 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Natural Born Beauties
Many people labour under the misconception that native plants are exceptionally drought-tolerant, but even established specimens of banksias, callistemons, eucalypts, grevilleas and hakeas have soaked up the recent rains with relish.
Native plants are best bought as tubestocks if you can get them, because the smaller the plants the quicker they can become established. If you can't find tubes at your local garden centre, you're bound to be lucky at some of the excellent local markets in the region.
Poor soils should be invigorated with plenty of well-rotted leaves, lawn clippings and general garden compost before planting. Install plants with their rootballs intact and at the same depth they were in the pot. Planting too deeply will cause collar rot; planting too shallowly will expose the roots. Water immediately and shelter young plants from sun and frost during the first few days of their life inground.
In average garden situations (ie where the soil is fairly deep and friable) young plants should be watered deeply once a week - any less and they'll struggle to survive; any more and they'll become tender. This rule doesn't apply to natives planted in containers or rock gardens or in areas with sandy soil, where the moisture drains away quicker and needs to be replaced more often.
Native plants are generally modest feeders. Animal manures should be avoided in favour of specially-formulated slow-release granular fertiliser for native plants, an easy and cost-effective way to nurture your trees and shrubs.
In windy spots it's always a good idea to stake native plants, because their above-ground parts are often far more extensive than their roots, which may be loosened in strong gales, especially if the canopy is wet and heavy. In persistently windy areas consider planting a windbreak to create a more benign climate for your garden.
- Three excellent examples of native plantscaping are open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, August 31 - September 1, through Australia's Open Garden Scheme, at 5 Cudgera Avenue, and 29 and 32 Sassafrass Street, Koala Beach Estate, Pottsville. Entry $7.50 for adults and children under 18 are free.
Lismore Garden
Club News
The judging of the City of Lismore 2002 Garden Competition is this Sunday to Tuesday, September 1 - 3. All Lismore gardeners have had a battle with cold/dry weather, but thank God for the rain. The gardens will be open for inspection from September 7 to 15. Presentation of prizes will be at St. Andrews Anglican Parish Centre. Zadoc St Lismore. Thursday September 5 at 8pm. For further info phone Mary on 6621 5293.
What to plant now:
Flowers - Zinnia, Marigold, Salvia, Portulaca, Phlox, Petunia, Nasturtium, Impatiens, Gerbera, Gazania, Cosmos, Cockscomb, Chrysanthemum, Celosia, Carnation, Californian Poppy, Lobelia, Alyssum, Snapdragon, Coleus, Dahlia, Dianthus, Geranium, Gloxinia, Statice, Sweet William.
Vegies - Beetroot, Beans, Tomato, Radish, Snowpeas, Lettuce, Herbs, cucumber (seedlings), Asian Greens, Carrot, Broccoli, Peas.
Jobs to do now: August is a good time to pot or repot house or shadehouse plants. Either repot to a larger size or scratch away soil from sides & bottom so that the new soil may be added using the same pot.
Gardening tip: Before potting a plant into a terracotta pot, be sure to spray the inside of the pot with Yates "Pot a seal". This stops precious moisture from seeping through the porous clay. Your plant will perform much better.
Happy gardening
Ron Burns
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