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It's time to: April

Admire

The delicate sway of Japanese windflowers (Anenome) intoxicates us in autumn. Tones of white, lilac and pink match nicely with the purple tones of Plentranthus ecklonii and Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’.

 

Rake

Collect autumn leaves to make a nutritious leaf mulch for acid-loving plants such as camellias, azaleas and gardenia. Fill a black plastic bag with leaves and add a handful of blood and bone. Moisten the mix then tie it off and leave it to brew for 5-6 months. Spread mulch over beds in summer.

 

Make tea

Pick leaves of lemon-scented myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) and infuse in boiling water for a few minutes. Sip hot, or chill and pour over ice.

 

Feed

Fertilise citrus trees with a mix of compost, cow manure and powdered rock minerals.

 

Divide

Clumping perennials such as salvia, yarrow (Achillea) and gaura can be divided once they have finished flowering. Share the excess with friends or repeat groupings through the garden.

Strappy-leafed plants such as liriope, kangaroo paw, agapanthus and clivia can also be divided now. Dig up, divide, soak in seaweed solution, prune off leaves, then replant, spacing plants at correct spacings.

 

Trim

Deadhead roses, perennials and dahlias to prolong flowering.

 

Plant

Buy tubestock to create a new native wildflower garden to love in spring. We’ve have found its cheaper and more effective to buy smaller pot sizes as the plants grow faster.

 

Text: Linda Ross

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Author: Linda Ross