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"In the Garden" with Jane Edmanson
August 2010  

Some seeds of the snail creeper (Phaseolus) arrived in the mail, and I will certainly grow them as it is a most interesting flower, light mauve and white curled up like a snail. And what a perfume. It is one of those unusual plants that always creates a comment. Gardeners are always on the hunt for something different, even challenging, to grow – spring is around the corner, and there is plenty to do so make the most of this month.

From now on the diverse range of Australian plants comes into flower, and there is such a huge range of tall, medium and small native shrubs to grow from every garden situation.   One wattle that is ideal for a smallish space is Acacia drummondii with masses of golden yellow  ‘rod’ shaped flowers, on a bush that grows approximately one metre high.

Look out for the heath banksia (B. ericifolia), always a quick growing beauty to fill a spot by the fence.   With its colourful orange flowers it is guaranteed to attract wattlebirds and other native birds seeking out the nectar.

It is time to be planting bulbs such as gladioli, dahlias, liliums, hippeastrum and nerines for summer and autumn flowering.

Dig some Amgrow Organix Lime into a spot in the vegie bed and plant long keeping onions.  Dig the ground over well so it has no large clods.

Plant broad beans, cabbage, lettuce, silver beet and asparagus.  It is probably a little early for tomatoes (unless you put them under protective cover of plastic or glass).  Peas can be sown now, do not over-water the seeds until they germinate.

Potatoes can be planted now, always select quality certified seed potatoes.  Dig the soil over thoroughly, and plant in rows about 40 -60 cm apart, and 10 - 15 cm deep.  Spread a generous amount of all Garden King All Purpose Plant Food around and water deeply once a week, but do not overwater.   I  is best to apply an extra side dressing of potash about 30 days after green shoots grow.

A lot of lemon tree leaves and other citrus such as mandarins, cumquats or grapefruit can have yellow leaves at this time.   It is usual at the end of winter, and just be prepared to feed these plants in coming weeks with Garden King Citrus food or a complete fertiliser.

Plenty of summer flowering annuals can be sown, especially if you have a cold frame or glasshouse for a bit of extra heat.   Examples that can be sown from now on: carnation, Californian poppy, cosmos, impatiens, African marigold.

Fuchsias should be cut back hard, at least down into the old wood.  Fuchsia ‘Corrallie’ flowers practically all year but do prune it now as all fuchsias flower better with a prune.

Helleborus (Lenten roses) are in full flower, making wonderful ground covering plants in partial shade.   Float the flowers in a bird bath, or indoors in a bowl as they are in beautiful shades of cream or mauve-purple.