Sagol 2 Lo+Res

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WINTER 2011FREE SAs OWN GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING MAGAZINE

No shortcuts

with pruning

Get set for

summer

strawberries

Cottage

gardens

Australian style

Edited by

JonLamb

GARDEN

South Australian

& OUTDOOR LIVING

Official journal of the Nursery & Garden Industry and the Landscape Association of SA


2/64

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3/64GARDEN& OUTDOOR LIVING /WINTER 2011 3

Published by

Jon Lamb Communications Pty Ltd, (JLC)31 King St, Norwood, SA 5067

Ofcial journal o

Nursery & Garden Industry o SA IncLandscape Association o SA Inc

Editor

Jon Lamb(08) 8362 [email protected]

Publishing, sub-editing, layout

Steve Swann(08) 8365 [email protected]

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HWR Media & Communications109b Conyngham Street, Frewville, SA 5063(08) 8379 9522 Fax (08) 8379 [email protected]

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PO Box 108, Goodwood SA 5034Secretariat: Rob Martin (08) 8210 5229www.landscapesa.com.au

Nursery & Garden Industry o SA (NGISA)505 Fullarton Rd, Netherby, SA 5062CEO: Georey Fuller (08) 8372 6822www.ngisa.com.au

DisclaimerAlthough all reasonable care is taken in preparinginormation contained in this publication, neitherJon Lamb Communications (JLC), NGISA or LASA,nor their ofcers, sta or suppliers involved in theediting and production o this magazine accept anyliability resulting rom the interpretation or use o

the inormation set out in this document. Inormationcontained in this document is subject to changewithout notice. The views and opinions expressedin this publication are those o the authors and donot necessarily represent those o the publishers oreditor. No responsibility is accepted by JLC, NGISAor LASA or the accuracy o inormation containedin advertisements in SA Garden & Outdoor Living.Publication o an advertisement does not constituteendorsement by NGISA, LASA or JLC o any product orservice, or warrant its suitability.

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WINTER2011

7

Copyright: Editorial material published in SA Garden & Outdoor Livingis copyright and may not be reproduced in anyorm without written permission rom the Publisher or Editor.Cover Photo: Judith Bicking | Dreamstime.com

GARDENSouth Australian

& OUTDOOR LIVINGEdition number 2

4 FEATURES4 StrawberriesforChristmas?

Head or your garden centre and start now

6 CottagegardensAussiestyleCottage doesnt have to mean European

42 Freshfruit A ruit tree, yes but how do you choose?

REGULAR COLUMNS

20 TastetheseasonsChe Kane Pollard makes the most o winter

50 ThecuttingedgeTrevor Nottle monitors the latest garden issues

GOOD GARDENING

34 GoingorganicLook locally or organic gardening advice

28 CompostingMaking your own satisying and simple

38 PruningrosesLet your bushes tell you how

GUIDES

18 Newplants

52 Newproducts60 GardeningbooksandDVDs62 Whatson Calendar o SA gardening events

40

www.gardenandoutdoorliving.com

12


4/64

4 GARDEN& OUTDOOR LIVING /WINTER 2011

Strawberries

Strawberry

felds orever!Ripe red home grown strawberries for Christmas

its an irresistible thought and over the next

few weeks, new high yielding grow-me-now

strawberry plants ready to place in the garden

will appear in garden centres across the State.

Apart rom being delicious toeat, thanks to South Australiasrelatively mild winter and warmspring, strawberries are very easy to grow.

Te key is to fnd a position in the gardenthat receives at least six hours o sun.

Good drainage is essential and even ithe soil drains naturally, it will pay to growyour plants on a raised bed.

Ready to install raised beds are ideal butsimply raking good quality garden soil intoa bed mounded 15 cm high and 50-60 cmwide will also work well.

Beore planting, take the opportunityto improve the soil. Add as much agedcompost to the area as possible. I youdont have compost, buy one or two largebags o organic soil improver. Mix thesethoroughly into the top 20 cm o soil alongwith a complete ertiliser (hal a cupul tothe square metre).

I you want early strawberries, coverthe raised bed with black plastic beoreplanting. Make slits in the plastic or theplants that should be spaced 25 to 30 cmapart with 35 cm between rows.

Te plastic will absorb heat rom thesun and increase soil temperatures duringwinter and spring. I you dont use plastic,mulch the soil lightly to reduce weedgrowth.A heavy mulch at this stage will block

out the sun and keep the ground cool. Bymid October the mulch can be thickenedto help conserve moisture and at that stageAlinta with cream Hokowase

N i k e S h |

D r e a m s t i m e c o m



Strawberries

the plants will grow better ithey are protected rom excessheat.

Strawberries are 90 percentwater and its important thatthe root system is kept bothcool and moist during thegrowing season, particularlyon hot days.

Drip irrigation systems areideal. When ruits start toorm, applying hal strengthliquid ertiliser every ortnightwill dramatically improveyields.

I you dont have room or a

permanent strawberry bed, trygrowing your plants in containers.erracotta strawberry planters look attractive on a sunny patio and

are very useul or growing strawberries.Te plants can also be grown in hanging baskets located in a sunny

position but make sure the root system does not dry out while theplants are owering or producing ruit.

Shading the plants during periods o extended hot weather isworth considering.

Keep in mind strawberries are much prized by slugs, snails,earwigs, birds and o course, children.

Protective measures will be needed i you expect to dine regularlyon your prized possessions.

Choose the right varietiesMake sure you buy the right varieties as most o the older

strawberries only produce ruit once a year (spring and earlysummer).

Look or those labelled everbearing as they have been selected toproduce in waves rom spring through to the ollowing early winter.

Te latest varieties have also been selected or taste and resistanceto disease as well as very high yields.

Te ollowing are available at most garden centres andrecommended or growing in SA.Alinta

Fruits nine months o the year

Australian varietyLarge, glossy berries with a fne, sweet avour

HokowaseSweet tasting, medium to large, wedge shaped strawberry rom

Japanese originsAcid ree, sweet enough to be eaten beore red ruit stageProduces early in the season and crops prolifcally

KamuAustralian varietyHigh yieldingFlavoursome, medium to large red ruit

SchizamTis is a recently released variety producing medium sized

avoured berries and very high yields. May not be available in allcentres.

Kamu

and watchyour garden grow

Wherever you are, United Nurseries

products can be found across

the country.

From your old favourite, to our new

and exclusive releases our members

provide the best plants nation-wide

fresh at your nearest garden centre.

united-nurseries.com.au

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xplore

Un

ite

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eries

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Big WDahlsensGrowmasterKmartMagnet MartMitre 10Plants PlusPlants Australiaand garden centres

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Xxxxcacsaxx

The cottage garden still rates asone o the most popular stylesacross the world. Originating in

the Middle Ages it was a garden o thepeasants, providing ood, medicines andscent.

During the Victorian era, the gentryromanticised the humble cottage gardenand this image continues today.Ater a busy day the garden became a

place or contemplation and relaxationamid prousions o owers, winding paths,rock walls, small trees, water and the busy

antics o birds and bees.In the Mediterranean, Arica, North andSouth America, Mexico and New Zealand

the cottage garden not only ourished butpeople began to add plants native to theirown region giving it a local avour.Australians also planted cottage gardens

but at that stage did not add their localplants.

Te many gardens established here wereplanted with the same species used inBritain and Europe.

Many new arrivals to Australia sueredhomesickness. Tey planted gardens withplants they recognised to overcome thisand to help them settle in.

Plant inormation was passed on to theirchildren and uture generations. Australianplants were seen as something to be cleared

to make way or the new plants.Tose who tried to grow Australian plantsound they ailed when they dug themrom the bush. Later they were grownwithout care or pruning and looked on asbeing untidy and woody.

Many gardeners now know thatAustralian plants can be easily grown,pruned and mixed with other plants.

Te same criteria such as soil type,drainage, sun and shade can be appliedto Australian plants as or plants romanywhere in the world.

oday we are ortunate to have access to awide selection o Australian plants not onlyrom other states but also those that

A great cottage garden doesnt have to be restricted to European

plants. LINDA NIEMANN looks at some spectacular native options.

COTTAGE GARDENSAustralian style


7/64

Native gardens

Photos:StateFlora

Grevillea Bronze Rambler

South Australias oldest garden centreSpecialising in quality plants since 1869

Extensive range ofplants and gardenproducts.283-289 The Parade, Beulah Park www.heyne.com.au/gardencentre

HeynesOur business is growing

GARDEN CENTRE

Ph8332 2933

Salvia

Cyclamen

Royal Cape

plumbago


8/64


Native gardens

belong in our local area. Tese are suitableor many garden styles and there are manysmall pretties that would enhance anycottage garden.

A ew suggestions ollow but why not visityour local nursery or a specialist Australianplant nursery and ask or Aussie plants tosuit your area. You will be amazed at thevariety available and their beauty.

