The season is changing
It is remarkable how a run of showery weather and below average temperatures during autumn can change the seasonal outlook.
Rainfall totals across the suburbs, Hills and coastal districts over the past three weeks have generally been between 20 and 30 mm.
And after a week of below-average temperatures plant growth in most gardens is coming to a standstill.
Topsoil temperatures across Adelaide are currently fluctuating between 17 and 18° C.
This is still ideal for establishing cool season vegetables, flowers, and bulbs along with evergreen ornamentals and fruit trees that do not mind the cold.
But hurry – these temperatures have dropped almost 2ºC since the end of March and will drop a further 1 to 2°C over the next two to three weeks .
Unfortunately, rainfalls across the agricultural areas over the past two weeks have generally been below 10 mm.
|
|
Soil temperatures
Provided by Living Turf, national turf specialists.
|
| Yesterday's readings °C |
| Soil depth |
10 cm |
20 cm |
| Gawler |
17.5 |
17.5 |
| Walkerville |
17.1 |
16.8 |
| Glenelg |
16.9 |
16.9 |
|
|
Cool ideas for winter vegetables
Peas, lettuce, silver beet, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower as well as garlic and celery are but a few of the culinary delights that all but grow themselves during autumn and winter.
If they are established over the next few weeks, you should be reaping a harvest during late winter and early spring, when vegetable prices are traditionally at their highest.
How about an early crop of broad beans?
If you enjoy eating broad beans consider establishing a small planting over the next few weeks. Broad beans are best grown from seed.
These germinate and grow quickly and should be producing edible pods through July, August, and September.
Select dwarf varieties, as they are less likely to blow over in the wind.
Keep in mind early-sown crops produce very large plants and should be sown at least 20 cm apart.
Close planting is likely to restrict access to bees when the plants are flowering and trying to set pods.
Vegie seeds are worth saving
The art of saving seed from home-grown vegetables to plant back in the garden next season is rapidly disappearing.
It is certainly convenient to buy new seeds or seedlings each season and many of the latest varieties offer worthwhile advantages, such as early maturity and increased disease resistance.
But there really is no substitute for the concept of growing and saving your own.
In years gone by keen vegetable growers would carefully identify the best-yielding, disease-resistant tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and beans growing in their garden. These would be set aside and allowed to fully ripen.
At the end of the growing season the fruits were harvested, the seeds collected, cleaned and carefully stored.
In most cases gardeners look for taste as well as yield, with high priority also being placed on resistance to disease and insects.
But it also allows you to identify other important characteristics, such as greater frost tolerance, or maybe an ability to thrive in alkaline or saline soils.
Fortunately, seed saving organisations have been actively searching for such strains for a number of years and many of these are now available as “heritage” vegetables from specialist mail order seed companies.
|
|
Outdoor living features in this landscape
Yardstick Landscape Services are renowned for maximising the potential of small spaces and have excelled in this Fulham garden.
It features a superb outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, entertainment area, outdoor fire place, swimming pool with spa, raised veggie bed and fruit trees into a tight 165m2 space!
The garden is one of nine professionally-designed landscapes which will be open to the public during the SA Landscape Festival this weekend, April 15 and 16.
It is resort-like, functional, stylish and crammed with different textures, high quality products and innovative features.
Rendered walls accented with insets of foliage contrast with slim vertical timber slat paneling, effectively disguising the boundaries and adding personality and interest.
More on this landscape design and photos of the work by
Yardstick Landscape Services here »
|
|
Garden offers privacy, low maintenance
An imaginative low-maintenance garden planted mainly with native and water-efficient species perfectly complements this South Brighton sustainable straw bale home.
Hidden to the side is a small secluded sitting area with a pergola and quietly bubbling water feature.
The back garden is designed for relaxation and entertaining with a swimming pool, sauna, pizza oven, chooks, raised veggie beds and a cute garden shed.
Providing privacy and a sense of fun are several eye-catching corten steel panels, laser-cut with designs relevant to the owners’ interests.
