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January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

GROWTH AND WATERING BY SEASON:

December - January

Water normally
Plants growing new leaves
Can use liquid feed now
Stake and tie taller plants
Watch for caterpillars

February - May

Water normally
Buds and flowers develop
Continue tying
Watch for caterpillars
Watch for mildew

Early June

Place pot out of rain
Stop watering completely
Leaves and stems yellow

July

Cut off yellowed leaves and stems to 10 -1 5cm
Place pot on it's side out of rain - mix is completely dry

August - September

Pot on its side
Potting mix completely dry
All stems fallen off
Tuber is dormant, usually not visible above mix

Mid to Late September

Shake old potting mix off tuber.
Pot tuber right way up 1 cm deep in new potting mix with slow release fertilizer.
Very important - keep mix just moist (not normal watering)

October - November

Keep potting mix just moist (not normal watering)
Tuber sprouts new stems and roots
Water normally only when leaves are 8-10cm high

Note: normal watering for tuberous begonias means to water thoroughly directly onto the potting mix (not the foliage). It's time to water your plant when the top of the potting mix is thoroughly dry. The time between watering varies according to plant size and weather conditions. If the expected temp exceeds about 30 deg C you should water your plant.

Month: August

Hint:

• Prune Hibiscus trim deciduous trees.
• Prune Camellias and Lasiandra.
• Gently prune Fuchsia and Geranium to encourage thicker growth.
• Trim winter flowering plants.
• Plant berry fruits.
• Plant a passionfruit vine.
• Last planting of deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Feed Roses to encourage growth.
• Sow seeds for:
  • English Daisy, Larkspur, Lobelia, Nasturtium
  • Snapdragon, Salvia, Verbena, Ageratum, Marigold
  • Phlox, Camation, Petunia, Portulacea, Balsam, Aster and Zinnia

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Month: October

Hint:

• Plant gladioli corms for a colourful display in 100 days time.
• Plant summer flowering bulbs and annuals.
• Begin planting dahlia tubers for a summer display
• Begin mulching garden to retain moisture and lessen weed growth.
• Use manure, blood and bone, plus compost when planting out. Apply liquid fertilizer to seedlings and plants in flower.
• Use snail pellets to control slugs and snails. Make bait safe for cats and dogs.
• Look for aphids and black spot on Roses and shrubs.
• Plant seedlings in hanging baskets or pots for display on patios. Varieties such as Petunias, Convolvulus, Vinca and Lobelia.
• Trim Lemon and other citrus trees.
• Trim Camellias for bushy growth. Azaleas can also be trimmed.
• In the garden plant Petunias, Marigolds, Dahlias and Gladioli.
• It is still a good time to plant Roses.
• Plant
  • Beans, Tomatoes, Capsicum, Cucumber, Squash, Sweet Corn, Zucchini, Marrows
  • Rockmelon, Watermelon. Tomatoes
  • Capsicums and Zucchinis should not be planted out until all danger of frost has passed.
• Stagger planting of Tomatoes so that they yield over a longer period.
• Plant herbs such as Parsley, Sage, Basil and Thyme.
• Adjust lawn mower blades lower but do not scalp the grass. Remove weeds or spray. New lawns can still be planted. Feed lawns with fertilizer
• Feed fruit and citrus trees.
• Spray bindii in lawns with weed killer.
• Tackle the weeds.
• Trim hibiscus.
• Spray azaleas for petal blight
• Trim wattles and other ornamental shrubs that have finished flowering.
• Check outdoor pot plants as they will dry out quicker in the warmer, windier weather.
• Plunge pot plants into a bucket of water for several minutes to ensure there are no dry pockets in the potting mix.
• Remove spent annuals such as primula and poppies. Replace with cosmos and zinnias.
• Prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish flowering.

