Autumn 2014 About the Garden Magazine

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Balcony Plants Ground Covers Orchids What’s Flowering Now Autumn Kitchen

2014 ISSUE 68

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

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Issue 68

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The Serenity Prayer pt the things God grant me the serenity to acce ge the things I I cannot change; courage to chan erence. can; and wisdom to know the diff one moment at ying Enjo ; time a at day Living one pathway to the as s ship hard a time; Accepting ul world as it is, peace; Taking, as He did, this sinf that He will make not as I would have it; Trusting That I may be ; Will His to r ende surr all things right if I happy with Him ly eme supr and reasonably happy in this life t in the LORD with all Trus n.

Ame . next the in ver Fore own understanding; in all your heart and lean not on your he will and him, dge your ways acknowle 5-6 direct your paths. Proverbs 3,

le Con Sear

Visit us online for what to

grow now, harvest now. & bake now.

Ask for it at your local gardening store.

About the Garden is published seasonally by About the Garden Pty. Ltd. ABN 21 076 919 992

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

Viola hederacea ‘Native violet’ This native loves a shady to sunny position with ample water to look its best. Did you know the flowers are edible?

They look fabulous in hanging baskets and pots where the foliage can cascade over the sides.

Purple Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula)

Claire Bickle

4

Calibrachoa Superbells® ‘Coralberry Punch’

Lobularia. Great in the annual or perennial garden as an edging plant and it is a great food source for bees.

Mesembryanthemum ‘Pigface’

New release gazania ‘Double Gold’

Erigeron - ‘Seaside da isy’

Ground cover plants are an essential accessory in the garden. Plant them in rockeries, under trees and in garden beds to cover bare patches of earth as a natural mulch alternative.

5

Origanum vulgare ‘Oregano’ gold and variegated forms.

Sweet potato plant

Rosmarinus officinalis prostrata ‘Creeping rosemary’

Grevillea ‘Fanfare’

Grevillea ‘Pink Midget’

Lobelia memebranacea

scented

Gardenia radicans: Gardenias are famous for their outstanding perfume and most are familiar with the various cultivars in the range of shrubs but there is a ground cover form named Gardenia radicans as well. Performing best in an acid soil and a semishaded location, the crisp typical white gardenia flowers are smaller than the shrubs but still have that amazing perfume.

6

Smaller living accommodation is a reality in today’s modern world with many young families living in apartments and townhouses within all major cities across Australia.

Noel Burdette

course, be mindful of how heavy they can be if you happen to live higher than the first floor and always check with your body corporate to see if large pots are allowed due to weight restrictions on balconies.

Accommodating the needs for green space around us is vital for our wellbeing and connection with nature.

Garden spaces don’t have to be on a large scale and some of the most innovative gardens are often to be found in smaller spaces where even the walls are utilized to their full extent.

If you only have a balcony or patio to call your own, then don’t be dissuaded in trying your hand in creating something both productive and beautiful.

By following a few guidelines, anyone can succeed in creating a garden that can fill the needs of an individual or small family.

The most obvious hurdle here is the lack of availability of garden soil, so the next best (and obvious) thing is to grow your plants in pots. Be generous when it comes to choosing your pots and containers to grow plants in this situation. The larger the container, the more they can accommodate. Of

With any pots, comes the need to fill them with potting mix and eventually the drainage aspect of water. Where possible, it is advisable to choose pots that are sold as ‘self-watering’. These specially designed containers will all have an in built water reservoir at their base and will reduce, or in most cases, eradicate excess water from draining onto the neighbours balconies below. There are many modern styles and colours these days that will fit into any décor and growing requirements.

The next choice is whether you wish to grow productive plants such as vegetables, herbs, dwarf fruit trees or ornamentals. Some balconies are even large and strong enough to accommodate small water features within their space.

If your balcony is roofed, then you should consider this element as the plants you choose will not receive natural rainfall or maybe even no direct overhead sun Troughs of herbs light which is beneficial to along a balco ny railin g make all productive plants. If your great us s e of spa balcony does happen ce.

7

Basket of Calibrachoa ‘Cabaret Yellow’.

Another way of enjoying plants on balconies is to have some well-placed hanging baskets filled with flowering cascading plants such as Petunias, Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus species) - semi-shade, Calibrachoa or the old fashioned Bridal veil (Gibasis geniculata) - semi shade.

to be shaded, then believe it or not, there are wonderful choices for some beautiful ornamental plants to provide a green oasis.

