At the end of the year, gardeners across Australia are playing a game called ‘trying to keep it alive.’ High temps, bushfire smoke and lack of water can wreck havoc on a garden lovingly tended in Spring. Maintenance is the name of the game this season.
With Christmas fast approaching, gardens are being primped and prepared to look their best. A Winter and Spring spent working hard can all come to nothing if you don’t maintain in Summer.
Lawns
Regular mowing will keep lawns looking neat. Raise the cutting height to leave the grass longer to protect the crowns and runners of grasses from the sun. This also helps keep the soil and roots cooler. If it doesn’t rain, water the lawn deeply at least once a week (if there are no restrictions in place) early in the morning before sunrise. You could apply a slow release lawn food now to keep the lawn growing well. If your soil is hydrophobic (repels moisture), use a wetting agent. Lawn grubs may be problematic now in warmer areas. Visit your local garden centre to get something to treat them.
What to plant now?
Geraniums love the heat and flower abundantly in the Summer, they make a great Christmas display. Allium belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks. There are white, pink, blue and yellow flowered alliums. Butterflies and bees love them, and even the dried flowerheads look beautiful in the border or in flower arrangements. Roses are a favourite garden plant– and for good reason. They’re versatile, produce vibrant colour through spring and summer into autumn and many have delightful perfumes.
