shade for small gardens. Other summer stunners are the crepe myrtle, pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia) with its scented, mauve-pink pompom flower heads and the persimmon tree makes a lovely floral display in summer before the Autumn harvest.
One of the most loved of all summer flowering trees is the frangipani (plumeria sp.) With its alluring perfume and tropical-style foliage, the frangipani grows to a height of 4 metres and brings a touch of the tropical island resort to any backyard. Flowering throughout summer and unperturbed by the heat, frangipanis come in an assortment of colours and the further north you live, the greater the colour range and variety there is to choose from. These handsome trees, when covered in their clusters of white, yellow, pink or bicoloured flowers, create welcome shade and are safe to plant relatively close to the home or entertainment area. Good drainage is essential as plumeria detest wet conditions. Frangipani rust is new to home gardens, so remove any fallen leaves around the base of the plant and bin them to help prevent this problem. Prevention is better than cure, so a monthly application (from January onwards) of either Searles Copper Oxychloride or Searles Mancozeb Plus on the undersides of foliage can help reduce the outbreak of this fungal disease.
> Hibiscus flowers are on full display this season. Keep feeding the procession of blooms by fertilising with Searles Hibiscus & Bougainvillea Food at the start of the season. SIZE
> If you’ve got good access to water, try growing some summer annuals such as cleomes, dahlias, gomphrena, salvias, sunflowers, zinnias and lastly petunias.
70cmH x70cmW Photo courtesy of PMA - www.pma.com.au
Rockhampton Gladstone
Emerald
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Brisbane
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by climatic zone
> For a smallish shrub of fairly delicate habit, hibiscus sure can produce the most enormous, flamboyant flowers. They are tough too. Even a neglected hibiscus bush can continue to flower through the harshest conditions. > Plant warm season cucurbits such as pumpkin, watermelon, cucumber, summer squash and other vegetables artichoke, beans, capsicum, celery, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, okra, onion, potato (tubers), radish, rhubarb (crowns), rosella, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato. For herb gardens, plant basil, chives, coriander, fennel, gotu kola, heliotrope, lemongrass, mint, parsley and tarragon. > Flowering now: The Summer red flowering poincianas are in full bloom. Lemon scented myrtle displays strong scented foliage and fluffy limecream flowers in Summer and Autumn. The Tree waratah (Alloxylon flammeum) is a stunning QLD rainforest tree, parading red waratah type flowers. > Mulch gardens and liquid feed with SeaMax Fish & Kelp to keep plants healthy to combat heat stress. > Look out for blackspot on roses during warm, humid weather of summer. Remove affected leaves promptly and spray the remaining bush with Searles Rose Pro Blackspot & Insect Killer. This product is a handy spray to have in your arsenal. It also kills powdery mildew, rust, aphids, thrips, caterpillars, budworm and mites.
Corymbia ‘Summer Beauty’
For more information for what to grow in your climatic zone visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au page 20 | About the garden magazine
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Cairns Townsville Mt. Isa Longreach Carnarvon
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> Storms are coming - remove leaves from gutters, prune back damaged or tired branches off trees, remove water holding vessels in which mozzies can breed and generally clean up and tie down any loose objects that can be used as projectiles in windy weather. > Aerate the lawns so all the water from the wet season soaks deep into the soil. Watch out for the onslaught of the weeds and spray early. Sprinkle Searles Penetraide onto the lawn to improve water penetration into the soil and to the roots.
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> Harvest summer fruit like avocadoes, mangoes, pawpaw, passionfruit and custard apples. Lookout for fungal diseases on fruit and spray infestations with Searles Copper Oxychloride.
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> Many types of ginger are flowering and at their peak. Plant shell ginger, roscoea, blue ginger, torch ginger plus the commonly edible Zingiber officinale, cardamom and galangal.
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> Time to plant capsicums, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuces, melons, mustard, pumpkins, radish, spring onions, squash, sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes and zucchinis. Harvest veggies while still young and tender. In the tropics the heat and humidity can ripen vegetables quickly. > Heliconias, strelitzias and frangipani dazzle during summer and make great screens with a lush tropical appearance. Give them plenty of organic matter such as 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser and keep up the water. Plant balsam, caladiums, celosia, cockscomb, coleus, gomphrena, impatiens, marigold, petunia, salvia, sunflower, torenia and vinca.