More on this landscape design and photos of the work by
Yardstick Landscape Services here »
Open Saturday & Sunday , April 15 & 16 – 10 am to 4 pm
 More information and the complete SA Landscape Festival program and ticket purchase here »
Learn how a professional landscaper can help you »
|
|
Over-wintering tuberous begonias
Few flowering plants can match the non-stop colour provided by tuberous begonias.
But, as the days become shorter and temperatures cooler, the flowers will begin to fade.
Towards the end of April or early May, new growth will cease.
This is the cue to reduce watering, as the plants are beginning their dormant phase.
Reduce the amount of water you apply and increase the duration between watering.
The flowers will fade while the leaves will slowly turn yellow and start to fall.
Overwatering during this stage will see fungal rots destroy the plants' roots, reducing their ability to store essential foods, ready for next year's growth.
Towards the end of autumn, you should be left with a small tuber sitting in almost dry soil.
Some gardeners leave the tuber in the pot over winter.
But the soil must be kept dry, otherwise it will rot.
Learn from experience
Keen gardeners usually remove tubers from their pots two to three weeks after the top has completely died down.
At this stage they lift the small scale that forms over the old stem, as this helps reduce the likelihood of tuber rot during winter.
Tubers are usually kept in almost completely dry potting mix or sand inside in a dry cool position.
Towards the end of winter or early spring, check the tubers for new growth.
This is the signal to prepare the plant for another season.
|
|
Native plants with winter colour
Australian plants have developed their own natural tolerance to dry conditions during summer.
In fact, many of these plants often look best when they are not continually plied with water, particular during the drier months.
Considering the need to use water more wisely, it makes sense to draw up a list of winter-flowering plants that do not need constant watering in summer and incorporate them into your landscape.
Put these at the top of your list:
- Correas (native fuchsia) particularly C.pulchella and C.reflexa - small shade-loving shrubs, 0.5 to 1.5 metres with pink, orange or red flowers
- Grevilleas - many varieties available ranging from groundcovers to shrubs two to three metres in height. For winter-flowering try G.baueri (1 to 1.5 metres), G.lavandulacea (1.5 metres), G.rosmarinifolia (2 to 3 metres)
- Eremophila - a wide selection from groundcovers to bushes 2 metres. Very adaptable to heavy and clay soils. Look for attractive grey foliage forms, particularly E.glabra
- Thryptomene - small shrubs .5 metre to 1 metre in height with long flowering period. Flowers pink or white.
|
|
|
|
Crowea Poorinda Ecstasy
|
|
A native plant worth knowing
Crowea Poorinda Ecstasy is a small, very attractive, long-flowering shrub that should be more widely grown in Australian style gardens.
Large (up to 3 cm) star-shaped flowers appear through summer and autumn, with spot flowering at other times of the year.
These are backed by a neat canopy (1 x 1 m) of light green leaves.
Like most croweas, Poorinda Ecstasy has good tolerance to frost and drought, thrives in the sun and flowers well in semi-shade.
The plants will grow in most garden soils, providing the drainage is good and does not require regular maintenance.
This is a great little plant to grow in a mixed native garden but it also performs well in a rockery, cottage garden or a medium-sized container.
 State Flora catalogue »
 State Flora is South Australia’s leading Australian native plant nursery. It stocks more than 1,800 species of native plants for sale to the public at its Belair and Murray Bridge nurseries.
|
|
A special rose for a special cause
Amber's Gift is a rose that has been beautifully developed to honour the first hearingdog delivered to a recipient in Australia in 1982.
Since then, Australian Lions Hearing Dogs continues to provide hearing assistant dogs to deaf and hard of hearing Australians free of charge.
Proceeds from the sale of Amber's Gift are generously donated to ensure the continuation of this community-funded Lions project.
This is a bright and vigorous floribunda rose, with near black buds opening to mulberry/red-coloured blooms and then fading to mauve.
The bushes flower repeatedly, with clusters of 6-8 blooms per head.
These have a moderate, sweet fragrance and are much loved by bees. Height, upright to 2m.
Amber’s Gift was awarded a bronze medal & Davis Trophy for Best Australian Bred Rose of the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia in 2022.
Amber’s Gift is grown and sold by Wagner’s Rose Nursery and will be available as a bare root rose this winter.
|
|
GardenMum makes an ideal gift
Why not impress mum on mother’s day – or a good friend on any other occasion – with chrysanthemum Shabby Chic?
