2013
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Issue 66
Petunia
Limelight
The wait is over - spring is here. en Now is the time to tour your gard and or visit an open garden near you be inspired. God bless...
a cerise border
(mix of Nemesia Aromatica Rose Pink, Petunia Fame White & Calibrachoa MiniFamous Pink)
Holds its colour all season long
About the Garden is published seasonally by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. ABN 21 076 919 992
Petunia ‘Limelight’ plants are available at your local garden retailer
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Claire Bickle
Rondeltia amoena - This shrub generally starts flowering late winter but continues on throughout spring and produces the most delicately perfumed heads of pale salmon pink flowers. It is a great choice for an informal hedge or screening plant and is lovely even on its own as a specimen plant in the garden. An added bonus is that the bees and butterflies just love the flowers of the Rondeltia. Keep well watered and fed for the first few growing seasons. Once established it will then be a hardy long-lived shrub, requiring little care. (3m x 2.5m).
The ultimate gardening season worldwide is spring, it heralds new life for so many things. What I I love more than anything is fragrance in a garden and there are many delectable choices all across the country when it comes to choosing a scented flowering shrub to plant in your garden today! Michelia ‘Port Wine Magnolia’
Michelia ‘Mixed up Miss’
Michelia figo – ‘Port Wine Magnolia’. This shrub is a multi tasker; good for hedging, great as a pot specimen and delivers fantastic perfume from its small flowers in spring and summer. The old fashioned species, Michelia figo grows to around 3m x 3m in a sunny to semi-shaded location. A more recent cultivar of the Michelia figo, named ‘Coco’ has larger flowers and leaves, is more open in its growth habit (2m x 2m). Michelia’s require an acidic soil pH. The odd bit of scale and mealy bug can appear now and then, just use Searles White Oil spray to keep this under control. Look out for other scented Michelia’s such as, ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Mixed up Miss’.
Brunfelsia latifolia ‘Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow’
Brunsfelsia sp: ‘Yesterday Today and Tomorrow’. Love shades of purple? Then look no further than this shrub and its various species with its flowers first appearing as purple, then, changing to mauve and finally fading to white, this shrub definitely adds wow factor to the garden with its floral display. The flowers also deliver a knock out fragrance throughout spring and summer. Semishade to a sunny location, with a slightly acidic soil pH is best. Brunsfelsia americana is another species, which bears yellow to cream coloured flowers, which are predominately fragrant at night, giving it the common name of ‘Lady of the Night’.
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Azalea sp: Not often promoted for their scent, the group of single flowering Azaleas, in particular ‘Alba magna’, ‘Fielder’s White’, ‘Alphonse Anderson’ & ‘Exquisite’ (pink) have quite a pleasant and distinctive fragrance. Known as the full sun Azaleas, these particular types will also flower and grow happily to a height of around 1.5m in semi-shaded locations as well. Moist soils, but with good drainage are ideal as they detest wet feet and an acidic pH is a must for successful Azalea cultivation. Control outbreaks of lace bug and red spider mites with Searles Rose Pro and Searles Mancozeb Plus for petal blight. Rosa spp: In nearly every climate zone with the possible exception of the tropics there is a rose species or cultivar to suit you. From the most popular hybrid teas and floribundas, to the alluring old fashioned teas, chinas, bourbons, David Austin’s and species roses. Not all roses are highly perfumed, but there are many within each category that are. My top choices for fragrance: ‘Mr Lincoln’, ‘Lady Hillingdon’, ‘Double Delight’, ‘Duchesse de Brabant’, ‘Redoute’, ‘Sharifa Asma’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Mrs B.R Cant’. Roses need a full sun, airy location. A regular feeding, pruning and pest and disease program is a must for most successful rose cultivation around the country. I find the tea roses the most carefree to grow. Gardenia sp and cultivars: Renowned worldwide for their heavenly and intoxicating perfume the Gardenia starts its flowering well into spring and continues on through the summer. They prefer a sunny to semi-shaded location and again an acidic pH. For your Gardenias to look their best, water regularly especially throughout the summer and fertilise at least 4 times per year with Searles Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Food. Keep an eye out for scale and spray with Searles White Oil in the cool of the day if spotted. Gardenias are used widely in the perfume industry for famous scents such as; Crabtree and Evelyn, Chanel and Gucci.
Azalea magnifica ‘Alba magna’
Lavandula dentata – ‘French Lavender’ is the one of the most popular and carefree to grow in all climate zones. Italian varieties do well across various zones, with English being best suited to the cooler climate zones where they experience cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Lavender prefers a sweet/alkaline soil pH. The soil must be free draining and position in full sun. Flowers appear throughout spring and summer and depending on location even throughout the cooler months.
Rose cv ‘Scentimental’ Gardenia jasminoides ‘Florida’
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Magenta
Here are some new season beauties to get you into the garden spirit this spring time. Ask for them at local garden centre. Mix up SunPatiens® colours to create a stunning effect as a garden bed or border. Featured SunPatiens® are Lilac, Carmine Red and Coral.