Plants such as Aspidistra (Cast Iron plant), Clivia lily, Chloraphytum (spider plant), Maranta (Prayer plant) and the Zanzibar gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are tough contenders for these shaded spaces and will bring a lush appearance to smaller balconies. If privacy is required then consider erecting a small lattice or trellis screen and encourage the beautiful Climbing Hoya or perfumed Stephanotis to intertwine through. These are not demanding and will take slightly drier conditions making them easy to grow and care for.

For those with a sun-drenched balcony, you can take one of two approaches to this.

One is to embrace the sun trap and turn your balcony into a Mediterranean style haven with the scent of Citrus, Lavender and a myriad of kitchen herbs like Basil and Thyme alongside ripening Cherry tomatoes, Capsicum and Chillies. What about some splashes of bright colour from Bird of paradise (Strelitzia Regina), the highly perfumed Gardenia or Ixora.

If the sun is just too much to handle over summer, then consider placing some generous sized containers filled with Citrus, small clumping bamboo Malay Dwarf (Bambusa heterostachya), Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima) or smaller deciduous trees such as Japanese maple (cool climates), Flowering prunus or some of the many beautiful Magnolia species.

Parlour Palm Many opt for the Golden cane palm as potted features on balconies and patios and although they can look lush and impressive while young, consider that these can grow to over six metres in height and will require repotting or giving away once they have quickly outgrown their containers.

If Palms are your thing, then take a closer look at the delicate Wedding Palm (Lytocaryum weddellianum), Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea Seifritzii), Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) or Dwarf growing Cascade palm (Chamaedorea Atroviren). With the exception of the smaller growing parlour palm which relishes dappled light, all of these will provide light shade and screening.

This rooftop designed garden uses planter boxes and screening plants for a private, interactive space.

8

Lemon Slice

Superbells® Series Calibrachoa Hybrid

Cherry Star

Pink

Flowering: Flower right through the warmer days from early spring to late autumn.

Habit: Prostrate with abundant, small petunia-like flowers. Cascading growth.

Size: 20cm H x 30cm W Position: They do best in full sun.

Features: Well suited to containers, baskets, patios and gardens. Continuous flowering.

Care: Allow the top of the soil to dry before watering again. Calibrachoas don’t like wet feet. Use Searles Peat 80 Plus if planting in baskets and pots. Fertilise with Searles Flourish every few weeks to promote more blooms. No dead heading necessary.

Tibouchina ‘Groovy Baby’

Tibouchina ‘Cool Baby’

Tibouchina ‘Cool Baby’ and Tibouchina ‘Groovy Baby’ are bred to perform well in cooler climates. Very hardy and easy to grow in most soil types. They give fast results in new gardens and can be made a feature in containers and pots for entertainment areas. Performs best in a moist, well drained soil. Fertilise up to twice per year after flowering (autumn/spring) using Searles Flourish® Soluble Plant Food. Protect from heavy frosts.

Tibouchina ‘Groovy Baby’

Flowering: Large, electric purple flowers abundantly adorn the plant throughout the warmer months providing stunning colour for entertaining areas.

Habit: One of the most compact forms of Tibouchina currently on the market.

Size: 45cm H x 45cm W. Position: Full sun to part shade.

Tibouchina ‘Cool Baby’

Flowering: Stunning large pink and white flowers adorn the bush throughout the warmer months.

Habit: Compact. Great for pots.

Size: 60cm H x 80cm W. Position: Full sun to part shade.

Grevillea ‘Dorothy Gordon’ Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ PROUD SUPPORTER OF MAKE-A-WISH® AUSTRALIA

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Flowering: Bears pink, nectar laden blooms for most of the year. Long lasting flowers are great for floral arrangements.

Habit: Large compact shrub. The foliage is fern like, showy green coloured with bronze new tips as the plant grows.

Size: 3m H x 3m W. Position: Plant in sunny gardens with well-draining soils.

Light shade is tolerable but flowering is not as heavy.

This outstanding Grevillea honours Dorothy Gordon, a renowned water colour artist and wife of Dave Gordon. It makes an outstanding feature plant in gardens around the coastal and inland areas of the country. This plant is an Australian native so fertilise with Robust® Native Plants Controlled Release Fertiliser for better plant growth and more blooms. Pruning should be done two or three times a year to keep the plant to the size and shape you need for your garden. Mulch well.

Dorothy Gordon is available in garden centres from late Autumn.

Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ New release for this March.

Flowering: Deep purple flowers right through the warmer months.

Habit: Large flower spikes grow above lush deep green foliage.

Size: 80cm H x 80cm spread.

Position: They do best in full sun.

Features: This fast growing plant is great for new gardens, large containers and low maintenance displays if planted en masse. Dry tolerant once established. Prune by one third to maintain shape.