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> Lillypillies are flowering now. Plant them for screens, hedges and borders. Watch out for psyllids though, they love them too. Some new varieties are resistant to psyllids, such as Syzygium ‘Resilience’ and ‘Cascade’. Visit your local garden centres for these varieties. > Tomato vines will be growing rampantly, maintain frequent and regular watering to ward off blossom end rot and keep the ‘red shiners’ coming. Remove unwanted branches or old ones to redirect the plants energy. > Plant beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, English spinach, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, silver beet, spring squash, swede, sweet corn, tomato, turnip, watermelon and zucchini. Plant basil, chives, coriander, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme. Borage is an easy no fuss annual herb with dainty blue star shaped flowers appearing in summer. Grow borage for herbal tea, salads and its myriad of medicinal qualities. > Plant ageratum, alyssum, cineraria, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, Iceland poppy, lobelia, lupin, marigold, pansy, petunia, phlox, primula, stock, verbena, wallflower and zinnia. > Frangipani, corymbias, metrosideros, gardenias, crepe myrtles, hydrangeas and mandevillas are all flowering beauties on show during Summer.
> Summer flowering native trees, such as water gym (Tristaniopsis laurina) and the red flowering gym (Corymbia ficifolia), have wonderful summer flowers and make great shade for small gardens. Other summer stunners are the crepe myrtle, Pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia) with its scented, mauve-pink pompom flower heads and the Persimmon tree makes a lovely floral display in summer before the Autumn harvest. > Summer fruiting raspberry bushes are ablaze of fruits this time of year. Use a bird friendly net on ripening summer fruit such as blueberries, cherries and currents. > Agapanthus, ageratum, alyssum, aster, boronia, calceolaria, cleome, cosmos, California poppy, cyclamen, dahlia, gazanias, geraniums, Iceland poppy, linaria, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, phlox, salvia, stock, sunflower, verbena, vinca, viola, wallflower and zinnas give summer gardens colour. > Time to plant beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages, capsicums, celery, cucumbers, cress, eggplant, leeks, lettuces, melons, mustard, pak choy, pumpkins, radish, rhubarb, rocket, silver beets, spring onions, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes and zucchinis. Plant basil, chives, coriander, fennel, gotu kola, heliotrope, lovage, mint, parsley and tarragon. Dahlias love the Summer warmth.
Geraniums are a water wise summer stunner that look great in any garden style.
TM
page 22 | About the garden magazine
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> Crepe myrtles come out in full display during summer. The tree is generously loaded with crepelike long lasting flowers. Ask at your local garden centre about the array of available colours and also dwarf varieties forms.
Armidale Tamworth Orange
Grafton Port Macquarie Newcastle
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> Salvias are ideally suited to hot dry conditions, flowering happily during summer and autumn and providing fodder for the bees.
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> Summer growing vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicums, eggplant, cucumbers and zucchini are perfect to grow now. Watch out for powdery mildew on the leaves and spray with Mancozeb Plus to control the damage. > Keep the water up to fruit trees. They require more water to bear fruit than flowering plants in summer.
> The heat of the day will bring on fast growing vegetables such as climbing beans, melons, pumpkins and zucchini. Keep the water up to tomatoes and sweet corn crops.
> Move vulnerable pot plants into the shade until the hottest part of summer passes. Liquid feed fortnightly to keep them healthy to combat heat stress.
> Provide semi shade for green leafy vegetables and water daily to keep its sweet taste.
> Plant petunias, scaevolas, calibrachoas or portulacas for hanging basket and pot flowering splendour. Plant in a premium potting mix with advanced water technology. Searles Platinum Potting Mix contains 18 month fertiliser and excellent on water conservation.
> Mandevilla flowers are still on show from summer until Autumn, their dancing big blooms are always something to stop and admire. Salvias are also flowering until autumn providing fodder for the bees. Water and fertilise hydrangeas regularly during summer for better flowering. Use a fertiliser for acid loving plants like Searles Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Plant Food.. Water regularly to avoid wilting leaves. > Red-hot pokers provide summer gardens with structural foliage and striking red, orange or yellow flowers spikes.
> Keep water up to indoor plants during the heat of summer. ZZ plants, peperomias, elkhorns, devils Ivy and anthuriums are low fuss plants. > Give Australian natives a controlled release fertilise with Searles Robust Native Plants Controlled Release Fertiliser and a good deep watering during the Summer months to keep their health and vibrancy.
Liquid feed geraniums fortnightly with SeaMax Fish & Kelp to encourage flowering Bougainvilleas produce colourful bracts for most of the year with little water.
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