Last chance to prevent citrus gall wasp invasion
Emergence of the devastating citrus gall wasp from their overwintering galls (small brown lumps on branches) will reach a peak over the next 7 to 10 days.
Your best chance of preventing re-invasion is to spray your citrus trees with a horticultural oil before they mate and begin to lay eggs – beneath the bark of soft new branches.
Be aware, the wasps mate and begin laying eggs within three days of emergence.
When hot weather and mites combine
 Fallen and wilted leaves after a sudden burst of heat, is a sure sign that mites and hot weather have combined forces. This recently repotted fuchsia will now struggle to survive.
Mites are thriving in our current spell of hot dry weather and they loom as a major problem for gardeners in the season ahead.
Mites can quickly damage a range of ornamentals and summer vegetables.
Horticultural oil or wettable sulphur, applied before temperatures climb will provide excellent protection.
Weather for gardeners
SA is about to record one of its driest springs on record.
Sadly, as spring morphs into summer, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting more dry weather, at least until the end of January.
It is also predicting significant spikes of heat, with temperatures climbing quickly into the mid thirties and beyond every time prevailing winds blow from the north.
Despite this, it could turn out to be a good season for SA gardeners.
Make sure you hear what BOM climatologist Darren Ray has to say tomorrow morning in ABC TalkBack Gardening.
Better ways to improve watering
The best way to keep the garden soil moist is to apply water slowly over an extended period using micro irrigation.
Apply enough water to soak well below the surface and completely wet the plant’s root zone.
Most garden trees and shrubs have their roots concentrated 10-30cm below the surface. This is the area that needs to be soaked every time you water.
More on micro irrigation in my Advertiser gardening column tomorrow.
Fruit trees need deep watering
Fruit trees need more water than ornamentals if they are to produce a bountiful harvest.
They also have their main moisture gathering roots well below the surface i.e. 20-50cm. When you water, this is the area that needs soaking.
One deep watering is far more effective than frequent shallow watering.
The most water responsive roots on trees and tall shrubs are placed just below the plant’s outer canopy (drip ring). This is the best place to water.
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Coleus offer strong colours
One of the most colourful new release foliage plants would have to be the latest large leaf coleus.
The strong vigorous plants grow 55-70cm tall and 35-40cm wide with a range of bold leaf colours.
My favourite is Henna with its chartreuse and copper leaves underscored in burgundy.
It makes a strong statement on its own and looks great in combination with other varieties such as Redhead, bright red leaves or Sultana, deep burgundy centre with chartreuse edges.
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Water these plants first
Don’t wait too long before you start watering plants that are growing close together, particularly if they are surface rooted i.e. flowers, vegetables, perennials or lawns.
All will probably need a good soaking this weekend.
What about container plants?
Large well-established plants, particularly those growing in relatively small containers, will quickly use any available moisture.
Container-grown plants such as topiary, ornamental shrubs and evergreen fruit trees will probably need a deep soaking once a week and during hot weather, with possibly a good top up during the week
Soil wetters are worth using
Using a quality soil wetting agent (liquid or granular) is strongly recommended as it will dramatically improve the spread of moisture through the plant’s root system when you water.
How much water Is needed?
The question of how much water different plants in the garden need during hot weather, how often you should water and when is the best time, have been summarised in our simple watering guide produced specifically for SA gardeners.
More information here »
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Birdbaths keep garden visitors happy and healthy
As the weather warms up, spare a thought for the needs of our native wildlife.
A regular source of clean water will encourage birds and bees to visit your garden. Consider a pond or birdbath, situated close to prickly or thorny shrubs and trees so visiting birds can quickly seek shelter from predators.
Clean birdbaths monthly, giving them a good scrub to remove algae.
Explore more wildlife friendly gardening tips here »
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Meet the basil family
 If you are thinking of putting together a herb collection in time for Christmas, start with basil.
Apart from being very easy to grow at this time of the year, there are so many different types and flavours to try.
Basil flavours are very intense and include cinnamon, cloves, aniseed, citrus, sweet, spicy and minty.
While basil is a sun lover, in South Australia it grows best in 50 percent shade during the summer months.
Sweet basil is the most common form grown and has a very pleasant clove-like scent and flavour.
Other popular basils include:
- Basil bush (50 cm high).Mild cinnamon, cloves and aniseed flavours.
- Green ruffles (60 cm).Mild, sweet basil with aniseed and mint.
- Lime (65 cm). Sweet basil with lime.
- Native (35 cm).Spicy aniseed.
- Purple ruffles (70 cm).Sweet basil with cinnamon.
- Thai (75 cm).Spicy, aniseed and hint of mint.
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Spiders are your friends
It’s that time of the year when spider webs keep appearing on the corners on your outside windows.