La Rita ‘Banana Split’

La Rita ‘Magenta’

we

love La Rita ‘Rose’

La Rita ‘Yellow’

Argyranthemum ‘La Rita’ Range Flowering: Summertime. Flowers are great as cut flowers.

Habit: It has a uniform, compact habit with grey-green, deeply lobed leaves and flowers that stand bright and tall above the foliage in a range of fresh colours.

Size: 30-45cm H x 38-45cm spread.

Position: Full sun.

Colours: Banana split, yellow, pink, magenta, rose, latte macchiato, white & white beauty.

The series was developed by the German breeding company Selecta. LaRita has average water needs, but does need watering regularly, being careful not to overwater.

LaRita daisies are easy to grow, excelling in full sun and a moderately fertile soil. Highly suitable for growing in seaside gardens, containers, garden beds or landscapes.

LaRita is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Fertilise with Robust® Flower Booster Plant Food for more blooms.

This elegant Phalaenopsis is also called moth orchid. Blooms appear on long, arching stems for up to six months of the year.

Easy-care and highly recommended for beginners, they’re traditionally pink or white but now also flower in lavender, yellow, deep red and variegated forms. Give them plenty of light but not direct sunlight during the summer.

Orchids are among the most diverse plant species in the world with an equally diverse range of growing requirements. The key to growing them successfully is usually in choosing the right growing conditions and giving them the right levels of sunlight. In fact, an orchid grown in the right position can become the perfect ‘no maintenance plant’ that flowers beautifully year after year with very little attention.

Alana Searle

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When potted into pots, orchids require an open mix of specially graded pine bark to allow optimum air space as well as provide suitable water holding capacity. Ideally use Searles Dendrobium Orchid Mix for best results. Orchids only require re-potting every one to two years. They are happiest when their roots are dangling over the sides of the pot, so only repot them when they look like they are about to topple over.

In the wild, many varieties of orchid will grow onto a rock (lithophytic varieties) or in the bough of a tree (epiphytic varieties). These orchids usually derive the nutrients they require from the air, leaf & tree litter and from rainwater.

Orchids can be secured safely to a tree with a string or a strip of old rag (It’s important only to do this with trees that do not shed their bark).

All orchids need good air movement to help prevent disease and fungal problems. It also helps cool the plant in high humidity.

Orchids may need watering daily during hot, dry summers, but this should be cut right back considerably, maybe to once weekly, in winter.

Liquid fertilise prior to flower bud formation and up to and during flowering with either Searles Flourish Orchid Booster or Searles Flourish Orchid Bloomer every 7 to 14 days. Water diluted mix over foliage and potting mix.

What you need

Scheurich Cover Pot 808 ‘Rose’ Available from good garden centres

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Dendrobiums

- have no leaf drop, so they’re pretty easycare. Water generously in summer and keep them dry in winter. For beginners, try growing the soft-caned types in dappled shade. The floral emblem of Queensland, the Cooktown Orchid, is a dendrobium.

Oncidium Orchid ‘Dancing Ladies’.

Cattleyas Orchid

we

love Oncidiums - also called ‘dancing

ladies’ oncidiums grow in arching sprays of tiny flowers, typically patterned in yellow and brown. Give them bright shade and they enjoy humid conditions.

Oncidiums can be mounted onto bark or trees. Their hardiness makes them perfect for beginners. Don’t let them dry out but don’t overwater. Propagate by division.

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Autumn Hints & Tips

Correa ‘Canberra Bells’

Now is the time of year to plant sweet peas and although they are traditionally planted on St. Patrick’s Day, in warm climates they can be planted right through until the end of April. The correct preparation now will ensure a spectacular display right through into spring to share with loved ones.

Sweet peas love full sun and a rich soil. Find a sunny site and dig in plenty of organic fertiliser, such as 5IN1TM Organic Plant Food.

Sweet peas also love a slightly alkaline soil, so add some lime or dolomite to the soil before planting. Sweet peas like a soil pH of about 6–7, so if you have a pH test kit, test the soil to see if it needs lime or dolomite. Once the soil is limed, the lime will take effect slowly, so you will not be able to accurately measure the final result until a couple of weeks after application.

The next step is to make sure you have a good, strong trellis in place to support the sweet pea’s vigorous growth. Do this before planting the sweet pea seeds. This way you won’t disturb the seeds once they are planted.

Plant the seeds about 3cm deep and 7cm apart. This will give a good mass display. Once the seedlings have four sets of leaves, nip off the top of the plant to encourage more side shoots.

