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  1. Home
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  3. Garden calendar
  4. October

Your Monthly Planting Guide

October

Warm, balmy days…

Longer, warmer days mean plenty of time outdoors in the garden. Mid spring is the perfect planting time in all parts of Australia – the soil is warm, temperatures are not too high and there’s often good rainfall to encourage good plant growth. The lawn mower usually gets a good workout this month, following fertilising last month.

 

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    Gardening in October

    • Vegetables
    • Fruit & Citrus
    • Flowers & Bulbs
    • Indoor Plants
    • Lawn Care
    • Plants, Trees & Shrubs
    How to grow chillies

    Chilli

    It seems that most people now have at least 1 or 2 Chilli plants at home – it’s become incredibly trendy. Find out how...

    Read more
    How to grow potatoes

    Potatoes

    Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are tubers that grow and form at the plant’s roots. Plants also produce flowering shoots...

    Read more
    Cucumbers

    Cucumbers

    Delicious in salads and sandwiches, the crisp, sweet crunch of a cucumber is one of the joys of summer. Growing...

    Read more
    how to grow spring onions

    Spring Onion

    Spring onions (also known as green shallots and green bunching or salad onions) are a delicious addition to a whole...

    Read more
    How to grow tomatoes

    Tomatoes

    Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes, freshly picked and warm from the Summer sun. Slice them into a...

    Read more
    how to grow peas

    Peas

    Nothing beats home-grown peas for their tenderness and taste. That's because when they are picked, their sugars start to...

    Read more
    How to grow onions

    Onions

    The basis of so many delicious dishes, onions (Allium cepa) are an essential ingredient in every cook’s store cupboard...

    Read more
    How to grow garlic

    Garlic

    Growing Garlic (Allium sativum) at home is now very popular. It's an easy vegetable to grow - just plant a Garlic clove...

    Read more
    how to grow courgettes

    Zucchini

    Zucchini are now a common, summer staple in the vegetable garden. They are relatively easy to grow and they can be eaten...

    Read more
    how to grow runner bean

    Runner beans

    Runner beans, or more correctly scarlet runner beans, (Phaseolus coccineus) are among the easiest and most rewarding...

    Read more
    growing salad leaves

    Salad leaves

    Bags of salad leaves are quite expensive to buy and have a fairly short lifespan in the fridge. Grow your own and you...

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    How to grow pumpkins

    Pumpkins

    Delicious in pies, soups and stews and full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are a tasty autumn and winter treat...

    Read more
    growing sweetcorn

    Sweet Corn

    Sweet Corn, or maize, won't really grow as high as an elephant's eye, but it will be sweet, tender and delicious -...

    Read more
    How to grow & care for asparagus

    Asparagus

    Asparagus is a classic spring vegetable worth establishing in your garden. You’ll need to wait 2 years from planting...

    Read more
    How to grow & care for cauliflower

    Cauliflower

    Drizzled with olive oil and baked whole or sliced into steaks, cut into individual florets and wok-tossed in a stir fry...

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    How to grow & care for broccoli

    Broccoli

    Broccoli is a must have in every home veggie patch - it’s productive, nutritious and very easy to grow. Although it’s...

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    How to grow & care for rhubarb

    Rhubarb

    Rhubarbs edible stalks grow from a central crown and this popular vegetable is most commonly eaten as a sweet! Once...

    Read more
    Brussels Sprouts

    Brussels Sprouts

    You might not like the cold weather, but Brussels sprouts do! Brussels sprouts grow best in cool climates with cold...

    Read more
    How to grow spinach

    Spinach

    Spinach is rich in iron, fibre and other essential vitamins and this easy to grow veg is ready to harvest, leaf by leaf...

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    How to grow kale

    Kale

    Kale is an easy to grow leafy vegetable that has become popular thanks to its superfood status because it’s rich in...

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    How to grow & care for cabbage

    Cabbage

    Cabbages are an easy and versatile vegetable for you to grow and enjoy at home! It can be eaten raw, cooked into...

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    How to grow & care for silverbeet

    Silverbeet

    Silverbeet is also commonly referred to as Swiss chard, chard or rainbow chard. The rainbow variety has brightly...

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    Ginger

    Ginger

    Ginger is a tasty and easy spice to grow in your own garden. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow ginger year...

