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ISSUE 57For more gardening hints & tips, visit www.aboutthegarden.com.auing hints & tips, visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au

Winter 2011

NEW RELEASE

Fragrant roses

Gorgeous gordonia

Strawberries

Winter vegies

Pansies

Camellias

...and more hints & tips than ever before!

About this issue...FeaturesDavid Austin roses 4Winter vegetables 6Pretty pansies 8Gorgeous gordonia 10 Winter-fl owering shrubs 10 Recipe: Cheesy baked potato 17Strawberries 18Winter camellias 20Bindii patrol 22

RegularsWinter 2011 Garden Diary 12Winter 2011 handy hints & tips 14

Issue 57Winter 2011

Winter can be the busiest time in our gardens, whether you’re giving the garden a general tidy up or undertaking elaborate landscaping work. Winter is also when some of our

most beautiful plants are fl owering or cropping, so be sure to make the most of it. This issue is packed full of more great gardening information than ever before, including our extended hints & tips on page 16 & 17! God bless...

A single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.— Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

• Managing Director: Conway Searle• Contributors: Frida Forsberg, Alana Searle and Ashley Searle• Magazine Manager: Alana Searle• Design & Layout: Frida Forsberg — ATG Graphics Dept.• ATG Group Co-ordinator & Advertising: Jason Searle• Front Cover Photography: ‘The Alnwick Rose’ by David Austin Roses

About the Garden is published seasonally byAbout the Garden Pty. Ltd. ABN 21 076 919 9924914 D’Aguilar Highway, Kilcoy or P.O. Box 70, Kilcoy Qld. 4515Phone: (07) 5422 3090 • Fax: (07) 5497 2287Email: atg@aboutthegarden.com.au

Con Searle

The material appearing in About the Garden is subject to copyright. Other than as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. No responsibility is accepted by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. for the accuracy of information contained in the text, illustrations or advertisements. Although believed to be accurately and correctly sourced, thereof disclaims any liability against itself, editor/s or employees arising from any person acting on the material herein. The opinions expressed in the magazine, or by contributors, do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. ©Copyright 2011 About the Garden Pty. Ltd.

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Top Ten Tips for Growing Roses

Jubilee Celebration (Aushunter)

The Alnwick Rose

Molineux

Sophy’s Rose (Auslot) rosesDavid Austin

David Austin Roses are best described as ‘New Roses in the Old Tradition’. They combine the perfume, variety and charm of old fashioned roses with the recurrent fl owering qualities and wider colour range of modern roses. The majority have strong, bushy shapes and can be grown amongst many other garden shrubs.

The newer forms of David Austin Roses have been bred with disease resistance in mind. Some varieties grow quite tall under Australian conditions and are wonderful if grown as ‘Pillar Roses’, ie. small climbers. They also look quite stunning if trained to grow on a fence, lattice or verandah post. Here are some of the best for warm climates.

The Alnwick RosePretty, cup shaped fl owers of soft pink are paler at the outer edges and gradually broaden and widen as fl owers age. The fl owers are beautiful at all stages with this classic ‘Old Rose’ style rose. This hardy bush (1.2mW x 75cmH) has rounded, bushy growth and fl owers intermittently from early summer until winter. Plentiful green foliage complements the

fl owers. This rose has a strong, Old Rose fragrance with just a hint of raspberry. Named after the superb Alnwick garden in Northumberland.

Sophy’s Rose (Auslot)This hardy beauty stays short in warm climates and has excellent repeat fl owering. Its rosette shaped fl owers have an attractive, light red colouring which combines well with most colour schemes. This is a very fl oriferous rose; great in garden beds and towards the front of borders. Blooms have a light, tea fragrance. The growth is healthy and bushy (90cmW x 75cmH) with beautiful, elongated foliage.

Jubilee CelebrationOne of the fi nest roses available, this rose has large, domed fl owers in rich, salmon

Newrelease

The Mayfl ower®

Pat Austin

good choice for a formal bed or as a border. It fl owers with exceptional freedom and continuity, has even, upright growth and little or no disease. The fl owers are a rich yellow, sometimes tinged with orange at fi rst, with a lovely tea fragrance with a musky background. Winner of a Gold Medal, the President’s Trophy for the ‘Best New Rose of the Year’ and the Henry Edland Medal for the ‘Best Scented Rose’, at the Royal National Rose Society Trials.

The Mayfl ower®

This delightful rose is particularly Old Rose in character. It fl owers continuously and is completely healthy. It forms a small shrub bearing charming, medium sized, typically Old Rose fl owers of deep, rose pink. Its unique feature is that it is, so far as we know, completely resistant to blackspot, powdery mildew and rust. While it seldom produces masses of blooms at any one time, it does fl ower with a regularity rarely found in any other rose and is hardly ever without fl owers. The growth is bushy and unusually full on a medium shrub (1.2mW x 90cmH) with small, matt green foliage. Its blooms have a strong, old rose fragrance. An

pink with tints of gold on the undersides of the petals. Each bloom is elegantly held above the foliage and fl owers are produced with exceptional continuity, despite their large size. Growth is vigorous, building up to a fi ne, very healthy shrub (1.2m x 1.2m). This is a good one to have close to the front of gardens as it has a very strong and delicious, fruity rose scent with hints of raspberry and fresh lemon. Named in commemoration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Pat AustinThis rose is unsurpassed for outstanding colour and repeat fl owering. Named after David Austin’s wife, it is a distinctive copper colour which is stronger on the inside of the petals and paler and yellower on the outer sides. The blooms are large and deeply cupped, so contrasting colours can be seen between the two sides of the petals, giving a most attractive effect. The fragrance is strong and tea-scented with a warm, sensuous background. The bush is hardy and reaching 1.2mW x 1mH, it can be grown as a medium shrub or short climber. Highly recommended.