When fertilising sweet peas, it is important to remember that they make their own nitrogen and don’t like being fertilised with extra nitrogen. For excellent flowering, feed your sweet peas every 2 weeks with Searles Liquid Potash, which contains both phosphorus and potassium, from the time seedlings emerge right up until flowering and pick the blooms regularly to prolong the life of your plants.

ALL ZONES

Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ have stunning two tone red and cream bell-like flowers. This native Australian variety (1m x 1m) is the official plant of the centenary of Canberra 2013. Grow this plant for long lasting autumn colour and it’s hardy growing properties. Will tolerant periods of dryness, however occasional deep watering is recommended through extended periods of drought. Prune lightly after flowering and keep soil moist during flowering for maximum displays. They look great planted in mixed garden beds, native and water wise gardens in a full sun to part shade position. Mix into the soil before planting 5IN1TM Organic Plant food for better growth and flowering.

Now on Show

13

These stunning upstanding striked aloes are ideal to use in all garden styles to give structure and an injection of hot, vibrant colour throughout the cooler months. New hybrid aloes have been bred to flower longer, more profusely and earlier. They come in an array of shapes, sizes and forms from small, dainty perennials to large, tree like plants. Most of the new aloe hybrids need full sun to flower well, with the exception of a few which prefer part shade.

Autumn is a great time to plant strawberries for a long cropping season. 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.

Everywhere outside the tropics, new strawberry plants are best planted by late Autumn. (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 5IN1TM 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.

A light, free-draining soil is ideal. New aloe hybrids are more frost tolerant than traditional aloes.

ALL ZONES Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ (Banksia spinulosa) is a dwarf banksia (60cmW x 40cmH), perfect for low borders and patio pots. Its golden yellow ‘candles’ appear from late summer, through autumn and into winter, developing slowly over this time and eventually become spent banksia flower heads. Plant into pots of Searles Native Specialty Mix or dig this mix into existing garden soil before planting. Give it full sun and water potted plants regularly.

Tolerates moderate frosts and second line coastal conditions. Remove spent flower heads if preferred.

Maintain 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.

ALL ZONES Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’

For more info on strawberries visit http://www.aboutthegarden.com.au/index.php/ easy-as-strawberry-bag-planter/

David Grays Garden Problem Solvers

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

14

Autumn

ALL ZONES

Hints & Tips Cyclamen

...continued from page 13

The sweetly-perfumed flowers of cyclamen are a cool-season favourite. They can be grown as an indoor plant but will benefit from a spell outdoors under a shady tree. A cool, moist but well ventilated situation is best, so keep them away from heaters and reverse-cycle air conditioning.

Colour your home

Available in stores now are these high quality Scheurich pot covers. They come in an array of modern colours and styles to suit any home decor. Ask for them at your nearest garden centre or hardware store.

we

love Pictured Soft Bubbles - Pink

Now is the time to prune summer flowering trees and shrubs that have finished flowering and tidy up formal hedges after their fast summer growth. Apply a generous dose of Searles Kickalong Complete Organic Plant Food for a new season of healthy growth.

Pandorea jasminoides is a native climber with sweetly fragrant flowers which attract native bees and butterflies.

Will quickly cover 2m2; a light wire mesh support is ideal. Keep lightly pruned for shape and fresh growth.

Tolerates light frosts.

Plant cool climate springflowering bulbs like daffodil, iris and tulip (pictured) en masse now.

Many varieties can be planted as far north as Brisbane, but don’t put them in the ground before mid April in warmer areas or they may open before winter.

Pandorea jasminoides ‘Purity’

ALL ZONES

Gordonia is an exquisitely beautiful, large shrub or small shade tree that bears white, camellialike flowers in autumn.

Keep it well-watered in its early years and feed with Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia according to directions.

For more information on garden hint & tips and what’s on visit

www.aboutthegarden.com.au

15 Kalanchoe Flapjack

Giant Zig Zag Cactus

Potted succulents are well known for their low maintenance and eye catching qualities. Their variety of styles, shapes and colour make them a versatile plant to use in any type of garden situation from cottage and coastal gardens to a minimalistic potted specimen as a feature on the patio table. Whatever you use, here are some design ideas on how to plant them for effect!

Solo performer

For a feature in a pot or planted in the garden bed, choose either large architectural, clumping, cascading or tall succulents to draw the eye to that area. Use a pot shape and colour that will compliment in the succulent’s shape. Add some contrasting pebbles or gravel for mulch. Try agaves, flowering aloes, euphorbias and sanseverias.