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Month: November

Hint:

• Sow a new lawn or repair lawn so that it is established before summer.
• Repot house plants.
• Feed citrus trees with potassium fertilizer.
• Move cymbidium orchids under shade cloth on Cup Day.
• Check watering system in readiness for summer.
• Trim and prune hedges.
• Look for aphids and black spot on roses and shrubs.
• Prune camellias after flowering.
• Late planting of tomatoes, zucchini, marrow, sweet corn.
• Plant annuals such as petunias, impatiens, cosmos, zinnias.
• Remove spent annuals that are past their peak such as primula and poppies.
• Weed lawns and spray to eradicate clover and bindi.
• Add lawn clippings to compost bin.
• Start a herb garden in a large pot near the back door
• Sweet peas can be grown in a bed by planting under a tripod of 3 tall stakes.
• Trim back spring flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming to maintain shape.

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Month: December

Hint:

• Start mulching the garden making sure the soil is moist before spreading the mulch.
• Finish all your mulching this month for the hot weather.
• Mulch around the base of hydrangeas to protect them from heat.
• Mulch the more tender herbs and water deeply.
• Water deeply. Early in the morning or late at night.
• Encourage extra flowers on your roses by picking the flowers. Cut at the second shoot.
• Lightly prune Roses and feed with Rose food, Dynamic Lifter or animal manure.
• Trim hedges, Fuchsias, Pelargonium, Geranium.
• Plant Autumn flowering seedlings. Balsam, Cosmos, Zinnia, Aster. Do not let seedlings dry out.
• Pinch out growing tips of chrysanthemums for more flowers.
• Cut back variegated plants by 5-10 cm to induce new growth.
• Plant sweet corn, zucchini and pumpkins.
• Plant shrubs such as hydrangeas, fuchsias, gardenias and impatiens.
• Watch for insects and caterpillars on vegetable. Dust or spray when necessary.
• Raise height of mower blades to maintain growth over Summer.
• Fruit trees may need bird netting to protect your crop.
• Foliar feed shrubs.

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Month: January

Hint:

• Prune flowering natives that have finished flowering by about 300mm.
• Take cuttings from azaleas, hibiscus, fuchsias, and pelargonium.
• Scatter seed from spent annual such as columbines, foxgloves and poppies.
• Leave lawn clippings on lawn to rot down. Spread to a thin layer.
• Gardenias with yellow leaves should be treated with chelated iron.
• In a bush fire area, remove leaf litter and clean out the spouting.
• Feed plants with soluble fertilizer.
• Roses, hibiscus, fuchsias and vegetables should be fertilized. Water in well.
• Herb garden plants can be trimmed.
• Native trees begin to drop their bark. Use as a mulch around plants.
• Keep adding mulch around plants to reduce water loss.
• Trim spent flowers off Roses and annuals.
• Trim or prune Azaleas.
• Pick Tomatoes as they begin to ripen.
• Check for insects on vegetables. Spray or dust for white fly, caterpillars, aphids, cabbage moth and white butterfly.
• Water as required your plants in the early morning preferably, or in the cool of the evening, using deep-watering techniques 2-3 times per week.
• Plant autumn annuals.
• Begin summer pruning of roses for autumn display.
• Trim callistemon behind the flower as they finish flowering.
• Cutback lavender after flowering.
• Deadhead all summer flowering plants that have finished flowering.

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Month: February

Hint:

• Trim camellias and fuchsias to maintain shape.
• Remove dead flowers from roses and daisies.
• Prepare garden beds for bulbs and Winter/Spring seedlings.
• Dig in manure and blood and bone.
• Mulch vegetable garden to reduce water loss.
• Water plants in the evening, never during the day.
• Water fruit trees deeply. Feed citrus trees.
• Start planning your spring bulb display.
• Begin lifting, dividing and cutting back bearded iris and replant young shoots.
• Prune hydrangeas by cutting back to a healthy bud.
• Cut back unruly growth of climbers.
• Stone fruit trees can be summer pruned after you have finished picking the fruits.
• Lemon trees can be lightly pruned.
• Keep pinching out laterals and generally reduce foliage on tomatoes.