MolineuxOne of the most free fl owering and reliable of all the Austin Roses, the growth is quite upright on a medium shrub (90cmW x 60cmH) and so is a particularly

54

Molineux

by Michael Marriott of David Austin Roses

1. Careful choice of varieties - is fragrance important; health; shape of fl ower; shape and size of plant?

2. Wise choice of planting position – roses do not like too much competition at the roots and all like at least a few hours of sun a day, especially in the morning.

3. Thorough soil preparation – mix in plenty of organic matter before planting.

4. Good watering – roses will stay healthier, grow more strongly and fl ower more freely if they are watered regularly and deeply.

5. Regular feeding – repeat fl owering roses are hungry feeders; the organically based fertilisers are the best.

6. Mulch well – help to conserve moisture, keep the roots cool and feed the soil and hence the roses.

7. If diseases are a problem, spray before symptoms arrive in the spring.

8. Dead head regularly except those that set hips.

9. When pruning be sure to cut out dead, diseased and, very importantly, old growth.

10. Look at your roses regularly both to appreciate their beauty and to spot any potential problems.

excellent variety to place towards the front of the border so its fragrance can be best enjoyed. Very tough and hardy.

Growing your own vegetables is not only an excellent way to cut down your grocery bills, it’s a great way to a healthier lifestyle. Here’s how to get started with some of the most popular vegetables in Australian home gardens.

Winter vegetables

Broccoli loves the cold season. It needs good drainage and plenty of sunlight, although late maturing varieties may prefer some shade to protect them from sudden heat in late spring. The harvest period can be extended by planting a few different varieties that mature at different times. Prepare the soil to a depth of at least 30cm, digging in plenty of Searles 5IN1 Plus and Searles Real Compost. Sweeten with garden lime if your soil is acidic. Sprinkle Searles Penetraide ReWetting Granules, water well, mulch and leave for 2 weeks. If planting seed,

draw a drill and plant 6mm deep, about 50cm apart in groups of three. Thin out the two weakest seedlings later. Each seedling should have a central bud or growing tip — discard any without. Keep broccoli moist and weed-free. Harvest when the heads are still green and compact (they’re too old once they turn yellowish with fl owers starting to open). To harvest, cut off the head along with about 10cm of stalk and a few leaves. Two smaller, but more tender heads will grow in its place. Remove cabbage white caterpillar and spray aphids with Searles Bug Beater.

Beetroot need good drainage and prefer full sun. Make sure you get them in the ground by early autumn in frost-prone areas. Like most root vegetables, they prefer to be grown from seed. They dislike acidic soils, so digging in some garden lime a fortnight before planting can be benefi cial. Searles Complete Plant Food, which contains trace elements, is also recommended. Beetroot seeds contain a tough outer coat, so soak them in water overnight before planting. Thin out emerging seedlings once they are 3cm high and keep them moist. Deep watering,

less often, is preferable to frequent, shallow watering. Mulch lightly around each plant to help keep soil moisture levels consistent — allowing them to dry out can make them woody and suitable only for juicing. It’s common for the roots to bulge up above ground level as they mature. Don’t cover them with soil at this stage or they may rot. Harvest time depends on the variety; baby beets should be eaten when small, others should be grown to the size of cricket balls. Lift the whole plant and twist off the foliage. The foliage can also be steamed and eaten like silverbeet.

Plant potato by early autumn in frost-prone areas so they can mature before frost. Only use certifi ed virus-free potato seed and plant in an open position with excellent drainage. Their swelling roots will push up the soil around them as they grow, so avoid planting in containers or small garden beds. Some seed needs to be hardened off before planting, in which case, lay it out in a box for a fortnight in a dry, shaded position. Meanwhile, roughly cultivate the soil, dig in a thick layer of Searles Real Compost and Searles Cow Manure, water well and cover with mulch. Two weeks later,

lift the mulch and lay potato seed 50cm apart with 80cm between rows. Cover with straw, then cover with soil excavated from between the rows. Water well and replace the newspaper and mulch. As plants grow, build up soil around the tubers, never allowing them to be exposed to sunlight. Irrigate the trenches between rows once weekly and keep the mulch moist until the foliage dies down, then harvest immediately. Remove caterpillars by hand and spray aphids with Searles Bug Beater. Don’t apply fresh lime to acidic soils as this can cause scab.

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Tip for delicious vegies:To make vegetables crisp and sweet, grow them fast by providing adequate water and fertiliser. A daily watering and a fortnightly feed with Searles Fish & Searles Fish & Kelp PlusKelp Plus is ideal. This principle applies to lettuce,

carrots, silver beet, beetroot and celery.

Silverbeet needs full sun and excellent drainage. Allowing plenty of air circulation between the plants will help guard against fungal diseases, so plant them at least 35cm apart, depending on the variety. Compact varieties can be grown in large containers or styrofoam boxes. Silverbeet like rich soil, so use Searles Kickalong Herb & Vegetable Organic Plant Food at the recommended rate. Digging in plenty of Searles Real Compost and Searles 5IN1 Plus a couple of weeks prior to planting will also help support their lush growth. Silverbeet prefer an alkaline soil, so it may also be benefi cial to dig in garden lime at this stage. If planting from seed, soak seeds in water for a couple of hours before planting to promote germination. Keep silverbeet moist if you want to use it

in salads. Limiting its water supply can make it more drought tolerant, but it tends to make their leaves bitter and suitable for eating only after cooking. Harvest as required once leaves are large enough to make a meal, taking the outer leaves fi rst. Fungal infections can appear as spotting on the outer leaves. Remove any spotting or yellowing leaves. The younger, unaffected leaves will still be suitable for eating. Keep mulched and remove weeds by hand.