All in together

Try mass planting many different coloured and shaped succulents together in the garden or a large low pot. Choose some succulents that flower and others for their foliage. You could also try mixing up different textured succulents (spiky, smooth, hairy or waxy) together.

Lastly and with no less importance, prepare the soil correctly with Searles Cacti & Succulent Specialty Mix for continued healthy growth and blooms.

Sedum

For more on succulents in pots, watch http://youtu.be/rvTucFYNUAs

Mandevilla’s lush, tropical-style foliage and bold flowers borne from spring until autumn in cooler zones and year-round in the tropics and subtropics make it an Aussie home gardens winner. Easy to train over a trellis, this non-aggressive climber grows equally well in pots or garden beds.

Give it full sun and protection from frosts.

Hanging baskets may be looking tired now after a long summer. Rejuvenate them by pruning off any dead or straggly stems and sprinkle some Searles Recharge, watering it in well. This fertiliser will feed plants for up to 6 months and reduce soil dryout.

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Callistemon ‘Wildfire’

Regional Garden Diary Darwin

Cairns Broome Townsville Whitsundays

N.T.

Mackay

Mt. Isa Longreach

Alice Springs Carnarvon

Emerald

Blackall

W.A.

Hervey Bay

QLD

Gympie Roma Toowoomba Warwick

Coober Pedy

Geraldton Kalgoorlie

Rockhampton Gladstone

S.A. Port Augusta

Perth

N.S.W.

Albany

Victor Harbour

North Queensland

Armidale

Orange

Adelaide

Gold Coast

Grafton Port Macquarie

Tamworth

Bunbury Esperance

Moree

Sunshine Coast

Brisbane

Newcastle

Sydney

Canberra Wodonga

Vic.

Mt Gambier

Tropical — Wet & Dry Tropics

Melbourne

Tas.

Hobart

Flowers

Sow ageratum, aster, balsam, carnation, celosia, chrysanthemum, cockscomb, coleus, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, gerbera, impatiens, kangaroo paw, African marigold, French marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, torenia, verbena, wallflower and zinnia.

REGIONAL ZONES Tropical Subtropical Temperate Cool Mediterranean Arid

Herbs

Plant basil, coriander, garlic, garlic chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme and winter tarragon.

Fruit & Vegetables

Sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melons, mustard, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini.

More advice...

Prepare garden beds around Easter for planting flowers and vegetables. Plant annuals now for winter colour. Mulch gardens well to keep the weeds and soil dry-out at bay.

Knifophia

Commonly known as ‘red hot pokers’, these hardy plants are spectacular in autumn when they burst into flamboyant floral ‘pokers’ of red, yellow, orange or lime green.

They look best in garden beds behind lower growing plants.

Trim summer-flowering natives to remove spent flowers, deadwood and to keep them compact. Apply Searles Robust® Native Plants Controlled Release Fertiliser for 6 months continued growth. Mulch well.

South-east Qld & Northern NSW Subtropical — Coastal

Flowers

Sow ageratum, alyssum, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, coreopsis, cornflower, cyclamen, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, Iceland poppy, impatiens, marigold (English), pansy, snapdragon, sweet pea and viola.

Herbs

Plant chervil, chicory, coriander, fennel, garlic bulbs, lavender, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rocket, sage, sorrel, rosemary, thyme, winter tarragon and yarrow.

Fruit & Vegetables

Plant broad beans, broccoli, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, shallots, spinach, spring onion and turnip.

More advice...

Camellia and rose season is upon us again. If there were varieties you were after last season and couldn’t find them, your local nursery may order them in if you ask for them, now. If your azaleas have petal blight, remove affected blooms and spray with Searles Mancozeb Plus. Later in the season, prepare garden beds for roses by mixing in plenty of 5IN1™.

Sydney

ALL ZONES

Temperate areas

Spring is usually considered the time to plant evergreen trees, but autumn is also excellent because it allows roots time to establish a little before winter. This means trees are better prepared for growth when spring arrives.

Most evergreen trees including citrus trees will benefit from being planted now. In frostprone areas however, avoid planting trees that are frost tender when young.

Flowers

Plant alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, cornflower, cosmos, daisy, foxglove, lobelia, nasturtium, nemesia, pansy, poppy, primula, schizanthus, snapdragon, sweet pea and viola.

Herbs

Plant coriander, garlic bulbs, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme and winter tarragon.

More advice...

Remove spent summer annuals.

