 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Present Tense
What do I want for Christmas? Rain, and don't bother wrapping it, I'll take it as it is.
Seriously though, it can be a bit stressful wondering what to give gardeners during these harsh times. There are two ways to go: pretty or practical.
Pretty Presents
Plants are usually a good gift, but this Christmas it's probably best to stick to indoor plants. Even in the drought these can be maintained to their optimum requirements and will brighten up any Yuletide interior.
A visit to your local bookshop will provide barrowloads of inspiration because there are just so many gorgeous gardening books out now. Don't forget books on fresh and dried flower arranging are popular too. If you're stuck for choice, buy a gift voucher.
A beautiful ceramic pot is always a lovely surprise; current designer colours in yellow, mauve, red, ochre and white are terrific.
Practical Presents
By now most of our soils are so dry they've become water-repellent and what little rain we've received has barely penetrated the surface. Few gardeners would be disappointed by being given a large bottle of wetting agent, because whether we're watering with a bucket or a hand-held hose, it means our efforts won't be wasted, and the moisture will get to where it's needed most - the root zone.
Have you got a friendly mower repair shop in your neighbourhood? Why not ask them for a gift voucher towards a service on a brush cutter, chainsaw or mower? These tools aren't being used much at the moment so it's a good time to give them an overhaul.
Seeds are great stocking fillers and most are foil-packaged with long use-by dates. A selection of vegetable seeds will stay fresh until soils are cool and moist enough to sow them.
Lismore Garden
Club News
Jobs to do now
Almost everyone is much more interested in the topic of the weather of late. Do you find yourself checking the weather news on TV more than usual? I'm sure all we gardeners are hoping and praying for rain almost every day, so we can have a bit of respite from the bucket brigade. And when we do get the odd shower, what a welcome relief! But what do you say when someone asks 'How much rain did you get?' when you don't have a rain gauge.
Everyone needs a rain gauge in the garden. You can do as my old grandfather used to and place a jam tin on a post and drive in 3 x 3 inch nails equally spaced around the base perimeter to hold it in place.
Tip of the week
If you have a potted Christmas tree, give it a good watering before you bring it inside. And be sure to put a pot saucer under it. Then when the potted Christmas tree finally outgrows the pot, if it is potentially a large tree, give it away to someone with acreage to plant out.
Happy gardening,
Ron Burns
|