Tryptomene baeckeacea not onlysmall and pretty with its owers on theblue side o pink, it continues to owerthroughout most o the year, only restingin summer. Prune to shape ater owering

and you will have a lovely hardy plant thatis both rost and drought tolerant.You cant go past daisies in a cottage garden

and Brachyscome multifda var dilitata

is a small plant that will not disappoint.Especially good or edges and low walls.Tere are many varieties o Brachyscomewith blue, pink, white or yellow owers.

Bright yellow owers and shiny greenleaves make Goodenia blackiana a mustor those semi shaded, moist spots. Tissmall plant grows naturally in the Adelaidehills and can cope with dry times but stayslooking good with a drink in summer.

At 30 cm high and a spread o 3 mGrevillea Bronze Rambler is the perectplant or covering the ground quickly,perhaps around the base o a bird bath.

Te large red toothbrush owers attractthe birds with oers o abundant nectar.Leaves are dark green and the new oliage isbronze. Drought and moderate rost hardyit is a must or any garden.

Linda Niemann is a consultant to the SA NurseryIndustry on Australian plants, former senioradviser with State Flora, a life member and a

past president of the Australian Plant Society.

Thryptomene baeckeacea

Brachyscome multifda var dilitata Goodenia blackiana


9/64


10/64


The search is on again or SouthAustralias most inspiringnative gardens. Organised bythe Sustainable Landscapes team at theBotanic Gardens o Adelaide, this awardsprogram is designed to promote thebenefts and the beauty o growing nativeplants around homes, schools, as well as inboth government and commercial gardens.

Te inaugural Native Garden Awards lastyear attracted entries rom many wonderulprivate and public gardens throughout thestate.

Tis year, key organisers, MerilynKuchel and Sheryn Pitman, are hopingthe event will inspire even more people tophotograph their gardens and enter theminto the 2011 Awards.

While our country has long enjoyedplants rom exotic and araway places,many people are now coming to appreciateand recognise our own native plants,Merilyn Kuchel says.

Tere are about 25,000 species o plantsin Australia and they are as varied as thelandscape, soils and climate.

While the plants that grow naturally ina place are particularly suited to its soilsand microclimate, there are a multitudeo plants rom other parts o the countrywhere conditions are similar and theseplants will also thrive in our gardens.

Te plants are water-ecient andare adapted to variable rainall, heatand sunshine. So many are colouruland ragrant and provide excellent ood

and shelter or native mammals, birds,butteries, lizards and rogs.Many native plants also have long

owering seasons, oten rom winterthrough spring and into early summer.

When temperatures become too highand the soil dry, most plants lose theirowers to conserve water and energy.

Tis year the Native Garden Awards willhave our categories:

private homesschoolsstate or local government gardensbusiness/industry/commercial gardens.

Tere are also special awards or the bestlocal indigenous garden and or the bestnew garden (under two years old) across allcategories.

o enter just take 12 photos o yourgarden, write a brie description and sendthem in using the ocial entry orm. Teclosing date is August 22 with judgingto take place in spring. A range o prizesinclude vouchers to purchase native plantsrom State Flora, books and nesting boxes.

Looking or inspiration?For urther inspiration gardeners may like

to visit the new Australian Native Gardenin the south western corner o the AdelaideBotanic Garden.

Designed by Kate Cullity, it is less thantwo years old yet already well establishedand very beautiul. You might also like toollow the Sustainable Landscapes NativeGardens rail, which eatures 26 native

plant gardens across metropolitan andregional SA and lists a urther 16 gardensrevegetated with local species only. Copieso the rail map are available rom thevisitor centre in the Adelaide BotanicGarden or the web site.

More inormation:Entry orms and guidelines are availableat www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainablelandscapes

Wanted:SAs best native gardens

Baghurst, the gold award winning garden eatures pathways made rom rock collected rom the property,locally sourced mulch and plants well suited to the windswept hillside overlooking Port Elliot.


11/64

Native gardens

A

ter so many hot dry summers,its surprising to fnd manyhome owners dont eature large

numbers o native plants in their gardens.Experienced gardeners will certainly

confrm the water saving ability oAustralian plants.

Once established, plants selected or yourenvironment will not only thrive, but asa bonus produce a kaleidoscope o coloureach year withouthaving to be constantlyplied with water.

I you are worriedabout spiralling waterbills, make yourselection rom therange o plants thatower during thecooler months o theyear.

Tis is the time whennature usually providesthe moisture neededto sustain an extended owering period.By the end o winter there should also beenough moisture in the subsoil to sustainvigorous spring growth.

While growth can be maintained bywatering during summer, most plants willnot object i you keep them on the dry sideas thats the way they would grow naturallyin the bush.

In contrast, roses, hibiscus and othersummer owering plants must be wateredregularly i they are to reach their ullowering potential.

Late winter and early spring when the soilis moist and temperatures are starting torise is an excellent time to establish nativeplants in the garden.

It is also an ideal time to plant them intocontainers.However, when selecting your plants,

be ussy and dont be araid to buy on thesmall side. Native plants established instandard or large containers are capable omaking very vigorous lea growth.Within a matter o months, the roots can

completely circle the inside o the containerand you end up with root bound plants.

Root bound plants invariably produceinerior trees and shrubs. Look or plantsthat have been grown in special containers

that encourage roots togrow vertically ratherthan horizontally.

Nurseries thatspecialise in sellingnatives oten sell smallplants in tubes or verysmall containers thathave large holes at thebase. Once the rootsreach the base o thesecontainers, they areexposed to air and thishas the eect o root

pruning.However, even tube stock can become

root bound i the plants are not pottedon or placed out in the garden within a

reasonable period. Check careully beoreyou buy.Te key to establishing native plants is to

achieve good weed control beore you start.Clear the ground or at least a metre

around the planting hole. In the garden,this can be achieved by hoeing or inlarge areas by spraying the ground with aweedicide such as glyphosate a week or sobeore planting out.

I the subsoil is heavy or contains stones,it is worthwhile cracking the area loosewith a mattock or crowbar. Heavy clay

soils should be improved by incorporatingcompost and gypsum (hal a kilogram to asquare metre).

Natives arewinter winners

STATE FLORAFor SAs largest range of nativeplants in tubes and also

advanced plants

Belair Nursery

Ph: 82787777Located in Belair National ParkOpen 7 daysMonday Friday9am 5pmWeekends & public holidays10am- 5pm

Murray Bridge Nursery

Ph: 85392105Bremer RoadOpen Monday Friday8am-4.30pmSundays

10am 4pm

www.statefora.com.au

Water-friendly native plants can offer

a kaleidoscope of cold-season colour.

Eremophila maculataapricotPhoto:StateFlora


12/64


Xxxxcacsaxx

Once the roses drop their leaves,the salvias fnish owering andthe stunning autumn leaveshave allen, the garden can be spared thatbare look.

Simply add plants with warm oliagetones, cheerul owers, colourul ruitsand contrasting bark. Mosaics and murals

and decorative pots are another way tointroduce permanent colour to the gardenin winter.

Cumquats (Fortunella japonica) are notonly useul as a ood plant, they have lushgreen oliage providing a great backdropor masses o brilliant orange small ruitsthat last through winter.

Cumquats can be planted singly in awarm, sunny position in a decorative pot orused as a hedging plant to provide privacyrom neighbours and hide unsightly encesor walls.

Coprosmas (Coprosma sp.) are anothervaluable hedging plant. Fireburst andequila Sunrise produce fery red oliage

Warm colours or cold winters

Iceland poppies in cheerul yellow, oranges, pinks and whites

Cordyline Midnight Star Echeveria Black Prince

Winter need not be a dull time in the garden.

KATHY ERREYexplores some colourful options.

Photo:

Cammeraydave|Dreamstimec

om



Good gardening

intensiying in the cooler months and areworth considering.

In a larger garden ree o rost, the ame

vine (Pyrostegia venusta) is a climbingplant oten seen in Adelaide suburbscovering ugly corrugated iron ences.

From autumn, through winter tospring, it produces masses o brilliantorange tubular owers which completelycover its evergreen oliage. It needs awarm, sunny position and protectionrom rost.

Te large broad leaves o CordylineMidnight Star add dark chocolatecoloured tonings to the gardenproviding a more subtle comorting look,

while its relative Coral has bright peachyoliage edged with brown.Te owers o the Euyrops daisy (Euryops

pectinatus), French lavender (Lavanduladentata), rosemary varieties including bothblues and pinks (Rosmarinus), wallowers(Erysimum), Euphorbia Wulfenii, Echeveria

Black Prince, Winter rose (Helleborusorientalis) and the perumed whiteowering Daphne odora Alba all make acolourul display in winter.

I youd like to try something new,Nandina domestica Flirt is the latestvariety o this hardy plant.

