September – Gardening Diary
KITCHEN GARDEN
In warmer districts early Tomato, Capsicum, Courgette, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Celery can be planted directly into your garden, use a protective cloche in cooler areas.
Sow vege seeds including Carrots, Beetroot, Silverbeet and Peas, directly into your garden. Sow Lettuces, Leeks, Cabbage, Tomato, Capsicum, Courgette, Cucumber and Eggplant into trays of Seed Raising Mix ready for transplanting later.
Transplant summer vege seedlings into the garden; Lettuce, Leeks, Cabbage, Onions and Silverbeet.
Plant new herb plants in your garden or pots. Herb seeds can also be sown for summer harvest.
Plant Strawberries, Blueberries, brambles and Rhubarb for delicious crumbles and pies.
Place your Seed Potatoes in a tray in a sunny position for at least a month before planting. Plant out in the garden, a large plastic pot or in a planter in a warm and sheltered position when the sprouts on the seed potatoes are 2 to 4 cm long.
Complete your vegetable garden preparation by digging in plenty of compost.
To protect young seedlings from fungus diseases spray with Copper Oxychloride.
Protect seedlings from slugs and snails.
Feed berry vines, citrus and fruit trees with a Citrus Fertiliser.
Prune Passionfruit vines and Feijoas to encourage new growth and fruiting.
Spray stone fruit trees with Copper Oxychloride and a bug oil spray to protect from leaf curl disease and to prevent brown rot especially at blossom time.
FLOWER GARDEN
Plant seedlings of spring and summer flowering annuals including Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Delphinium, Forget-me-not, Hollyhock, Marigold, Polyanthus, Primula and Pansies directly into your garden.
Plant easy care, sure to grow Dahlia tubers and Gladioli corms for summer display.
Plant new perennials like Lavender, Agapanthus, Canna lilies, Fuchsia and Geraniums. Take care with tender plants in cold districts and wait until the danger of frosts are over.
Sow summer flower seeds including Alyssum, Begonia, Californian Poppy, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Gazania, Gerbera, Impatiens, Petunia, Viscaria and Wallflower. For best results use Seed Raising mix.
Protect your young seedlings from slugs and snails.
To get the best out of your spring flowers liquid feed them with All Purpose Soluble Plant Food and keep removing any dying flowers.
Feed flowering spring bulbs in your garden with a side dressing of Tui Bulb Food and feed bulbs in pots with Miracle Grow All Purpose. Feeding spring flowering bulbs now will ensure good flowers next year.
Feed and mulch roses, trees, shrubs and flower beds.
Protect roses new growth from pests and diseases with products like Yates Super Shield.
Complete pruning of Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, Hibiscus and other flowering shrubs by removing any diseased, dead or damaged branches.