GARDEN

weekly GARDEN

A simple design drawing can save mistakes in the garden, and give you a point of reference down the track. MISTAKE COMMON GARDEN ERRORS TO AVOID Make no We all make mistakes – some of us more than others. Lack of time, lack of knowledge and, in my case, lack of judgement can be contributing factors. So check out my definitive list of common gardening mistakes to avoid in the coming year. You’ll be all sorted in five minutes – not. Trial & error! Lee Ann Bramwell GARDEN EDITOR M y biggest gardening mistake was probably buying a two-acre block surrounded by a stream in a valley in the subtropical far north where sudden torrential downpours are a fact of life – ergo: flooding.

In three devastating floods, I’ve lost much of the garden, and neighbours downstream are probably admiring some of my precious plants from my cedar recliners as we speak.

The upside is that, as Anne of Green Gables used to say, tomorrow is a day with no mistakes in it yet. Sadly, this scenario hasn’t stopped me making the same mistakes more than once, but I think I’m getting on top of it now. And it means you get to learn from my mistakes! BAD PLANNING Planning doesn’t just mean writing a list of what you’re going to get at the garden centre. It means starting

with a design to give you outdoor spaces that will function well and look good. The entertaining area shouldn’t just end up somewhere because there happened to be enough space. A plan will consider all the elements, including position, space, aspect, access and viewpoints. It will also give you something to refer to a year or three down the track when you’ve lost the plot about what you were trying to achieve. IGNORING THE LABEL Labels on garden centre plants aren’t that detailed, but one thing they almost always include is the likely height of the item at maturity. I’ve often chosen to ignore this, or shrugged it off with a misguided, “Oh, we can keep it trimmed.” Don’t be like me. If you want a shrub or small tree that grows to 3m, buy one that grows to 3m. It will look better than a specimen that’s constantly being hacked, and it will save you lots of work. SCALPING THE LAWN The Partner and I frequently argue about how short to cut the lawn, but I win in the summer because it’s textbook stuff to leave the grass a bit longer. Some people scalp their lawns so they don’t have to mow as often, but that’s not

a good idea. Raise that blade. It’ll help to conserve moisture in the soil and insulate against the summer heat, and the grass will likely stay greener. BAD WATERING The watering mistake I make repeatedly is to avoid spending money on an irrigation system. But I’m going to do it, honest. In the meantime, I water for the benefit of the plants and the environment by shunning sprinklers in favour of a watering can or hose. The hose ensures that about 90% of the water gets to the plant. Sprinklers? Only 40-50% efficiency. Even a watering can is better. If you like standing around doing nothing much (as I do), you can make a personal water delivery via the hose to the root zone of each plant. If you get bored or need a cup of tea, turn the hose down a bit and sit it on the root zone. It’ll glug water slowly in while you do something else for a wee while. Keep up a good watering schedule and make sure you mulch your garden beds. It makes a huge difference to weeds, moisture retention and appearance. PLANTING OUT OF SEASON OR TOO EARLY Here’s a mistake I make every year. With shrubs and trees, Plant your vegetable garden close to the house where you can see it and you’re more likely to remember to weed and water. I have a tendency to buy something I like and plant it regardless of the season. To be fair, it’s usually not fatal, but the plant is always much slower to get going –and we’re not just talking about its first season. It might take a couple of years to catch up. FAILING TO PLOT I suspect real vegetable gardeners have permanent vege plots. Dabblers like me make a vege garden wherever there’s a space in any one season, or plonk a raised bin down somewhere where it won’t be in the way. If you’re serious about growing your own vegetables on a long-term basis, find the right spot, with good sun, shelter and soil. Create a vegetable plot that is the right size for your family. If it’s too large, it’ll be more work. And if you have a fluffy brain, try to locate the vege garden fairly close to the house and in clear view. Then you’ll remember it’s there, and that it needs weeding, feeding and watering regularly. BIG PLANT, SMALL HOLE This so doesn’t work, but if you’re in a hurry or the soil is hard, it often happens that you lose motivation before the hole is big enough, and then bash soil and root matter off the plant to make it fit. Naughty. Dig a hole that is close to twice as wide as the root ball of the plant. Shaking soil off the root ball or trimming it to fit is not allowed, although you may loosen the roots a little. There has to be enough flat area in the bottom of the hole for the root ball to sit flat on the soil. Loosen up the soil with a fork. Mix in some organic matter, such as compost or sheep pellets. Lower your plant into the hole and make sure it will sit comfortably on the bottom, and that the level of the soil when it was in its container will be the same once it’s planted. Fill the hole with planting mix and some soil from the excavation, tamp it down gently, and wish it luck. Job done!

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