As the weather warms up, there are a whole range of things to do around the garden. Following the dormant winter months, spring is a time of regeneration and rebirth, and August is the perfect time to begin preparing.
SOIL PREPARATION
Pack as many nutrients as possible into the soil to reap the benefits in spring. By applying manures and fertilisers in August, they are allowed enough time to adequately break down in advance of the springtime planting frenzy.
MULCHING
Mulching is a necessary step to improve soil composition and prevent it drying out during the dryer summer months.
If done properly, mulch only needs to be applied every 12 months, so make it an annual August event.
PRUNING
It can be difficult to know exactly what to prune and how much is too much. By removing any dead flowers, dying branches and diseased foliage you are preventing it from spreading to the rest of the plant and preventing valuable nutrients from being wasted. Pruning is also a great way to reshape a tree. It is worth researching the various pruning requirements of different plants to ensure they get what they need.
Also, ensure you are using the most appropriate tool for the job, whether it be secateurs, a hand saw or folding pruners, in order to ensure a clean cut and speedy regrowth.
Harrington Estates has developed a brochure called Let’s Work Together to Keep Your Street Beautiful, which contains more information about looking after your street trees so that the Catherine Park community can remain beautiful. Please contact the sales team on 02 4604 6046 for a copy, or view it here .
WATERING
In light of the current drought, it is particularly important to be responsible when it comes to water usage. There are many common-sense measures that can be implemented in order to keep the garden hydrated and tidy without wasting unnecessary volumes of water:
- Water the garden early in the morning (before 9am) or later in the afternoon (after 6pm) to limit the effects of evaporation.
- Use water from a rainwater tank or recycled water where appropriate.
- Use a trigger nozzle when watering plants to prevent wastage as you move around the garden.
- Use a leaf blower instead of a hose to remove debris from patios and driveways.
If using a sprinkler, avoid wasted water on driveways, footpaths or roads by selecting a sprinkler that circulates water in the shape