Flirt is a striking lowgrowing plant with intensered oliage over the winter

months.As it grows to only 40 cmx 40 cm, it is useul or a lowhedge or as an eye-catchingeature plant in a decorativepot.Daodils and jonquils are

very colourul low maintenanceplants growing rom bulbs thatpop up and surprise year ateryear.So many dierent varieties are

available in a range o whites,

yellows, creams and oranges and, inplanting a variety, youre able to stagger theowering to last or months.

Hyacinths are another bulb with highlyragrant owers in pink, blue and whitein winter, although the bulbs are not ashardy as daodils and jonquils and are

A simple mural is a convenient source o colour

Cumquat


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Good gardening

best planted in pots. Pansies are an oldashioned avourite available in single andbi-coloured varieties.

For a very small pot, dwar cultivars

are available. Pansy umbles (Viola xwittrockiana) is a new trailing pansy.Iceland poppies (Papaver nudicaule) addcheer to the garden in colourul yellow,

oranges, pinks and whites. For a brilliantblue ower, plant Cinerarias (Pericallis xhybrid).When planning the garden, place your

winter colour in spots that can be viewedrom inside the warmth o your house ormaybe as you enter the driveway where itcan be enjoyed each time you return home

without having to go out into the cold ora look.

Kathy Errey of Outdoor Canvas Plants

is a passionate gardener with a lifetimeexperience in selecting and growing plants forSA gardens. She is a member of Horticultural

Media Association (SA).

Where to find us?Search our online database to nd the most convenient place to pick up your

free copy of the next edition of SA Garden & Outdoor Living

www.gardenandoutdoorliving.com

Pansies (above) and Euphorbia Wulenii (inset)



Good gardening

Why visit your locally owned garden centre? Becausenothing beats local knowledge, says the runner upin this years Nursery and Garden Industry o SouthAustralia young leaders program, Melissa Waters.

Melissa is an important part o the team at Semaphore GardenShop and believes most gardeners welcome an opportunity to getout into their local community and talk to people about the thingsthey enjoy, particularly plants.

Local garden centres are usually accredited small ownernurseries, where you are able to speak to people like yoursel aboutwhat is happening in your own backyard, Melissa says.

Tese people live in the same area as you and ace the samehurdles in and around the garden.

Here at Semaphore Garden Shop, we specialise in gardening andoutdoor living. We dont do toilets, kitchen sinks and everythingelse you can name. We stick to what we know and do best, andthat is gardening.

However, at the end o the day, to some people we are theirsanctuary, a place to wander around. We know our customers,their projects and their children. And we do go out o our way orspecial orders.

Te Semaphore Garden Shop is situated on the Gul, whereconditions are sandy and at times quite harsh. We specialise incoastal gardens. Our team all live locally and we can help advisegardeners about soil preparation and more importantly, plantselection.

We know rom our own experience and just as important, romthe inormation shared by local gardeners, what plants will thriveand which ones will not survive.

Tis kind o advice at the start o any project will help preventinevitable heartaches at the end.

Local expertise a greatdrawcard or garden centres

Melissa Waters: nothing beats local knowledge

Does your property need more trees?

Do you need windbreaks, want to address

erosion issues, encourage wildlife back or just

want to revegetate your property?

Trees For Lifes Tree Schemeis designed forlandholders who

want to order bulk native seedlings

- without it costing a fortune

you can order up to 500 nativeseedlings (grown for you)

or1000 (grow your own)

$55 materials fee for nancialmembers is all it costs!

want to know more?

phone (08) 8406 0500

www.treesforlife.org.au

Indoor plant pestsIndoor heaters and air-conditioning can oten have an adverse eect on pot

plants. However, insects such as mealy bug thrive on the warm conditions.

Small outbreaks should be controlled immediately as they multiply quickly.

Methylated spirits dabbed neat onto bugs with a cotton bud will control

isolated insects. Bad outbreaks will require spraying with an insecticide such

as BugKill or Confdor.

Container plants add inside colour

Polyanthus and primulas are available in small containers rom many

nurseries. They make a bright splash o colour at this time o the year. The

plants can be kept inside or up to a week in a well lit position. I you buya number o containers, you have resh plants to swap with those that have

been inside.


16/64


Good gardening

Have you noticed perennials aremaking a comeback? Tese arethe plants that produce greatcolour in cottage style gardens.

Perennials also possess the remarkableability to multiply rapidly. As such, theyare quite happy to be dug regularly, dividedand replanted.

In reality, it means any investment youmake in buying plants will be quicklyrepaid. A single plant can multiply and

produce 10, 20 and sometimes 50 plants ina single year.

However, as the original clump spreads,the centre sections tend to become woody.

Ater two or three years in the one position,the soil also begins to run low in nutrientsand this reduces the plants ability to ower.

When this occurs, the clumps should bedug and divided.

Beore replanting, it is important to takevery positive steps to rebuild both thenutrient and organic levels in the soil.

Start by working into the topsoil thick

layers o well made compost along withsome aged cow or sheep manure. Bloodand bone spread at hal a cup to the squaremetre should also be added.

Depending on the root system, theclumps should either be pulled apart, cutwith secateurs or i need be a spade. Eachpiece should contain a number o healthyroots.

Te outer sections o the clumps are themost vigorous and the centre sections arebest discarded. rim any broken roots andi there is top growth, remove any damaged

leaves. Even i the ground is damp, the newplants should be watered to consolidate theroots in the soil.

For most perennials, digging is best carriedout rom mid to late winter with the rootshaving a week or two to consolidate beoreestablishing new growth in spring.

Pieces in excess o your needs should beshared with your riends and neighbours.

Many o the most popular perennials areavailable during winter rom garden retailoutlets.

AtercareWatch out or snails.Once new growth is established sidedress with blood and bone.During early spring cover the plants

roots with mulch.Deep water weekly during hot weather.

More easy to grow perennialsAchillea matt orming, silver oliage,white (and other) owers in clusters,summer.Heuchera adaptable, clumping plant,interesting oliage, small daisy owers onlong stems.Geum small compact, long owering,reds, orange and yellow, spring andsummer.

Gerberas excellent cut ower, sun lover,large daisy owers, spring-autumn, manycolours.Gypsophila excellent cut ower, shrubbygrowth, small owers on thin stems, whiteand pink, summer and autumn.Coreopsis ast growing, adaptable, daisylike owers, bright yellow, spring-autumn.Euphorbia succulent like stems withlong lasting green bracts, spring andsummer.Salvia many orms, long owers in blues,mauves, reds; summer and autumn.

Perennials make a comeback

Gaura - worth growingGaura is easy to grow, hardy and quite

spectacular while it owers. The spikes reachover a metre in height, the buds are pink or whiteand open to produce an attractive spider-likeower. These continue to appear rom earlysummer until late autumn.

Want yours by snail mail?SA Garden & Outdoor Livingis available on subscription.

If you or a friend would like to receive a copy in the post we can arrange

regular delivery for just $20 a year (four issues, delivery within Australia).

Payment by cheque payable to Jon Lamb Communications. Or for EFT bank details contact us.

SA Garden & Outdoor Living, 31 King Street, Norwood SA 5067 (08) 8362 5417 [email protected]


17/64

Berri 8582 3775 Broken Hill 8087 1546 Crafers 8339 5949 Gawler 8522 3400

Golden Grove 8251 1111 Millicent 8733 4566 Mount Gambier 8725 3301 Murray Bridge 8532 1141

Naracoorte 8762 3566 Nuriootpa 8562 2288 Port Lincoln 8682 2725 Semaphore 8341 5915

Whyalla 8645 7966 Yankalilla 8558 2461

WinterGardening Solutions

Its Winter and now is

the time to start

planting. From roses to

ornamentals, ruit trees

to berries and veggies,

youll fnd everything you

need to get your garden

growing this Winter.

A visit to your local

Plants Plus Garden

Centre makes Winter

gardening easy.

Plants Plus...where

great ideas grow.

www.plantsplus.com.au


18/64


Flower Carpet

Pink Splash

The latest addition to theFlower Carpet range. Eye-catching bi-colour owers

eaturing both hot and palepink. Low maintenanceand disease resistance.