Top tip:Most vegetables prefer a slightly alkaline soil, so if your soil is acidic, sweeten it at least 2 weeks before planting with Searles Garden Lime at the recommended rate.

6 7

Like other cold season crops, cabbage need full sun and good drainage. However, they prefer a slightly acidic and somewhat heavy (clay) soil which will prevent leaching of nutrients with the regular watering they require. Alkaline soil can be balanced by adding organic compost or the pH can be lowered by adding sulphur powder. Cabbage are greedy feeders, so dig plenty of Searles Kickalong Vegetable & Herb Organic Plant Food into the soil. Cabbage can be planted as seed or seedlings; refer to the

label for depth and spacing requirements and water immediately after planting. Water regularly and keep them weed-free. Cabbage white caterpillars should be removed by hand on sight. Heavy infestations can be sprayed with Searles Bug Beater. Harvest when their heads feel hard. To do this, dig up the whole plant, sever the stalk with a sharp knife and remove any outer leaves before storing the cabbage in the fridge. Compact cabbage varieties can be grown in pots of Searles Herb & Vegetable Potting Mix.

PrettyGetting startedPansies can be planted from seed or bought as seedlings, including advanced seedlings that are already in flower. An advantage of the latter is that seeing the blooms first hand can make it easier to select your favourites. Choose seedlings that are bushy and robust and if they are in flower, select the ones with more buds than blooms.

PlantingPansies love cool weather and generally can be planted from March to July. In cooler areas, pansies can also be planted at the end of winter and will flower into spring and early summer. Pansies will bear larger and more brightly coloured blooms as the cool season progresses. When spring arrives and the weather heats up, pansies will go on a natural decline. Their life can be extended by giving them extra water, but don’t expect them to last all year, especially in warm regions. Although they are almost always grown as annuals, pansies are actually short-lived biennials. In some regions, they can be allowed to flower in spring, left in the ground to ‘rest’ over summer until autumn when they can be brought into flower once more. Because pansies flower so prolifically, they usually exhaust themselves in one season. They

do however, set seed quite easily and if you’re lucky they can reappear in your garden year after year.

PositionFor good flowering, pansies need a sunny position but in warm climates they usually prefer some protection from the hot afternoon sun. In such cases, ensure they have sun for at least half the day. Pansies can get spindly and won’t flower well in full shade.

WateringPansies have shallow roots which means they can dry out quickly in hot spells, so make sure you keep them moist and well mulched. Mulching also helps insulate the roots and discourages weeds.

FeedingPansies need good nutrition to support their profuse flowering, so feed them fortnightly with Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food. This excellent fertiliser is specially formulated for boosting blooms and will absorb quickly through the leaves for fast results. For an excellent fertiliser that is fully organic, use Searles Fish & Kelp Plus Liquid Fertiliser.

Preparing the soilPansies are not fussy but prefer a loose, rich, well-drained soil,

There are few flowers more versatile or distinctive to the winter garden than the pansy. Available in just about any colour of the rainbow, their cheery faces are the perfect way to fill your garden with winter mirth.

Pretty pansies!Growing from seedTo grow pansies from seed, sow them into punnets of Searles Seed Raising Mix and keep them moist in a cool, well-lit place. They should germinate in about 2 weeks. To conserve moisture, seedling punnets can be wrapped in clear plastic cling wrap. Once seedlings have a few sets of leaves, they can be planted out into pots or garden beds. Keep them moist, especially when young.

Did you know?Like their cousins the violets and violas, pansies are edible and can make an exciting garnish or addition to fresh garden salads.

preferably with a slightly acidic pH. For best results, improve the soil with Searles 5IN1 Plus and Searles Complete Plant Food two weeks before planting.

Ongoing careOnce established, keep pansies moist and well fed. Regular removal of spent blooms will keep them flowering well; picking a pretty posy every few days can actually keep pansies in good health and vigour!

Growing in potsPansies are perfect for growing in pots. Plant them in Searles Peat 80 Plus or Searles Premium Potting Mix for best results.

The smaller-flowering viola is closely related to the pansy, but is generally hardier with a bushier habit. Violas look great growing with pansies and have similar requirements.

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Panola XP™ Yellow PansyOasis Giant Pansy Rustica

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Panola XP™ True Blue Pansy

thePanola XP™ Beaconsfield Pansy

Pansies planted alongside cabbages bring colour to the vegie patch.

Pohlmans Pansy QueenslandSorbet™ Orange

Duet Viola

Viola Johnny Jump Up

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Viola Denim Jump Up

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Gorgeousgordonia!Possibly the perfect shade tree or large shrub for small gardens, the gordonia (Gordonia axillaris) bears unsurpassed white fl owers and glossy, dark green leaves that develop red tips in winter. It will grow 5 metres tall and wide if left unpruned, with a beautiful, dome-shaped canopy. Its large, crinkly-petalled fl owers are borne over a long period from autumn into spring and its orange-brown bark is another beautiful feature. Its large, white blooms (about 10cm across) tend to fall from the tree intact with their prominent, egg-yolk yellow stamens facing upward. The resulting effect has been likened to the appearance of fried eggs lying around the tree and has earned the plant its somewhat unglamorous common name, ‘the fried egg plant’.

Gordonias are easy to grow and are practically pest and disease-free. They are

arguably one of the best fl owering trees for small home gardens and are well suited to a range of climatic zones including sub-tropical, Mediterranean and cool-temperate.

Like their close relative, the camellia, gordonias enjoy a slightly acidic, well-drained soil and can be grown in full sun or part shade.

Gordonias are slow-growing when young, so buy a more advanced plant if you want a tree in a hurry. One advantage of their slow growth is that they are easily kept to a small size if desired, with gentle pruning. If you want a bushy shrub rather than a small tree, tip prune lightly after fl owering. Otherwise, pruning is unnecessary.

