 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Drip Dry
A recently-published major study into climate change in the UK reveals how gardeners there are having to learn a whole new set of rules. Magnificent, 1000-year-old stands of beech are among the first casualties of the 'new' British weather, dying from the effects of monsoonal rain in Winter, followed by severe drought in Summer. Lawns, which traditionally only needed mowing during their summer growth period, are now demanding year-round attention. Tender perennials which were once lovingly dug up and brought into glass houses to over-winter, are now left in the ground to tough out the cooler months. An increase in temperature during the next half century of around 3°C will see mass outbreaks of algal bloom and plague populations of pests such as aphids and humidity-loving fungal diseases.
British gardeners are on a steep learning-curve, and so it would appear are many Australian ones. Five years ago when I moved to the far north coast, I was assured that I would not need to install a rainwater tank as a supplement to my town water supply for watering the garden. 'There's plenty of rain... you'll be wasting your money". Yeah, right. Each summer since I've regretted not having access to my own rainwater during dry spells.
These are testing times and I urge all keen gardeners to take an inventory of all those plants which are not only coping, but thriving, in the current conditions, and consider making more of a feature of them in the future. For instance, the succulents which have hitherto played a very small part in my landscape, are proving themselves to be such eye-catchers that I'm making them into more of a feature. Grey-leaved plants such as artemesias, Marguerite daisies, lavender, rosemary and santolina have struggled here in the past, but this year they're fabulous. Our current dry spell is challenging, but not hopeless.
Lismore Garden
Club News
The City of Lismore Garden Competition was judged September 1-3. The prize winning gardens will remain open until this Sunday, September 15. In spite of the dry/cold weather the prize-winning gardens are really beautiful. For a list of those gardens phone Mary on 6621 5293.
What to plant now:
Flowers - Alyssum, Aster, Balsam, Begonia (all types), Californian Poppy, Carnation, Cleome, Chrysanthemum, Cosmos, Dahlia, Gazania, Gerbera, Gypsophila, Kangaroo Paw, Marigold, Nasturtium, Petunia, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Statice, Verbena, Zinnia.
Vegies - Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Asian Greens, Lettuce, Spring Onions, Herbs, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Tomato, Pumpkin, Beans, Cucumber, Melon, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato (shoots), Zucchini, Marrow, Eggplant.
Jobs to do now:
Prune Hibiscus. Remove spent flowers from Spring-flowering annuals. This will promote additional flowers. Increase the watering frequency for potted plants as temperatures rise. Mulch, mulch, mulch, all gardens and trees. This can reduce water use by at least 50 per cent and keep your plants growing more evenly.
Gardening tip:
As bulbs finish flowering don't cut back the foliage. Instead, keep watering and liquid fertilising. This will ensure fat and healthy bulbs for next year.
Happy gardening
Ron Burns
|
