JULY & AUGUST
During our cold (and hopefully wet) winter, extra attention should be given to potted plants – both outdoor and indoor.  You should keep an eye on your outdoor pots and move to a sheltered area if cold protection is needed, but make sure that you still water them if placed under the eaves and the rain does not get to them.  A safe alternative to protect your potted plants from snails at this time is to place a copper barrier tape (e.g. “Slugga”) around your pot.  This is very effective against snails and slugs and is safe to use around pets.
Be aware that your indoor plants, if placed close to window panes at night, can be adversely affected by the cold and it can set them back.
Outdoors, spread Seamungus around for a great winter boost!

FLOWER GARDEN
This is the time to prune your peaches, apples and summer fruiting trees and also to do any transplanting of these trees while they are still dormant.  In August a good feed is necessary for Spring growth and at the first sign of bud swell (as the buds start to show colour), spray with “Fungus Fighter” of Copper Oxychloride spray, to combat leaf curl and other fungal diseases.
Good things to plant through these months are Wallflowers, Daisies, Calendula, Delphinium and Dianthus.

VEGETABLE GARDEN
Rhubarb Crowns are now available for planting as are seed potatoes.  For those eager to get a head start on tomatoes, you can plant some into pots in August and keep protected, ready to plant out in Spring.
Snow Peas, Cabbage and Onions are also good to plant now.

NANDINA DOMESTICA
This is an evergreen shrub growing to 1.5Mt. with graceful fern-like foliage on upright canes which turn red in Winter. It is a good ornamental plant for tubs or gardens & is frost hardy, preferring a sunny position.  The dwarf variety (Nana) which is the more popular of the two, grows 60cm – 1mt., is slow growing but very hardy with a compact, rounded growth requiring minimal pruning.  This is a great contrast plant with lime green leaves turning to brilliant scarlet (and many shades in between) in colder weather, making it a striking feature plant in a winter garden – looking equally good as a hedge or single planting.

Sustainable Gardening Australia - certified garden centre

Our Malvern store has recently become an accredited Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) garden centre. SGA is an organisation that promotes gardening in a more enviromentally sustainable way.

SGA has been developing programs for gardeners since 2002. Their main objective is to help Australians garden in a way that has a positive environmental impact.

Find out more about SGA on their website