Getting into the Garden

34 Getting into the garden with Central Landscapes Silverdale and Living Earth

Get your garden Ready! It’s the Grand Annual Central Landscapes Millwater Gardening Competition! Judged November 2015

Enter into the following categories:

Best Lawn - On the hunt for Millwater’s best ‘bowling green’ lawn!

How to get your competition lawn garden ready:

•Moss – Now that it is winter, check your lawn for moss. Moss is a shallow rooted plant that can indicate water-logging, or if more persistent could be due to poor soil preparation (new lawn) or if established, Acidic pH, too much shade, poor drainage or compacted all contribute. This means for grass it thins out and the moss moves in. Not to mention it will look patchy! Get in early and treat with Sulphate of Iron, then once it warms up in August, apply a lawn fertiliser

•Porina caterpillar – What’s eating my grass? They’re living in the soil and coming out after dusk to eat the grass. Investigate how many you have by digging several small squares – if you find plenty, treat with Neem Granules. Water in and hope the next bite of grass is the last one the caterpillar takes! The grass roots may not be dead and may re-grow in spring, however, you might want to over-sow as well, to ensure your lawn is the best in the competition!

Best Veggie Garden – We’re looking for Millwater’s ultimate foodie, who loves feeding from the garden to the kitchen, soil to plate!

Contrary to popular belief you can start a veggie garden in winter! Here is how:

•Start in elevated beds – in planter boxes, pots or raised beds for warmer soil. Fill containers and beds with Living Earth Organic (Biogro) Certified Veggie Mix to nourish the plants with natural and organic fertilisers and compost

•Plant in the sunlight – It is especially important in the winter that your vegetables and herbs get several hours of sunlight to warm the tops enough to grow

•Plant – Hardy crops like silver beet, spinach varieties, pak-choy, brassicas (cabbages, broccoli) and broad beans are all good stalwarts in the cold. If it’s really warm and sheltered you could sow carrots, sugar snap peas and radish seeds

Best Overall Garden – One stunning garden masterpiece experience from the design to the perfect planting!

•What is your garden style? Do you love bold, formal and traditional gardens? Or, the eclectic, cottage and colourful look? Maybe it’s a sustainable modern approach that cares for the environment we live in? Get designing and laying out your beautiful home landscape. Winter is the perfect time to get planning

•Google your perfect garden inspiration, then head to Central Landscapes, the garden specialists, for their knowledge in getting your dream underway. And, down the road, Kings Plant Barn will help inspire with beautiful plants

•Prune your favourite roses and hydrangeas now, then spread beautiful, rich Living Earth Organic Compost around everything