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    Growing Avocados

    Avocado

    Avocado trees, once established, are very productive, beautiful evergreen trees that will supply you with plenty of...

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    Bunch of Beetroot

    Beetroot

    Beetroot is the ultimate vegetable to grow for root-to-tip eating! Its young tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads or...

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    Celery

    Celery

    Celery can be a fussy vegetable to grow, it doesn’t like it too hot or too cold! But once you’ve got it growing happily...

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    Watercress plant

    Watercress

    Watercress is a peppery, nutrient-rich leafy green that’s delicious on sandwiches and in salads. It’s easy to grow in...

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    Turmeric in a bowl

    Turmeric

    Turmeric is bright yellow, pungent spice, native to the monsoon rainforests of Asia, that you can easily grow in your...

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    Eggplant bunch

    Eggplant

    Eggplants are a heat-loving, productive and home garden-friendly crop to grow. They love a full sun spot and will...

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    Growing lots of capsicum

    Capsicum

    Capsicums add crunch, colour and nutrients to many dishes including salads, casseroles, stir fries and roasts. Capsicums...

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    Growing Sweet Potato

    Sweet Potato

    Sweet potatoes rambling vines grow tubers beneath the ground. These vigorous and productive vines can be grown in a...

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    Growing Beans

    Beans

    Beans are a bountiful plant to have in your vegetable garden, they are easy to grow and heavy croppers. You can find...

    Read more
    grow radishes

    Radish

    Radishes are one of the easiest and speediest vegetable crops to grow! Perfect for the time poor or beginner gardener...

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    Growing Leeks

    Leeks

    Leeks are a sweet and mild member of the onion family. They thrive in cold and warm temperate climates but can be...

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    Globe Artichoke small

    Globe artichokes

    Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) are thistle like plants that produce edible flowers - harvested and eaten in their bud...

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    Fennel

    Fennel

    Fennel or Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) produces crisp white bulbs, topped with fern like fronds - all...

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    Horseradish

    Horseradish

    Horseradish is a vigorous plant related to broccoli, cabbage and kale - but unlike its brassica cousins, horseradish is...

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    Patty Pan Squash

    Patty Pan Squash

    Squash or patty pan squash as they are often called - because of their UFO like shape - are an easy to grow summer...

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    Parsnip

    Parsnip

    Parsnips are a nutty and sweet root vegetable that can take 5-6 months to reach maturity! But the flavour of homegrown...

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    Shallots

    Shallots

    Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are a member of the onion family loved by chefs and home cooks for their mild and...

    Read more
    Lettuce

    Lettuce

    Lettuce is an easy to grow, staple leafy green that can be easily grown year round. You can grow lettuce quickly from...

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    How to grow small Okra

    Okra

    Okra, also known as Lady’s Fingers or Gumbo, produces long pod-shaped fruit that can be used in stews, curries and stir...

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    Taro

    Taro

    Taro is a staple crop in many pacific countries that produces an edible white tuber beneath the ground. The starchy taro...

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    Carrots

    Carrot

    Carrots are an easy to grow, staple vegetable that’s worth including in your garden. They’ll happily grow in a full sun...

    Read more
    Snow peas

    Snow Peas

    Snow peas are heavy croppers that are easy to grow in home veggie beds or potted gardens. Snow peas flat pods can be...

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    Turnips

    Turnip

    Turnip are a fast and easy to grow root crop that’s related to other broccoli, cabbage and other brassicas. Although...

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    Yam

    Yam

    Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is an ancient food crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates as an alternative to potatoes...

    Read more
    Mustard Greens

    Mustard greens

    Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) are a cool season vegetable, grown for their peppery edible leaves. You can eat young...

    Read more
    How to grow blueberries

    Blueberries

    Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are...

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    how to grow strawberries

    Strawberries

    Who doesn’t love strawberries? If you’re a strawberry fan, the many varieties of Fragaria × ananassa are easy to grow at...

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    How to grow raspberries

    Raspberries

    What could be better than a bowl of sweet, fresh-picked raspberries in summer? These delicious fruits are easy to grow...

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    How to grow & care for cherry trees

    Cherries

    Homegrown cherries are sweet, juicy and delicious. Many varieties will be dripping with ready to pick cherries around...