Before you reach for an insecticide, keep in mind spiders are a top insect pest predator in your garden.
Window spiders regularly dine on moths and beetles before they lay eggs that hatch into plant eating caterpillars.
Maybe a quick brush with a broom will suffice.
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Sandy loams for new lawns
SA gardens soils are recognised for being rather hostile – as they range from lifeless sands to hard setting clays.
The trouble is both of these extremes are common, particularly across Adelaide suburbs right and they are far from ideal when it comes to preparing the ground for a new lawn.
This raises the question how do you know if your soil is good enough to lay turf and if not what type of “sandy loam should you use, for best results.
In this week’s lawn blog, turf advisor Stefan Palm takes a critical look at the sandy loams available in SA and their suitability for producing top quality grass.
More information »
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Budding time coming up
Late November and early December is a good time to bud rose bushes, stone and pome fruit trees and citrus
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Please keep your questions for Talkback Gardening
Good Gardening is unable to answer individual reader's questions via email.
If you're looking for specific gardening advice please give me a call on ABC Radio Adelaide's Saturday morning Talkback Gardening or speak to the experts at your local garden centre.
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Sunday November 4
Herb Society of SA. Herb Day Market, Fullarton Park Centre, Fullarton.
Botanic Gardens Masterclass – topiary craft.
More details »
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 Open Gardens
Forestbrook Estate
254 Checker Hill Road, Gumeracha
The owners have lovingly expanded the pre-existing garden, taking additional space from the surrounding paddocks to install a vegetable patch, tropical garden areas, an enclosed fruit orchard and perennials.
More information on the garden and directions »
Kohlhagen House
224 Bethany Rd, Tanunda
A 19th century bluestone cottage in the tiny town of Bethany, surrounded by a garden of well-established trees, shrubs and perennials.
Please note: Kohlhagen House will open jointly with nearby Randa. The combined entry fee of $12 gives you access to both gardens. Because of the combined fee, no concessions apply for entry to these gardens.
More information on the garden and directions »
Randa
14 Bethany Rd, Tanunda
Through a wisteria covered arbour set in a white picket fence, a path leads through the small front garden to Randa, a cottage built in 1917.
More information on the garden and directions »
Gardens open 10 am to 4.30 pm.
Entry $8 - OGSA members; $6 - Government concession card holders; children under 18 free.
For more information on the 2018 season, visit the Open Gardens SA website »
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Talkback Gardening tomorrow
ABC Radio Adelaide Talkback Gardening this Saturday – phone me and Deb Tribe on
1300 222 891 and have your own gardening question answered.
Guest BOM climatologist, Darren Ray.
Topic – A warmer and much dryer finish to 2018 is the current weather outlook. What does this mean for SA gardeners?
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Coming soon
Wednesday, November 7
Wings of Life Film Night & Shared Community Dinner. Hear all about our local pollinators, Adelaide Sustainability Centre, Adelaide. Register here »
November 10, 11 and 12
Sophie’s Patch, Spring Open Garden, speakers and nurseries.
Hamlyn Cottage, 394 Springs Road, Mount Barker Springs.
Further information »
Saturday, November 17
How Does Your Garden Grow
SA Community Gardens Gathering, Prospect Community Garden, Memorial Gardens, Wilcox Avenue, Prospect 2 pm. to 4pm Workshops and tour. RSVP here »
Adelaide Repair Café, 10 am, Adelaide Sustainability Centre. More information here »
Sunday, November 25
Growing Great Veggies, Joe’s Connected Garden, Elizabeth Grove. Register here »
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Regular garden attractions
Adelaide Botanic Gardens – free guided walks
Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide guided walks for the public at Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens, and Botanic Park.
More information »
The Waite Arboretum, Fullarton Road, Urrbrae
Open free to the public every day of the year from dawn to dusk, except on fire ban days. Free guided walks on the first Sunday of every month, 11 am to 12.30 pm.
Meet at the West lawn (Croquet Lawn) of Urrbrae House. Bookings not necessary.
More information »
Urrbrae House historic precinct gardens
At the end of Walter Young Avenue, off Fullarton Road, Urrbrae, or from the Urrbrae House gate, Claremont Avenue, Netherby.
Open from dawn until dusk every day. Free entry.
More information »
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Disclaimer: Although all reasonable care is taken in preparing information contained in this email, neither Jon Lamb Communications (JLC) nor its officers, staff or suppliers involved in the editing and production of this email accept any liability resulting from the interpretation or use of the information set out in this document. Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and is of a general nature and should not take the place of professional personal advice. No responsibility is accepted by Jon Lamb Communications for the accuracy of information contained in web sites linked from this email. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute endorsement by JLC of any product or service, or warrant its suitability.
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