The flowers are quite stunning, with masses of dense blooms that make the whole plant appear to be one big flower.
Pink-infused petals blend from soft tones to more vibrant shades, creating an overall blushing of pink colours on each flower.
Shabby Chic plants have a pleasant mounding appearance (30 to 60 cm high) and are perfect for massed planting, growing in a sunny mixed garden bed or used as a colourful border.
The plants also look stunning in pots on their own or in the centre of a mixed container.
This is an ideal gift plant. as the blooms last for weeks, not days.
Shabby Chic are in stock at Heyne's Garden Centre, Beulah Park, Semaphore Pets & Gardens and Barrow & Bench, Malvern and should be available at other good gardening centres.
|
|
Good reasons for growing spinach
Spinach is a tasty, quick-growing, easy to harvest vegetable that is ideal to grow in a container or raised garden bed.
Spinach is also very rich in antioxidants, vitamins and particularly iron.
 Autumn is a great time to plant out seedlings and during the cooler weather these should be in full sun.
Partial shade is recommended while it is hot.
Before planting, improve the soil with compost and well-rotted manure.
Once established keep the soil moist, particularly during the warmer weather and encourage the plants to produce a constant supply of leaves with a fortnightly application of half strength vegetable fertiliser.
Picking the outer leaves regularly will help extend the harvest.
Autumn and winter varieties grown by Living Colour include:
- Bloomsdale: An English heirloom spinach with thick, crinkled, bright green leaves. Plants grow 20 cm x 20 cm. Slow to bolt. Harvest in seven weeks.
- Ironman: A popular SA variety rich in vitamin C and iron. Harvest in 5 to 8 weeks. Plants 15 to 20 cm apart.
- Baby Salad: A delegate, young variety, slightly sweeter flavour. Can be cooked but also popular when used raw in salads or juicing.
 Spinach seeddlings are in stock at Heyne's Garden Centre, Beulah Park, Semaphore Pets & Gardens and Barrow & Bench, Malvern and should be available at other good gardening centres.
|
|
The effect of light on cyclamen
Bright light is the key if you want cyclamen to remain flowering over an extended period.
- Inside: Avoid direct sun through windows but the brighter the indirect light, the better.
- Outside: Cyclamen respond quickly to bright light by initiating new flower buds. This lends them to growing outdoors.
The plants thrive in full sun during winter but also perform well in a shaded position, providing the light is right.
House plants with “feed me” leaves
If the leaves on your container plants have a pale green “feed me” look about them, it is probably because they have been watered regularly through the summer months.
This leaches many nutrients from the containers.
A half strength liquid organic fertiliser is recommended.
At the same time mulch the surface of the potting mix with a thin (1cm) layer of organic fertiliser pellets or top-quality compost).
This material will break down slowly over winter and each time you water, help improve the health and structure of the soil.
|
|
Quick control for autumn weeds
Autumn weeds, activated by recent showers, are starting to appear and it is time to reach for OCP Slasher, the organic weedkiller.
Slasher controls a broad range of weeds, including moss and algae.
It has been approved for use in organic gardens and it works fast. Expect to see visible results within an hour on most weeds.
OCP Slasher is made from plant ingredients and is glyphosate-free. It is also non-residual and can be used safely around roses and even in the veggie patch.
Slasher is available from hardware stores, nurseries, supermarkets and online »
|
|
Quick garden colour for winter
A splash or two of instant colour is all that is needed to brighten a courtyard or small garden through the winter months.
One of the most effective ways of achieving this is to buy a container or two of bloomers.
These are annuals grown in small individual cells to a stage where they are starting to bloom.
Root disturbance when transplanting is kept to a minimum and with care these plants should continue flowering through winter and well into spring.
Bloomers are usually sold either as a six-pack. (Cost, approximately $2 per plant).
High-performing and advanced bloomers are also available, sold as a four pack. Cost, $2.50 to $3 per plant.
Five top performers
- Pansy/viola: Hard to beat, long-flowering, great colours.
- Snapdragons (dwarf): Long-lasting colour once they begin flowering.
- Dianthus: Very hardy, many colours, sun, or semi-shade.