SunPatiens Impatiens hawkeri ®
Flowering: Spring, Summer to Autumn Habit: Mounded, Spreading Size: 45- 90cm H x 60 - 120cm W Position: Full Sun to shade Colours: Blush Pink, Coral, Deep Rose, Electric Orange, Lilac, Red, Magenta, Orange, Corona (unique Salmon Orange tones), Carmine Red, Salmon with variegated leaves and white.
Red
SunPatiens® offer unrivalled three-season flower power as the first impatiens to flourish in full sun, withstand heat, humidity, rain and shade! SunPatiens® are unaffected by downy mildew and less prone to disease and damage throughout the year. With non-stop colour and larger flowers, SunPatiens® are an ideal plant for landscape environments, mass plantings, hanging basket situations or container displays. A single plant covers a large area without any need for replanting during the season. They are the perfect choice for worry free colour in the garden.
‘Plum Gorgeous’ Loropetalum Flowering: Spring and Autumn Habit: Pendulous, compact form Size: 1.2m H x 1.5m W Position: Full Sun to part shade Foliage: Deep plum coloured foliage all year round. Mass plant for a year round display of garden colour. Great for informal hedging and container planting in tubs to suit small spaces. Plant in the garden for foliage contrast. A moist well drained soil will give best results, although once established, it is dry tolerant.
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Superbells Series Calibrachoa Hybrid ®
Cherry Star
Lemon Slice
Flowering: Flower right through the warmer days from early spring to late autumn. Habit: Prostrate with abundant, small petunia-like flowers. Cascading growth. Size: 20cm H x 30cm W Position: They do best in full sun. Features: Well suited to containers, baskets, patios and gardens. Continuous flowering. New to the colour range is ‘Cherry Star’, ‘Lemon Slice’, ‘Coralberry Punch’, ‘Blackberry Punch’ & ‘Grape Punch’ (new colours available mid spring). Care: Allow the top of the soil to dry before watering again. Calibrachoas don’t like wet feet. Use Searles Peat 80 Plus if planting in baskets and pots. Fertilise with Searles Flourish every few weeks to promote more blooms. No dead heading necessary.
Grape Punch
Dianthus ‘Scent First’ Collection Dianthus x allwoodii Flowering: Heavy flowering in spring, long flowering if spent flowers are removed. Habit: Compact foliage and free flowering perfumed flowers. Size: 30cm H x 40cm W Position: Full sun to part shade Features: Dry tolerant, highly fragrant. Great for low edging, ground cover, cut flowers and rockeries.
Buddleja BUZZ Buddleja davidii TM
Flowering: Flowers are almost constant year round in most climates. Perfumed. Habit: Dwarf growth. Size: Well behaved plants growing only to a metre in height with little pruning needed. Position: Easy to grow in sunny to semi-shaded positions. Features: Great for large pots, massed plantings or in a mixed garden. Attracts butterflies and small birds. Care: Plant in well composted garden soil such as 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food. Buddlejas will not tolerate heavy frosts. Trim back the older growth when flowers are showing signs of slowing off and getting smaller.
Sugar Plum
Coconut Sundae
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Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ This distinctive variety displays unique variegated foliage with spikes of flowers in a blend of cream, lime and green appearing from late winter through to early spring. Compact growth of 50cm2. Plant in full sun. Tolerant of extreme heat and dry conditions. Great as a structural feature in gardens and pots.
Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’
This striking compact ornamental changes its foliage with the season. From bright yellow with light green centres and soft pink petite flowers in spring to darker foliage in summer, then bright orange foliage in autumn turning into fiery red in the winter months. Plant in full sun to take advantage of the foliage colours. 70cm H x 90cm W. Great as an informal hedge. Low maintenance.
Euphorbia ‘Silver Swan’ With variegated grey-green foliage and stunning in structure with spikes of creamy coloured flowers produced from late winter through spring, makes this compact plant a winner as a feature container and garden plant. Like other Euphorbias, they like full sun and are drought tolerant. Feed in spring with Searles Flourish Green and Growth Plant Food.
Syzygium ‘Big Red’
Plant this medium growing Lillypilly for its large glossy leaves, dark crimson new growth, excellent topiary and hedging properties. White flowers are borne over summer followed by edible berries that attract native birds. Hardy, frost and dry tolerant once established. Responds well to shaping. 4m H x 2.5m W. Plant in full sun to part shade with Searles Garden Soil Mix. Prune to shape during early spring to encourage dense habit.
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Alternanthera dentata ‘Little Ruby’ This stunning foliage shrub has a dense, compact habit with striking burgundy leaves. At around 30-40cm H and 60-90cm W ‘Little Ruby’ is ideal to plant as a groundcover or border plant in sun or part shade. It is also a stylish choice for a low-maintenance container plant. It is a third the size of common variety and is a wonderful choice for all year colour.