In spring, apply a controlled release fertiliser like Searles Robust Plus Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia, mulch well and keep the soil moist when young.

Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’Marmalade bush(Streptosolen jamesonii)

Abutilon

Poinsettia

in every shade of pink, orange, apricot, bronze, white and yellow. Plant it in full sun for best fl owering.

Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ This close relative of the poinsettia, fl owers all year round and is excellent for creating highlights against other garden fl owers or foliage with its profuse, white blooms. Like the poinsettia, the blooms are actually not fl owers, but bracts. Growing into a mound-shaped bush about 1m x 1m, it can be pruned if

Grow these easy-care small shrubs for cheerful colour in the winter garden.

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Winter-fl owering stunners desired, during the warm months. Plant it in full sun for best fl owering. It requires little water once established.

Marmalade Bush(Streptosolen jamesonii)This native to the Andes creates a riot of colour throughout the year with its orange-coloured blooms. This old favourite in Aussie home gardens is very easy to grow and needs little water once established. It’s also great for attracting birds and butterfl ies. Tolerant of light frosts, it prefers a mostly-sunny position and performs best with regular watering and feeding. It is easily grown in a pot

of quality potting mix like Searles Premium Potting Mix. Also available is the compact variety ‘Ginger Meggs’ which grows to about 1m x 1m in height.

Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’This is a weeping shrub up to 2m tall that will light up the garden in late winter and spring when it becomes covered in white fl owers. It fl owers well in full sun or part shade, but does best in part shade. Give it a well-drained soil and water during very hot, dry weather. Tip prune to encourage bountiful blooms. This is one of the most spectacular of the Australian native tea trees and also tolerates frost well.

Abutilon (Chinese lantern)This is a relative of the hibiscus and fl owers all year round. Pruning is recommended to keep them bushy as they can become lanky. A full sun position is preferable, but they will also fl ower well in part shade. Keep them mulched and well-watered, but avoid over fertilising as this can result in prolifi c foliage at the expense of fl owers. Lightly prune to shape at the end of winter once frosts have passed.

PoinsettiaThis winter-fl owering shrub is excellent for ‘Christmas in July’ celebrations. A traditional yuletide favourite in the northern hemisphere, in Australia these subtropical beauties are tricked into fl owering at Christmas by artifi cially reducing their

lighting. Although usually only available from garden centres at Christmas time, poinsettias strike easily from cuttings so if you see one fl owering beautifully in a neighbour’s yard, ask for a cutting or two. Native to Mexico, the poinsettia is well suited to most Australian climates. Don’t apply fertiliser while they are in bloom. Instead wait until spring when fl owering has fi nished, give them a good prune and then a feed with Searles Kickalong Fruit & Flower Organic Plant Food. The stems ooze a white, latex sap which can cause allergies so be careful when pruning. The actual fl owers are insignifi cant. The showy, red display is actually from brightly coloured bracts. Traditionally red, poinsettias are now available

Winter 2011Regional Garden Diary

FlowersBefore spring, fertilise roses with Searles Rose Plant Food and dig in a small amount of Searles 5 IN 1 Plus. Fertilise azaleas and flowering bulbs.

HerbsPlant chamomile, comfrey, dill, garlic bulbs, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, parsley, oregano, sage, and thyme.

Fruit & VegetablesPlant spinach, silver beet, lettuce and early-maturing cabbage. Fertilise fortnightly with Searles Fish & Kelp Plus and keep the water up to them to ensure an excellent crop.

More advice...• Cut back roses to about one-

third.• Clean out fish ponds.• Plant deciduous flowering trees

and shrubs.• Cut canna lilies right down to

ground level — they will grow back beautifully in spring.

• Dead-head agapanthus.• Cut back dead perennials.• Divide perennials that have

become overcrowded.• This is also a good time to start

planning and begin planting native plants — a great way to attract native fauna.

Subtropical — Coastal

South-east Qld& Northern NSW

Temperate areas

FlowersPlant pansies and violas for great winter colour. Small native shrubs such as leptospermum and grevillea can be planted now and are a good option for a difficult spot as they are tough and tolerate dry conditions.

HerbsPlant chamomile, comfrey, coriander, dill, feverfew, garlic bulbs, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, parsley, oregano, sage and thyme. Protect coriander from frost.

Fruit & VegetablesPlant Chinese greens — pak choi can be harvested just 3–4 weeks after planting. Grow English spinach quickly in rich soil. Harvest citrus. Plant peas where summer annuals were planted — they will enrich the soil for next summer’s blooms.

More advice...• Prune natives that have finished

flowering.• Prune hydrangeas.• Divide agapanthus and other

strappy-leafed perennials.• Don’t return fruit fly infected fruit

to the compost.• Transplant any trees that need

moving, especially in wet weather.

• Prune roses.• Plant deciduous trees.

Sydney

Cold & Southern Tableland areas

FlowersPlant alyssum, aquilegia, begonia, calendula, cineraria, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, erigeron, foxglove, geranium, hollyhock, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, ranunculus, snapdragon, stock and viola.

HerbsPlant chives, curry, dill, mint, parsley, sage and thyme.

Fruit and vegetablesPlant beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussells sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, endive, leek, lettuce, onions, peas, snow peas, silver beet and spinach.

More advice...• Plant virus-free strawberry

runners.• Prune grape and kiwifruit vines,

raspberries and other berries.• As the new buds start to swell

on fruit trees such as plum, nectarine, cherry and peach, spray with Searles Copper Oxychloride to control fungal disease.

• Plant bare-rooted roses.• Plant deciduous trees and fruit

trees.

Melbourne

The silvery-white foliage of native Eremophila nivea is striking in any garden. This one likes it dry once established and needs excellent drainage, so grow it in a pot if your soil is on the heavy side. Prune it during humid weather to improve air fl ow. Purple fl owers appear in spring.

