During our April workshop presenter, John Olds mentioned Myrtle rust. John has been trialling some treatments and will give us an update in the September workshop. Read on to learn more about this fungus and the threat to our iconic Australian flora species.
Its March, so in Michelle’s calendar that means pruning time. In this month’s gardening tip Michelle shares an article by the Native Plant Society of Victoria and adds some local knowledge. Click on the Read more link to access the post on our website.
Michelle’s garden tip of the month is to move mulch around. In the storm season mulch is useful during the hot days to reduce soil moisture loss but it can also be a barrier in lighter rain reaching the soil. Moving mulch away from plants just before the rains hit will allow water to penetrate the soil. Moving it back when the rain stops reduces evaporation and keeps the moisture where its most useful, in the soil!
Chemical use is a controversial topic. The method used to apply chemicals can greatly reduce the risks to humans and the environment. A safer way to apply chemicals is with a herbicide dabber rather than a spray bottle. A dabber is used to cut and paint shrubs and trees or scrap and paint vines. In this post Michelle explains how it is done and where it can be purchased.
As we adapt local native plants to our small urban gardens, we sometimes have to get out the secateurs. Stephanie shows the difference between a native Frangipanni that has been pruned compared to one in her garden that sneaked up between the palms to get to the light (never to be seen again unless you stand on the roof). This beauty was spotted in Boreen Point where it has been pruned as a hedge.
Have you noticed all the stamens dropping from the eucalypts? In nature, dead leaves, animal droppings, twigs, fallen flowers, fruit, branches etc all provide mulch naturally, but in our gardens, and particularly new ones, we need to help things along. Stephanie provides a couple of links to websites with good information about mulching.