Prolong flowering on remaining annuals by dead-heading and applying Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food every fortnight. Broccoli should be ready to start harvesting. Grow English spinach fast with regular watering and a fortnightly application of SeaMax® Fish & Kelp. Mulch to suppress cool climate weeds which will be starting to emerge now. Choose sasanqua camellias while in flower. Now is the time to choose winter colour. Sow a new lawn or lay turf. Plant springflowering bulbs. Start ordering from your rose wish list for winter.

Cabbage

Melbourne Cold & Southern Tableland areas

Flowers

Plant ageratum, alyssum, cineraria, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, Iceland poppy, lobelia, lupin, marigold, pansy, petunia, phlox, primula, stock, verbena, wallflower and zinnia.

Herbs

Plant basil, chives, coriander, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme.

Fruit and vegetables

Plant beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, English spinach, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, silver beet, spring squash, swede, sweet corn, tomato, turnip and zucchini. Plant all citrus including mandarines, lemons, limes, oranges and kumquats. Plant avocado, persimmon, loquat, olive and feijoa trees.

More advice...

Autumn is a great time to plant cool season vegetable, such as brassicas, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegies prefer an alkaline soil, so prepare garden beds by digging in garden lime - along with plenty of 5IN1™ for good nutrition - at least two weeks before planting. If you’re limited for space, miniature varieties of these vegies can be grown in pots with Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix.

Flowers

Plant ageratum, alyssum, cineraria, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, Iceland poppy, lobelia, lupin, marigold, pansy, petunia, phlox, primula, stock, verbena, wallflower and zinnia. Prune spring-flowering shrubs. Trim spent roses with long stems. Deadhead flowering annuals to keep them flowering.

Herbs

Plant chives, coriander, marjoram, oregano, mustard and parsley.

Fruit & Vegetables

Plant broad beans, English spinach, cabbage, cress, leek, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, shallot, spinach, green beans and peas. Plant citrus now for strong growth in spring.

Adelaide, Perth

Mediterranean Climate

Snap off withered rhododendron trusses. Watch potted house plants for dry-out and feed with diluted SeaMax® Fish & Kelp when watering.

Apply Searles Flourish Tomato & Vegetable fortnightly for tastier vegetables and bigger blooms. Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids, snails and caterpillars. Buy maples (which are in autumn colour, now).

Fertilise fruit trees.

Fruit and vegetables

Boronia, carnation, dianthus, gypsophila, hollyhock, inpatiens, lobelia, marigold, pansy and viola.

More advice...

Keep rose well fed for more blooms with Searles Rose & Flower Plant Food.

Inland Areas

Arid or Outback areas

Flowers

Sow chrysanthemum, cockscomb, cosmos, dahlia, everlasting daisy, gazania, geranium, gerbera, impatiens, kangaroo paw, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, torenia, verbena, wallflower and zinnia.

Herbs

Plant chervil, chives, chicory, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic bulbs, lavender, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, sorrel, rosemary, thyme, winter tarragon and yarrow.

Fruit and vegetables

Plant broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cauliflower, citrus, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, shallot, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, tomato and turnip.

More advice...

Fertilise all gardens and lawns with an organic fertiliser such as 5IN1™. Apply Searles Penetraide Re-Wetting Granules to allow better water penetration. Plant citrus and natives before the cooler weather. Plant winter-flowering annuals in pots now.

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For a long harvest throughout the cooler months, it pays to prepare your soil and get your crop in early.

Here’s how to grow some of your favourite coolseason crops with the minimum of fuss...

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 5IN1TM 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

Young beetroot leaves are edible and extremely nutritious. Use them in a salad in place of lettuce with a little dressing.

Ashley Searle

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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 flowers 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. Beetroot will grow best in a loose, fairly sandy soil. They are not fussy however, and will also grow well in clay soils. If your soil is acidic, liberally lace it with lime and organic matter two weeks before planting and dig it in well.

Beetroot seeds contain a tough outer coat, so soak them in water overnight before planting. The best beetroot will grow in a bed which has been trenched to a depth of 10cm with a sprinkling of Searles Kickalong Vegetable & Herb Organic Plant Food in the bottom and then half-filled with good quality soil.

Sow the seeds or position the seedlings 8cm apart on top and backfill with 5cm of soil. Finally, water well. Beetroot can also be grown in containers, following the same planting principles. Thin out emerging seedlings once they are 3cm high and keep them moist to ensure a crisp, plump crop; otherwise the flesh can become woody. Beetroots will benefit from a monthly fertiliser application of Searles Liquid Potash.

Few ailments bother beetroot. Brown spots on older leaves indicate a fungal condition but this is a minor problem and the unaffected leaves and roots can still be eaten.

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.

