Garden Tasks for Late Spring

Here we are already in November! The second last month of the year and the last month of spring.  Where has the year gone? This time of year in the garden I am all about finding the best ways to retain, maintain and manage all the plants we are growing.  No new plants will go in unless they go in the veggie garden.  My time will be spent keeping on top of all the new growth and weeds. Here is a list of tasks for your garden in late spring.  

Are your Dahlia tubers planted yet?  Aim to try and get them in soon.  See blog post from last newsletter (LINK HERE)

Fertilise citrus trees for Spring.  We use a specific Citrus fertiliser at least once a season on our citrus.  I would also make sure the trees are well mulched.  I’m keeping my eye out for aphids and the juvenile bronze orange beetles.  They start out as quite small green beetles and as they get older will develop into a larger size turning a bronze colour. I find manually removing them with thongs is a good way to get rid of them.  I drop the beetles into a jar of soapy water.  Always wear eye protection when doing this as they can release a spray that is unpleasant in the eye.

For warm season grasses like Buffalo, Couch and Kikuyu, it’s time to do your spring renovation.  This might include scarifying, dethatching, aerating, topdressing and fertilising.  Take advantage of the rain by getting your fertiliser spread just before a good downpour.

Check all plants for aphids – with the wet humid conditions many areas are experiencing at the moment the aphids will be thriving.  They usually attack the new growth on your plants.  I would normally just hose them off plants but if you find they are constantly returning to your plants you may need to use Eco Oil or a spray of soapy water. If you find particular plants constantly under attack make plans to plant Spring Onions, Drumstick Allium or another member of the Onion or Garlic family underneath them as they work as the perfect deterrent to aphids with their “smelly” foliage

Continuously dead head your Roses so you can have repeat flowers throughout the rest of Spring

Fertilise your Roses and all of your flowering plants whilst the temperatures are mild. I like to use Sudden Impact fertiliser.  This also works well on Hydrangeas, Agapanthus, Hibiscus and many other flowering plants.  Try to spread before rain.  

Be on the look out for fruit fly especially on your stone fruit.  Ensure you have traps and lures set up.

In the veggie patch I will be planting out a wide variety of tomatoes, salad leaves (like Mizuna, English Spinach, Rocket), chilies, zucchini, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, capsicum and radishes

In the herb garden –I have my Basil, Dill, Coriander, Chives, Curly Parsley and Flat Leaved Parsley all planted ready to grow. I have also added some more rosemary, a few varieties of thyme and oregano.

Check that irrigation systems are working to their full potential before the hot days arrive. I also check what irrigation parts we have on hand. I usually like to have some back up parts like joiners, clamps and T’s in the irrigation kit just in case we need them.

Plant out summer flowering annuals in the cutting garden, veggie patch or even just for a splash of colour through the rest of the garden for summer. Some summer flowers you could plant are Calendula, Cosmos, Cornflowers, Poppies, Love in the Mist, Zinnias, Sun Flowers, Cerinthus major and Queen Anne’s Lace.   Stay tuned for an update on our meadow planting we have planted out at The Berkshires.