In your garden: September

Extend tomato time - Sow early, mid and late season varieties to extend your harvest right through spring and summer. For the best results, provide proper care: install a trellisor support structure, remove lower leaves to improve airflow and stay on top of pest and disease management.
 

Prune camellias - Prune camellias once flowers finish to maintain size and bushiness. Apply a slow-release pelletised organic fertiliser to boost growth. Water deeply during spring to improve next winter’s bloom production.
 

Watch out for pests - Citrus trees are prone to pests like citrus leaf miner and bronze orange bug (stink bug). Leaf miner is a tiny caterpillar that tunnels under new leaves, leaving silvery trails and distorted growth. It curls the leaf edge and pupates. Spray eco-oil or eco-neem fortnightly. Bronze orange bug feeds on young shoots. It changes from green nymph to orange adult and emits a foul-smelling spray. For light infestations, remove by hand (wear gloves and glasses). For heavy infestations, try eco-pyrethrum PLUS.
 

Feed spring bulbs - Daffodils, jonquils, hyacinths, bluebells, ixias, sparaxis, freesias, babianas and tulips all flower in early spring. To help them bloom again next year, feed them now with a soluble fertiliser such as Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit. The leaves absorb nutrients and send them back to the bulb, so avoid cutting the foliage until it has completely died back. A little extra care now will reward you with vibrant flowers in the seasons to come.
 

Protect roses - New growth on roses is susceptible to aphid attack. Aphids hate water, so spray them with a hose, making sure you spray above and below the leaves. You can also squash and remove aphids by gently rubbing along the stems with a gloved hand. Encourage natural predators such as hoverfly larvae, parasitic wasps, ladybirds, lacewings and red and blue beetles by avoiding chemical sprays. For heavy infestations, treat with eco-pyrethrum PLUS or eco-neem, and repeat the spray two weeks later to target newly-hatched aphids.
 

Plant lilies - Take your garden to the next level with lilies! Lily bulbs are best planted from late winter to early spring, with flowering times that vary by variety – many bloom well from late spring through to late summer. One standout is the Oriental Trumpet lily (also known as OT lily or Orienpet lily), a hybrid of Oriental and Trumpet lilies. They're hardy, disease resistant, and adaptable to a range of growing conditions – making them a rewarding choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

• Choose a spot in part shade, avoiding hot western positions.

• Improve the soil by mixing in homemade compost or a store-bought soil conditioner. These bulbs are prone to rot in poorly drained soil, so it’s important to prepare well before planting.

• Water with diluted seaweed, then keep the soil just moist during active growth.

• Sprinkle snail pellets around the base of plants to prevent snails damaging flower buds.

• Feed lilies with organic fertiliser when new growth appears, then again after flowering as leaves die back. Avoid cutting foliage – it returns nutrients to the bulb for next year’s blooms.

• Cut lilies for indoor display, but leave at least half to two-thirds of the stem on the plant. This allows the bulb to keep photosynthesising and storing energy for next year’s blooms.
   

Colour your garden - Plan for summer colour by planting heat-loving perennials now, including hummingbird mint (agastache), long-blooming yellow sage (phlomis), colourful echinacea (cone flower), spreading feverfew (achillea) and dahlias. These perennials will flower for long periods. Feed regularly with organic fertiliser pellets and remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
 

Boost the blooms - Feed established roses now with a specialty fertiliser such as Neutrog’s Sudden Impact for Roses or Richgro’s Black Marvel Rose & Flower Food, and water in well. Reapply every 8 to 10 weeks during the growing season. Note: Avoid feeding newly planted roses until they’re well established.
 

Refresh your pots - Rejuvenate potted plants by repotting into a quality potting mix. Apply a controlled release fertiliser to the soil surface and water in thoroughly with seaweed solution. Set your pot plants on pot feet to encourage good drainage – avoid saucers.