Welcome to the August garden notes. The weather we've had in the past week is definitely a sign that spring is on the way.
While we can still expect to have some cold nights and days over the next few weeks, and hopefully more good rain, there is a shift in our weather patterns. This means that it's the perfect time to start getting our gardens ready for the next season.
Summer Veggies In-store this Month & What To Plant Now
Summer veggies will be in the store this month, and while the soil is still too cold to plant out things like tomatoes, chili, and capsicum, you can certainly buy them now and pot them up to "grow on." By doing this, your plants will have a head start when the soil does warm up sufficiently (folklore says the soil must be warm enough to sit on comfortably with a bare behind!). Waiting for the extra warmth means they will settle in quickly and grow strongly. In the meantime, this is the perfect opportunity to be preparing your vegetable plot for all your summer veggies. Animal manure, cow manure, for example, and mushroom compost can be spread over your plot and dug in, giving them four weeks or so to break down before your plants go in.
If you like to grow veggies from seed, get them going now too. Tomatoes, capsicum, and chilies can all be sown now and will be ready to plant out in four to six weeks. There is still plenty of time to plant seed potatoes; limited varieties are in stores now. You can grow them in the ground or pots – they're really easy. Just ask if you're not sure, and we'll be only too happy to give you some advice and tips.
There are lots of summer flowering bulbs that could be planted now: Gladioli, Lilies, and many more. Most of them need a sunny spot, and all of them can be grown successfully in pots. Use a good potting mix if potting and regularly provide liquid feed to both pots and the garden to achieve the best results.
Pre Spring Preparation
August is a great month for a little maintenance and pre-spring preparation. Summer grass lawns will start to experience growth with a bit more sunshine this month, meaning we'll need to pull the mower out of the shed once again. Give it a thorough inspection, consider booking a service if necessary, but at the very least, examine the blades and spark plug. Replace them if they're not up to par.
If you have winter grass weeds in your lawn, it's important to address them quickly before they have a chance to set seed. You can either hand-pull them if it's not too extensive or use Winter Grass Killer. Be sure to follow the instructions, particularly concerning proper watering as it needs to be "watered in."
Summer grass lawns such as Couch, Buffalo, and Kikuyu will start to put on growth and will be in need of their first feed of the season this month too.
Irrigation systems can undergo a test run to ensure everything is still functioning properly. Check for leaks and verify that all the drippers, sprays, and other components are operational; replace any that are not. There's nothing worse than encountering a warm spell only to discover that you need to hand-water everything! If you currently lack an irrigation system, now would be the ideal time to consider installing one. Even something as basic as a couple of timer taps can significantly simplify watering when the warm weather arrives.
Best Buys Now
In the current catalogue, there are some great deals available at the garden centre. Potted roses are still 20% off, including both bush and standard varieties, and there's a wide selection of favorites to choose from. Varieties like Mr. Lincoln, Freesia, Just Joey, and more are available. Also highlighted are the Moonbay Nandina, a stunning plant with fern-like foliage that can grow up to about 80cm. During winter, the foliage turns a vibrant red—the colder the weather, the more intense the color becomes. Considering how cold this winter has been, they look truly magnificent. These plants are suitable for sun or part shade, whether planted in the ground or in pots; they are certainly worth considering. As temperatures rise, we anticipate a broader range of plant varieties arriving on our shelves. Hopefully, by the end of the month, we'll be fully immersed in spring mode!
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Final Notes
So, as you can see, there is plenty to do this month. Just as the saying goes, 'it's all in the preparation' when it comes to painting, this principle holds equally true in the garden. Investing some effort now will lead to more significant results and rewards in the future. We eagerly anticipate your visit and are here to assist you with your garden projects this month
Ask one of our knowledgeable garden staff members for advice if you have any questions regarding anything having to do with your garden, indoors or out. We would be pleased to lead you on the correct path. Call us on 1300 165 165 or visit your local store.