REGIONAL ZONESTropical

Subtropical

Temperate

Cool

Mediterranean

Arid

FlowersPlant aster, begonia, dahlia, daisy, gazania, geranium, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, salvia and verbena.

HerbsPlant dill, garlic bulbs, marjoram, mint, parsley, oregano, sage, Thai coriander and thyme.

Fruit & VegetablesPlant broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, peas, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet corn and tomato.

More advice...• Harvest produce planted in autumn.• Soak the vegie garden with Searles

Fish & Kelp Plus every fortnight.• Watch for pests like grasshoppers

and caterpillars.• Take frangipani cuttings.• Melon and pumpkin vines can be

pruned to keep them within a 2m radius. This will give denser growth without decreasing the yield.

• Fertilise, water and mulch mango trees once flowering has finished.

• Enjoy flowering natives like cocky apple, kapok and woollybutt.

Tropical — Wet & Dry TropicsNorth Queensland

FlowersSow daisies, bracteantha, gazania, geranium, impatiens, anigozanthos, marigold, nasturtium, portulaca, salvia, sunflower and zinnia.

HerbsSow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.

Fruit & VegetablesSow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, Chinese cabbage, potato, silver beet, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato.

More advice...• Now is the best time to garden in

warmer parts of inland Australia.• Plant fruit trees and vines.• Divide clumping plants like

agapanthus, canna and clivea.

Inland Areas

FlowersPlant alyssum, begonia, cornflower, dianthus, geranium, poppy, primula, snapdragon, stock and viola.

HerbsPlant chives, curry, dill, mint, parsley, sage and thyme.

Fruit and vegetablesPlant beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, peas, silver beet and spinach.

More advice...• Plant bare-rooted roses.• Plant deciduous trees.

Adelaide, Perth

12 13

Euryops virginatus ‘Golden Glow’ is a small shrub (75cm x 75cm) bearing masses of golden yellow, daisy-like fl owers through winter. Very hardy, it tolerates wind, salt spray, frost and drought. Prune and fertilise in spring to keep the bush healthy and promote new growth. Great for rockeries, the poolside, containers or in garden beds.

Polyanthus bring cheery colour to any part shade position through the cooler times of year. They love a neutral to slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter like Searles Real Compost. Protect from severe or prolonged frosts and keep well-watered in hot, dry periods.

Plant snow peas near a trellis. They need full sun, but can take part shade in very hot regions. Keep newly-planted seedlings moist until they have started to climb onto their support.

Arid or Outback areas

Mediterranean Climate

Lechenaultia formosa is a prostrate native shrub with masses of fl owers in late winter and spring. Great for rockeries and hot, sunny positions, give it well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Keep it in a pot in areas with humid summers.

Lechenaultia (red form)

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David Grays Garden Problem Solvers

Winter 2011Hints & tips

Mulches made of pebbles, crushed shells or gravel can look great and don’t need to be reapplied regularly as organic mulches do. Apply a layer of matting to separate the mulch from the soil as materials like gravel are diffi cult to separate from the soil if you ever want to remove it.

Spray for bindii by the end of winter, as soon as it appears in lawns. If you destroy it before the seed heads (prickles) appear, you will also destroy the seed for

next year’s bindii. This means you will not only have a bindii-free summer, but less need for spraying in years to come.

Magnolias are the flowering jewels of the garden in late winter. Give them a well-drained, slightly acidic soil, a thick mulch and plenty of water while establishing. In warmer areas, try the evergreen varieties ‘Little Gem’ and Magnolia grandiflora.

Osteospermum ‘Serenity Sunburst’ has beautiful, lemon yellow, daisy-like fl owers on a compact bush (50-60cmH). Perfect for long-lasting colour in pots, garden beds and low borders. Plant in full sun or part shade.

Give cymbidium orchids filtered sunlight (a shade cloth that blocks 50% of sunlight or the dappled shade under a tree is ideal). Pot them into Searles Cymbidium Orchid Mix and use rainwater for watering them if it is available, rather than tap water.

Give cymbidium orchids filtered

14

Give plants a fortnightly feed of Searles Liquid Seaweed to help them cope with winter cold. Start at least 6 weeks before the onset of frost for best results.

An extremely hardy old fashioned shrub (1.5m x 1.5m), the reinwardtia ‘Golden Dollar’ will lighten up your garden with bold, yellow flowers for most of the cooler months of the year. Give it a hard pruning in late spring after it has finished flowering to maintain a bushy shape. Great for growing in pots, it can be moved to where its flowers can be best enjoyed when it is in bloom.

Create habitat for koalas by planting their favourite eucalypt trees. Check first with a local landcare group to ensure tree selections are indigenous to your area. If you don’t have space for a large tree in your garden, get involved with a local community group to create habitat in a nearby park or revegetate existing bushland. Got a few mature eucalypts in your garden? The dappled shade underneath them can be ideal for growing camellias, ixoras and hydrangeas.

Most of the huge variety of kalanchoes are fl owering, now. Give them a free-draining soil and a position that is sunny for at least half the day. These hardy succulent plants don’t need a lot of water and are easy-care. Space them to allow air to circulate in humid conditions.

fobp

Most of the huge variietty o offf k l h fl i

Cannas will be dying back and looking shabby so now is the time to give them a ruthless pruning. Clean them up by chopping them right down to ground and they will reward you with healthy, robust growth when spring arrives.

Magnolia soulangeana rubra

Darwin

Brisbane

Sydney

Melbourne

Hobart

QLD

N.S.W.

Vic.

Tas.

S.A.

W.A.N.T.