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    How to grow & care for apple trees

    Apple

    Apple trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements), you...

    Read more
    Choko

    Choko

    Chokos are an old-fashioned crop that’s making a comeback! Once upon a time, these vigorous vines covered pergolas...

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    Harvesting Blackberries

    Blackberries

    Blackberries sometimes get a bad wrap thanks to the wild, thorny, weedy ones! But growing blackberries in your garden is...

    Read more
    Growing Dragon fruit

    Dragon Fruit

    Dragon fruit grows on a climbing cactus that produces stunning white flowers in summer. These flowers develop into pink...

    Read more
    Growing grapes

    Grapes

    Growing grapes from your own grapevine really are the perfect summer snack! Fruiting grapevines are fast-growing...

    Read more
    Fig Tree

    Fig Trees

    Fig trees originate from the Mediterranean where the summers are hot and dry, and winters cool - so they happily grow in...

    Read more
    Mango

    Mango

    Mangoes are the classic summer fruit, loved for their sweet and juicy flesh. Mango trees thrive in tropical and...

    Read more
    Passionfruit

    Passionfruit

    Passionfruits are a popular and productive vine that will grow in most climates around Australia. They particularly...

    Read more
    Persimmon

    Persimmon

    Persimmons are medium to tall growing deciduous trees that produce apple sized, orange coloured persimmon fruits in...

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    Pineapples

    Pineapples

    Pineapples are an easy care tropical fruit, that will also grow in other frost-free climates around Australia too...

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    Rockmelon

    Rockmelon

    Rockmelons, also known as cantaloupe, grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year. These sun-loving...

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    How to grow Lychee

    Lychee

    Lychee fruit grow on medium to large evergreen trees that love growing in subtropical and tropical climates. They love a...

    Read more
    Paw Paw

    Paw Paw

    Paw Paw or Papaya (Carica papaya) originate from tropical and subtropical climates, so they thrive in warm, frost free...

    Read more
    Mulberry

    Mulberry

    Mulberry trees are a fast and easy to fruiting plant for every home garden! You’ll rarely find mulberries at the...

    Read more
    Watermelon

    Watermelon

    Watermelons grow on sprawling vines during the warmest months of the year in Australia. These sun-loving plants can be...

    Read more
    Pear

    Pear Trees

    Pear trees love a garden with cool winters, but if you choose the right variety (with ‘low chill’ requirements) you can...

    Read more
    Kiwifruit

    Kiwifruit

    Kiwifruit grow on large, vigorous vines that need a lot of space to grow. To produce kiwifruit you’ll need to plant both...

    Read more
    Gooseberry

    Gooseberries

    Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) are native to parts of Europe, but they’ll happily grow in the cooler parts of southern...

    Read more
    plum

    Plum Trees

    Plum trees are productive fruit trees, ideally suited to growing in the average backyard or in a large pot. There are...

    Read more
    pomegranate

    Pomegranate

    Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are heat-loving trees, native to the Middle East, that grow well here in Australia. The...

    Read more
    Growing orchids

    Orchids

    Orchids are a great addition to any home, with their exotic, delicate and diverse flowers and their beautiful shapes and...

    Read more
    How to grow sunflowers

    Sunflowers

    If you want to grow something spectacular, plant sunflowers. They come in a whole range of sizes from dwarf to giant and...

    Read more
    How to grow Allium

    Allium

    Alliums belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks, as you can tell from the aroma when you crush the foliage...

    Read more
    How to grow roses

    Roses

    Roses are among our favourite garden plants – and deservedly so. They are versatile, produce vibrant colour through...

    Read more
    how to grow sweet peas

    Sweet peas

    The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an incredibly popular flowering climbing plant that produces masses of flowers from...

    Read more
    How to grow & care for lavender

    Lavender

    Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant small shrub perfect for cottage gardens, perennial borders and pollinator patches...

    Read more
    How to grow dahlia

    Dahlia

    Dahlias produce colourful blooms throughout summer and well into autumn in Australia. Their flowers can be big and...

    Read more
    Azalea small

    Azalea

    Azaleas have the power to fill winter and spring gardens with masses of colourful blooms. Azaleas will tolerate a range...