Alcantarea ‘Silver Plum’ This gorgeous deep, red bromeliad is sun loving, growing to a span of more than 1.5 metres. The flower spike can reach 2.5 metres in height and last for up to 18 months! As with most bromeliads, the leaves are extremely hardy. Bromeliads love free draining soil. Plant in a prominent spot in the garden or large pot with Searles Cymbidium & Bromeliad Specialty mix. For more information on garden hint & tips visit
www.aboutthegarden.com.au
Noel Burdette
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While the interest continues to rise around the country for growing productive plants in our backyards, it is easy to lose sight that our gardens as a whole should continue to be a pleasing green space for the entire family to share throughout the year,with a balanced combination of shrubs, trees, groundcovers and flowers.
If privacy and screening is what you’re seeking, then how about the Grumichama Eugenia Braziliensis syn: E dombeyi. This evergreen, South American relative of the Aussie Lillypilly is sure to fill the spot where many others can’t. It will reach an average height of around 21/2 metres and requires little if any pruning. Its dense growth habit is highlighted by the deep green foliage that is rarely affected by pests or disease. In late spring or early summer, clusters of pure white flowers are produced all over the shrub, followed in late summer by shiny black edible fruit that are rarely bothered by the dreaded fruit fly. The fruit can be eaten fresh from the shrub or made into jam or a spicy sauce suitable for meat dishes. Traditional topiary has used the likes of Ficus or buxus for many years to make into lollypop standards but as an alternative try your hand at the zesty Cumquat or Calamondin Citrus macrocarpa. These are amongst the fastest and easiest of all citrus to grow for anyone interested in trying their hand at topiary. The smaller sized, bushy foliage is perfect for clipping into shape. Many
cultivars are available including the closely related species “Nagami” Fortunella japonica with its unusual egg shaped fruit and the highly decorative variegated foliage form which also has variegated striped golden fruit. Cumquats, like all citrus, enjoy a position with maximum sunlight and will do exceptionally well in large pots. The small fruit are produced in large quantities during the cooler months and can be used to make a delicious zingy marmalade or stewed and stored in jars with brandy for delightful Christmas gifts. If planting into pots, use Searles Peat 80 Potting Mix as this will carry plenty of long lasting nutrition for best results. Another easy to grow and highly desirable species is the Olive tree Olea Europa. Many cultivars are grown around Australia depending on the suitable climate and these age old species are beautiful in any garden. Olives can be easily trained into formal topiary and also as an exquisite espalier along narrow fence lines. Their fine silver foliage adds a beautiful quality to the garden and they are often used for this feature over their fruiting. Olives can take time to reach fruiting age, but best fruiting will be if several trees are available for good cross pollination.
Jerusalem artichoke tubers (below) and pretty yellow flowers (above) appear in late summer.
Variegated form of cumquat
Olives
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They can be used for graceful avenues on both sides of wide paths or driveways and can also be used as feature trees to provide light shade. Olives require good drainage and plenty of sunlight to bring out their best features. Although untroubled in dry climates, they can fall victim to Azalea lace wing or mites in the subtropics and as such require one or two applications of Searles Conguard at the beginning of the growing season and again in late summer. For that bright spark of late summer colour in the perennial border or amongst the likes of ornamental grasses, why not opt for the Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus. This unusual member of the Sunflower family neither comes from Jerusalem nor is it an artichoke. These herbaceous perennials produce large quantities of knobbly underground tubers during winter (harvest time) which have a pleasant nutty flavour. These underused productive plants have many uses as when in flower will attract a wide variety of beneficial predatory and pollinating insects into the garden while their statuesque appearance at around one and half metres holds them strong amongst more traditional flowering plants such as Dahlias, Daylilies or salvia species. With most of their growth being produced during the warm weather, Jerusalem artichokes will begin to die down during autumn when at this time all the energy is being transferred to their tubers. When digging up, remember to keep some aside for replanting for next season. They can be stored in a cool dry place, or planted immediately back into the garden.
Rosemary can be pru ned into hedges (see above and below) easily. Pretty pa le mauve flowers adorn e the plant in summer (abo ve).
If fragrance is your thing and structure is called for, then the addition of Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis to the garden is sure to please. A traditional herb in every sense, Rosemary lends itself well to being clipped into low hedges where it’s warming fragrance can be released each time it is brushed against. For those with retaining walls or steps, try the prostrate cultivar “Huntington Carpet�. This will willingly cascade over the edge of walls where its unique structure will enthral everyone who passes. Rosemary requires good drainage and, at the very least, six hours of sun a day for good strong growth. The addition of Searles Dolomite to the surrounding soil once or twice a year will help to keep the ph of the soil slightly alkaline which rosemary responds to very favourably seeing that it is a shrub from the Mediterranean regions.