Adelaide

Perth

Tropical

Subtropical

Temperate

Cool

Mediterranean

Arid

The trailing stems and orange flowers of the Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus glabra) make it beautiful in hanging baskets. Give it a sheltered garden position with protection from frost. In cooler districts it may prefer a warm, well-lit position indoors. Keep moist but not wet and

mist occasionally. Tip prune young plants to encourage branching

and feed with Searles Fish & Kelp Plus.

Coleonema pulchrum ‘Aurea’ is a dwarf, evergreen shrub (about 1mW x 75cmH), whose yellow foliage can bring year-round colour to garden beds, rockeries or large tubs. It grows in most soils and tolerates frost and dryness once established. Versatile and easy to grow, give it full sun. Pink, star-shaped fl owers appear in spring.

In cooler parts of Australia, now is the time to plant bare rooted deciduous trees including apple and pear trees, stone fruit, roses and cool climate nuts like almonds and walnut.

In cooler parts of Austtr laliia, nonoww iisis tt thhehe ti t l t b t d d id

Grevillea ‘Fanfair’ is a prolifi c-fl owering native groundcover with a 4 or 5 metre spread. ‘Toothbrush’ shaped fl owers appear from late winter into summer. Give it full sun or part shade and a well-drained soil. Mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture and water by deep soaking in dry weather.

Winter 2011Hints & tips

Pandorea pandorana ‘Lemon Bells’ is a fast-growing, well-behaved native climber which becomes smothered

in gorgeous yellow fl owers through winter and spring. Great for

covering fences, pergolas or lattice work.

Now is a good time to think about garden design and ornamentation. Adding a meandering path through your garden or a sculpture or artwork in just the right place can be very effective in bringing style and structure to your outdoor

living space.

Cyclamen love the cool days and fl ower beautifully under the dappled shade of a tree. If growing them indoors, keep them away from heaters and reverse-cycle airconditioners. Give them an occasional spell in outdoor shade to keep them looking good.

Ingredients• 5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed• 1 onion, roughly chopped• 1 and a half cups light cottage cheese• 1 cup sour light cream• 1 cup light shredded cheddar cheese• 1 sachet chicken fl avoured soup powder

Method1. Boil or steam potatoes until tender.2. Pan fry onion until golden brown.3. Preheat oven to 180˚C and grease a 22cm x 32cm

casserole dish.4. Combine potatoes, onion, cottage cheese, sour

cream and soup powder. Pour mixture to the casserole dish. Top with cheese.

5. Bake for 30 to 40minutes until lightly golden brown.

16 17

Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) love an acidic soil and dappled shade position, but can also be grown in full sun. Unfussy about soil, especially if it is enriched with compost, foxgloves are also frost-hardy. Every part of the plant is poisonous so take care with children and pets.

...Continued from page15

Beautiful Medinilla myriantha bears flowers and decorative fruit throughout the year. Plant in part shade in moist, well-drained soil and avoid direct sun. Grow in pots and containers with Searles Peat 80 Plus. Originating in the tropics, this variety of Medinilla does well in cooler regions and tolerates light frost.

Cbothcok

Beautiful Medinilla myriantha

Chesapeake Starlight (commonly known as Chincherinchee) is a true bulb that is extremely tough in both warm and cool climates. Flower heads last up to a month in full sun or part shade. Tolerant of light frosts, it’s excellent in pots, garden beds and as a cut fl ower.

Chesapeake Starlight (commonly

Plant onions now to ensure they get a good start during cold weather. They are not fussy about soil but need good drainage. Plant in full sun and allow good aeration — even a windy situation is fi ne. If they bulge above the soil as they grow, don’t try and cover them.

Metrosideros buds

Prune summer-flowering shrubs by mid winter before their flower buds form.

Maidenhair ferns love a moist, sheltered position. Well-lit shade is ideal, but many will tolerate poor lighting which makes them ideal as indoor plants, especially for moist areas like bathrooms. Keep them moist — they can brown off quickly if allowed to dry out, although they can quickly bounce back if their conditions are corrected.

Need a recipe to use up your excess potatoes? This delicious recipe will warm you on cold winter nights, either as a side dish or a light supper.

Cheesy Baked Potatoes

You’ll always cook the perfect lamb chops when you have a rosemary hedge! The hardy nature and evergreen, bushy habit of this perennial herb make it an excellent, medium height hedge in regions outside the tropics. (In the tropics, rosemary is grown as a winter annual as it usually dies off in the monsoon.)

Protect herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife.Protect vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and buildings from cockatoos, crows, ducks, pigeons, rosellas, starlings, swallows, other birds & bats.Protects homes, gardens, patios, shop fronts and paved areas from both dogs and cats or rats and mice.

is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it". For further information send 2x60c stamps to:D-TER, Dept. A, PO Box 3, Oyster Bay, NSW 2225.Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703. Fax: (02) 9589 0147

Protect one plant or a whole area — perimeter &/or band sprays.Repels — without harming animals or humans.Not considered a poison — no withholding period.Easy to use — spray on. Effective when dry.Safe, Proven and Effective.Available in 100g, 1Kg & 4Kg Sizes.

GG20

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5

Get your strawberries in before the end of winter to pave the way for a long and delicious harvest throughout the warm season.

StrawberriesThere’s nothing better than the sweet fl avour of home-grown strawberries! Loved by children and adults alike, it’s little wonder this easy-to-grow groundcover is among the most popular food crops in Australian home gardens.

Producing its pretty white or pale pink flowers from late winter and familiar red berries which curiously bear their seeds on the outside, strawberries will crop throughout spring and summer with many varieties continuing through autumn.

Planting adviceEverywhere outside the tropics, new strawberry plants are best planted in June and July. (Tropical gardeners might prefer to put them in earlier, say from March to May to give them the longest growing season. Give strawberries a sunny position and improve the soil by digging in plenty of Searles 5IN1 Plus before planting. Good drainage is essential, so build up garden beds if your soil is heavy clay. Strawberries are also ideal for growing in pots, planters or even in hanging baskets on a sunny balcony or courtyard.