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    Gerbera

    Gerbera

    Gerberas produce bright, colourful flowers on long stems during the warmer months of the year. Gerbera daisies grow in...

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    Jasmine

    Jasmine

    Jasmine (Jasmine polyanthum) is a vigorous vine with sweetly scented white and pink blushed blooms throughout spring and...

    Read more
    Lilies

    Lilies

    Lilies or lilium are summer flowering bulbs with showy blooms that are often heavily fragrant. Lilies will grow in most...

    Read more
    Marigold

    Marigold

    Marigold flowers will bring bright pops of colour to your warm season garden, veggie bed or pots. There are 3 main types...

    Read more
    Gardenia

    Gardenia

    Gardenias are warm climate flowering shrubs or small trees, loved for their beautifully perfumed blooms. Gardenia plants...

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    Poppies

    Poppies

    Poppies will bring a flush of colour into your spring garden with their frilly flowers. There are many different types...

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    Proteas

    Proteas

    Proteas are sun-loving beauties originally from South Africa, that grow particularly well in our poor Australian soils...

    Read more
    Snapdragons

    Snapdragons

    Snapdragons are bright and cheerful flowering plants that grow in most climates. If you live in a region with heavy...

    Read more
    How to grow hydrangeas

    Hydrangea

    Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are the perfect flowering shrub for part shade AND their big blousy flower heads...

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    Geraniums

    Geraniums

    Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are hardy, sun-loving plants with brightly coloured flowers throughout spring and summer...

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    Carnations

    Carnations

    Carnations are grown for their beautifully fringed, fragrant blooms that make a long-lasting cut flower to enjoy in a...

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    poinsettia

    Poinsettia

    Poinsettia is a Christmas favourite - their red and green colours are commonly used to bring festive cheer indoors over...

    Read more
    Begonias

    Begonias

    Begonias come in a range of sizes and forms, and they’re loved by gardeners as indoor or outdoor plants for their...

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    African Violet

    African Violets

    African violets are typically grown as indoor plants, but they will also tolerate growing outdoors in a protected warm...

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    Forget Me Nots

    Forget Me Nots

    Forget Me Nots produce dainty pale blue, pale pink or mauve flowers in spring and summer. These pretty low growing...

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    Rhododendron

    Rhododendron

    Rhododendrons are spring flowering shrubs or trees that are closely related to azaleas, so they like similar growing...

    Read more
    Everlasting Daisies

    Everlasting Daisies

    Everlasting Daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are a colourful Australian native daisy often called Strawflowers or Paper...

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    Lilac

    Lilac

    Lilac shrubs or trees (Syringa vulgaris) are loved for their heavenly fragrant flowers in spring and summer. In autumn...

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    ranunculus

    Ranunculus

    Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) make the perfect spring and early summer cut flower. They grow from dormant corms...

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    Zinnia

    Zinnia

    Zinnias are colourful and cheerful summer flowering annual plants that are a must for all gardens during the warmer...

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    Fuchsia

    Fuchsia

    Fuchsia plants produce delicate and colourful hanging flowers that look like twirling ballerinas in spring, summer and...

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    Aster

    Aster

    Aster (Callistephus chinensis) or Chinese Aster are fast-growing, flowering annuals that thrive in the warmth of spring...

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    Iris

    Iris

    Iris flowers appear in spring and summer in Australia on long, slender stems that can be around 60-100cm tall. Irises...

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    Nasturtium

    Nasturtium

    Nasturtiums are an easy to grow, flowering companion plant that’s also edible. Nasturtium flowers have a peppery flavour...

    Read more
    Petunia

    Petunia

    Petunias are sun loving, summer flowering beauties that provide masses of colour over the warmer months. Petunias love...

    Read more
    Tulips

    Tulips

    Tulips are spring flowering bulbs that love climates with cooler winters. However, if your winters are milder in...

    Read more
    How to Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs

    Fiddle Leaf Figs

    With their lush, upright stature and huge, glossy leaves, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is one of the most popular...

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    Peace Lily

    Peace Lily

    With their dark green foliage and pure white flowers, Peace Lilies are a stunning addition indoors. Being just as...

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    How to grow Monstera

    Monstera

    Monstera deliciosa is also commonly called the Swiss cheese Plant, Fruit Salad Plant or Monstera. Its large green glossy...

