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David Maher is our David also produces If your interested in Snail Mail - 16 Prentice Ph/Fax - 02 6766 2132 |
August in the Garden By David Maher PLANTING: In most climatic zones, August is the preferred month to plant citrus. In frost prone areas, however, defer until September or October. Gladioli can be soaked for one to two hours in Clensel, if you can obtain it, and then rinsed in water before planting. The method helps to control thrip. Stone Fruit Trees: Bare-rooted trees can still be planted. Trees planted in July will benefit from a mulch of compost or aged manure.
SPRAYING: Azaleas: Commence spraying with Bayleton in early August, if not started in July to minimize the harmful effects of petal blight, a persistent fungal disease.
Lemon trees: Spray with Pest Oil in late winter or early spring to kill off bronze citrus bugs while they are young and immature. Pelargoniums and Geraniums: If rust is evident, spray with Mancozeb Plus, which contains sulphur, or use Yates’ Fungus Fighter. Before spraying, trim back if not done in autumn. Roses and Deciduous Ornamentals: Immediately after pruning, saturate bushes with a Lime Sulphur spray. In warm climatic zones, spray the new growth while it is fresh and sappy with Triforine to minimize black spot. In both cases, ensure that the soil surface under the plants is saturated to kill any residual spores. Brown scale can attack a number of garden plants including camellia japonicas, citrus, sweet bay, olives, holly and ferns. They cluster along twigs and secrete ‘honeydew’ which attracts ants. Pest Oil is a most effective spray. ORCHARD Berry Bushes should be fertilized with citrus food at the beginning of the month. Stone Fruit Trees: A follow up spray with Bordeaux or a copper-based fungicide such as Yates’ Fungus Fighter at bud swell and before the buds burst into colour is a most desirable step to prevent leaf curl, a fungal disease that affects peaches, nectarines and some prunuses including Prunus magnifica. If using Bordeaux, do thoroughly clean out your sprayer because it can clog your spray jets. Citrus: This is the time of the year in most districts to prune out weedy growth in the centre of trees to improve ventilation and to undertake skirt pruning so that there is no foliage touching the earth. Trees which have grown beyond a manageable height can be cut back after all fruit have been harvested. CHECK: Does your lawn mower need servicing?? THE TANGELO TREE The tangelo tree is a cross between a mandarin and a grapefruit. It is my favourite citrus because it is the juiciest and even though it is crossed with a grapefruit, it is sweet. It has a very reddish-orange skin and a pear –shaped neck. There are two varieties that I have grown, namely, ‘Seminole’ and ‘Minneola’. ‘Minneola’ has fewer seeds. Presently, I have the ‘Seminole’ and the fruit is ready for harvesting on my site in early to mid- June. Tangelos have several culinary uses including: for marmalade; as a juice for savoury dishes, cakes and mufffins; for the flavouring of stir fries, dressings, soups and apple pies; and for winter salads. Tangelos can be substituted for oranges. Happy gardening!
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Vegetables:
In mid to late August, plant seeds of cucurbits and tomatoes. In last summer, my
best tomatoes were picked from ‘Mighty Red’, ‘Royal Flush’, and
‘Improved Apollo’. I picked tomatoes from late November until mid-June.
Onions, carrots and beetroot can also be planted. In warmer districts, potatoes
can also be planted and covered with a layer of straw or lucerne hay. In the
potato trial that I conducted for the Digger’s Club last year, the varieties
‘Nicola’ and ‘Edward Lou’ excelled. Orders: P.O. Box 300, Dromana,
Victoria, 3936.
Citrus:
If any of the scales is evident, spray with White Oil mixed with Malathion, or
use Pest oil mixed with bicarbonate of soda.