There are so many varieties of productive plants that can be utilized within our gardens to provide us with interesting and rewarding garden spaces. Recognizing the qualities and benefits that many of these plants can bring to our gardens is the first step to ensuring that what we grow can be both beautiful and bountiful to our needs.
Try Sweet potato Ipomoea batatus. The newer cultivars available are grown for their flamboyant coloured foliage of lime green, purple and bronze and make an ideal groundcover for many aspects of the garden. They do however also produce tubers (albeit smaller in size) than the traditional shop bought variety. The tubers can take anywhere between three and six months to be produced and will do so if the soil is a little on the lighter side. Adaptable to either full sun or dappled light positions, these fast growing plants are wonderful choices for weed control under shrubs or trees or equally to softly spill over retaining walls. Plant tubers into prepared garden soil with 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food mixed through a week prior.
New sweet potato cultivators are grow n for their flamboyant foliage and edible tubers.
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Psyllids
ALL ZONES
Agapanthus is flowering now. This hardy perennial is a tough performer and its strappy foliage provides year-round greenery. Its handsome flowers, borne on the ends of tall stalks in shades of blue or white, are excellent in a vase.
Lillypilly trees can be vulnerable to psyllids which cause unsightly, albeit harmless lesions on new growth (see picture). To avoid this problem, ask at your garden centre for Lillypilly strains that are resistant to psyllid attack. Control infestations with Searles Conguard.
Scale on a rose stem. Scale affects roses and other ornamentals where it can cause leaf yellowing and drop. It also produces honeydew which encourages sooty mould and ant infestation. Treat it with Searles White Oil or ready-to-use Searles Pest Gun.
For more hints and tips on identifying and controlling spring pests this season visit page 22.
Now is the time to repot cymbidiums The answer to drought proofing your garden as the weather heats up is to replace watering with mulching. Mulching preserves water but also insulates plant roots from extremes of temperature and promotes beneficial microbial life and earthworms in the soil. For a beautiful dark, rich ground mulch to improve your plant’s growth, use Searles Mulch Plus. It feeds plants for up to four months.
Planting sunflowers now is a great way to fill gardens with cheer in late spring and summer. Children especially, will be fascinated by their progress as they tower towards the sky. For how to grow sunflowers visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au/index.php/how-to-grow-sunflowers
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Garden centres are now brimming with azaleas, perhaps the prettiest of all spring flowering plants. Plant them in semi-shade or on the eastern side of a building, mulch well with plenty of compost and apply Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia at the recommended rate.
ALL ZONES
Happitunias are a new petunia whose smaller-sized 2 weeks with Searles Flourish
Bindii
Spring is the time for lawns. For a wonderful green lawn right through to next year, start fertilising in early spring with Searles Robust® Lawn Booster. Searles Robust® feeds for up to 4 months and promotes slow thick, green healthy grass just like professional sports fields.
Gaura ‘Rosy Jane’
Gaura lindheimeri X coccinea
Flowering: Spring, Summer and Autumn Habit: Compact Size: 30cm H x 15 - 20cm W Position: Full Sun Features: Easy to grow perennials with little care needed once established. Flowers of ‘Rosy Jane’ last well in floral arrangements. Great for flower borders and sunny areas in the garden and larger pots around patios. Find them at your local garden centre from October onwards.
Spring is the time for painful bindii invasion in lawns. If you have ever walked on a bindii and felt the sharp pain they cause, you may be interested to know that it is actually the seed that forms the prickle. Bindii grow in the winter and sets seed from late winter to early spring. Spray now with Searles Lawn Perfect®. Repeat spraying is important to control weeds that have germinated after the prior spraying. It's very important whenever using a weed spray, to use it in conjunction with Searles Spredmax. This increases the weedkiller's effectiveness by helping it stick to the leaves of the weed.
Refer to our lawn weed chart for the correct spray to use on your lawn. www.searles.com.au
David Grays Garden Problem Solvers
AVAILABLE FROM ALL LEADING NURSERIES, GARDEN CENTRES & HARDWARE STORES.
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...continued from page 13 Cootamundra Wattle
Visit the Mary Valley Tomato Festival. Sunday 1st December 2013. This is not just about growing tomatoes. The day promises to be a fun-filled adventure, starting with tomato judging, then live music, tomato-themed competitions, gourmet food stalls, and market stalls selling hand-made goods and local produce. There will be plenty to do for the kids with a jumping castle and merry-goround. www.maryvalleytomatofestival.com
ALL ZONES
‘Ruffles’ - Boysenberry
Powdery mildew
Satisify your love affair with these great new varieties of lavender. Look out for ‘Ruffles’ Series, ‘The Princess Lavender’ & ‘Lavender Lace’. All are top performers in the garden bed and look great in pots where the quintessential fragrance can be appreciated. Plant in a sunny location in well draining soil. Light pruning after main flowering flush will encourage a bushy habit. Dry tolerant once established and flowering now.
Searles TrifendTM 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.