Some tolerance to partialshade. www.tesselaar.com

Petunia

bumble beeA petunia with instant eye appeal.The owers have a black base with adistinctive yellow star blushed withdark purple/pink on the edges. Theupright (20-30 cm) mounded plantsare early to ower, ideal or baskets,containers and garden beds.Available in spring.www.ballaustralia.com

New plants

Whats new at your garden centreThe latest new plants available from Nursery and Garden Industry SA centres

High impact Voltage

A new eye-catching orm o Osteospermum is now available rom SAgarden centres.This hardy adaptable perennial produces masses o

unique clear yellow daisylike blooms over an extended period.While it has a low growing spreading habit suitable or landscaping,it also eatures compact, sel branching exible stems. As such, it is

also ideal or large baskets and container growing.Voltage is a sun lover (6 hrs min/day), needs good drainage and

should not be overwatered. Cutting the plants back in late summer

will encourage blooming and help keep the plants compact.In Adelaide and the warmer districts, the plants should beginowering in spring and continue through summer and autumn

and early winter. Height 25-40 cm. Spreads 60-70 cm. For a greatmassed display, space plants 30-40 cm apart.

www.ballaustralia.com

Flavor Rouge plum

This is a great selection rom a verysuccessul cross breeding programbringing together a plum and an apricotto produce a new variety known as aninterspecifc plum.This is one o Flemings new F2 rangeo traditionally bred stone ruit treesproducing very attractive red to maroonruits with excellent avour. Clingstone.Early season bloom. Cross pollinates withMariposa or another early bloomingplum. www.emings.com.au



Spring Satin Plumcot

A natural hybrid between a plum and an apricot but with areputation or reliable production. Fruit are large and sweet

with yellow to red esh and dark plum colour skin. Matures late

November/early December. High disease resistance.www.balhannahnurseries.com.au

Citrus espaliered

Advanced citrus trees trellis trained as an espalier. In30-60 cm containers. Ready to produce ruit. Designed or courtyards and

small gardens. Range includes oranges, lemons, mandarins and limes.

www.merrywoodplants.com.au

Hakea Stockdale SensationProduces a prousion o bright red and cream pincushion owers through winter. Weeping habitwith dense dark green canopy o oliage. Height2-3 m, spread 2 m. Preers sun. Very low waterrequirements. www.pma.com.au

New plants

Garvinea

This is a new orm o gerbera, producing numerous medium sized bloomsin a range o vibrant colours over an extended period. Very high insect anddisease resistance. Cold, hardy sun lover with potential to ower through

winter and suited or mass planting or containers. www.jongsnursery.com

Petchoa

A new sun loving perennial groundcover. This is a petunia,calibrachoa cross producing an abundance o petunia sized

owers rom early spring through to summer in coloursincluding Neon Rose, Purple, Blue, Cherry, Velvet, VanillaBlush and terracotta. www.outdoorcanvasplants.com.au

Princess Alexandra o Kent

Unusually large owers o a warm, glowing pink. These are ull-petalledand deeply cupped in shape and enclosed in a ring o outer petals o a soterpink. Fresh tea rose ragrance. Attractive well-rounded shrub. Excellentdisease resistance. This rose has been selected or distribution throughPlants Plus garden centres. www.plantsplus.com.au


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Its defnitely the time to relax onthe couch while the slow cooker isbubbling away or a pot o soup is

simmering on the stove, growing in avourby the minute. A sel-saucing pudding anda glass o red wine will fnish o a rainyday nicely.

For winter, I have selected two homegarden avourites, onions and rhubarb askey recipe ingredients.

SA produces around 35 percent oAustralias onion crop. Its the baseingredient to many o our avourite meals,bringing a tear to the eye almost every time.

Onions.Tinly sliced and tossed througha resh salad or a little bite; sauted o andstewed down to bring sweetness to a heartystew or simmered slowly with balsamicvinegar and a rich brown sugar to produce awonderul, long lasting condiment, onionsalways bring something to the table.

Rhubarb. Te colour, avour and sighto rhubarb always get me excited. Otenused with apple in a variety o dishes, its aoolproo winner.

Teres no better eeling than gatheringyour frst batch o rhubarb or the year,peeling those long slender stalks, staining

your hands pink in the process.Simply add a little sugar, the seeds rom

a vanilla pod and a teaspoon o water andcook only until tender and puree. Useto add that tarty character that so manydesserts and even cocktails can lack.

Crusty garlic toast withbalsamic onion jam, prosciuttoand eta cream

Serves 4. akes 50 minutes to prepareand cook.

IngredientsTo prepare onion jam

2 large brown onions cup balsamic vinegar cup brown sugar

To prepare feta cream200 g eta cheese100 g neauchatel or cream cheese1 lemon (zest and juice)1 tspn cream

To serve8 slices prosciutto

Fresh crusty loa1 clove garlic

100 ml olive oilSalad greens (rocket, spinach or snow pea

tendrils)Herbs (basil, oregano, thyme and chervil

are good options)

Methodo prepare onion jam, bring vinegar and

brown sugar to the boil in a heavy basedpot

Peel and slice onions and place in thepot, stir to coat and bring back to the boil

Once bubbling, drop heat to mediumand cook down to a shiny jammyconsistency (around 20 minutes), stirringevery ew minutes, set aside

o prepare eta cream, blitz all ingredientsuntil smooth, place in ridge to semi-set

o serve, slice and toast your crusty loao choice, rub gently with a clove o garlicand drizzle heavily with a good qualityolive oil

Plate up your garlic toast and top withsalad greens o choice, 2 slices o prosciutto,onion jam, eta cream and herbs, drizzlewith olive oil.

Chef KANE POLLARD weaves his magic with a couple

of staples from the winter garden onions and rhubarb.

Taste the seasons

Crusty garlic toast with balsamic onion jam, prosciutto & eta creamRhubarb and yoghurt cake served with drizzled honey

and mascarpone


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Rhubarb and yoghurt cakeserved with drizzled honey andmascarpone

Serves 8. akes 50 minutes to prepareand cook.IngredientsTo prepare rhubarb

6 stalks o peeled rhubarb50 g sotened butter cup brown sugar

To prepare cake150 g sotened butter1 cup caster sugarSeeds o 1 vanilla pod3 eggs

1 cup bio-dynamic yoghurt2 cups sel-raising our

To serve (quantities are up to you!)local honeymascarpone

MethodLine a log tin with baking paper, brush

sides and bottom with sotened butter

Sprinkle a layer o brown sugar on thebase and place peeled rhubarb cut to lengthto completely cover base

Brush rhubarb with butter and sprinklewith remaining brown sugarNow or the cake mix. Simply cream

together butter, vanilla and sugar until paleAdd eggs one at a time, letting each one

incorporate properlyAdd the yoghurt and mix until evenly

combinedFold through sel raising our and pour

onto rhubarb based log tinBake at 160C or 40 minutes or until a

poking skewer comes out cleanAllow to rest in the tin or 10 minutes,

remove the cake and serve warm with adrizzle o local honey and quenelle omascarpone.Kane Pollard is the chef at NewmansNursery Topiary Caf at North East Road,Tea Tree Gully.

Taste the seasons

Kane Pollard with his rhubarb and yoghurt cake

More inormation:How to grow rhubarb and onions. NEXT PAGE


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Winter vegetables

Rhubarb begins lie in most gardensas a crown, oten obtained roma riendly neighbour. However,many garden centres have supplies duringthe winter months.

Te crowns (thick eshy roots with agrowing point or young leaves) take awhileto become established in the garden andmay need protection during winter romsnails and weeds.

Rhubarb needs a well drained position.In act, poorly drained soils are the mainreason why rhubarb ails to thrive.While the plants are sun lovers, in SA they

will beneft by shading rom aternoon sunduring summer.

ake time to improve the soil beoreestablishing the crowns as the plants willcontinue to produce without having to bedisturbed or three to our years.

A handul o complete garden ertiliserto the square metre and plenty o agedcompost should be worked into the topsoiland i the area does not drain naturally,consider planting the crowns in soil raised15 to 20 cm.

Later, when the plants are growing, thearea around the crowns can be mulchedwith cow manure. Dont use poultrymanure. It is too strong and will burn theroots.

Let the plants develop a number o ullygrown leaves beore starting to harvestthem. Tis may take our to six months.

o harvest, simply pull the outer leavesrom the main crown, trying not to takemore than 25 percent o the stalks at onetime.

Keep the plants mulched and well wateredin summer and autumn.

Getting up

close withonions

Onions are a trouble-ree crop wellworth growing in the home garden.By close planting (7 cm x 7 cm), it ispossible to grow quite large numbers in arelatively small area.

However, they are slow growing. Makesure the right varieties are planted at theright time.You can start planting early varieties o

white onions in April ollowed in Juneby Mild Red and White Spanish. Plantmain season whites rom June through toSeptember.

Hold most brown varieties until June orJuly with the best storing types i.e. BrownSpanish and Creamgold planted out in

August and September.Onions are sun lovers but preer

cool, moist conditions as they becomeestablished, ollowed by warm drier

conditions as they grow and mature.Add plenty o compost and somecomplete ertiliser with a high phosphoruscontent beore you start and side dress withcomplete D once the plants are growingvigorously.

Early in the season, weed control andlater regular watering will be important.

Rhubarb, rhubarb!Photo: Patrik Winbjrk | Dreamstime.co



Winter vegetables

Dont turn your back on the vegetable garden just becauseits winter. Broad beans, peas, onions and lettuce dontreally care about the ground being cold and theygerminate readily rom seed when planted during winter.

Broccoli, cabbage and some varieties o cauliower i establishedas seedlings at this time o the year will also continue to growthrough the cold and the rain.

For those o you willing to grow something a little dierent, tryplanting out tubers o the Jerusalem artichoke or maybe somerhubarb or asparagus crowns.

