GARDENING GUIDE

Keen to enter the Chronicle Garden Competition or simply create a dazzling spring garden? Here’s some handy hints to get you started from local horticulturist Mike Wells.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

• Soil improvement is vital. Dig in some quality compost or old manures.

• Incorporate lime or dolomite to sweeten and open up acidic clay soils.

• Plant frost tender evergreen shrubs and trees and herbaceous perennials.

• Renovate and topdress spongy and tired lawns.

• Mulch to retain vital moisture.

• Nourish existing garden plants and lawns with an organic/inorganic fertiliser.

DECEMBER - FEBRUARY

• Irrigate deeply during dry periods.

• Spread soil wetting granules to maximise rainfall infiltration.

• Contact local nurseries if you require large quantities of annual seedlings — order for May delivery.

• Apply high nitrogen fertiliser to your lawns if high rainfall has occurred.

• Order spring bulbs and perennials from local and mail-order nurseries.

MARCH - APRIL

• Incorporate pre-planting fertilisers in annual beds.

• Order spring bulbs and perennials from local or mail-order nurseries.

• Plant seed of most annuals in late March to early April.

• Feed lawns with high potassium fertiliser for winter resilience.

• Plant most spring bulbs from late March to early May.

MAY - JUNE

• Plant most annual seedlings from midMay to early June. Soak seedlings in weak seaweed solution before planting to reduce transplant shock.

• Apply seaweed-based plant tonics at planting, and each week for 4-6 weeks.

• Liquid feed with boosted organic fertiliser every 2 weeks.

• Pinch out early flowers to direct plant energy into growth.

• Protect frost tender plants

• Grab a Chronicle Garden Competition entry form, fill out, and enter!!

JULY - AUGUST

• Liquid fertilise annuals every 3 weeks.

• Pinch out early flowers until late August to direct plant energy into growth.

• Mulch with chopped Lucerne when seedlings have established.

• Apply a high potassium (Flower and Fruit) fertiliser mid to late August for improved flowering.

• Plant deciduous flowering shrubs/trees.

• Protect frost tender plants.

September

• Keep moisture up to your maturing annuals.

• Watch out for late frosts.

• Enjoy a fabulous and floriferous spring garden!

During Carnival

• Visit as many Competition and Exhibition gardens as possible.

• Talk to the owners about what works, and what doesn’t.

• Visit our great park gardens and chat with a knowledgeable Toowoomba Region gardener.

Year Round

• Join a gardening club — they’re full of experienced gardeners!

• Visit local plant nurseries and learn from the attending horticulturist.

• Attend Chronicle Garden Competition workshops and information sessions.

In

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