Gardening in September

Spring is the season of freshness, hope and new life. No matter how cold, grey, dreary and long the Winter has been, nature’s recovery is filled with brightness, colour and brilliance as the renewing wonder of creation happens around us.

Springing to Life

Spring flowering bulbs are emerging from the cool earth to find the warmth of spring sunshine. Daffodils, Jonquils, Tulips, Ranunculus, Crocus, Hyacinths and Anemones are among the favourites that are beginning their displays of colour and fragrances.

The deciduous trees that have been bare and lifeless throughout the Winter are now transforming the landscape with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour and freshness. Tulip Magnolias are covered with stunning displays of magnificent flowers. Flowering ornamental trees such as Cherries, Plums, Pears and Crab Apples are exploding into colour as the blossoms burst open. There are so many wonderful varieties and now is the perfect time to make your selection.

Fruiting trees are also covered in flowers for the busy bees to do their work to ensure a plentiful harvest for the season ahead.

Small fruits and berries are springing to life as the warmth of Spring brings on the season of growth and abundance.

Roses

New and existing roses are now bursting with new growth with buds beginning to form for the abundance of blooms over the coming season. Watch out for aphids and thrips. These pests love the lush new growth. To spray and control now will halt the population explosion that will cause problems as the season progresses. Ask your local garden retail experts about safe methods of control.

Brilliant Azaleas

Azaleas are flowering brilliantly in the garden in many regions of the country. Azaleas are in the Rhododendron family. They originate from Japan, China and Korea. There are three main types of azaleas – the indica hybrids, kurume hybrids and the brightly coloured deciduous mollis hybrids. Indica varieties spot flower during the autumn and winter but the main flush of flowering happens during spring. Azaleas look great planted en masse in garden beds and require plenty of compost and enjoy a semi shaded position. Azaleas grow well in pots but do require good draining, quality potting mix. Prune back after flowering is complete to encourage lots of bushy new growth. Supply regular fertiliser and keep moist during the growth time over spring and summer.  

 Fertilise for the Future

As plants begin to actively grow, now is the perfect time to apply a generous application of organic fertiliser to maximise the benefits of the season. ActivGrow Fertiliser Pellets is a goodness packed organic fertiliser formulated with composted organic Poultry Manure, Natural Gypsum, Sulphate of Potash, Fishmeal, Feathermeal, Meatmeal, Zeolite & Seaweed. All of these ingredients combine to create a balanced nutrient rich growing environment to ensure the very best Spring results.

The Edible Garden

Northern regions are enjoying wonderful, fresh new growth as the vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs begin to produce an abundant harvest of tasty homegrown goodness. Tomatoes, Strawberries, Avocadoes, Citrus and Mangoes are producing fruit and life is good in the garden.

As northerners enjoy the fruits of their labour, southern gardeners are busy preparing and planting for the season of abundance to come. Artichokes, Asian Greens, Asparagus, Beetroot, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Leeks, Lettuces, Mediterranean Herbs, Mint, Onions, Parsley, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rocket, Silverbeet, Snow Peas and Spring Onions are some of the many treasures to plant now. Early Tomato plants are also being planted in hothouses, sheltered garden areas and regions where the risk of frosts have passed.

Prepare the Earth for Success

There is lots of planting that happens during the Spring. It is the time to plant new trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, and new season’s flowering seedlings. Rocky Point’s ActivGrow is a well-balanced organic soil improver designed to reinvigorate garden beds and tired soils. ActiveGrow is suitable for all soil types and will help produce healthier, lush plants and increased yields. Once planting is complete, adding a generous application of Rocky Point ActivGrow Fertiliser Pellets will ensure the very best results.

Spring Mulching

Now is also the perfect time to mulch garden beds. Applying a nice thick layer of organic mulch to beds during spring will help to retain the winter moisture, to suppress weeds and have the garden beds looking fabulous during the showcase of Spring freshness ahead. Rocky Point is proudly one of Australia’s leading producers of the finest mulches for the home garden. Our range includes, Sugar Cane Mulch, Lucerne Mulch, Pea Straw Mulch, Tea Tree Mulch, Cypress Mulch, Red Cypress Mulch, Blackwood Mulch, Pine Bark Mulch and Water Saving Mulch. There is a Rocky Point mulch for every application and garden style.

Growing in Pots

As homes become larger and building blocks become smaller, gardens and garden styles have changed to suit our lifestyles. Growing plants in pots and containers is a very popular method of gardening and in metro areas, about 40% of all plants are now grown in pots. Spring is the perfect time to revamp and to replant potted gardens as life begins to move back outdoors for the warmer months. There are many plants that thrive in pots with difference species available for every situation. Pots planted with a mixture of plants create an interesting mix of colours, textures, and shapes to feature as part of the home decor. Once only available as seeds and seedlings, patience was required to wait for plants to grow and for flower displays to begin. There is now a huge selection of plants that are already grown and covered in flowers ready to bring living spaces to life. Spring and Summer flowering plants such as Alyssum, Cosmos, Lobelias, Nemesias, Petunias, Marigolds, Dianthus, Stocks, Snapdragons and Zinnias are available as potted colour and advanced 6 pack and 10 pack seedlings already in flower and looking great. Colour filled pots and hanging baskets planted now will bring months of excitement and interest for the warmer seasons ahead.

Indoor Plants

With the changes to lifestyles that have been experienced, many people are spending much more time at home. Growing plants indoors have helped to keep our homes healthy and happy. The health benefits of growing plants indoors are well documented. Growing plants indoors improves the air quality of homes. Just one or two plants starts to improve air quality significantly in a space. Growing plants also creates feelings of relaxation, inspiration and positivity.

Repotting Time

Spring is the season of growth and an excellent time to repot houseplants. Using a premium quality growing media or potting mix is vital to achieve great results. Rocky Point Coco Pro is the professional nursery grade potting mix suitable for most types of plants. Sustainably produced with 40% Coir, Coco Pro features premium quality slow and controlled release fertilisers that feed and nourish plants for up to 14 months. Designed to replace the need for multiple specialty potting mixes, Rocky Point Coco Pro is not only ideal for indoor plants but is perfect for potted fruit trees, vegetable and herbs, Azaleas, Gardenias, Camellias, annuals, perennials, African Violets, Magnolias, Roses, Bromeliads, Cymbidiums, Palms and Ferns.

Spring Lawn Care

Lawns are beginning to grow and now is the perfect time to sow new lawns. Good preparation is essential to create the perfect lawn. Remove weeds and debris and rake and then level the ground prior to sowing. Select the best lawn seed for your area. Your local garden retailer will have the best advice and hints for the best results. Remember to keep the new lawn area moist throughout the germination process. Allow the new lawn to establish well before mowing for the first time. Keep the mower blades nice and high to encourage a lush, thick lawn with a strong deep root system.

Rocky Point OptiLawn Top Dress is ideal for both new and established lawns and is great for producing excellent long-term results. OptiLawn is a uniquely formulated premium top dress and food designed to improve, strengthen, and rejuvenate your lawn. This professionally developed mix is enhanced with high quality mineral content to level undulations; slow release fertiliser to produce a healthy green lawn; and rich organic matter and wetting granules to improve those dry, tired parched areas. Lawn grub numbers are now beginning to increase and will be actively feeding on lawns. The signs are brown lawn patches and unhealthy green grass. Ask about the best treatment to control these pests.

Whatever part of the country your garden is in or what your garden may look like, Spring is an extremely exciting time to venture back outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and exercise that gardening brings. Regular visits to garden centres and garden retailers are experiences filled with colour, inspiration and freshness. Experience the freshness of Spring this September.