Ongoing careMaintain a good layer of mulch over the soil. This will conserve moisture, but it will also keep fruit in good condition by preventing it from touching the ground. Strawberries produce runners which makes them easy to propagate. It is actually recommended that strawberry plants be removed, thinned and the runners replanted every few years to ensure good crops and avoid overcrowding. Birds love strawberries as much as we do, so protect them with netting or place wire cages over your plants to protect your crop.

PHONE (07) 5441 4655

The much anticipated Queensland Garden Expo will be opening the gates on 8-9-10 July, 2011 to thousands of enthusiastic gardeners from across the state Each year o er 28,000 garden lo ers and horticulture professionals oc to Nambour Showgrounds, Sunshine Coast to enjoy Queensland’s premier gardening event.

With the quality of displays, exhibits and lectures on show, this Award winning event is one of the top garden shows in the country and number one in Queensland.

Queensland Garden Expo is where nurseries and garden industry professionals showcase their creative talents and share their knowledge. With over 360 exhibitors there is an amazing range of garden products on display including over 40,000 plants, all the latest in garden tools, pots, books, tanks, mowers and power equipment, to

name a few. The Giant Kitchen Garden Feature continues to grow each year with the increasing interest in sustainable living and gardening. You

a difference to the environment in your own backyard. A new feature this year will be the “Living Garden” area that will demonstrate how to achieve biodiversity in your garden by working with nature to create a balanced environment.

Information and advice abound at the Garden Expo with continuous lectures on seven live

stages. Colin Campbell, Annette McFarlane, Ross McKinnon, and Phil Dudman lead a team of over twenty speakers covering a wide variety of gardening topics.

Queensland Garden Clubs and Societies, incredibly detailed works of botanical art by some of Queensland’s leading botanical artists and local potters and clayworkers demonstrating and displaying their craft.

All of this, plus great food, street entertainment and free children’s playground and Ecotainment, combine to make Queensland Garden Expo a great day out.

QUEENSLAND GARDEN EXPO

more than 360 exhibitors including 60 nurseries

40,000 plants for sale daily landscape gardens giant itchen garden

feature over 120 free lectures demo’s wor shops non stop free advice from gardening experts Col

Campbell, Annette McFarlane, Ross McKinnon oral art, ora societies, artists, clay wor ers food courts, entertainment, free ids

playground and lots more

Adults $16Aged Concession $14Kids 15 & under FREE

Free shuttle buses travel from Nambour Station to the Showgrounds meeting and dropping off to every train.

www.qldgardenexpo.com.au

For further information visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au

.july 118+9+10

NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS GATES OPEN 8.00AM DAILY

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In many situations around your home or garden, bats can be unhygienic, noisy or destructive. However, bats also play a vital role in natural ecosystems — pollinating plants, spreading seeds and controlling insects. In the wild these creatures are a joy to behold. Therefore, gardeners need an effective way to protect their plants and property while ensuring these wonderful animals are not harmed.

D-TER, a unique animal and bird repellent can keep bats away from your fruit trees and prevent them from roosting in roof spaces and sheds. This remarkable product does not poison or harm the animals in any way — it simply persuades them to move on by arousing

the feeling that the treated area is ‘unsafe’.

To quote a report from Tingoora, ‘Arriving fruit bats appeared startled and immediately left treated mango trees with no further loss of fruit’.

A Longreach couple sprayed D-TER and within minutes had persuaded ‘a very persistent mob of insectivorous bats in their ceiling to move on’. They estimated there had been 100–150 ‘mice with wings’ resident in their ceiling for some years.

D-TER can be used to protect fruit and vegetable crops, trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, lawns, garden beds, bulbs, seeds and other property. It produces excellent results against all wildlife, feral animals and pets, including rabbits, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, wombats, bandicoots, foxes, dogs, cats, rats, mice, rosellas, lorikeets, parrots, cockatoos, crows, smaller birds, wild ducks, pigeons, mynas, sparrows and swallows.

Bats driving you batty?

camelliasAVAILABLE FROM ALL LEADING NURSERIES, GARDEN CENTRES & HARDWARE STORES.

Manufactured by:

Daisies. The natural way.

186 Glenmount Rd Tanawha Q 4556Ph: (07) 5476 6245 • Fax (07) 5445 6364

nawha Q 4556

‘Nuccio’s Gem’

‘Polar Bear’

Star performer, Camellia japonica ‘Great Eastern’.

‘Nuccio’s Cameo’

only stock varieties that grow well in your area, so the easiest way to select the perfect camellia may be to pay your local garden centre a visit. The best time to select a japonica is in winter, when they are in fl ower. This can help with colour selection but also gives you the reassurance that you have a healthy specimen that fl owers well.

MulchingMulching is one of the secrets to growing beautiful camellias.

A good mulch will help stop the soil from drying out, keep the roots cool in summer and will eventually break down to improve the structure of the soil. Lucerne, sugar cane mulch and Searles Mulch Plus are all excellent mulches. Water well before mulching and lay mulch up to 12cm thick, keeping it clear of the trunk.

WateringCamellias need plenty of water during their fi rst few years, but once established are quite drought tolerant. Immediately after planting, water them every day for about a month. After that, water once a week. During the second year, camellias should only need watering once a week in spring and summer and once a month in autumn and winter. After fi ve years they should be able to fend for themselves. Water requirements will vary with light conditions, climate, soil quality and mulching, so

keep an eye on the soil and learn to judge when watering is needed.