- Alyssum: Long-flowering and very easy to grow.
All five will perform in sun or semi shade.
|
|
Turning autumn leaves into garden mulch
The leaves on deciduous trees are beginning to colour and in some locations they are already starting to fall.
This provides a great opportunity to gather them and, using a simple bin, convert them into leaf mulch.
 Contained in the bin, the leaves will start to decompose, producing an excellent organic mulch to improve soil fertility throughout the garden next season.
A simple leaf bin can be made by wrapping wire around four garden stakes, filling large garbage bags and rubbish bins or simply piling the leaves in a garden corner.
If the leaves are dry, dampen them down to speed up decomposition.
The semi decomposed leaves should be ready to use as a mulch next summer.
However, mixing the leaves with Seasol Plant + Soil Booster will give the mulch an excellent additional lift.
More information »
|
|
Lawn care
Stefan Palm, Paul Munns Instant Lawn
|
|
|
How to control autumn lawn weeds
It doesn’t take long for a raft of winter weeds to appear soon after the first series of autumn showers.
Winter weeds thrive when conditions are cold and there is little competition from summer lawn grasses such as couch, follow and kikuyu.
But where do the weeds come from at this time of the year and why do they grow so quickly?
More importantly what is needed to keep them under control?
In this week’s lawn blog, turf consultant Stefan Palm explains why the weeds suddenly appear and considers some of the most effective ways of keeping them under control, particularly difficult weeds such as soursobs and winter grass.
More information »
|
|
Almost last call for garlic
Soil temperatures are falling fast and time is running short if you would like to grow a top crop of garlic.
Garlic plants need plenty of room to expand as they grow.
Place the cloves 15 cm apart and if garden space is a limiting factor, the rows can also be spaced 15 cm apart – but no closer.
The cloves should be positioned with the thin end up and with the tip of the clove no more than 1cm below the surface.
Because initial growth for garlic sown now is likely to be slow, it is important that the plants are not swamped by weeds.
Regular light hoeing between the rows is effective but so too is a 2-3cm layer of lucerne or pea straw.
|
|
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 advice please give me a call on ABC Radio Adelaide's Saturday morning Talkback Gardening or ask at your local garden centre.
|
|
|
Saturday & Sunday, April 15 &16
Rose Society of SA autumn rose show
Noel Lothian Hall, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Hackney Road entrance, and National Rose Trial Garden of Australia, Sat. 11 am to 4 pm and Sun. 10 am to 4 pm.
People’s Choice rose judging weekend at the Rose Trial Garden, also at the Adelaide Botanic Garden from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16
SA Landscape Festival 2023
Take a look at SA's most beautiful, professionally-designed and built, privately-owned gardens. A chance to learn from skilled landscaping professionals as they share their secrets, tips and tricks.
Nine gardens to choose from, each with unique beauty.
More information and ticket booking here »
Sunday, April 16
Herb and salvia propagation workshop
Herb Society of SA. Herb Garden at the back of the Findon Community Centre, 222 Findon Road, Findon, 2 pm – 4 pm
Tour the garden and learn how to propagate herbs and salvias. Materials provided. Bring your own secateurs if you have some. More details »
|
|
Talkback Gardening tomorrow
 ABC Radio Adelaide Talkback Gardening this Saturday, 8.30 am to 10 am – phone 1300 222 891 and have your own gardening question answered.
It's time to plant spring bulbs – with horticulturalist Brett Draper and Debra Griffin from Trenton Cottage, one of the major growers of bulbs suitable for SA gardens.
Plus Merv Trimper, rose trial garden organiser, will explain how to win big prizes in the peoples' choice at this weekend's Rose Society of SA autumn rose show at the Botanic Gardens.
|
|
Garden centre directory
Leading Adelaide garden centres recommended by Good Gardening newsletter.
|
|
|
Heyne's Garden Centre
283-289 The Parade, Beulah Park. (08) 8332 2933
Simply the zest!
It’s citrus time at Heyne’s and we are fully stocked with oranges, lemons, limes and mandarins – plus the ever-popular dwarf varieties and more!
