Your Monthly Planting Guide

Fruits to harvest now:

In cool and cold climates, most fruits are now in their dormant season, apart perhaps from a few late limes or lemons. In warm areas, however, there should still be some tropical fruits to harvest – custard apples, carambola, breadfruit, avocados, guavas, paw paws (papayas) to name a few.

What fruit to plant:

Evergreen fruiting plants such as passionfruit vines and citrus may still be planted in warm to tropical areas. From mid-month onwards, deciduous fruit and nut trees will start appearing in garden centres and other gardening outlets. These include: 

• Fig 
• Apple
• Pear
• Cherry
• Plum
• Apricot
• Plumcot
• Nectarine
• Peach
• Persimmon
• Almond
• Walnut
• Mulberry
• Pomegranate
• Quince
• Raspberry
• Blackberry

 What flowers to plant:

Bare-root roses are available this month. Prepare planting holes with a slight mound in the centre over which the roots should be spread. Check plants are put in no deeper than the soil mark on the stem - graft or bud unions should be well clear of the soil. Back-fill and water in well to settle soil around the roots. Don’t add fertiliser while the plants are dormant. Some further pruning after planting is recommended, despite having already been cut back. 

Winter and spring flowering annual seedlings in warmer climates only:

• Alyssum
• Aquilegia (granny’s bonnet)
• Cornflower
• Dianthus
• Gaillardia
• Geum
• Gypsophila
• Impatiens
• Iceland poppy
• Polyanthus
• Snapdragon
• Viola

Tips for Indoor Plants:

• Plants inside the home assist in purifying the air as well as lending a touch of greenery to your living areas. 
• Keep plants out of draughts and away from heaters and air conditioners that can dry the atmosphere.
• If your house is at a comfortable temperature for you, then it will be perfect for your plants too. Place a saucer or bowl of water near your plants to humidify the air.
• Keep leaves clean by wiping occasionally with a damp cloth (no detergents or oils, please!) to remove dust and dirt that can affect photosynthesis.
• Keep them growing well with ready to use Osmocote Pour+Feed Indoor Plants – no mixing required.

Maintenance tips:

Over winter, in southern areas, the lawn will benefit from a bit of TLC.

• If grassed areas stay wet after moderate to heavy rain, you may need to install a drainage system. See May’s notes for detail.
• Watch for moss in shady, moist areas of lawn. A solution of iron sulfate (30 grams in 4.5L of water) applied as a spray or with the watering will help control it. Re-apply if necessary.
• Apply a generous handful of garden lime per square metre a week or so after mowing, and allow rainfall to take it down into the soil. Don’t mow for at least a week or two after liming.
• Eradicate broadleaf weeds with Lawn Builder Bindii, Clover & Broadleaf hose-on, safe to use on ALL lawns.

In the warmer north:  

• De-thatch with a garden rake to remove build-up of dead grass in buffalo, kikuyu and couch lawns.
• Remove weeds either by hand or with Lawn Builder Bindii, Clover & Broadleaf hose-on.
• Top dress with Lawn Builder Organic Lawn Soil – Topdress Mix & Underlay.
• Fertilise with Lawn Builder All Purpose Slow Release Lawn Fertiliser, Lawn Builder Buffalo, Lawn Builder Extreme Green Granular or one of the Lawn Builder hose-on equivalents.
   

   

  
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 Things to look out for and do during the month:

• Keep flower seedlings growing well with regular applications of Osmocote Boost+Feed All Plant Types.
• Clean and sharpen your garden tools, especially secateurs, loppers and pruning saws so they are ready for action in winter.
• Clean out the garden pond – remove leaf debris, repot water plants (waterlilies, iris, etc), add a water conditioner (remove fish first!) and tidy up the plants around the edges. Add a good handful of garden lime per square metre to empty garden beds to “sweeten” the soil. DO NOT add lime around acid-loving plants like azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons or magnolias – they will react badly!
• Sow a “green manure” crop of oats, peas and field lupins in empty vegetable beds; dig it in to add nitrogen to the soil when about 300-400mm in height.
• Check garden beds under the eaves or in other protected spots to ensure they have not become too dry; water if required.

Pest Control:

• Chewing pests can destroy your plants overnight if not controlled. Use a general garden insecticide like Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray to control them. Don’t forget to spray the undersides of leaves too.
• Watch for the caterpillars of the White Cabbage Butterfly on cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and other brassicas. Pyrethrum will assist or try a cabbage dust
• Slugs and snails can be active over Winter – Defender Snail & Slug Pellets in a bait trap will protect your plants and keep your pets safe.