The temperatures on the mountain are still quite variable, but continue to cool as autumn advances and we head into the drier months.
This year we’ve seen Dahlias enjoying a long flowering season with many continuing to put on an amazing display.
What to plant in April
In the veggie patch sow or plant seedlings of artichokes, asian greens, basil, beans (french and climbing), beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, coriander, cucumber, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, peas, radish, rocket, silver beet, spring onion (shallots), swede, sweet corn, tomatoes, turnip.
For some colour sow or plant seedlings of billy buttons*, blue lace flower*, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy* flannel flower*, globe amaranth, gypsophila, hollyhock, linaria, lobelia, native bluebell*, native flax*, nigella, pansy, pink billy buttons*, poppy, primula, showy everlasting*, snapdragon, stock, strawflower*, sweet pea, viola, virginia stock, or wallflower.
*natives
Top tip – plant edible flowers such as calendula, cornflower, cosmos, dianthus and snapdragons among your vegies to add colour and attract pollinators!
Jobs to do
Here are a few ideas to get you into the garden.
- now is perfect for putting in garlic, varieties like Kenlarge or Glenlarge are likely to do well on the mountain
- take cuttings of soft wooded shrubs such as salvias, lavender and daisies
- plant spring flowering bulbs
- continue snipping off spent dahlia blooms to prolong flowering
- pinch off excess japonica camellia buds from crowded clusters, leaving just one bud, for bigger blooms
- lift and divide congested clumps of clivia and check for leaf destroying caterpillars
- check your citrus trees for pests and diseases and water during dry times to ensure a good crop and avoid split fruit
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday May 12 at 9.30am in the Vonda Youngman Community Centre – visitors and new members are always welcome.
Happy gardening everyone!