Te key to growing vegetables successully through winter is tofnd the sunniest spot in the garden where there is little likelihoodo water pooling when it rains.

I the area picked out or growing vegetables gets a little muddyduring winter, try growing your plants in a raised bed. Raised soildrains excessive moisture more rapidly ater rain and is more easilywarmed by the sun.

Broad beans

One o the easiest winter crops to grow. Simply plant the seedsand walk away. Sow the seeds 5 cm deep, 15 cm apart but in rowsonly 30 cm apart. Tis way they support each other as they grow.

Te pods can be picked when the seed is small and immatureand sliced like a French bean or let to mature with the seeds onlybeing eaten. However, over mature pods produce seed with a verystrong avour.

Crops sown in late June and July are less prone to ungal diseases.Broad beans have an ability to absorb nitrogen rom the air,

storing it in their roots, stems and pods. Digging spent bushes intothe topsoil will help improve soil quality. Tey are also valuable inthe compost heap.

PeasPeas are another easy to grow vegetable producing pods that can

be eaten whole or let to produce sweet tasting seeds. Like broadbeans, the plants absorb nitrogen rom the air so the material letbehind ater harvest should be used or composting.

Because peas mature over a relatively short period, its best to sowa small area oten.

Sowing peas in June and July should see the plants owering aterthe worst o the rosts but beore the hot weather sets in.

Beore sowing, work hal a cupul o superphosphate intothe topsoil. But dont apply any ertiliser containing nitrogen(including blood and bone), unless it is the frst time the area has

grown vegetables.Sow the seed 3 cm deep in clay soil and up to 5 cm deep in sandysoil. Leave 8-10 cm between plants and 30 cm between rows.

Growing winter vegetables

91 Mt. Barker Road, Stirling. (Est.1964)

(08) 8339 1595

www.clevelandnursery.com.au

Specialising in Quality

Advanced Trees to 5m

Rare Plants

General Nursery Lines

Unique Giftware

Qualied Professional

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Complimentary gift

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Open 7 days

ClevelandNursery

It might be miserable outside but there are plenty of nutritious

vegies that can handle the conditions and reward your efforts.

Photo: Vizaoto | Dreamstime.com


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Food scraps make up around 40percent (by weight) o householdwaste that is sent to landfll.Landfll is a waste compost is a resource.When ood breaks down in landfll, it does

so slowly and releases harmul greenhousegases that can cause environmental damage.

Compost, on the other hand, is used tomake gardens more water ecient andto add rich nutrients to the soil to helparmers grow ruit and vegetables or youto eat.

So what can you do? Here are our easyways.

Recycle your ood scraps inyour green organics binWhyalla, Light Regional, Charles Sturt,

West orrens, Salisbury, Playord, Gawler,Port Adelaide Enfeld and Prospect Councilresidents can now recycle their ood scrapsin their green organics bin.As not all Councils are yet ready to

introduce ood recycling, please check iyour Council allows ood scraps to go inyour organics bin beore getting started.

For more inormation, see your Councilwebsite.

Residents in Councils which participatedin Zero Waste SAs ood waste recyclingpilot can continue to recycle their oodscraps using the bench-top system. J u s tremember to use the correct compostablebags i you are using the ventilated basket.

For example:Campbelltown, Mallala, Light Regional,

Whyalla, and Norwood, Payneham & StPeters Councils are continuing to providethese bags ree o charge to pilot residents.Visit the Council to pick up these bags.

West orrens and Charles Sturt Councilswill also provide bags and caddies as oneoption or residents in a new programwhich also oers rebates or compost binsand worm arms.

Most things that once grew can be put inyour green organics bin or composting. Soremember, i it grows, then it goes in yourgreen organics bin!

Tis includes garden organics and oodscraps including:lawn clippings, prunings, small branches,

twigs, leaves and weedsruit and vegetable scraps, cake, letovertakeaway oods, bread, teabags and coeegroundsmeat scraps, bones (cooked and raw),eggshells, oyster shells and seaoodpizza boxes, shredded paper, tissues andpaper towelscheese and yoghurtand even hair

Concerned about possible odours romood scraps such as prawn and crab shells?

A handy tip is to reeze scraps in the ridgeuntil your green organics collection day.

Each Council oers slightly dierentservices to help residents participate but inall cases you can put your ood scraps inyour green organics bin:

loosewrapped in newspaperor in a compostable bag (may be suppliedby your Council).

Just make sure you keep plastics and other

inorganic waste out o your green organicsbin. Plastic bags are not compostable - avoidthem, or put them in your rubbish bin.

How to recycle your ood scraps

South Australians lead the way with recycling but

there are ways we can all waste less and recycle more.



Recycling

Many bags today are labelled degradable;however these do not breakdown incompost. I using bags or your ood scrapsthey must be compostable.Who does this system best suit? Anyone,

rom people living in units to large homes,with gardens and without. Even homecomposters may wish to use their greenorganics bin to dispose o organic wastenot included in their backyard compostbin such as meat, dairy and seaood.

Compost at homeWhy not compost at home and turn

your ood scraps and organic waste intocompost you can use?

Compost improves soil quality, reducesthe need or artifcial ertilisers and savesyou money.

Tere is a wide variety o ways to compostat home rom open heaps to tumblers tocompost bins in all sorts o colours andsizes. What matters most is that youconsider the carbon, nitrogen, water andoxygen o your heap!

Carbon provides the basic building block.In general, materials that are brown andwoody such as bark, wood chips, sawdust,and shredded paper are high in carbon.

Nitrogen provides the energy necessaryor cell growth and unction. In general,materials that are green and moist such asgrass clippings, plant cuttings, and ruitand vegetable scraps tend to be high innitrogen.

Te ideal ratio or composting is around30 parts carbon or each part nitrogen byweight.Why 30:1? I there is too much nitrogen,

it will be lost as ammonia gas, causingundesirable odours. I there is too muchcarbon, there will be little microbial activity

and the compost will remain relatively cooland degradation will be much slower.Te other essential ingredients are oxygen

and water. Simply ork through yourcompost regularly to help it breathe andkeep your heap moist but not too wet.Who does this system best suit? Te avid

gardener with the space or a compost binand a hungry garden.

Use a worm armLike compost bins, there are a variety o

systems you can even create your own!

Just remember that worms thrive in anenvironment that is cool, dark and moist.Placing a damp hessian bag over the top o

the ood scraps is a good way to minimiselight and to keep the worms moist. Whenthe temperature is expected to reach over35C, put a block o ice in the worm armto keep it cool during the day.

Both compost and worm arms containliving organisms and need oxygen, moistureand a good supply to be successul.Worms are voracious eaters and like:

paper, soaked and ripped cardboard suchas pizza boxesruit and vegetable (except onions, garlicand citrus)leavescrushed egg shells (these are especiallygood i the worm arm becomes a littleacidic and thereore smelly as egg shellshave a pH o 8 which helps to neutralise

the acidity).droppings rom herbivorous animals(horses, cattle)

Worms are not that keen on meat, plantsrom the onion amily (including garlicand shallots), citrus ruits and other acidicood such as tomatoes and pineapple. Teydont like oil or at.As worms do not have teeth, scraps

should be cut into small pieces. ry not toovereed your worms otherwise the oodscraps will spoil, resulting in a smelly armand unhappy worms. Worm castings and

the worm juice are a rich source o oodor plants, but it is necessary to remove theliquid.

Who does this system best suit? Avidgardeners who have time to care or theirworms, and who may or may not haveroom or a compost heap.

Bokashi itWhile compost breaks down the ood and

worms digest it leaving you with castings,bokashi erments your ood scraps.

Tis composting system uses a bucketand the bokashi mix to create the idealconditions or airtight (ermenting)composting.

Place your kitchen waste into the bucket,then sprinkle a handul o bokashi mixover the waste.Repeat this layering process until thebucket is ull.Drain o liquid (bokashi juice) asnecessary and use as liquid ertiliser.Once the bucket is ull to capacity, leavethe scraps to erment or a urther twoweeks; then the waste can be buried.

You can put almost all your ood scrapsin your bokashi bucket including ruit andvegetables, cooked and uncooked oods,cheese, eggs, bread, coee grinds, tea bags,wilted owers and tissues.

Bokashi starter kits contain all you needto get started and can be ound on line orat larger hardware stores.

Breakdown o the ood scraps will occurater it has been dug into the soil so yourermented scraps need to be buried into thesoil approximately 25 cm deep and coveredwith soil or added to a conventionalcompost bin.Who does this system suit? Avid

gardeners who dont want to care or wormsand dont have space or a larger compostheap but as the ood scraps need to be duginto your garden, this system best suits

people who regularly turn over their veggiepatches or garden beds.Tere you have it. Four easy ways to

recycle your ood that will mean you arereturning vital nutrients to the soil whilereducing waste to landfll and harmulgreenhouse gases.