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Month: March

Hint:

• It is important to keep watering, keep an eye out for dry spots in the garden.
• Lawns and parts of the garden may be allowed to dry out to save water, but never neglect the vegetable garden.
• Vegetables and fruit need water.
• Passionfruit must be watered thoroughly to produce juicy fruit.
• Trim back rampant climbers, such as wisteria, after they have finished flowering.
• Bearded iris should be lifted and divided every two years.
• Deadhead roses for a continuing display.
• Prune
  • geraniums
  • pelagoniums
  • choisya
  • virburnum
  • wisteria
  • jasmine
  • lavender
  • native
  • frangipani
  • gypsophila
  • maples
  • birches
  • walnut trees.
• Remove excess lower leaves from tomatoes to expose ripening fruit. Tomatoes, picked as they turn pink, will ripen on the windowsill.
• Cut back summer flowering perennials that have finished flowering.
• Plant for Winter-Spring colour:
  • Primulas
  • Poppies
  • Polyanthus
  • Pansies
• Plant Winter and Spring vegetable crops
  • Lettuce
  • Silverbeet
  • Spinach
  • Broad Beans
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
• Bulbs are a highlight of spring gardens and now is bulb planting time. They look good in pots or containers or in large natural-looking clumps in the garden.
• Place Hyacinths and Tulips in the fridge crisper now for 5-6 weeks.
• Take cuttings from:
  • Azaleas
  • Camellias
  • Geraniums
  • Rhododendrons
  • Lavender
  • many native plants
• Fertilize lawns and citrus trees, making sure the fertiliser is watered into the soil.
• Pinch off the flower heads of basil to prolong its growing season.

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Month: April

Hint:

• Rake up autumn leaves to use as mulch or add to your compost.
• Shred the leaves if possible or run over them with the lawn mower.
• If rain has fallen watch for snails and slugs around new seedlings.
• Time to take cuttings of conifers and native plants.
• Cut dead flower heads off hydrangeas.
• Flowering plants should be fertilized to encourage good blooms later in the year.
  • Plant Primula
  • Fox Gloves
  • Carnations
  • Stocks,
  • Sweet peas.
• A great time to plant before the weather and soil turn cold.
• Place Tulip and other bulbs in refrigerator for a month.
• Plant other spring bulbs.
• Prune Geraniums and Pelargonium, cutting back very hard.
  • Use cuttings to create new plants.
• For Winter colour, plant Azaleas and Camellias.
• Ready the vegetable garden for broad beans, peas. Stagger the planting times.
  • Plant lettuce
  • silver beet
  • cauliflower
  • broccoli
  • cabbage
  • spinach
  • onion.
• Feed and aerate lawns. April is a good time to think about starting a new lawn.
• Plant trees and shrubs while the soil is still warm for growth before winter.
• Lift Liliums and Gladiolus after flowering is finished and store in a dry place.
• Remove summer annuals and prepare soil for new plantings.
• Spray citrus trees with Clear Summer oil to control scale.
• Move cymbidium orchids from under shade cloth on Anzac Day.
• Visit the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
• Tip-prune evergreen shrubs and trees.
• Try some softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of evergreen shrubs and trees.
• Plant citrus trees.
• Trim shrubby herbs.
• Mulch all perennials.
• Fertilise spring flowering annuals. Liquid feed annuals every 2-3 weeks.
• Feed fruit trees.
• Order new roses and fruit trees.
• Keep camellias well watered as the flower buds begin to form.
• Plant Camellia Sasanqua as screening or hedging plants
• Divide Spring flowering perennials, so they put on some growth before winter.
• Buy Autumn foliage trees and shrubs including:
  • Maples
  • Crepe Myrtles
  • the colourful Golden Rain Tree, so that you see their true Autumn colour.
• Spray weeds in paths with weed killer.
• Start new strawberry plants from runners. Trim and fertilize established plants.
• Support tree dahlias to prevent wind damage.