Camellia sizesJaponica camellias are usually a large shrub which can reach about 5m in height. However, there are many different varieties with different growth habits. Because japonicas are slow growing, they are easy to keep compact with occasional pruning. Their slow growth can also mean that if you’re a little impatient it could be a good investment to choose a more

advanced specimen over a small seedling. Even though camellias will fl ower in their fi rst year, they need to reach a certain size before they look truly grand when in fl ower!

The right pHCamellias are famous for being ‘acid-loving’ plants, which means they dislike soils with a pH higher than 7. In most parts of Australia however, soils tend to be naturally acidic, which means correcting the soil is not usually necessary. (Exceptions would be gardens in Adelaide or Perth, which have naturally alkaline soils. In these regions, it can be simplest to grow camellias in pots.) Using Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia at the recommended rate will help maintain the ideal level of soil acidity for camellias, as well as providing all the nutrients needed for excellent growth, vigour and fl owering.

PositionA sheltered position in dappled shade is ideal for most winter-fl owering camellias. Taller trees with light canopies like eucalypts can provide the perfect type of broken shade that they love. In hotter and drier climates, a camellia is likely to need deeper shade; but

don’t panic if conditions are not perfect. Camellias are basically a tough plant once established and if the soil and drainage is good, they can be very forgiving.

Preparing the soilCamellias need excellent drainage, so if your soil is heavy clay, build up soil in mounds with plenty of Searles 5IN1 Plus or Searles Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Mix. Always mulch well after planting and reapply mulch once or twice every year. Camellias are also excellent for growing in pots. Use pots at least 40cm wide and fi ll with Searles Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Mix.

Which variety?There are thousands of japonica camellias in existence so the toughest challenge will be choosing your favourite. Their blooms can be large and fl amboyant and available in a wide variety of forms and colours, including every shade of pink, white, true red and variegated forms. Reputable garden centres will

Winter

‘Tama-no-ura’

‘Desire’

‘Chandler’s Victory’

‘Bob Hope’

What you’ll need...

20 21

At the coolest and quietest time of year in the garden, the winter-flowering japonica camellia can brighten your home with its gorgeous, yet stately blooms. They’re long-lived, too, so planting one today can bring a lifetime of lovely winters.

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Ideal for controlling bindii,clover, oxalis and other weeds.

safe to use on your

Buffalo Lawn?

Need a weed killer that is

Including Sir Walter and Palmetto lawns.

Before using this product, always read the product label for

full directions, applications, safety and handling directions.

Not suitable to be used on ST varieties of Buffalo grass.

Ask for Searles Buffalo Master® at your nearest gardening outlet or Ph: 07 5422 3000

www.searles.com.au

If you want a perfect lawn that you can walk on without all the painful bindii prickles, then you need to spray now to clean up for spring.

Ashley’s Pest Watch

Bindii patrol

by

Ash

ley

Sea

rle

Winter is a time when many nuisance weeds and prickles seem to invade our home turf, causing much pain and frustration. One such major nuisance weed is the bindii.

If you have ever walked on a bindii and felt the sharp pain they cause, you may be interested to know that it is actually the seed that forms the prickle. Bindii grows in the winter and sets seed from late winter to early spring.

The trick to stopping bindii from spreading is to spray them in winter as soon as you see them, before the prickles develop, and continue to repeat spray every 3 weeks until they are all gone. Repeat spraying is important as this will control weeds that have germinated after the prior spraying.

One excellent weed killer which kills bindii and many other weeds is Searles Lawn Perfect®

.

Searles Lawn Perfect® is a powerful spray containing 3 herbicides that effectively knock out bindii, dandelion, clover and many other common lawn weeds. Searles Lawn Perfect® is suitable for use on many types of lawn including couch, Queensland blue couch, carpet grass, kikuyu, fescue & saltene, either on newly sown lawn or established lawn.

For better coverageWhen spraying weeds, for greater success add a wetting agent, such as Searles Spredmax®

. Searles Spredmax® helps the spray to stick to the weeds, giving far better knockdown of weeds.

So remember, for a perfect lawn this year:

• Spray with Searles Lawn Perfect® every 2-3 weeks

• And don’t forget to add Searles Spredmax®.

If you do this every 3 weeks, you’ll enjoy a beautiful lawn without the worry of weeds and prickles.

Superway Dicamba-M is a selective herbicide for the control of bindii, thistle, cudweed, clover and dandelion in most lawns except buffalo grass.Active ingredients: 80G/L Dicamba 340G/L MCPA

Delta-M: is a non staining residual insecticide, for the control of spiders, cockroaches, fleas, ants, silverfish, flies and mosquitoes.

Grub, Ant & Pest Controller: Controls ants, spiders, cockroaches, lawn beetle, lawn grub, and armyworm in the home garden.

Dimethoate 300: Is a systemic insecticide which provides effective control of a range of insect pests (including fruit fly, aphids, leaf miner and thrips) on fruit trees and other plants in and around the garden.

Weedkiller: provides effective control of most broadleaf weeds and grasses. 1 litre of concentrate’ Makes up to 100 Litres of ready-to-use weedkiller.

SuperwayP.O. Box 183, Beerwah Qld 4519

Ph: (07) 5439 0355 Fax: (07) 5439 0366www.superway.com.au

Available 250ml, 500ml & 1litre chamber pack.Highly concentrated. Available in 1litre pack.

Available in 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre packs.Available in 250ml to 20 litres and 1 litre 'ready-to-use' spraypack.

Available in 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre chamber pack.

PEST

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Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Trade enquiries welcome.

SUPERWAYSuperway Dicamba-M is a

GARDEN, Ag & PestPRODUCTS PTY. LTD.

(a quality assured company, proudly Australian owned and operated)

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Ask for these great Searles products at your nearest gardening outlet. Ph: 07 5422 3000

www.searles.com.au

For championroses, use...

A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1977