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ALL ZONES Plant watermelon now for a harvest in time for Christmas. Their red and green colour scheme can be a wonderful finishing touch with other Christmas décor. To avoid a watery-tasting crop, minimise watering as fruit approaches maturity.
For more information on garden hint & tips and what’s on visit
www.aboutthegarden.com.au
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Tick check time
Checking your pets daily for ticks can be done while petting or grooming the animal and is good practice as it increases the likelihood of discovering ticks before symptoms become serious. Be sure to check carefully around the head and neck, under the arms or collar.
Selecting soil sample for testing
Try these new slim fitting, durable ‘Florelle’ gloves from Searles next time you are planning to garden. They feature dot print on the inside of the palm for extra grip support. Ask for them at your nearest garden centre or hardware stores.
‘Violetta’
Now is a great time to plant beans. If you're erecting a trellis, run it north-south, so all the plants get an equal share of both morning and afternoon sun. Such a setup will suit other warm season, vine-grown produce like cucumber and zucchini. Before planting, mix Searles Garden Soil into existing soil for better results. Feed young plants every two weeks with Searles Flourish Tomato & Vegetable Plant Food to keep the beans coming. Harvest young beans for optimum taste.
Shadow Dancer™ Fuchsias are a new generation of hybrid Fuchsias that have been bred to be more sun and heat tolerant than the Fuchsias of yesteryear, while still retaining the characteristically charming flowers of these popular plants. Shadow Dancer™ will add welcome colour and life to partially shaded areas, but gardeners can now also enjoy them in sunny spots too, as long as they are protected from hot midday sun. They will produce masses of flowers through winter and into summer. Great for garden beds and well lit outdoor situations.
1. Take soil sample from garden bed at 5-10cm deep. 2. For large garden areas, test samples from different areas of the garden. 3. To test potted plants, carefully dig out some potting mix from under mix surface or around root ball. 4. Use Searles Soil pH test kit to test the pH as per directions.
Optimum pH range Soil pH is the measure of soil acidity or alkalinity.
The pH of the soil affects plant growth. If the pH is too acidic (less than 5.5) or alkaline (over 7.5) particular nutrients become increasingly less available to the plant. This can result in plant growth and performance being greatly affected. Most plants grow well in pH 5.5 - 7.0. Acid loving plants (such as azaleas, camellias, gardenias, Rhododendrons, some Australian native plants, philodendrons, ericas, junipers and spruce) prefer 5.0 - 6.0. Potting mixes and organic mixes perform better at slightly lower pH than soils.
To raise the pH of your soil mix in some Garden Lime or Dolomite. To lower the pH of your soil mix in sulphur powder as per packet directions.
Lastly, lightly rake into soil surface & water in.
ALL ZONES
Re-test again in 2 - 4 weeks to check results.
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Darwin
Cairns Broome Townsville Whitsundays
N.T.
Mackay
Mt. Isa Longreach
Alice Springs Carnarvon
Emerald
Blackall
W.A.
Hervey Bay
QLD
Gympie Roma Toowoomba Warwick
Coober Pedy
Geraldton Kalgoorlie
Rockhampton Gladstone
S.A. Port Augusta
Perth
N.S.W.
Albany
Adelaide Victor Harbour
North Queensland Tropical — Wet & Dry Tropics
Mt Gambier
Armidale
Orange
Gold Coast
Grafton Port Macquarie
Tamworth
Bunbury Esperance
Moree
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Newcastle
Sydney
Canberra Wodonga
Vic.
Melbourne
Tas.
Sow ageratum, amaranthus, begonia, chrysanthemum, cockscomb, coleus, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gazania, geranium, gerbera, impatiens, kangaroo paw, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, torenia, verbena and zinnia.
Herbs
Plant basil, chilli, chives, dill, ginger, mint, oregano and parsley.
Subtropical — Coastal
Flowers
Temperate Cool
Herbs
REGIONAL ZONES Tropical Subtropical
Mediterranean Arid
Basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Fruit & Vegetables
Sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, chicory, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melons, mustard, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato and watermelon.
Fruit & Vegetables
Plant beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, Chinese cabbage, choko, corn, cucumber, french beans, eggplant, leek, lettuce, onion, radish, rockmelon, silver beet, spinach, squash, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato, watermelon and zucchini.
More advice...
More advice...
Complete any digging or landscaping work before the weather becomes too hot. Divide cannas. Plant ornamental trees. Prune established plants for bushier growth — especially those which have just finished flowering. Fertilise and mulch well. Spray for blackspot and powdery mildew on roses and other ornamental shrubs with Searles Rose Pro spray.
South-east Qld & Northern NSW
Sow ageratum, aster, balsam, carnation, chrysanthemum, cockscomb, coleus, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gazania, geranium, gerbera, impatiens, kangaroo paw, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, torenia, verbena and zinnia.