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Month: May

• Boost indoor plants by wiping the leaves with a moist cloth, then soak their roots by placing the pots in a bucket of water to eliminate dry spots.
• Add autumn leaves to your compost, or spread as a mulch onto the garden.
• Reduce watering period for indoor plants to once a fortnight. Give them a spell outside in a sheltered position.
• Move plants that may be in the wrong position.
• Sharpen pruning and other garden tools.
• Plant in pots or in the ground:
  • Tulips
  • Daffodils
  • Freesia
  • Dutch iris
  • Hyacinth
• Prepare garden beds for new roses. Use animal manure and check drainage of bed. Look around for the new season roses.
• Check orchids for flower spikes and protect from snails.
• Lift dahlia and gladioli when finished and store in a dry place over winter.
• Plant:
  • broccoli
  • leek
  • cabbage
  • spinach
  • lettuce
  • endive
  • strawberries.
• Raise lawn mower blades to protect grass over winter.
• Check lawns for flat weeds and remove.
• Cut back:
  • fuchsias
  • geraniums
  • pelargonium
  • hydrangeas.
• Plant seedlings:
  • stocks
  • poppies
  • cinerarias
  • primula.
• Plant:
  • late winter/spring annuals and vegetables
  • deciduous plants
  • natives
  • Sasanqua camellias
• Conifers can be transplanted now.
• Prune buddleias and other late flowering shrubs.
• Disbud camellias for better blooms.
• Keep winter vegetables growing strongly with fortnightly doses of liquid fertiliser.
• Prune summer and autumn perennials that have finished flowering.
• Cut French Lavender back heavily to promote fresh new growth.

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Month: June

• Try planting blueberries and raspberries now for a delicious home crop.
• Plant broad beans, spinach, shallots and white onions.
• Feed emerging spring bulbs with liquid fertiliser and watch for snail damage.
• Be careful not to over water indoor or outdoor pot plants, keep the soil just moist.
• Cultivate garden beds to aerate soil for Spring planting.
• Cut Chrysanthemums to ground level.
• Use Winter oil mixed with fungicide to control scale and mite.
• Cut back Hydrangeas.
• Some varieties of Roses can be pruned in June.
• Prune fruit trees.
• Transplant and plant dormant deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Divide and re-pot water lilies in a rich compost and heavy mixture.
• Cut back canna and false ginger lilies to ground level and divide if necessary.
• Cut back photinia to allow new red growth to shoot in Spring.
• Fertilise annuals, vegetables and emerging bulbs with liquid fertiliser.

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WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN for JULY:

Month: JULY

• Prune Roses. Cut back hard. Remove growth smaller than a pencil on mature bushes. Remove dead wood.
• Plant native trees and shrubs such as Grevilleas, Hakeas, Wattles.
• Remove dead flowers from Azaleas and Camellias.
• Plant seedlings Polyanthus, Viola, Cineraria, Primula, Primrose.
• Look for Daphne and Viburnum for Winter perfume.
• Prepare vegetable garden for planting. Remove weeds and fork ground deeply.
• Control moss in lawn with sulphate of iron. Aerate lawns with fork.
• Take hardwood cuttings of grape vines and fruit trees. It is time for grafting or budding fruit trees. Plant new deciduous fruit trees.
• Cut back Pelargonium and Geraniums. Plant cuttings to replace old plants.
• Frost-burnt leaves should be left on plants for protection against another frost, cutting back in spring.
• Turn compost over with a fork, to mix-in the autumn leaves.
• Time to plant rhubarb and asparagus.
  Clear away any weeds from paths.
• Cut back and divide perennials such as delphiniums, shasta daisies and windflowers.
• Trim photinia hedges to produce the red new growth in spring.
• Pick lemons leaving a short stem for a longer life.
• Plant summer bulbs including Christmas and daylilies.
• Bare rooted deciduous trees should be planted within the next few weeks.
• Prune apples, plums, pears, cherries, peaches etc.
• Remove camellia flowers as they die to keep the bush looking good.
• Lightly clip and reshape box hedges.
• Feed potted spring bulbs with liquid fertiliser.

SEEDLINGS
Never handle seedlings by their stem. A bruised stem can kill the seedling. Handle gently by the root ball or by the leaves.

