 Growing
Gardens
with Anita Morton
Pets, plants and poisons
Australians are a nation of pet lovers, and we have more companion animals
per person than most other countries. Pets are part of the family, and of course
we want to do our best to keep them healthy and happy, but sometimes we may inadvertently
be giving them access to poisons. Many garden plants are either mildly or severely
toxic to our pets.
In the garden we should look out for onions and their relatives like liliums,
as all parts of those plants will cause anaemia in cats, which ingest them. In
fact, parts of most bulbous or rhizomatous plants are more or less toxic. For
example, the glory lily (Gloriosa superba) contains an alkaloid that causes multiple
organ failure.
All euphorbias exude milky sap that causes skin irritation in both people and
pets, so take care when pruning your poinsettias. The weed Tradescantia fluminensis
is a common problem, causing terrible dermatitis, especially in dogs. And if you
grow grapevines, make sure your pup can't get at the fruit - too many grapes cause
kidney failure.
If your cycads are fruiting it's a good idea to collect the seeds and dispose
of them, as they are toxic to both man and beast. Don't let your pony or goat
get in among the azaleas or oleander or it will be very, very sorry. Don't give
avocado to any pet or let them chew on the plant, as it contains a toxin that
affects the heart.
The fruits of both Brunfelsia australis (yesterday, today and tomorrow) and
Melia azederach (white cedar) are toxic to dogs.
As you can see, our gardens are full of plants that could harm our pets. It's
up to us to make sure that our animals are able to enjoy playing in the garden
without coming to harm.
Lismore Garden Club News
Spring is in the air.
Mother Nature is yawning, stretching and waking up. Gradually the soil, air
and water temperatures are getting warmer and our gardens are bursting into bloom.
If you haven't already prepared the soil for spring planting, drop everything
and do it now. Remove any grass and weeds, cover the garden with well rotted animal
manure or pelleted fowl manure, dust with dolomite, turn the lot in and water
it. Leave it for two weeks before planting.
What to plant now:
Flowers - Rose, Everlasting Daisy, Alyssum, Amaranthus, Balsam, Begonia, California
Poppy, Carnation, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia (seed), Dianthus, Gazania, Gerbera, Gloxinia,
Gypsophila, Honesty, Impatiens, Lupin, Nasturtium, Petunia, Phlox, Portulaca,
Rudbeckia, Salvia, Snapdragon, Verbena.
Vegies - Bean (dwarf and climbing), Beetroot, Choko, Herbs, Lettuce, Marrow,
Melon, Spring Onion, Pumpkin, Radish, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Squash, Sweetcorn,
Sweet Potato (shoots), Tomato.
Remember, the Lismore Garden Competition prize winning gardens will be open
until Sunday, September 11. For further info phone Mary on 6621 5293. The next
meeting of the Lismore Garden Club will be held on Thursday, November 3, at 1pm
at the Lismore Workers Club.
Finally: "Better a dish of vegetables if love go with it." - Proverbs
15:17.
Happy Gardening
Ron Burns
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