November

PREPARING FOR THE HOT WEATHER!

HINTS AND TIPS:

Plant ground covers to act as living mulches. Ground cover banksias and grevilleas can add interesting textures that can spill over retaining walls. Also, consider Dianthus and Evening Primroses as a colourful living mulch. Your type of ground cover should be determined by exposure to sun and soil type. Consider succulents as an alternative where the soil is very poor and dry. Try bromeliads under trees in shady areas.

Garden Maintenance

If you haven't mulched your garden yet, now is the time before the hot weather hits. Mulch keeps water from evaporating from the soil, keeps the roots cool, and keeps the weeds at bay. There are a number of different mulches you can use. All of them should be put on thickly to retain moisture in the soil.

Keep an eye out for weeds invading the vegetable garden and your flower beds. Weeds use up the fertiliser that should be feeding your plants. Pour hot water from your kettle to kill weeds in paths. This leaves no nasty chemical residues for children or plants.

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