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    Philodendron Plant

    Philodendron

    There’s a reason why Philodendrons make such great indoor plants… well several actually! They look good, aren’t fussy...

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    African Violet

    African Violet

    Cheerful, bright and compact, African violets are the perfect indoor pot plant. They have eye-catching purple, red, pink...

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    Devil Ivy

    Devil's Ivy (Pothos)

    Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos, is most commonly grown as an easy going indoor plant - it’s one...

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    Snake Plant

    Snake Plants

    Snake Plants are the easiest houseplant of all to grow. This undemanding plant will grow in the most challenging of...

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    Aloe Vera plant

    Aloe Vera

    Aloe Vera is a striking succulent plant, with medicinal properties, that can be grown in your garden or indoors as a...

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    Hoya

    Hoya

    Hoya, also known as wax flower, are evergreen vines (or sometimes shrubs or succulent plants) with fragrant flowers in...

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    Anthurium

    Anthurium

    Anthuriums are tropical, flowering plants with glossy leaves and heart shaped flowers. They’ll thrive outdoors in warm...

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    String of Pearls

    String of Pearls

    String of Pearls is a cascading succulent with pearl-like foliage, hence its name! These succulents thrive best in a...

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    Maidenhair Ferns

    Maidenhair Ferns

    Maidenhair Ferns have a reputation for being fussy and tricky to grow, but they don’t have to be!

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    Air Plants

    Air Plants

    Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.) do not need soil to grow and they don’t really have roots like other plants - the roots...

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    chain of hearts

    Chain of Hearts

    Chair of Hearts, despite their delicate appearance, are actually a succulent plant! Their long trailing tendrils can...

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    Epipremnum Pinnatum leaves

    Dragon Tail

    Dragon Tail (Epipremnum pinnatum) is a popular Australian native, mostly grown as an indoor plant. In the wild, it grows...

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    Rubber Plant

    Rubber Plant

    Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) are very popular indoor plants because they’re so easy to grow. Rubber Plants are loved...

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    Spider Plant

    Spider Plant

    Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are possibly the easiest and most adaptable house plant to grow! They are happy in...

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    Syngonium

    Syngonium

    Syngonium or Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) are a brilliant indoor plant for beginners to grow. Initially they...

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    Calathea

    Calathea

    Calathea (Calathea sp.) also known as Prayer Plants, are tropical plants grown commonly as indoor plants so their vivid...

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    ctenanthe

    Ctenanthe

    Ctenanthe species (pronounced te-NANTH-ee) are often mistaken for their cousins the calatheas and confusingly they are...

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    Zanzibar Gem

    Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant)

    Zanzibar Gem, also commonly called the ZZ Plant, is a low-maintenance houseplant characterised by its shiny, wide, oval...

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    Chinese Evergreens

    Chinese Evergreen

    Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema sp.) have lots of large leaves with either silver, green, pink or yellow variegation. They...

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    Alcocasia

    Alocasia

    Alocasia, also called Elephant Ears, are tropical herbaceous perennials that grow from a tuber or rhizome beneath the...

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    peperomia

    Peperomia

    Peperomia plants are grown as indoor plants for their decorative and colourful leaves. You’ll find peperomias (also...

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    Weeping fig

    Weeping Fig

    Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) are elegant houseplants loved for their glossy leaves that hang gracefully from arching...

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    Mistletoe Cactus in a pot

    Mistletoe Cactus

    Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis campos-portoana) are easy to grow, lush plants that suit growing in hanging baskets or wall...

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    Parlor palms

    Parlor palms

    Parlour Palms (Chamaedorea elegans) bring a tropical vibe to any home without the need for a tropical climate. They...

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    Tradescantia

    Tradescantia

    Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina) is an easy-to-grow, trailing plant with multi-coloured green/purple leaves for real...

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    How To Grow & Care For Buffalo Lawn

    Buffalo Grass

    A popular stalwart in Australian gardens for good reason, buffalo grass makes for an incredibly resilient lawn. It is...

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    How To Grow & Care For Kikuyu Lawn

    Kikuyu Grass

    Kikuya grass, or Pennisetum Clandestinum, is a vigorous plant often used in Australian lawns and common in public...