INDOOR PLANTS
Most plants are not suited to grow indoors. There are a few that given the right conditions will flourish. Some plants are happy to be inside for a few days or weeks, but need a revivor outside. Some tropical plants will only survive in Melbourne by bringing them inside over winter away from our cold days and frosts. Many plants suffer indoors by either over or under watering, but if you get that right the plant will grow. Watering has to be reduced over winter.
Place plants away from draughts and areas where the temperature does not vary greatly. Windowsills are the worst for these conditions. However if the plant does not receive enough light, then it will become stunted and turn yellow.
Always have saucers under each pot but lift the pot off the saucer by standing the pot on some pebbles or coarse gravel.
Some of the popular indoor plants are:-
Dracaena: an evergreen plant grown for the foliage.
Yucca: A trendy architectural plant requiring minimal watering.
Spathiphyllum: Rich green leafy plant with white flowers that appear for months.
Arachniodes standishii: An easily grown fern.
Cyclamen: They come in a myriad of colours. They like cool nights and a spell outside. Will last for many years but are at their best in the first year.
Aspidistra: An old favourite with glossy foliage and tolerates poor lighting.
Succulents: So many varieties and they require minimum watering.
Baby Panda Bamboo: Can be over watered as it grows naturally in streams. Filtered light.
Maidenhair fern: Many different types. Needs to be kept moist. Filtered light.
Ficus: Rich green leafed plant that survives happily indoors. Never plant out into the garden when it gets too big, as it will grow into an enormous tree.

DIBBLER
This is a small hand tool used for making holes on the ground for seeds, seedlings and bulbs. It is a round piece of wood about 30mm diameter fitted with a handle at one end and sharpened to a point at the other. Very popular at school carpentry classes but can be made from an old spade or fork handle. The dibbler is pushed into the ground to form a conical hole ready for the seed or seedling.

LEMONS
When picking lemons, leave a piece of stem attached. They will keep for a longer time.

SNAIL KILLER SPRAY
A home made spray to ward off those tiny snails that climb plants and eat the flowers.
1 part brewed coffee
10 parts water
Mix thoroughly in a spray bottle.

COMPOST
Don't mound compost ingredients ­ layer them and mulch the top. This reduces any odour from the maturing compost.

BLOSSOM TREES
The nurseries are carrying a full range of ornamental flowering trees such as peaches, cherries, plums, crab apples, and lilacs at the moment.
Flowering cherries are available as a tree or a weeping standard with colours ranging from white to a cyclamen red.
Ornamental peaches and plums come in a range of sizes to suit any garden and they will flower for 3 to 4 weeks. The plums also have some interesting foliage colours.
Crab apples are a small tree with bunches of pink and white flowers that are followed by brightly coloured edible fruit in autumn.
Lilacs originally were just one colour, lilac of course. Nowadays they are available in blue, red, lavender, pink, purple, cream, and white. And the flowers are now larger and still retained the perfume.
There are also flowering almonds and apricots to choose from.
Nothing says spring like a tree in blossom and they have the ability to lift our spirits after a cold winter.

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Month: SEPTEMBER

• Cut back or trim deciduous trees. Prune hibiscus.
• Trim winter flowering plants, such as wattles, to promote new growth.
• Plant berry fruits.
• Plant a passionfruit vine in a sunny position.
• Trim fuchsias to encourage new growth.
• Sow seeds of English daisy, larkspur, lobelia, nasturtium, snapdragon, salvia, zinnia, verbena.
• Check azaleas for petal blight. Spray if necessary.
• Plant potatoes and asparagus.
• Sow tomato seeds or plant seedlings under cover.
• Spray peach and nectarine trees to control curly leaf.
• Remove spent camellia flowers to the compost.
• Plant summer annuals in pots and the garden.
• Start planting summer vegetables.
• Wattle trees can be planted now.
• Re-pot houseplants.
• Remove spent flowers on spring flowering annuals.
• The herb garden should be tidied before rapid spring growth occurs, and plant fresh herbs.
• As new growth appears on roses, apply a light application of rose food.
• Spread animal manure, blood and bone and organic mulching materials between all plants to control weeds and to feed the soil.
• Mulch your garden now to conserve water that may become precious in the months to come. It is important to leave trunks clear to stop collar rot.

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