Gardening In July

Gardening In July

By month / By Catscapes Landscapes

July and August are far from sleepy months in the garden. It’s time to admire cool-weather flowerings, prune and prepare for the botanical explosion to come. Let Cats capes landscapes create the garden of your dreams.

SHARPEN THE SECATEURS AND GET PRUNING!

The first chore in winter gardening, in all but frosty areas, is rose pruning. Be bold, leaving only an open framework of three or four main stems. Spray these and the surrounding soil with lime sulfur to clean up pests and diseases.

Other plants to prune when bare include hydrangeas, wisteria and grapes. Early August is the best time to give gardenias their main pruning.

Cuttings of frangipanis will make instant new trees; leave them to dry for a few weeks, then pot or plant into a sandy mix, adding stakes for support.

Cut ornamental grasses almost to ground level to rejuvenate.

PREPARE PLANTS FOR WHAT’S TO COME

Although many plants are resting, spring bulbs, winter-flowering natives and shrubs that flower in early spring are growing actively. Keep these watered and fertilised for peak performance.

Feed citrus in late July, using an all-purpose citrus fertiliser. Keep sowing carrots, spring onions, leeks, broad beans, radishes, English spinach and peas.

If you haven’t planted asparagus and rhubarb crowns yet, don’t delay. Strawberries can also go in now. Start seeds of tomatoes, eggplant and capsicum on a warm windowsill, ready for planting when the soil warms up.