Karen Bones and Sue Beatty smiling 24 Feb 09 020

AUTUMN GARDENING

In Lifestyle & Getaways by Edwina Courtney-O'Connor0 Comments

After a long hot dry summer, February has been predictably wet and the gardens are growing. The insects are biting and fungal diseases will take hold of some plants as we go into winter.

• Remove blackspot affected leaves on roses and remove some of the central stems when you are deadheading to improve airflow.  If necessary spray with fungicide.

• Azaleas and camellias will appreciate cow manure as they get ready to flower.

• Hydrangeas can be cut back to just above the first set of double buds. If they are cut back too hard or into woody stem they won’t flower next year.

• Plant winter  flowering annuals including pansies and primula. • Sweet peas are traditionally planted on St Patrick’s Day (17th March) but this is just a guide.

• Plant vegetable seeds including broccoli, silverbeet, broadbeans and strawberries.

• Rake and add leaves that drop to compost or use as mulch on garden beds.

• Plant spring flowering bulbs in late autumn when it’s cooler.

• Cyclamen in pots kept on the south side of your home will
keep flowering for months.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE GARDEN

Not enough to keep you busy in your own garden? If you have some spare time during the week-  or on a Saturday – and love to be outdoors keeping fit while  helping others in the community, then get in touch with Easy Care Gardening on 9983-1644. Easy Care Gardening organises teams of volunteers to weed, prune, mulch and make gardens safe and tidy and “easy care” for frail aged pensioners, people on a disability support pension, and their carers, so that these people are able to remain in their own homes in Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Ryde and Hunters Hill local government areas. The volunteers love the work and many stay for years. The volunteers garden alongside other like-minded souls, chatting and making new friends while weeding garden beds, pruning overgrown shrubs, and mulching so that gardens stay tidy for longer. The volunteers can see what a difference their hard work makes for someone in the local community who can look after themselves and want to stay in their own home but can no longer look after their garden.