Summer in the Garden

Pay tribute to your Mum and say thanks with superb Cyclamen, stunning Chrystanthemums and showy Camellias, plus a full range of other gardening goodies. If you're not sure what mum would prefer, why not give her a Mitre 10 Gift Voucher.

Seedlings

In the flower garden sow seedlings of Alyssum, Begonia, Bellis, Calendula, Carnation, Cineraria, Cornflower, Delphinium, Dianthus, Foxglove, Freesia, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Linaria, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Lupin, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Pansy, Poppy, Polyanthus, Poppy, Primula, Ranunculus, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea and Viola

In the vegetable patch, look for Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Silverbeet, Strawberry Runners.

Supply of seedlings is weather dependent and may vary from those listed here.. Always check the punnet label for planting conditions, distances, heights etc.. Water in well with a plant hormone solution to encourage new root growth. Protect from snails and slugs.

Seeds

In the flower garden: Alyssum, Bellis, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Cineraria, Cornflower, Delphinium, Dianthus, Forget-Me-Not, Godetia, Gypsophila, Hollyhock, Honesty, Larkspur, Linaria, Lupin, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Pansy, Polyanthus, Poppy, Primula, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Sweet Pea and Viola

In the vegetable garden: Broad Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Parsnip, Radish, Silverbeet, Spinach, Spring Onion, Swede, Turnip

Read instructions on the packet carefully. Plant in a seed raising mix in trays if recommended and shelter after transplanting. Protect from snails and slugs.

Bulbs/Perennials

Anenome, Easter Daisy, Bearded Iris, Chrysanthemum, Crocus, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Dutch Iris, Freesia, Helleborus, Hyacinth, Jonquil, Ranunculus, Salvia and Tulip can all be planted now. If planting bulbs in containers, use bulb potting mix and bulb food. Containers of bulbs are great for decorating your house in the late winter and spring and can be planted out into the garden as soon as flowering finishes.

Pruning

• Prune Geraniums and Pelargoniums back by about one third
• Prune Summer and Autumn flowering shrubs once flowering has finished. Leave any frost sensitive shrubs until Spring
• Dead head annual flowers weekly
• Trim perennials such as Penstemon, Salvia, and Daisies to promote further flowering
• Prune Apricots, Cherries, and Almonds as soon as fruiting has finished. These trees prefer to be pruned late Summer/early Autumn rather than in Winter
• Dead head roses weekly, and give a light prune in February for a good Autumn display

Trees shrubs and climbers

Abutilon, Azalea, Banksia, Bouvardia, Camellia, Callistemon, Citrus, Conifers, Crepe Myrtle, Daphne, Fuchsia, Gardenia, Grevillea, Hedging Plants, Hibiscus, Maples and other trees for Autumn foliage, Olive, Plumbago, Protea

Feeding

• Feed citrus in early Autumn
• Feed Fuchsias weekly with Phostrogen. This will encourage blooming
• Feed deciduous fruit trees in early to mid Autumn
• Regular fertilising of lawns should encourage strong growth after Summer
• Continue to give annuals and flowering hanging baskets regular feeding with Phostrogen. Remember to apply fertilisers and manures to a moist soil at the recommended rate and water in well afterwards
• Give Roses a feed with Rose Food for that final autumn flush of flowers

Pests and Diseases

• Monitor your garden regularly for aphid and caterpillar activity. Control as necessary with Pyrethrum
• Spray roses fortnightly to help control black spot and insects
• Spray deciduous fruit trees as soon as leaves start to fall
• Treat Oxalis weeds with Round-Up whilst they are still growing strongly
• Remove all fallen leaves and rotten fruit from around fruit treees so that the pests and diseases are not carried over to Spring

Other Jobs

• Stake Chrysanthemums, Easter Daisies etc as required
• Harvest Pumpkins and store in a dark dry spot
• Sow new lawns or repair old ones.
• Harvest herbs which die down over Winter. Dry or freeze them for use over the cooler months
• Rake up fallen leaves and add them to the compost heap
• Clean and sharpen tools ready for winter pruning
• Prepare garden beds for winter planting of roses, fruit trees and deciduous ornamental trees.