SA Garden & Outdoor Livingsupporter:

www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au


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Orchids

Exquisite, long lasting and easy togrow sound reasons why SouthAustralians are learning to growPhalaenopsis, commonly known as themoth orchid.

Te moth orchid plant has been a topseller on the European market or the pastdecade, with over 100 million plants soldeach year.

Because it requires almost the sameconditions as humans like to live in, it is anideal indoor pot plant.

Combine this with the stunning owerso an orchid, which on aPhalaenopsiscanlast up to three months, and you need nourther explanation to its popularity.

Developing new plants and encouragingthem to ower requires special growingskills and expensive growing acilities.

It also takes a long time (approximately18 months) beore a plant grown romtissue culture begins to ower. However,thanks to the experience o local growers,

this year more people will be able to enjoyquality plants at an aordable price.

Tere is a misconception that Phalaenopsisis a dicult plant to grow, suitable only orspecialist growers.Without apologies, this orchid will

quickly show i it is not happy and imistreated can quickly lose its beauty.

Should this stop you rom trying one?I certainly dont think so. Given proper

care, the Phalaenopsis will ower longerthan any other plant.

Te key to growing a healthy plant lies inunderstanding that it likes mostly the samethings as you and I do.

Te plant label says: Indoor, brightindirect light.What this means is that it likes to sit in

ront o the window to see what is goingon outside, but not with the sun shiningdirectly in its ace.

Water regularly, prevent roots rombeing wet prolonged, again compare this

to humans who like to take a shower everyonce in a while, but nobody wants to sit ina bath or the whole day.Watering once a week should be enough

to keep this orchid happy. Phalaenopsiseels very comortable round about 21Cbut eels cold below 16C.

So when choosing a spot in your houseor this plant, try to ask yoursel Would Ibe happy sitting here?Ater getting that initial understanding,

this is one o the easiest plants imaginableand will certainly give you a lot o love.

More inormation is widely available onthe internet, rom your local garden centreand/or with one o the orchid clubs thatare almost certainly active near you.

Peter Jong runs Jongs Nursery at Yundi, nearMount Compass and would love to hearabout your experience with Phalaenopsisand will try to answer any emails sent [email protected]

Exquisite orchid worth trying

Nurseryman PETER JONG explains why the mothorchid is worthy of a prominent place in your home.


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first in bloom & last out of bloom

osteospermum


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Soil improvement

For many gardeners, what todo with ever mounting pileso prunings, leaves and lawnclippings that invariably accumulate overwinter can pose a problem.While consigning these materials to the

green waste recycling bin is an option, ormany converting them into compost inyour own garden is ar more satisying.

Composting is simply speeding up the

natural process o decay. Te end resulto composting is humus, black or brownuy organic material combined with arange o valuable plant nutrients.

Compost can be spread on the groundwhere it acts as a valuable mulch with itsnutrients being released into the topsoil. Itcan also be dug into the soil beore planting.Tis way the organic matter combines with

the soil particles acting as a soil conditioneras well as restoring plant nutrients.

Compost can be made rom anythingorganic. At this time o year, there is noshortage o weeds while leaves let overrom autumn that are not needed ormulching are also invaluable.

In the next month or so there will belarge supplies o lawn clippings. However,an oten overlooked source o compost

material involves the many branches otrees and shrubs that are cut back this timeo the year.Te trick with branches andother bulky material is to reduce them intosmall pieces that are readily composted.

One way to achieve this is to cut thebranches with a pair o secateurs while thematerial is still green. Te pieces should be20-30 cm long. Shredded newspaper, woodshavings and o course, animal manures can

be added to the heap. In most gardens, a blend o lawn clippings,weeds and green branch clippings should give you a reasonableblend o materials. However, the process o composting can be

speeded up considerably i you add animal manures or a smallquantity o nitrogen ertiliser such as urea.

Temperature controlCompost can be made by simply making a heap o your rubbish

in your garden. However, it is easier to control temperaturemoisture within the heap i the material is contained.Walls can be made rom wire, wood or tin and the aim should

be to have a heap round about one metre to one and a hal metressquare.

Tere is no need to place your material into separate layers in thecompost heap. Te more it is pre-mixed the better. Tere is alsono need to add lime or humus booster. Te process o composting

will continue regardless.I possible, try and make a ull compost heap in the one operation.Tis may mean keeping your rubbish in small piles until you areready. Tis way it is possible to mix the materials together rightrom the start. Within a ew weeks the composting process will bewell underway. o speed up the operation the heap can be turned.Tis helps mix the materials even urther and also helps aerate theheap.

I you are prepared to turn the heap every week or so, you shouldhave good quality compost in six to eight weeks.


A compulsion to compost

www.merrywoodplants.com.au

91 Lower Somerville Rd, Baxter Vic 3911Tel: 0417 115 758

MERRYWOOD

An espalier is a beautiful

addition to any garden.

It can soften a wall or

be the focal point ofyour garden design.

Merrywood hand train

each espalier so it isready for you to enjoy.

specialising in Espalier Plants

Adding compost, either as a mulch or digging it inwill work wonders in your garden.

www.jeries.com.au



Good gardening

Every garden should have at least oneblossom tree. But beore making achoice, think about where the tree isto be planted.

Ideally, blossom trees should be grown asspecimen trees on their own, or eatured in alawn so the owers can be seen at their best.

I you do have room or a specimen tree,why not grow something really spectacularsuch as a weeping blossom tree?

Tere are several orms o weeping prunusavailable, but probably the most attractive isPrunus serrulata(Japanese Flowering Cherry),particularly the Cheals Weeping Cherry, as ithas deep pink, double owers in early springwhile the young leaves are bronze green.

wo very hardy specimens suited to theAdelaide Plains are the Weeping Peach andthe Weeping White Mulberry which is symmetrical in shape andits berries are quite edible.

Te Malus, or Flowering Crab Apple, also has a number o veryattractive varieties.Malus purpureaEchtermeyer is one o the bestwith its long, slender branches covered with small, bright pink

owers in spring.Weeping specimens need special attention at pruning time and

thats when it pays to buy your plants rom your local garden centreas they are only too willing to provide you with the inormationyou are likely to need.

I specimen blossom trees are to be planted in a shrubbery, try tovisualise how tall and particularly, how wide they will grow whenmature. Teir eect is quickly lost i the blossom covered branchesare hidden by other trees.

Te Manchurian Pear (Pyrus ussuriensis) is an excellent backgroundtree in a large shrubbery as it grows to eight metres. However, thisvariety is sometimes dicult to buy. Te spring blossom is white,while its leaves in autumn are bronze red.

Flowering applesTe owering apples are hard to beat as their spring owers

are ollowed by attractive, small apples that last throughout thegrowing season.

Te Japanese Flowering Crab Apple (Malus oribunda) reachesthree to our metres. Te owers are sot pink with a gentleragrance.A later owering variety, the Bechtel Crab Apple (Malus ioensis

Plena) is a much smaller tree, barely reaching three metres. Itsspring buds are red, ollowed by pink and white owers.

During summer, the leaves are green, but they colour well inautumn. During winter, the bare branches display a twisting eect,making this variety ideal or courtyard planting.

Te prunus amily covers a large range o owering ruit trees

including cherries, peaches, apricots andplums.

Te Japanese Flowering Cherry, Prunusserrulatahas several varieties. Mount Fuji (3-4metres) has double white scented blossomhanging in clusters rom a rather spreadingtree. In autumn the oliage turns a goldenyellow.

Prunus serrulata Kanzan (3-4 metres) haslarge double, deep pink owers. Te owering

plums also include the dwarPrunus sinensis(1-2 metres) either as a double pink variety oras double white.

PrunusElvins is a new variety (3-4 metres).Te owers open white, then turn pink.Prunus cerasifera Pissardii (3-4 metres) hasnumerous single, white owers ollowedby dark red, edible ruit and bronze purpleleaves.

Blooming trees in spring

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Flowering crab apple (Malus foribunda)


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Waterwise gardening

Water or gardens:diversity is the answer

G

ardeners and horticulturistshave been on the ront linein the communitys eorts to

conserve water in recent years.During the period o water

restrictions they continued to fndinnovative ways to use and save water,demonstrating an understanding thatSouth Australians need to grow theright plants or local conditions andor a uture o climate uncertainty.

In act, water consumption continuedto decline in areas supplied by SA

Water even when water restrictionswere eased.Although there have been great

improvements in rainall and RiverMurray inows, there is no room orcomplacency about our states water uture.Clever planning or a growing population,reduced rainall and the needs o theenvironment is critical and the key wordis diversity.

Diversiying our sources o water iscrucial, as it will enable the state to reduceits reliance on the River Murray and otherrain-dependent water sources.

In order to achieve this, the State

Governments blueprint or water security,the Water for Good Plan, was introducedin 2009 to guide water policy. It identifed94 key actions to diversiy water sources,improve the way we use water andmodernise the states water industry.

It aims to provide the state with themost secure water supply system insouthern Australia, with greater Adelaidenot needing water restrictions beyondpermanent water conservation measures more than once in every 100 years.