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    Bromeliad

    Bromeliads

    Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are a diverse group of plants with a very tropical vibe. With over 3000 different species in...

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    how to grow Kangaroo Paw

    Kangaroo Paw

    Kangaroo paws are among the most iconic Australian plants, instantly recognisable by their unique furry and vibrantly...

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    Growing almond

    Almond Tree

    Almonds (Prunus amygdalus) are the edible nuts produced inside the hard-fleshed velvety fruit, that grows on a tree that...

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    bougainvillea

    Bougainvillea

    Bougainvilleas put on a showy display of vibrant colour throughout summer. These vigorous vines are drought tolerant and...

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    Magnolia

    Magnolia

    Magnolia's magnificent blooms arrive at the end of winter, announcing that spring isn’t far away. On deciduous magnolias...

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    Birds of Paradise

    Bird of Paradise

    Bird of Paradise plants are tropical beauties with big leaves and flamboyant, colourful flowers that resemble birds...

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    dieffenbachia

    Dieffenbachia

    Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.), also known as Dumb Cane or Leopard Lily, are fast-growing tropical plants popular as...

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    Boston Fern

    Boston Fern

    Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are elegant plants with long, slender leaves that cascade over the sides of their...

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    Kentia Palm

    Kentia Palm

    Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) are tall, elegant palms with arching fronds on long stems that will happily grow as a...

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    Lilly Pilly

    Lilly Pilly

    Lilly Pilly plants range from small shrubs to large trees - you can grow them in the ground or pots and you’ll find a...

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    bottlebrush

    Bottlebrush

    Bottlebrush gets their common name because their fluffy, blooms are shaped like old-fashioned bottle brushes...

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    Waratah

    Waratah

    Waratah (Telopea species) are Australian native plants loved for their large flowers that come in a range of colours...

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    Lemon Tree

    Lemon Trees

    Lemon trees are a classic backyard staple! These productive trees are long-lived and will grow in a large pot or in your...

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    Christmas Bush

    Christmas Bush

    Christmas Bush (Ceratopetlum gummiferum) or New South Wales Christmas Bush as it’s sometimes called is an Australian...

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    English Ivy

    English Ivy

    English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a fast growing, creeping vine that is a serious environmental weed in many parts of...

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    Microgreens

    Microgreens

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    Vegetables

    What to harvest now:

    Asparagus may still be producing new spears now, but don’t harvest past the first week or so of the month. After that, allow spears to grow on to become fronds, which will help build up the crowns for next year’s crop. Rhubarb should be growing well enough now for a first harvest. Pull and twist stems to pick – don’t cut them. Trim off the bases and leaves, which can be composted but not fed to animals or poultry because they are toxic.

    What to plant now:

    It’s full-steam ahead in the vegetable patch now, no matter where you live! Prepare the soil by hoeing to remove lumps and weeds, then rake level. Moisten well a few days before sowing or planting.

    Sow seeds or plant seedlings of the following:   
    • Asian greens
    • Beetroot
    • Broad bean
    • Carrot
    • Celery
    • French bean
    • Lettuce
    • Leek
    • Onion
    • Dwarf pea
    • Climbing pea
    • Potato tubers
    • Pumpkin
    • Silverbeet
    • Spring onion
    • Sweet corn
    • Tomato*
    • Zucchini 

    *In cool to cold areas, sow tomato seeds in trays and keep them under cover or indoors until seedlings are strong enough to go into the garden, in about a month’s time.

     
    Veggie patch tips for October:
    • Water in newly planted seedlings with a liquid fertiliser for vegetables and herbs such as Scotts Osmocote® Pour+Feed for Tomatoes & Herbs or a certified organic fertiliser to give them a good start.
    • After sowing seeds, water them in then wait until shoots appear before watering again. 
    • Hand pull or hoe out weeds as they appear – they compete for nutrients and moisture and may also harbour pests that could attack your crops. 

    Fruit

    What fruits to harvest now:

    Tropical fruits and citrus in warmer areas will be ripening now and ready to pick. There may also be some early strawberries appearing in northern regions.
    Honeydew melon, watermelon and cantaloupe are in season now in hot, dry regions.

