Waratahs are glowing in the local bush and in the garden. Pick flowers to keep the bushes trim. Increase your collection with ‘Shady Lady Red’ and ‘Fire and Brimstone.'
Plant your dahlias now. Choose a sunny spot with well prepared soil. For best results, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with organic matter, compost or well-rotted manure. If you're growing on heavy clay, add some grit to the planting hole. If you're growing dahlias in pots, use a good quality, peat-free multi-purpose compost. Check out Van Dieman Quality Bulbs. www.vdqbulbs.com.au
Mass-plant seedlings of annual petunias, verbenas or salvias for generous summer colour in pots or garden beds. Apply liquid plant food fortnightly.
Cut back climbing roses as they finish flowering. Remove some older canes to make way for new ones and prune laterals back to the framework. Wear long sleeves for this job to protect your arms from fierce thorns and possible infection. Follow the trim with a feed.
Lift ranunculus as they finish, remove soil and cut back spent foliage. Store in wire trays where its cool and shaded.
Keep hedges trimmed to maintain compact bushy growth. Taper the sides slightly wider at the base to allow sunlight to reach lower foliage.
Sow Zinnia seeds. Sow seeds directly in a sunny garden bed. Keep soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 7-14 days once soil temperature reaches 21-29°C. Protect young seedlings from pests, pets and weather until they are established.