Te frst annual review oWater for Good

showed that South Australia is one o thenations leaders in stormwater capture andreuse, as well as wastewater recycling and

ecient irrigation practices. In addition,South Australians have signifcantlyreduced their mains water use.

One o the plans key targets is to havethe capability to recycle 45 per cent owastewater rom urban areas by 2013 a target the state is well on the way toachieving.

Stormwater harvestStormwater is already being harvested or

specifc purposes such as greening sportsgrounds, cultivating parks and gardens andsupporting agriculture.

Te state has secured an additional $150million in Commonwealth unding orstormwater projects across Adelaide. Tiswill help to more than triple the annualstormwater harvest rom the current sixbillion litres to more than 20 billion litresby 2013.Another important component o the

plan to diversiy supply is the AdelaideDesalination Project, which will ensure

drinking water is available even in times odrought. It will be able to deliver up to 100billion litres o water each year about hal

o Adelaides annual water supply.As part o this project, a transer

pipeline system has been constructedto deliver water rom Port Stanvacto the Happy Valley water treatmentsupply, where desalinated water willbe combined with water rom thetreatment plant beore entering themains supply network.

One o the Water for Good actionsgives home gardeners the opportunityto continue to play a role incontributing to the success o the plan.

As part o Action 32, the Water for Goodwebsite, www.waterorgood.sa.gov.au,is helping to educate the communityabout South Australias water utureand how to use water wisely.

Tere is also a wealth o inormation onthe WaterRight Gardens interactive site,http://waterrightgardens.sawater.com.au,which helps users create a smart wateringplan and provides act sheets on water usein the garden.

SA Waters water rebates program isproviding plenty o incentive or allgardeners to improve their gardens whilereducing their water use. A new rebate

o up to $200 is available or new standalone rainwater tanks o at least 1000 litrescapacity, and there is also a rebate o upto $200 or eligible waterwise gardeninggoods, including approved sprinklers,organic mulch or compost, tap timers, soilmoisture sensors, soil wetting agents anddrip watering system components.

For the latest inormation on the rebates,visit www.sawater.com.au


www.waterorgood.sa.gov.au

South Australia is a recognised leader in stormwater harvesting,

wastewater recycling, irrigation practices and rainwater tank ownership.

Capturing rainwater at home and using it in the house orgarden is increasingly popular with SA gardeners.


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Lawns

Spare a thought or that little patcho green called lawn now that wereinto cold and wet weather. Weeds,moss and algae, root rots and a range odiseases oten get their start when winterdormant grasses such as couch, bualo andkikuyu are under stress.

Mowing at this time o the year shouldbe carried out with care and never while

the grass is still wet. It is better to allowanother week to go by, rather than risk themutilation that can occur when damp grassis cut.As a general observation, lawns that grew

long and rank during autumn and werethen cut very short are the ones that arenow suering the most.

Te crowns o these plants were probably

severely damaged and instead o lush greenlawn grass, you probably now have brightgreen weeds, bare patches or an extensivearea o moss taking over.

What to doTe frst thing is to raise the height o

the mower blades and allow the remaininggrass to grow longer and at the same time

develop a reasonable root system.A small application o a lawn ertiliser(0.5 kg/100 sq metre) or even straightnitrogen applied now will do wonders instimulating extra growth. However, dontoverdo it.

Te plants are making very little growthand they cant make use o ertiliser in largequantities.

I moss and algae are causing problems,try to improve the drainage as they areusually a symptom o poorly drained soilor areas shaded or too long during the day.

Moss and algae can be treated with amixture o two parts sulphate o iron, onepart sulphate o ammonia, used at the rateo our grams (level teaspoon) to a litre owater.

A litre o mixture should treat a squaremetre o lawn and the solution should bewatered onto the grass on a fne day. Itshould be not be watered in or at least 24hours.

I the grass becomes rank beore it canbe mowed, lit the mower blades and thenreduce the height o the grass slowly over anumber o weeks.

Lawn care when its cold


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Winter garden guideReliable annuals orwinter and spring colour

Seedlings Main colours

Alyssum Pink, mauve, white

Chrysanthemum paludosum White

Delphinium Blues, white, pinks

Dianthus Pinks, mauve

Lobelia Blue, white, pink

Pansy Multi colours

Polyanthus Multi colours

Primula Pink, mauve, white

Snapdragon (antirrhinum) Reds, yellow, white

Viola Multi colours

Wallower Reds, bronze, yellow

Seedlings should be planted in a warm sunny position.

Most of these annuals are also available from garden centres as

ready to ower bloomers.

Winter/spring ruit tree spraying guide

Name Prune in

winter

Pruning after

flowering

How

much

Abelia H

Berberis L

Cotinus (Smoke bush) HChaenomeles (owering

quince)

L

Crepe myrtle M

Hibiscus (deciduous) H

Hydrangea M

Malus (owering plums/

apples)

L

Deciduous vines H

Prunus (owering plums/

apricots/peaches)

L

Roses H

Wisteria L

H = hard M = medium L = light

Pruning guide ordeciduous trees and shrubsSome but not all ornamental deciduous trees and shrubs need

regular pruning during winter. However, those that ower in spring

should not be pruned until after owering.

Problem Fruits Time Control

Aphids (eggs) Peaches/nectarines Dormant (July-August) White oil

Woolly aphids Apples/pears Dormant (July-August) White oil

Curly leaf, shot hole,

freckle, brown rot

Peaches/nectarines Bud swell Copper oxychloride or

Mancozeb

Leaf blister mite Vines* Late bud swell Sulphur

Black spot Apples/pears Green tip

(Sept)

Copper oxychloride or

Mancozeb

Shot hole, freckle,

brown rot

Stone fruits* Early spring Mancozeb

Powdery mildew Apples* Full bloom Mancozeb

* only needed where persistent problems occur

Winter pestwatchIt may be cold but that

doesnt deter some

garden pests.

Insect Favourite foods Control

Aphids Cabbage, broccoli, annuals White oil, BugKill*

Caterpillars Cabbage, annuals BT#

Leaf minors Citrus, cinerarias White oil

Slugs and snails Shoots on new perennials Trapping, snail bait

Scale Roses White oil

Woolly aphids Apples and pears White oil

* contains low toxic imidacloprid # a natural non toxic insecticide

Germinating vegiesThe seed of spring vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums should be germinated

in late July or early in August if you want seedlings for planting out in spring. However, you will need

to grow them in small containers in a warm, protected position. The containers should be covered by

glass or plastic until the seeds have germinated.

Nuturing those bulbsAs winter progresses, spring owering bulbs will be coming through the ground. Once the ower

spikes can be seen, feed the plants with a liquid fertiliser that has a high potash content, if possible

every two to three weeks. This will improve owering this season and increase owering potential next

year.

Moss in yourlawn?Moss growing in the lawn

usually indicates poor

drainage, lack of light or

lack of air movement.

If possible, remove or

overcome the cause.

Meanwhile, the moss

can be controlled with

a mixture of two parts

sulphate of iron plus three

parts sulphate of ammonia.

Use 150 grams in two litres

of water for each square

metre.


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Jon Lambs seasonal checklist

LawnsHeavy clay soil can be improved through theaddition o gypsum during winter. This can bespread on the ground at the rate o 1 kg to 2 sqmetres. The gypsum should be allowed to leach

into the ground during winter. Gypsum can also bespread over established lawns i it is watered inwell. I at weeds are smothering lawn grass, tryspraying with the herbicide MCPA.

SoursobsDont waste time trying to control soursobsby cultivation, new growth will just keep onreappearing. Wait until they are mature, just beoreowering, and spray them with a systemic herbicidecontaining gylphosate.

Caterpillars

Small, brown caterpillars have been seen in manygardens eating annuals, perennials and shrubs withsot leaves. They can cause serious damage i letunattended during winter. Remove by hand or spotspray with pest spray.

Soil preparationI you intend planting vegetables in early spring,now is the time to dig the soil over. I possible, buya bag (or bags) o aged animal manure and workinto the soil.

SnailsMany gardens are alive with small snails. Baits ortrapping should be used in likely eeding areas.

RustPelargoniums and geraniums are oten attackedby rust during winter. Spray the bushes with aungicide such as Mancozeb at the frst sign oorange or brown spores on the plants leaves.

AphidsDespite the cold weather, grey and black aphidsare attacking some vegetable crops and selectedshrubs. A thorough spraying with BugKill willcontrol them.

June July August

Artichoke#

Asparagus# Early

Beans broad* Early

Beetroot Late

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots Late

Lettuce hearting

Lettuce non hearting

Onions white

Onions brown

Parsnips Late

Peas*

Potatoes#

Radish

Rhubarb

* best grown from seed

# grown from crowns, tubers or sets

Vegetables thatthrive in the coldDuring winter, seedlings will mature 4-6 weeks earlier than

plants grown from seeds.