Hobart
Flowers
Now is the time to safeguard against fruit fly which can be a serious problem in warmer regions. Attach Searles Fruit Fly Traps to citrus trees, tomato plants and other fruit trees to control these nasty pests. Always discard fallen fruit to avoid attracting fruit fly from other areas.
Mulberries (Morus spp.) are easy to grow organically in home gardens. Allow the berries — borne in spring and early summer — to blacken before harvesting because they do not ripen off the tree. In the subtropics, try the Shahtoot mulberry (M. macroura), a smaller growing tree with sweet, creamcoloured fruit.
Spray mangoes with Searles Mancozeb fungicide after flowering to protect them from anthracnose — a common cause of fruit drop. Spray passionfruit with Searles Bug Beater, a natural pyrethrum spray to control sucking and chewing pests. Prune back winter flowering shrubs.
New growth on Metrosideros 'Fiji Fire'.
Sydney
Adelaide, Perth
Temperate areas
Mediterranean Climate
Flowers
Flowers
Sow amaranthus, aster, balsam, begonia, carnation, chrysanthemum, cockscomb, coleus, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gazania, gerbera, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, phlox, Iceland poppy, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, torenia, verbena and zinnia.
Herbs
Basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Fruit & Vegetables
Sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, chilli, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, endive, lettuce, melons, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, rosella, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini.
More advice...
Plant fruit trees and vines. Divide clumping plants such as agapanthus, canna, liriope, iris and clivea. Protect seedlings from snails and slugs. Remove spent flowers to induce new blooms. Bulbs will flourish with a liquid feed of Searles Flourish during flowering. Deadhead spent springflowering annuals and perennials. Prune winter flowering shrubs and plants. Watch out for scale that appear on ornamentals and citrus. Spray with Searles Conguard.
Sow alyssum, antirrhinum, aster, begonia, carnation, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia, daisies, dianthus, foxglove, gazania, impatiens, marigold, petunia, salvia and zinnia.
Herbs ALL ZONES
South Pacific native Metrosideros (Metrosideros excelsa) is a tough performer in Aussie gardens. Red, pompom like flowers are borne in summer (it’s also known as New Zealand Christmas bush) but just as striking is its new foliage which appears as fire-engine red leaves throughout the year (pictured).
Melbourne Cold & Southern Tableland areas
Flowers
Sow alyssum, antirrhinum, aster, begonia, carnation, celosia, chrysanthemum, cineraria, cockscomb, coleus, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, foxglove, gazania, hollyhock, impatiens, lobelia, marigold, petunia, salvia and zinnia.
Herbs
Sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
Fruit and vegetables
Sow broccoli, carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, silver beet, snow pea, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato.
Inland Areas
Arid or Outback areas
Flowers
If planting flowers, use advanced pots to ensure a good flowering before it gets too hot (by November/December). Try petunia, vinca, cosmos, marigold, salvia, portulaca, nasturtium and zinnia.
Herbs
Protect plants from heat in late spring. Inland areas have a good climate for growing all types of herbs.
Fruit and vegetables
Stop planting most vegetables by spring, although beans, capsicum, onion, radish and sweet corn can still do well. Harvest by summer. Watch out for fruit flys and control spray lawns for weeds.
Fruit and vegetables
Sow beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, endive, leek, lettuce, onion, pak choi, pea, radicchio, silver beet, snow pea, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato.
More advice...
Plant pumpkins throughout spring for crops in late summer and autumn. To save space, trim the plants before fruit set for more compact fruit production.
Apply mulch over all garden beds in preparation for warmer weather. If using a woody mulch, first dig in some 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food or Blood & Bone to the soil. Repot indoor plants that have become root-bound. Sow seeds of summerflowering annuals and perennials. Watch out for aphids on roses and ornamentals. Spray with Searles Rose Pro spray.
Pandorea is a compact native climber, flowering from spring until autumn. Easily trained onto a trellis or frame, it needs full sun and well-drained soil. A very hardy plant once established.
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Growing your own vegetables is not only an excellent way to cut down your grocery bills and reduce your carbon footprint, it’s a great pathway to a healthier lifestyle. Here’s how to get started with some of the most popular vegetables in Australian home vegie gardens. There are varieties of carrots available that mature at different times and by staggering your planting times, you can have carrots on hand almost yearround. Carrots store well in the ground and it’s better to have too many than not enough so plant several packets of seeds if you have room for them. Carrots dislike high nitrogen fertilisers and often grow best in soil that has been ‘used’ by other vegetables the previous season without further feeding. Good drainage is important in preventing rot-related diseases, so build up garden beds and mix in plenty of river sand if you need to
Lettuce is a great crop for beginner gardeners and children because it is so fast to mature (about 8 weeks from sowing seed). Planting lettuce crops successively on a monthly basis can ensure you always have lettuce on hand. Give lettuces full sun and water regularly to keep their shallow roots from drying out. They will wilt in excessive wind and summer heat. Lettuce can grow well in containers. Enrich soil with 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food before planting and ensure good drainage, building up beds if necessary. Lettuce seed is best sown straight into garden beds in a shallow drill, maybe 5mm deep. Once they are large
improve drainage. Planting from seed is preferable as carrots don’t usually transplant well. Follow the directions on the seed packet carefully and be sure not to plant too deep. When seedlings are at the two leaf stage, thin them out to give more room for the developing carrots. ‘Baby’ carrot varieties grow well in pots of Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix, as can
Ashley Searle
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several blunt-rooted varieties. Crop rotation can be very helpful in preventing soil-borne diseases. Keep moist, but don’t overwater as this can lead to root rot. To harvest, ease them out of the ground with a trowel to avoid snapping the root and twist off foliage before storing.
