June and July in the Garden

Posted May 31, 2017

Fruit Trees

Apply clean up sprays to fruit trees with copper spray to prevent pests and diseases
Prune Apple and Pear trees (pip fruit) but don’t over do it, remember, pruning promotes growth– Tip: Don’t prune apricots, peach or cherry trees – these need to be pruned when their leaves are on to prevent infection.

Spray fruit trees, roses, hydrangeas, with Champion Copper and Conqueror Oil to prevent pests and diseases
Prune Grapevines, kiwifruit
Trim/tidy Wisteria, lightly shape/trim hedges
Clean up the die back on perennials
Pea straw/mulching – Replenish gardens with pea straw to work as a natural weed suppressant.
To eradicate moss on trees/shrubs/roses and outdoor furniture/statues etc here is a home made clean up spray as follows – ½ cup bleach to 5 litres of warm water and a dash of detergent (to help it stick).
Check irrigation lines to get ready for summer – Fix blockages or leaks

Cover Citrus/frost sensitive plants with frost cloth
Clean out your vegetable garden/raised gardens of old dead plants from summer (if you haven’t done it yet) e.g. tomato plants, lettuce etc. This prevents pests and diseases re infecting spring plantings.
Plant your strawberries now for Christmas crops and also berry fruit e.g. raspberries, gooseberries and currents.
Harvest the silverbeet, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, parsnip – all of these make a marvelous winter soup
Dig in green crops (usually around 8 weeks after planting) Tip: 2 weeks later re-dig the soil before planting vegetable plants
Perfect time for planting garlic, shallots, broad beans and onions ready for the summer BBQ season – To make sure you get the variety you are after…. order your potatoes NOW ready for planting in August
From mid to late July you can start planting Asparagus – Remember you don’t pick the crop until the second year of growth

Rhododendrons and Camellias are an excellent winter plant, remember they prefer part shade/sun positions in the garden
Buy winter annuals to brighten your garden e.g. violas, poppies, Polyanthus and Pansy’s
Great time to divide perennials

Best time for planting trees and shrubs, also bare rooted trees
Perfect time to prune deciduous trees such as Robinia Mop Tops, Gledistia, Oak trees
Apply Slow Release fertiliser to shrubs in preparation for Spring growth
This is the season to move any small trees in your garden if they were planted in an unsuitable space. Make sure the leaves have all fallen before transplanting.

Fertilise roses from around base to about 200 – 300mm from main stem
Prune roses – Remember they will flower on last years wood. Cut off all dead wood back to healthy stems and prune to make the centre of the bush open. Ensure all cuts are done on 45 deg angle, this prevents stem rot.
If you have purchased new roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating Rose Fertiliser around roots.

Plant Christmas lilies and Oriental bulbs
You can still plant bulbs like daffodils and tulips – Instead of the garden, why not try hanging baskets or pots?
Lift and divide existing lilies/oriental bulbs