Australian summer can have a wilting effect on your garden. Gardens have a therapeutic value for us, but unless they are in the ‘green’ of their health, they do not exude much confidence. Here, then, are a few tricks you can use to improve your garden and keep them in top spirit.
Caring for easily overheated plants
Potted plants are susceptible to being overheated. Keep them away from the western flank of your garden where the summer sun can get really harsh. Plants in terracotta pots provide fertile grounds for mosquito spread and root rot. You have got to be careful about this. A good way to deal with the issue is to keep them grafted in moist sand in saucers.
Keeping irrigation equipment effective
Make sure that your irrigating equipment are free of leaks and blockages. This way, you will ensure that there is no loss in the volume of water you are opening up to your garden. Do not hesitate in using a mosquito mesh that clearly keeps away mosquitoes from pipes and frogs from tanks.
Using Shade-cloth
If you have a recently planted flower seedling, you would want to protect it as much as possible. Shade-cloths, dead palm fronds, and old net curtains go a long way in protecting them from sun.
Boosting mineral content
Magnesium is a great friend to freshly planted seedlings. Roses and gardenias will vouch for this. If you witness withering roots, try iron chelate to boost iron content of the soil. This will keep the roots in good humour.
Conserving soil quality
To me, poultry manure is a great granular fertiliser which, when covered with mulch, can help conserve soil quality beautifully.
Use these techniques and you will keep the vitality of your garden undiminished this summer. What methods do you use to keep your plants healthy in summer?