February in the Garden

As I gaze over my garden this summer evening, I am seduced by the rich abundance of perfume and colour that excites the senses. The heavenly scent of Gardenias, Bouvardias, Star Jasmine and fresh mown lawn all fill the air with magical summer fragrance. The rich  palate of colour that lies before me, pastel pinks, mauves and soft apricots of  roses like Grace, Abraham Darby, Eglantine (David Austin’s)  the French roses (Delbards)  Nahema and Soeur Emmanuelle to name a few. Entwined with Salvias, Buddleia, and Lavenders. There is an  extraordinary diversity of colour and texture with Dahlias. All of this helps to build a rich tapestry that rejuvenates my soul.

As history would have it, the first week in February is always a hot one. Remember the first week back to school, heat wave, new shoes, stiff collared uniforms and no air-conditioning, memories! I look around the garden and what’s immediately obvious? Things are starting to get a little dry, spoilt with the earlier rains. I have become a little complacent, so just a reminder to give the garden beds a good deep watering enabling these plants to get through these long hot summer days, checking irrigation systems and drip lines. Some soils can become hydrophobic, so I have treated  them with Saturaid  which will help by drawing the water down  deeper into the soil, encouraging deeper rooting. I have also topped up mulch where it’s wearing  a little thin.

Soon I will give the roses a  summer  prune.  By reducing  floribunda and  hybrid by around 20 - 30% it will keep them more compact and will lengthen there flowering period well into autumn. In conjunction with pruning, remember to feed your roses. I suggest Poyntons Blooming Roses fertilizer, along with a fortnightly  application of Charlie Carp liquid fertilizer applied to foliage and roots. I have been using Eco rose and have found it to be fantastic for keeping black spot and powdery mildew under control. This season has been particularly bad for these types of  fungus, due to the humid weather. All of these things will insure that my roses will continue to delight for weeks to come.

My focus is now on my vegetable beds. Summer crops although still producing, will soon be coming to an end. I will need to start making preparation for my Autumn / Winter crops;  broccoli, baby broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages and onions. A good top dressing of Grow Better Organic pellet fertilizer as well as added compost (pure magic) or Poyntons planting mix, with a dusting of dolomite lime all worked in to enrich the bed. After resting for a week or two it will be ready for me to plant out my seedlings.

Enjoy!                           In Grants garden.

 Rose Nahema (Delbard)                                                                  Lavender Violet Lace

 Poyntons Blooming Roses Fertiliser 1.5kg  $14.95                               Charlie Carp Liquid Feriliser 500ml  $9.95