 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Personal Space
I don't know about you, but after a crowded 'silly season' I'm in need of a little space - both physically and mentally. At times like these I head straight for the garden, where nature works its magic to soothe my soul.
Once out there, I notice that some of my plants need a little space too. Before Christmas it was too hot, dry and busy to worry much about what was happening in the garden, but now we've had some rain, the pace has slowed down a bit, and there is an opportunity in the cooler parts of the day to get back into the rhythm of remedial gardening.
Photographs in glossy magazines depicting a joyous jumble of plants look quite charming on the page, but in reality no plant likes to compete with another for moisture and nutrients, especially at this time of the year when both are in short supply.
In the annual and perennial border it is often enough to just deadhead plants, trim back spent foliage and remove the odd weed to free up your favourites. Frequently this will stimulate the plants to produce a repeat display of brilliant flowers.
Shrubs never look their best when crowded, unless you are growing them as a hedge. Ornamental specimens such as cordylines, duranta, gardenias, grevilleas, hibiscus, ixora and oleander should be gently contained within reasonable bounds during their flowering periods, and given a harder prune later in the season.
Trees which have been battered by summer storms should be tidied up before further damage occurs. Remove those limbs that are encroaching over pathways or brushing up against buildings.
Lawns need their space too. Trim up overhanging foliage from surrounding plants and simultaneously cut back any stray grass runners before they take root in adjacent beds.
Wishing you all a wonderful new gardening year!
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