enough to handle, thin seedlings to about 25cm apart. Lettuce can be prone to fungal disease in Grow humid conditions so make vegetables sure plants are wellfast by providing spaced to allow airflow adequate water and and water only in the fertiliser to make them mornings so plants have crisp and sweet. This time to dry out before applies to lettuce, carrots, nightfall. If aphids attack, silver beet, beetroot wash them off with a and celery. hose. For best results, apply Searles Flourish fortnightly, according to the directions.
For delicious recipes using feature vegetables visit
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Tomatoes like an open, sunny site with deep soil, excellent drainage and protection from wind. The smaller varieties can grow well in large pots or tubs. Taller varieties will need staking, preferably at planting stage to avoid damaging existing roots. Tomatoes will grow in practically any soil, provided it has been dug over with plenty of 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food at least 2 weeks before planting. When planting from seed, be sure to thin them out once they start growing as overcrowding can encourage disease. Make sure the root ball is well anchored when planting as top-heavy plants can blow over. Mulch well around plants to suppress weeds and water
Only one type of zucchini should be grown at any one time as crosspollination between different varieties can affect fruit quality. To keep a continual supply, plant an extra 3 plants every month over the warm season. In spring and autumn, give zucchini full sun; in summer, semi-shade. Zucchini likes a well-composted, deep soil that has been heavily manured the season before. Ensure good drainage. Compact varieties can be grown in containers. Dig the soil over to a depth of 15cm, adding plenty of 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food. Sow seeds 1m apart, into saucer like depressions in the soil. Keep well-watered up until the point when fruit begins to mature, after which point keep the roots slightly damp. Mulch well under each plant to protect the shallow roots and prevent the fruit coming in contact with the
Capsicum loves the heat, so in cool zones, wait until frosts have passed before planting. Capsicum is also highly ornamental and can be grown for its brightly coloured fruit which lasts a long time on the plant. For growing in pots, use Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix. Capsicum can be planted in seed trays, but should be planted into the open by the time they’re about 10cm high. Plant them in the hottest part of your vegie patch, giving them plenty of space for their extensive root system. Taller varieties
the roots rather than the foliage. Feed tomatoes with SeaMax® Fish & Kelp. Soil-borne viruses like wilt can usually be avoided with crop rotation or by growing in pots. Use Searles Pest Gun for severe infestations of aphids, caterpillars or mites. Hang Searles Fruit Fly Traps to combat Vegetables fruit fly. To avoid damaging the benefit from fruit, include part of the stalk being kept moist when harvesting and snip off and well weeded. baby tomatoes in trusses. A generous layer of Planting basil near tomato mulch, about 5cm thick plants is said to improve their will help conserve flavour and also helps remind water and smother you which herb works best in weeds. tomato dishes!
A new zucchini forming on the plant
soil. Zucchini is pollinated by bees, so don’t use pesticides. Watering in the mornings can discourage fungal infections. Powdery mildew can be controlled with Searles Mancozeb Plus. Searles Bug Beater can control aphids. Pick zucchini when it is young and tender. Regular harvest promotes more fruit.
Most veggies prefer a slightly alkaline soil, so if your soil is acidic, sweeten it at least 2 weeks before planting with Searles Garden Lime at the recommended rate.
will need staking as they become quite heavy when laden with fruit. Maintain a light mulch. Feed fortnightly with SeaMax® Fish & Kelp up until fruit set. If growing in containers, feed weekly and don’t allow plants to dry out. In warm climates, capsicum are perennial, fruiting best in their second year. Cut them back hard after fruiting finishes in late autumn and they will shoot again the following spring. Hide fruit among the foliage on very hot days as they can suffer sunburn. The more you pick, the more will grow. Remove the fruit with some stalk to improve its keeping qualities.
