It’s time to: Temperate Gardens in July

The winter chill is setting in, things are slowing down in the garden. It's time to skill-up and seek some expert advice.

There are plenty of workshops and classes happening in the temperate garden this July.

Pyrostegia venusta. Photo - Robin Powell.

Learn more

Learn from the experts. Attend a pruning workshop held at specialist rose or fruit tree nursery to gain knowledge and confidence before its time to pick up the pruners at your place. See the Garden Clinic 'Events' page for Garden Clinic Class dates.

Plant

Take the easy option by planting dwarf fruit trees including apples, peaches and nectarines. Their compact growth habit makes harvesting a breeze.

Spray

Follow winter pruning of roses, deciduous fruit trees and vines with a winter clean-up spray. Spraying with lime sulfur will reduce infestations of insect pests such as scale and mites, as well as fungal diseases such as black spot and mildew.

Spray lawns to control bindii before painful burrs develop. Most bindii herbicides also kill broadleaf lawn weeds such as clover, oxalis and cape weed. If your lawn is soft leaf buffalo, select a safe and suitable spray.

Admire

Admire winter blooming annuals such pansies and violas. Their cheery faces brighten a dull day, they’re perfect companions for spring bulbs and terrific in pots or hanging baskets. Liquid feed fortnightly for brilliant results.

Plant

Add a blast of colour to winter with orange bignonia, Pyrostegia venusta, pictured above. The vivid trumpets of this vigorous twining climber will cascade over fences, walls or pergolas.

Clean-up

Use a scourer to scrub the built-up sap, resin and rust off secateurs and pruning shears. Sharpen the blades and follow with a protective coat of oil.

Move evergreen and deciduous plants in the wrong spot. Prepare the new planting hole first, then move plants with as many intact roots as possible. Water in with seaweed solution to reduce transplant shock.