     
    What fruit to plant:

    Evergreen fruiting plants such as passionfruit vines and citrus can planted in warm to tropical areas. In temperate to cool areas, wait until the danger of frosts has passed. Potted deciduous fruit trees and vines can be transplanted this month. It’s best to get them in and established before the weather gets too warm in late spring. The range available may include:

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

    Flowers

    What flowers to plant:

    It’s time to plan, and plant, for the festive and holiday seasons. Dame Edna’s favourite flower, the gladiolus, should be planted during October if you want flowers for late December. Corms take about 60 days from planting to peak flowering. Staggered plantings a fortnight apart will ensure continuity of blooms well into January.

     
    Sow seeds or plant out seedlings of:
    • Amaranthus
    • Bedding begonia
    • Candytuft
    • Carnation
    • Celosia
    • Geum
    • Linaria
    • Nasturtium
    • Petunia
    • Portulaca
    • Salvia
    • Scabiosa
    • Sweet William
    • Verbena
    • Wallflower
    • Zinnia

    Indoor Plants

    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. 

    • Natural light is important but don’t stand pots on north or west-facing windowsills where they will be exposed to direct sun through the glass. 
    • As temperatures warm, make sure to humidify the air by regularly misting plants with a water atomiser.
    • Wipe leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to keep them clean.
    • Feed fortnightly with ready to use Osmocote Pour+Feed Indoor Plants – no mixing required. There are also Pour+Feed products for orchids and cacti.

    Lawn

    Maintenance tips:

    There’s still time to get a new lawn in before the weather becomes too warm. Lawn seed should be sown before the middle of the month to give it the best chance of sprouting and growing away well before the soil heats up and burns the tender new roots and shoots. Instant turf can be laid throughout the month. The key to success with any new lawn from seed or turf is keeping it well watered in the first six to eight weeks, until it is well established and has developed strong roots.

     

    Regular mowing will keep existing lawns looking neat. Raise the cutting height to leave the grass a little longer and protect the crowns and runners of grasses from the increasing heat of the sun. A longer, thicker sward also helps keep the soil, and roots, cooler.

    During dry spells, water the lawn well at least once a week (if permitted by local water authorities). Don’t be tempted to lightly sprinkle the grass every day or so – not only does this waste water but it encourages the roots to the surface where they will be exposed to the hot sun.

    • If you have a broadleaf weed problem, buffalo and lawn substitutes can be treated and fed with Lawn Builder Buffalo Weed, Feed & Green Up, a hose-on product that can be safely used on all lawn types.
    • Watch for bindii spreading through lawns and get on top of any incursions quickly with Lawn Builder Bindii, Clover & Broadleaf, a ready-to-use, hose-on lawn weeder that’s safe to use on all grasses.

    Garden Tasks

    Things to look out for and do during the month:
    • Keep flowering annuals and bulbs growing and flowering well with regular applications of Osmocote Boost+Feed All Plant Types.
    • The last of the spring blossom trees should be pruned now. Prune to encourage new growth that will flower next spring. 
    • Australian native shrubs like bottlebrushes benefit from a light trim after flowering. Cut just behind the faded bloom to encourage new shoots. Keep up the regular copper-based fungicide sprays on deciduous fruit trees to combat fungal diseases like brown rot and freckle. 
    • Most of the spring flowering bulbs, apart perhaps from tulips, may be past their best now but don’t cut the flowers or leaves off. Allow them to die down naturally. 

    ​

     

       

        Pest Control:

        • Slugs and snails can be active whenever there are young plants around – Defender Snail & Slug Pellets in a bait trap will protect your plants and keep your pets safe.
        • Watch for aphids and other sap-sucking pests on young plants and the soft shoots of other trees and shrubs. Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray will control them. Don’t forget to spray the undersides of leaves as well as the top surfaces.
        • Roses and other shrubs are susceptible to a range of fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. A copper-based fungicide applied when first noticed, and repeated every couple of weeks, will control them.

         

        ​

        Suggested Products
        AU_118425_SOS_PS.png

        Scotts Osmocote® Pour+Feed Orchid Liquid Fertiliser

        AU_118440_SOS_PS.jpg

        Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed All Purpose

        AU_118410_SOS_PS.jpg

        Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Flowering Plants

        AU_118420_SOS_PS.jpg

        Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas

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