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Now is a great time to plant herbs. Whether grown on a small balcony or as part of an established vegie garden, there’s nothing like having fresh herbs on hand whenever you need them. Lemon balm (Melisa officianalis) Lemon balm is closely related to mint and has similar growing requirements. It is however, less invasive and is easier to control. Its leaves emit a delicious lemon fragrance when crushed and make a soothing tea. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) Basil is a frost-tender summer annual that is planted in spring or summer and generally dies before the arrival of winter. Basil can be planted as seed or seedlings in a sunny position after frosts have finished. Water frequently and harvest leaves regularly for best results. Unlike most herbs, basil’s flavour intensifies with cooking. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme likes a sunny location and is quite dry tolerant so don’t overwater it. Growing 15-25cm in height, this perennial has a low, spreading habit. Its flavour blends well with garlic, olive oil and tomatoes. Allow a few months for it to establish, after which time, leaves can be harvested at any time. In warm climates, prune it hard every spring to prevent it becoming woody. Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs in the kitchen and there is an old adage, ‘When in doubt, use thyme’.
Ingredients:
4 chicken thigh fillets 1 clove of garlic, crushed 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tbsp. rice vinegar 100g rice vermicelli noodles, prepared as per instructions on packet ½ head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
Method:
Serves 4
For more great recipes by Chef Louise Dolben www.facebook.com/BreadandButterMum
1 carrot, peeled and cut into sticks 1 Lebanese cucumber, cut into sticks 2 tbsp. fresh chopped mint 2 tbsp. fresh chopped coriander 1 qty of Nuoc Mam Cham (instructions below)
Trim chicken of any excess fat and marinate in the garlic, soy and rice vinegar for 30 mins. Cook chicken on a bbq, chargrill or in a frypan. Make Nuoc Mam Cham by gently heating 60ml water, 1 ½ tbsp. fish sauce, 1 ½ tbsp. rice vinegar and 1 tbsp. sugar. When sugar is dissolved remove from heat and add 1 clove of chopped garlic, 1 tbsp. lime juice and 1 chopped birds eye chili (if desired). In a large bowl mix all the remaining ingredients with the Nuoc Mam Cham. It is best to use clean hands to mix this salad to guarantee an even distribution of ingredients. Place handfuls of the salad into individual bowls, scatter over slices of the chicken and garnish with extra coriander leaves and chilli.
Protect herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife. Protect vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and buildings from cockatoos, crows, ducks, pigeons, rosellas, starlings, swallows, other birds & bats. Protects homes, gardens, patios, shop fronts and paved areas from both dogs and cats or rats and mice.
Protect 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. ‘So Blushious’
is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it". For further information send 2x60c stamps to:
GG20-260/02
Available in 100g, 1Kg & 4Kg Sizes.
(mix of Nemesia Aromatica Rose Pink, Petunia Fame White & Calibrachoa MiniFamous Pink)
D-TER, Dept. A, PO Box 3, Oyster Bay, NSW 2225. Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703. Fax: (02) 9589 0147
New to garden centres this spring are these ready-tohang mixed potted colour hanging baskets. Look for the ‘Designer Dancers’ label. Each hanging basket contains six plants and includes three different high performing annuals selected for their complementary colour combinations. They have also been purposefully designed to ensure the plant’s growth and vigour are uniform and they flower at the same time.
Plant combinations available in store include selected high performing petunias, verbenas, lobelias and nemesias with new combination varieties being added through the growing season. These hanging combination are a wonderful living present for someone special. Look out for these stunning beauties at your local garden centre from spring time onwards.
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Spring 2013
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To avoid the use of pesticides, caterpillars should be flicked off food crops and squashed on sight. These pests can do serious damage in a short period of time so peruse your garden regularly and use Searles Bug Beater (a natural pyrethrum spray) for major outbreaks.
Azalea lace bug
Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) affects azaleas and rhododendrons. These tiny insects feed on the plant's sap, causing unsightly mottling. In severe cases, it causes leaf-drop or death of the plant. Check for early signs of it on the undersides of leaves in spring and control it with Searles Conguard.
Two-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae) affects ornamentals, fruit trees and some vegetables. Affected leaves have a mottled appearance or can be bronzed or shrivelled. Leave them to natural predators, but if the problem is severe, spray Searles Rose Pro.
Two-spotted mite on a camellia leaf.
Bronze Orange Bug
Watch out for these brightly coloured orange bugs on citrus trees and flowers. They suck the sap from young stems and damage new growth. They give off a bad smelling substance when threatened so its best to spray them with Searles Conguard to control their numbers.
These small, fuzzy, white insects distort new growth by sucking on the plants sap and the females excretions cover leaves with a sticky honeylike substance that attracts ants which in turn provides the right conditions for sooty mould. Watch out for these insects on citrus, roses, indoor and outdoor ornamentals with the onset of warm weather. Control infestions with Searles Pest Gun. The female mealybug lays her eggs, every 10 days, in a sticky white substance around the stem of the plant. Hence, repeat spraying may be necessary to control future outbreaks.
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Superway Imidacloprid 200 Insecticide
Highly effective suspension concentrate insecticide for the control of aphids, thrips, mealy bugs, beetles, African black beetle and other insect pests on roses, turf, ornamentals, fruit and vegetables.
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