Summer News - by Lyla Wright
Following a mild and rainy Spring, gardens everywhere abound with flowers and wonderfully lush new growth. The weather has been kind to us this season allowing us a little more time to get plants established and to really boost growth and vigour before the onset of Summer.
Our gardens, this year especially, have become more important to us. They have become a reliable constant in an uncertain world. They provide us with a place of contemplation, relaxation, and escape. There is nothing like a day in the garden connecting with the earth to lift one’s spirits. This has been one of the great positives that has come from our ‘time out’ at home and has given many of us the time to revamp our outdoor spaces.
Summer heralds the beginning of warmer weather and the festive season draws us outside to celebrate in the garden. Now is the perfect time to ‘spruce up’ your entertaining areas with potted flowers, hanging baskets and fresh herbs to use for the BBQ. Hydrangeas and Gardenias are in bloom now and are perfect for that statement pot to welcome guests. Geraniums, Fuchsias, and Impatiens look wonderful in hanging baskets or pots on a patio. For the edible garden we have beautiful Citrus, Figs, Pomegranates, Blueberries and Kiwifruit.
Roses have had a wonderful Spring flowering this year and are now busy producing their next flowers after a good prune. We still have good fresh stock of many varieties in both bush and standard forms that are ready to plant now. They make the perfect gift that keeps giving!
Summer perennials such as Dahlias, Salvias, Echinacea and Agastache are in bloom now and will continue right through to Autumn. They make a wonderful addition to a bee friendly garden.
Jobs In The Summer Garden
* deadhead roses and spring flowering perennials to encourage a new flush of flowers
* Mulch garden beds to conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds
* Stake young and newly planted trees to prevent wind damage
* Check and adjust watering systems as the hot weather increases
* Take care not to overwater newly planted trees and shrubs, a good drink once a week is preferable, which encourage surface roots
* Protect young seedlings from snails and slugs with pellets or copper tape
* Fungal problems are prevalent due to the rain and humidity this season.
* Powdery Mildew and Black Spot can be controlled by using Eco-Fungicide or Kocide spray and cleaning up fallen leaves around the base of plants.
On behalf of the Management and Staff at The Heritage Nursery, Yarralumla I would like to wish you our valued customers a Happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the Nursery in 2021.
Happy Gardening
Lyla