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Plant potato by early autumn in frostprone areas so they can mature before frost. Only use certified virus-free potato seed and plant in an open, full sun 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, spread a thick layer of Searles Real Compost and Searles Cow Manure, water well and cover with mulch and wet newspaper. Two weeks later, lift the mulch and newspaper 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.

Water your potatoes regularly and apply SeaMax® Fish & Kelp every fortnight, especially in the first 6 to 10 weeks as this is when the tubers are forming.

Potatoes will be ready for harvest at around 12–20 weeks or when the foliage starts to die down, but you can sneak

Autumn and Winter are the great time to plant onions. They tolerate poor soils and dislike fresh fertiliser. Good drainage is essential — raised beds in an open, airy position can be ideal. Larger varieties need full sun and can tolerate wind. Small varieties can be grown in pots and can tolerate part shade. Plant seed to the depth recommended on the packet and tamp the soil down gently around them.

Thin the seedlings if there is more than one in each hole. Don’t cover maturing onions with soil if they break through the surface — this may rot them. Maintain even moisture levels but don’t overwater.

Stop watering when leaves start to yellow and harvest when their green tops have dried off and become limp and brown.

After digging them up, leave them in a dry, sunny position to harden off, then

some out beforehand. This is a popular practice and sometimes referred to as ‘bandicooting’.

Some of the diseases that affect potatoes - such as potato scab - only become apparent at harvest time when you find you have quite a reduced crop.

Make sure you practice crop rotation by planting in a different bed each season and only plant certified disease-free tubers as most of these diseases cannot be treated. If spotted lady beetle makes an appearance, use a pyrethrum-based spray on the foliage.

There has been a resurgence in recent times of some of the more interesting and gourmet varieties of potatoes.

Some potato varieties are:

Spunta, Kipfler, Sapphire, Purple Congo, Pink eye, King Edward, Nicola, Desiree, Pontiac, Toolangi Delight, Sebago, Dutch cream, Pink Fir Apple, Kennebec, Bintje and Coliban. Some of these varieties may be easier to find than others, so enquire at your local seed potato supplier to find out what is available. Some varieties may need to be ordered.

remove any excess roots and stem. String them in bundles or open weave bags and store in a well-ventilated room.

Thrips can cause white spotting on the foliage. Combat these insects with Searles Bug Beater.

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Sapphire – The most spectacular purple potato with delicious rich purple flesh that maintains its colour when cooked.

Pontiac – Large round. Red skin with crisp white flesh.

Spunta – Elongated. Yellow skin with yellow flesh.

Pink Fir Apple – Pale, pink skin and creamy flesh.

Cranberry Red – Round. Red skin with delightful pink flesh.

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Ripe Brown Turkey Figs.

The common fig (Ficus carica) is a deciduous, large shrub or small tree, typically growing to a height of 3 or 4 metres.

It originates from south-west Asia and is believed to have been distributed by humans through the Mediterranean from Afghanistan to Portugal in ancient times.

Fig trees love a hot, fairly dry climate so are ideal for most parts of Australia, where they can be planted at any time of year. They need full sun but dislike strong winds, so choose a sheltered position if this is an issue in your area.

Although they grow happily in alkaline soils, they especially enjoy a compostrich, slightly acidic soil, so don’t hesitate to dig plenty of 5IN1TM into the soil before planting. Good drainage is essential, so if you have heavy, clay soil, build up soil in mounds to improve drainage or plant on a slope where water will drain away easily in wet weather. Figs enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, so don’t overwater during the summer. Excessively wet weather or overwatering during fruit set can cause the fruit to split. They can also be sensitive to frost when young, so be prepared to protect them with a towel or shade cloth if necessary, for their first 1–3 winters. Once established, they can tolerate quite heavy frosts.

Most fig trees produce two crops annually.

The first crop is known as the Breba crop and usually has larger fruit but a smaller yield. The second crop is called the Higos crop and is considered the main crop for the year.

If you have more than one type of tree, make sure you label them with their variety.

White Adriatic

Figs developing

.

Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers as this will encourage excess leaf production at the expense of fruit. Fertilise with Searles Kickalong Organic Fruit & Flower each season for best results.

Figs are very perishable and fresh fruit are best eaten within days of picking for best quality. Figs are ready to harvest when they droop rather than stand erect on their stems and should feel soft when given a gentle squeeze. The fruit may split slightly and the ‘eye’ at the base of the fruit may form a small opening and ooze a sweet syrup.

Hold the fig from the stem and twist-pull gently to remove it. Ripe fruit can be stored in the fridge for several days, but don’t wash it until it is ready to be eaten. Figs can be harvested when almost ripe and allowed to ripen at room temperature. Unripe fruit that is picked prematurely will ooze a milky, latex sap from the stem and will never ripen properly.

