Hello!

Welcome to the About the Garden April and May 2008 Email Newsletter.

In this issue:

· Get great tips on growing tomatoes,
· Learn the secrets of gardenias,
· Read all about Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia, and
· Ashley answers some questions on gardenias.

Until next month — Happy Gardening:

Tomatoes
Tomatoes need a sunny site and good drainage. They will grow in just about any soil which has been well dug and enriched with Searles 5IN1 Plus or a complete fertiliser a couple of weeks before planting.

Tomato planting Tip — Ensure seedlings are well anchored by planting them slightly deeper than the surrounding soil — tomato plants can become top-heavy and blow over. To read more (CLICK HERE).

Gardenias
The graceful gardenia, with its shining foliage and fragrant white flowers in spring and summer loves moist conditions and plenty of warmth. It will bloom best in areas where day temperatures are between 15–27 degrees Celsius maximum range and night temperatures between 13–17 degrees Celsius.

Positioning — Gardenias prefer full sun but will take light shade conditions. They are best sheltered from wind, particularly cold westerlies and salty sea breezes. An easterly or northerly aspect in ideal. To read more (CLICK HERE).
 

This month Ashley answers questions on gardenias:

Q. My gardenias are covered in a black, sooty substance. What is this?

A. BLACK LEAVES - The black material you describe is probably what's called ‘sooty mould'. It's caused by the feeding activities of sap sucking insects like scale and aphids. They secrete honeydew on which the sooty mould grows. Two or three monthly sprays with Searles Pest Gun or white oil will control these insects and the mould will soon disappear. Feed and water the plants as well.

Q. Why have the leaves gone yellow on my gardenia?

A. YELLOW LEAVES - It's normal for some gardenia leaves to yellow during winter, however it could also be a sign of magnesium deficiency. To overcome this, feed with a diluted solution of Magnesium Sulphate and Flourish for Azalea, Camellias & Gardenias. During the warmer months, yellow leaves generally indicate that the plant is in need of a good feed and drink.

Q. When should I prune my gardenias?

A. The best time for a trim is when they've finished flowering in late summer, just to keep them in shape. Be sure to prune before they start to set new flower buds (usually in March or April).

Read ‘Ashley’s Pest Watch’ in the latest issue of About the Garden Magazine for great hints and tips on controlling bindii in home gardens or (CLICK HERE).

Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia

Searles Flourish® Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia is a blended soluble, complete plant food which is formulated specifically for acid loving plants using premium ingredients.

Triple action for brilliant results
1. Acidifies Soil.
2. Helps prevent Chlorosis (yellowing leaves) caused by iron deficiency.
3. Rapidly feeds plants when applied to both foliage & soil.
 
Chlorosis (leaf yellowing)
Chlorosis (leaf yellowing) and stunted growth is a sign of iron deficiency and commonly occurs in gardenias growing in alkaline soils. Searles Flourish® Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia, provides iron in chelate form and also acidifies the soil, stimulating conditions for strong green growth.

Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Mixing Measurements:

To purchase Searles products visit your local About the Garden outlet.

How to involve kids in the necessities of maintenance

Maintaining a garden can be labour intensive, but is an essential component of the gardening experience for children. To obtain some information on how to make this an interesting activity for little ones visit www.kidsgardening.com or (CLICK HERE).

Queensland Home Garden Expo
Date: Friday 11th July 2008 till Sunday 13th July 2008
Location: Nambour Show Grounds
Times: 8:00am till 5:00pm daily (Sunday 4:00pm close)
Cost: Adult ($14); Concession ($12); Child 12 and under (FREE); Groups 10 or more ($12pp.), 3 Day Gold Pass ($30pp) & Car Parking ($7p vehicle))
Website: www.homegardenexpo.net

Gardenfest
Date: Saturday 3rd May 2008 till Sunday 4th May 2008
Location: Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, Toowoomba on Lindsay Street
Times: 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Cost: Adults: $5, Children: $4, Concession: $4

Orchids Out West
Date: Friday 2nd May 2008 till Sunday 4th May 2008
Location: Hawkesbury Race Course, Clarendon
Times: 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Cost: $5 per person
Further details: (02) 45783115 or (02) 98334450
Special note: This is a great opportunity to buy from local and interstate orchids vendors.

North Queensland (Tropical – Wet & Dry Tropics) – Prepare garden beds for planting flowers and vegetables. Fertilise regularly and mulch well. Sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum and carrot.

South-East Queensland & Northern NSW (Subtropical – Coastal) – Camellia season is upon us again. If there were particular varieties you were after last season and couldn’t find them, ask for them at your local nursery now. If petal blight is present on your azaleas, remove affected blooms and spray with Searles Mancozeb plus. Later in the season, prepare garden beds for roses by adding plenty of organic matter like Searles 5IN1 Plus.

Sydney (Temperate areas) — Remove spent summer annuals. Prolong flowering on remaining annuals by dead-heading and applying Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food every fortnight. Broccoli should be ready to start harvesting. Grow English Spinach fast with regular watering and a fortnightly application of Searles Fish & Kelp Plus.

Melbourne (Cold & Southern Tableland areas) — Plant spring flowering bulbs. Prune perennials that have finished flowering. Treat moss and algae on bricks and concrete by dusting with lime or applying a moss killer. Harvest remaining chilli or capsicum fruit before the onset of frost. Buy maples which are in autumn colour, now.

Inland areas (Arid or outback areas) — Fertilise all gardens and lawns with an organic fertiliser such as Searles 5IN1 Plus. Apply mulch and Searles Penetraide Re-Wetting Granules. Plant broad bean, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cauliflower, lettuce, onion, pea, radish, shallot, spinach and tomato.

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