Citrus are a fantastic and productive addition to the kitchen garden, with their refreshing fruits and attractive, aromatic foliage. Why not add one (or another!) to your garden?
See you this weekend.
South Australia's oldest established garden centre. Huge range. Expert staff on hand for personal advice. Visit online »
Semaphore Pets and Garden
119 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore. (08) 8242 7302
Our seedlings are so fresh and flying out the door. Going into the garden and picking fresh veggies to cook that night is so rewarding.
There is so much to choose from. Bring the kids in and get them involved in choosing what you plant.
It's a surefire way to get them interested in eating broccoli, cauliflower and maybe even brussels sprouts
Always a great selection of plants, pets and giftware – all under the one roof. Open 7 days.
Facebook »
Barrow & Bench Mitre 10
321 Unley Rd, Malvern. (08) 8272 8566
Colour your garden with leucadendrons this autumn.
Beautiful range of hardy, sun-loving plants from the proteaceae family in store now.
And if you are on the hunt, you will be pleased to know we stock Neutrog’s Bush Tucker and TroForte Native and TroForte All Purpose – both quality fertilisers for native and low-phosphorus plants.
Specialising in providing quality plants and expert garden advice. Follow the Instagram feed »
|
|
Coming soon
Saturday & Sunday, April 22 & 23
Festival of Flowers
Angle Park Greyhound Park. More information »
Saturday, May 6
Northern Yorke Peninsula Australian Plants Society annual plant sale
Lot 1866, South Terrace, Kadina. 10 am - 3 pm. Plants for sale from several vendors, gardens open to the public, advice on establishing an Australian native garden, flower display, and much more, including tea and coffee. Free entry.
Saturday, May 6
SA Orchidaceous Society autumn show
Western Link Church Hall, 93 Crittenden Road Findon. 9 am to 4 pm. Entry $5 includes a free tea or coffee and biscuit Display of orchids and a trading table of orchids and other plants just in time for a Mother’s Day gift.
Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7
Enfield Horticultural Society autumn show
Held with the SA Chrysanthemum & Floral Art Society, Klemzig Community Hall,
242 North East Road, Klemzig. Displays and plant sales, trading table and raffle. morning & afternoon teas.
Saturday 12 noon - 4 pm, Sunday 11 am - 3.30 pm. Admission $4.
Thursday, May 11 to Saturday, May 13
South Coast Orchid Club of SA autumn show
Seaford Central Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd Seaford. Shopping centre hours.
Display of orchid plants, plus a trading table with a variety of orchids for sale. Experienced growers on hand to give advice, fact sheets available.
Saturday, May 13
Australian Plants Society (SA Region) autumn plant sale
Urrbrae Agricultural High School, Fullarton Road, Netherby. 10 am – 4 pm.
|
|
Regular garden attractions
Check with each venue's web site for any Covid-19 restrictions on opening hours.
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 »
Carrick Hill
Heritage house museum and garden, the former home of Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward. Open weekends & public holidays. Free admission into garden and grounds. 46 Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield.
More information »
Cummins Historic House and gardens
23 Sheoak Ave, Novar Gardens. Gardens open and plant sales on 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (except Dec & Jan) 2 pm - 4.30 pm. Plant sales also available every Friday morning 9 am to noon. More information » | Facebook »
Heysen - The Cedars
The historic home of two of Australia’s most noted artists, Sir Hans Heysen and his daughter Nora. This unique, 60-hectare heritage estate features the original family home, two artists’ studios and the celebrated cottage-style garden, planted chiefly with exotics, including the massive Himalayan cedar trees.
Heysen Road, Hahndorf. Open 10 am - 4.30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and also open on public holiday Mondays. Ticketed entry, including guided tours at 11am and 2 pm.
More information »
Old Government House, Belair National Park
The former vice-regal summer residence of some of the early governors of South Australia. An excellent example of Victorian architecture, set amongst one acre of magnificent gardens. Features cottage plants and flowers cultivated in Victorian times, heritage roses and mature trees.
Tours and afternoon tea on the first and third Sundays each month and public holidays, 1 pm – 4.30 pm. Free entry into Belair National Park if you are visiting OGH - tell the info office staff as you drive in.
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 »
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 »
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
UNSUBSCRIBE