Many of us prefer to stay indoors during the winter months and our gardens suffer the consequences. Now is the time however to brave the inclement weather and care for our gardens, some careful nuturing now ensures results in spring, summer and beyond.
The Vegetable Garden
Time to start preparing the soil for spring vegetable planting. Cultivate empty spaces, digging in autumn sown green crops. Add compost and lime if necessary. Do not cultivate wet, boggy soils.
Sow seeds of broccoli, cabbage, broad beans, cauliflower, peas, lettuce, onions, radish, spinach, silverbeet, swede and turnips. In warmer districts sow carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Plant seedlings of artichoke, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, potatoes, rhubarb, silverbeet and cabbage. Use of a cloche in cooler districts will allow earlier plantings.
Protect seedlings from slugs and snails with Mesurol or Butlers Slug & Snail Pellets.
Spray winter vegetables with Champion Copper to prevent fungus diseases.
Plant early potatoes in warm climates. Sprout in a sunny location prior to planting.
Plant garlic and shallots, asparagus crowns and strawberry plants.
Fruit Trees
Plant new fruit trees; citrus, apples, pears, plums, peaches and nectarines.
Prune existing deciduous fruit trees. Spray them with Champion Copper and Protector Oil to protect from over wintering pests and diseases.
The Flower Garden
Sow seeds of aquilegia, delphinium, dianthus, forget-me-not, larkspur, nemesia, pansy, primula, salvia, snapdragon, stock, sweetpea and wallflower.
Plant seedlings of pansies, primula, sweet pea, lupin, stock, lobelia, larkspur and dianthus.
Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails with Mesurol or Butlers Slug & Snail Pellets.
Feed seedlings with Phostrogen.
Cut back untidy growth of perennials, divide them and then replant.
Prune existing roses and plant new seasons ones. Spray roses with Champion Copper and Protector Oil to guard against scale, mites, aphids, and fungus diseases.
Prune hydrangeas and fuchsias.
Plant trees and shrubs adding Magamp and generous quantities of compost to the planting hole.
Feed spring bulbs with a side dressing of Bulb Food and feed with Phostrogen as flower heads appear.
Prepare the ground prior to planting summer flowering bulbs and tubers by adding General Garden Fertiliser.
Towards the end of the month plant gladioli, tuberous begonias, dahlias and calla lilies. Gladioli will flower approximately 100 days after planting. Plant at intervals to extend the summer flowering season.
Apply mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture for the spring and summer. |
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