Gardening tips

Keep Your Garden Looking green This Summer

Default  •  Fri 27 Nov 2020

Our garden staff are here to help you get the most from your garden this summer.  Here are their key tips to keep your garden looking good during the hot weather.    

• If you didn't do it over winter, apply compost or seamungus as soil conditioners. 
• Apply a layer of mulch to a depth of  about 3-5cm.  Use anything you can get your hands on .... things like pea straw, bark chips, specially formulated mulches, even meadow hay if you have it
• Use a soil wetter.  There are lots on the market, organic and non organic.  They all work, but I personally find the granular soil wetters easier to apply ... try Saturaid or Wettasoil.  Soil wetters are particularly helpful for gardeners who have used organic matter year in year out, and are now find their soils are water repellent.  For those who like to garden organically, try Eco Hydrate .
• Prior to very hot spells apply Droughtshield.  This anti-transpirant dries clear and acts as a 'sunscreen'.  Only apply as needed, and not more frequently than 8 weeks apart on plants with normal growth.  Applying Droughtshield to sun sensitive plants like hydrangeas, camellias, and maples will assist in reducing sunburn damage, and it will also help to protect them from hot, dry winds.
• Shade plants with 50% white shade cloth, or protect them from hot drying winds with 'frost cloth'.  You will find both in drive-through of the store.
• Group plants with like water requirements ... pop those together which need daily watering, weekly watering, or no supplementary watering at all.  Grouping plants together like this will  reduce your  watering work load, and you will find the plants will do better too.  
• Be water wise - water deeply and less often, rather than for short periods each day.    Check your watering system, fix any leaks and always use appropriate drippers.  Water away from the heat of the day - evening watering suits many plants, but to avoid fungal diseases in your garden (for example on roses or in your veggie patch on zucchini) an early morning water is better.  
• When planting over summer, dig holes twice as wide as the pot and fill the hole with a bucket of water.  Let the water drain away and fill the hole it again. Remember to water your new plant in with a seaweed solution, and continue applying Seasol every fortnight for a month or two.  A quick spray of Droughtshield will further protect your new plants against transplant shock and get them off to a good start.
• If you are planting up a veggie patch consider installing a wicking bed or using a self watering pot.  These beds are very efficient at using water, and productive plants like veggies and herbs thrive in them.   
• Finally, select plants which are appropriate for your aspect, rainfall and the conditions in your garden.  

In store you will find plenty of mulch, shade cloth, irrigation needs including hoses and sprinklers, soil wetters and more.