Judicious pruning can encourage a more compact and productive tree. A newlyplanted tree with a single stem should be pruned 60cm from the ground to encourage branching out, then three of the resulting stems should be selected to form the main framework. Fruit are born on the axils of leaves on the current season’s wood. Encourage vigorous fruiting by cutting back each season’s growth by about one third each winter.

Figs are affected by few pests and diseases if given a warm, sunny position and well drained soil. If figs are affected by fruit fly, erect Searles Fruit Fly Traps to curtail these pests. Leaf-eating beetles can be controlled with Searles Bug Beater. Wildlife love to feed on the ripe fruit, so net tree before fruit ripens with a wildlife friendly net.

For delicious recipes using the featured vegetables visit

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Recipe Pages

Ingredients:

4 white fish fillets 4 tblsp plain flour 1 bunch or Silverbeet, finely sliced 4 shallots, finely sliced 4 tblsp butter 1 ½ cup chicken stock

1 clove garlic, crushed 1 ½ cups dry white wine 1 cup pure cream Salt and Pepper 2 tblsp fresh chopped Dill Roast potatoes to serve

Method:

Preheat oven to 220° C. Cube or wedge potatoes, toss in 2 tblsp olive oil and roast for approx. 45 – 50 mins till golden brown.

To cook the spinach: Heat 2 tblsp butter in a large, deep fry pan. On a medium heat, sauté half the shallots until transparent. Add sliced spinach and toss through. Add 1 cup of stock and simmer until spinach is cooked through.

tine Fish FlorenServes 4

For the sauce: Heat 2 tblsp butter in a saucepan.

On a medium heat, sauté the remaining shallots and garlic until transparent. Add the wine and reduce by half.

Add cream and remaining stock and simmer till thick, approx. 15 mins. Season and stir through the dill.

For more great recipes, visit www.aboutthegarden.com.au

For more great recipes by Chef Louise Dolben www.breadandbuttermum.wordpress.com

Assemble as per picture.

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Our top 4 sasanquas

This beautiful plant features large, semi-double flowers, deep rose shading to red at the petal edges borne on a tall, bushy shrub (approx.

2-3m) Ideal for screens, hedging, large containers and espaliers. Loves a sunny or partly shaded position protected from strong winds.

The right pH

Camellia sasanqua ‘Exquisite’ produces masses of large single pink flowers. They make a great display grouped together and are brilliant on their own.

Evergreen shrubs to 3m with beautiful displays of flowers in autumn and early winter. Tall and fast growing. Is often used for espalier work.

we

love

Camellia sasanqua ‘Lucinda’ displays semi double rose pink flowers with a loose petaloid centre. This camellia has a medium upright growth that makes it an ideal choice for hedging and espalier. Blooms last longer than most. Able to withstand morning sun in winter.

Suitable for growing in pots.

Camellia sasanqua ‘Jennifer Susan’ is a spectacular flowering evergreen ornamental shrub which bears medium size informal double pink flowers. Its fast upright growth makes it great for use in gardens, hedges or pots. Loves to be planted in a full sun to part shade position.

Camellias are famous for being ‘acid-loving’ plants, which means they dislike soils with a pH higher than 7. In most parts of Australia, 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 Plant Food will help maintain the ideal level of soil acidity for camellias, as well as providing all the nutrients needed for excellent growth, vigour and flowering. For growing successful camellias in pots and in gardens, mix into the soil Searles Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Specialty Mix.

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Protect herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife.

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Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) tunnels through the young leaves of citrus trees which creates silvery lines. Finally, it curls the leaf into a shelter and pupates within. This can severely distort the leaves, but mature trees are not likely to be seriously damaged. To protect young trees, spray new growth thoroughly with Searles Pest Gun.

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Enquiries: Phone: (02) 9589 0703. Fax: (02) 9589 0147 Thrips damage These two sap-sucking villians, thrips on a rose. and mealy bugs are at their peak in

Mealy bug on a maidenhair fern

Autumn. Thrips are tiny (about 2mm long) insects that attack roses, azaleas, fruit trees, tomatoes, onions and beans.

Thrips also spread plant viruses, so bin affected branches. Mealy bugs feed by sucking sap from plants but tend to only become serious pests in the presence of ants, who feed on their sugary secretions.

Ants will protect them from predators and spread them from plant to plant. Severe infestations can cause leaf drop. For organic control of thrips and mealy bugs, use Searles Bug Beater or for 3–4 week residual control use Searles Conguard.

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