Keep picking those lemonsMany lemon trees are loaded with ruit. Pick thelargest as soon as they become ripe i you want asecond crop in autumn.Aim at removing 50 percent o the ruit within thenext ew weeks.

I you cant use the ruit, give it away to a riendor a charity. Your generosity will be repaid withextra ruit in six months time.


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Organic gardening

Food grown organically issteadily increasing its shareo the market place.

As a result, those who enjoyharvesting ruit, vegetables andherbs rom their own gardenare now looking or reliableinormation about how these canbe grown organically.

In the past there has been a KillAll approach where gardeners hadto spray chemicals that literallykilled all comers, good and bad.

odays approach is ar moreenvironmentally sensitive withthe realisation that there are manybenefcial insects in our gardensthat do not need to be killed as theyare there as helpers and not there tocause harm.

Many gardeners still useinsecticides but unlike yesteryear,todays methods include insectpheromone lures, sticky traps aswell as biological sprays that targetspecifc insects without harming

the benefcials.In act, these days you can evenbuy rom many garden centres,predatory insects that help combatplant pests naturally.

So, beore reaching or that sprayin your shed, maybe head intoyour local garden centre or adviceon how to deal with the problemorganically (please remember toalways bring the problem in asealed container so that you dontspread it around).

Te past has also seen gardeners relyingon strong chemical based ertilisers to eedtheir plants.

Tese days, there is much more attention

being paid to caring or our soils by eedingwith organic ertilisers and compost asthese nurture the soil, eed our plants and

beneft the environment.Bringing in a small soil sample is

a great start as it helps the gardencentre sta determine the type osoil you have and the best way toimprove it. Tis guidance will helpyour garden to prosper.

One reason people are turningto growing their own ruits andvegetables is the cost o buyingresh ruit and veg.

But take it a step urther. Itdoesnt come any resher thanstraight rom your own backyard.

Tere is also a pleasure that comeswith growing your own oodorganically as you know exactlywhat has gone into producingyour crop and more importantly,the act your ood is chemical ree.Again, your local garden centre

can help with what it takes to getyou rom start to harvest, whetheryou are just planning a ew pots oran entire backyard o produce.

Dont orget the kidsChildren love to spend time

growing their own vegetables andare much more likely to eat whatthey have grown themselves.

Helping your kids to growvegetables provides a great lessonin lie. Its healthy and un as well.

Why not ask your local gardencentre at the same time aboutast growing vegetable seeds toget your kids gardening passiongerminated.

Mark Caldicott is garden manager forNorwood Garden Centre.

The natural gardener:going organic can be easy

MARK CALDICOTT believes your local garden centre is a

great place to start in the search for organic gardening advice.

Theres an impressive range o products to help the organic gardenerand your local garden centres sta can advise you on the options.


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USETHESEANYT

IME

USESPARINGLYAFTER5PM&BEFORE10AM

Since December last year, Water Wise Measures have been in place. They are a commonsense way to ensure

we all use water carefully. Help South Australia have Water for Good by using this simple toolkit as your guide.

For the latest information visit

www.sawater.com.au

or call the Water Wise Hotline

on 1800 130 952

Water Wise Measures are in place for most of the State.

THETOOLkITEvERY

GARdENERNEEdS.


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The best new roses in town

Yes, its true. Te best new rosesyou can grow are produced righthere in South Australia. Our soilsand climate combine to provide ideal rosegrowing conditions and a near perectenvironment or trialling new varietiesbeore they are released.

Its been a great rose growing season andthree o the States top rose growers havenominated their top new release selections.

Tese will be available rom gardencentres through winter.

New Australian bred rosesrom Ross Roses, Willunga

Dame Joan Sutherland. In honour othis amous Australian. Te rose is richlyragrant.

Bred by George Tomson, Australiasleading rose hybridist.Brilliant Star is a sweetheart, opening

rom a neat spiral bud to petals over-laid ina star-like orm.

Each decorative petal is tipped with pink.Bred by Andrew Ross.

Two colourul selectionsrom Corporate Roses, Myponga

Forget-Me-Not. Masses o large, petalflled, dusky plum pink blooms. Eachower is perumed perection, carrying a

heady and heavenly ruity rose ragrance.Height 1.5 m.Double Knock Out. Classic shaped,

dusky red blooms. High disease resistanceto Black Spot and other ungal diseases.Long owering and easy care. No ormalpruning. Height 1 m. Width 1 m.

Shooting Star Emily

Dame Joan Sutherland Brilliant Star



Grower direct sales

Download or call

85586055 for your

FREE 2011 Rose List

Order yourwinter rosesNOW & SAVE

www.corporateroses.com.au

81 Main South Rd, Myponga

Amazing Grace, Melbourne Town,

Pink Ribbon, Passionate Gardener,

Flemington Racecourse, Thankyou,

& many more fabulous roses.

For our full colour catalogue of

over 500 roses send 6x60c

stamps & details to:

ROSS ROSESSt Andrews Tce. Willunga 5172

Phone: (08) 8556 2555

Email: [email protected]

www.rossroses.com.au

Together we can grow beautiful roses

....Trust the people who knowSupplying Australian gardens for 109 years

All popular roses including old favourites,

the largest collection of Heritage &

Shrub roses, & rare species.

Also Australias own roses

bred for our climate...

Two attractive selectionsrom Knights Roses

Shooting Star. A beautiul rose with Olde World appeal.Abundant owers fll this compact bush rom spring to winter.Long owering. Medium yellow to apricot-mocha cream blooms.

Tese open slowly, spiral-shaped and with a sweet resh ragrance.Quick to repeat. Glossy bright green oliage, high resistance toBlack Spot.

Emily. An interesting shrub with bright green oliage thatproduces numerous petite rose buttons (buds).When open, each bud unveils a rose with more than 40 petals,

uorescent illuminating bright pink with a striking yellow reverse.Light ragrance.

Te owers are quick to reproduce, excellent or indoor displaysor a show garden. Height 60-80 cm.

Forget-Me-Not

Double Knock Out


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Roses

Rose pruning:let your bushes tell you how

In some gardens, roses continuegrowing well into June and are thenback in action by mid August. For thisreason, July is the best pruning month.

Even i the bushes havent droppedall their leaves, the operation should becompleted by the end o July.

Hard pruning is not necessary. Most rosebushes will ower perectly well i theyare trimmed all over with hedge clippers.However, i you like using secateurs, theollowing may help.

Te basic principle behind pruning rosesis to maintain a healthy balance betweenbig, healthy blooms (or ower cluster) andnew vigorous canes.

Hard pruning stimulates strong, new

canes at the expense o owers. Conversely,light pruning results in more (and probablysmaller) owers and a build up o weak,spindly growth.You may fnd the 50/50 rose pruning

rule is a very useul starting point. Simplyremove 50 percent o the oldest, weakest,thinnest canes and branches. Ten cutwhat is let back by 50 percent. Tats allthere is to it.

Next year, your bushes will tell you howsuccessul you have been. I they produceexcessively strong growth, you can ease

back on the pruning in the ollowing yearand leave a ew more extra canes to makethe bushes work a little harder.

I there are ew or no replacement canescoming rom the base, consider pruning alittle harder next year. At the same time,it may pay to consider how the bushes arebeing managed.

Strong growth may be the result oovereeding or excessive water.

On the other hand, a little additionalertiliser and water along with a hardprune, may be what is needed to rejuvenate

the bushes that are not developing healthyreplacement canes.I the bushes ail to respond to hard

pruning and additional tender loving care,its probably time to replace them withsome o the magnifcent new varieties thatare now available.

Water shoots not suckersA healthy rose bush will oten send out

water shoots. Tese are long, vigorous

shoots that develop very close to the baseo the bush.Tey should not be pruned until they

have had a number o months to mature.However, some the bushes best autumnblooms will be produced on the tips oyour water shoots.Water shoots should not be conused

with sucker growth. Tese also can bestrong and very vigorous.

However, suckers develop rom belowthe area where the bushes were originallybudded, that is the dog leg or kink that

is usually located a ew centimetres aboveground level.Suckers must be removed, otherwise they

will divert energy and vigour away romthe main branches.

I possible, pull them rom their sockets.Tis helps remove the many dormant budslocated at the base o the sucker growth.

Landscape rosesTese bushes are by nature vigorous. Tey

will go berserk i pruned too hard. rim 20to 30 percent o the top growth with hedgeclippers.

Old ashioned rosesBy nature, they are not usually very

vigorous and only ower in spring. Goeasy, hard pruning will remove the owers.ry trimming lightly ater owering.

MiniaturesStart by removing any dead or weak

branches. Next, thin out branches

cluttering the centre o the bush rim theremaining branches by a third. I possible,cut to an outside bud.

Photo:

SavoIlic|Dreamstime.c

om

Is there a right time during winter to prune roses?


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Pruning

Take a walk around yourlocal neighbourhoodany time during winterand you are sure t

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