OCTOBER truly defines spring for gardeners as the climate settles; the days are longer and the trees and shrubs are in full bloom.
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By now bulbs will finish their spring flush - as the foliage begins to wilt it should be left and fertilised as this helps create protein storage ready for next season's production.
Spring flowering deciduous trees such as crab apples can be pruned once flowering has finished, but don't prune those that will fruit in the summer.
If leaf curl presents on new growth, prune any branches with leaf distortion, spraying affected areas with copper oxychloride next year at bud burst to prevent leaf curl.
This year azaleas are suffering from petal blight which isn't helped by recent rains - remove any brown and mushy leaves and spray with Zayleton.
If the warm weather continues tropical shrubs such as hibiscus can be pruned and fed with cow manure.
A good indication that spring has really arrived is when the keen lawn lovers, especially men, come seeking lawn fertilisers.
One of my regulars, who together with like-minded friends has an annual competition to grow the best lawn which is judged on Australia Day, was happy with some extra hints from me to win the Golden Sprinkler award.
Now that lawns are actively growing, it is an ideal time to eliminate weeds, then fertilise in a week or so.
Spraying early on dry grass which hasn't been mown, giving the spray 4-6 hours to be effective without rain, ensures greater success.
Once daisies and diosma finish flowering give them a light prune. Never cut these shrubs back to hard wood.
After roses finish their first flush begin their monthly maintenance program, cutting off any blooms past their prime, making sure to do a prune-type cut to encourage new growth, removing any leaves damaged by black spot and dispose of them in a plastic bag.
Each month roses should be fed to encourage good blooms and strong plants - healthy roses fight off fungal diseases.
This fertilising should be different each month - after heavy rains use dolomite, then the following month it can be Sudden Impact, blood and bone or sulphate of potash.
The spring bug often bites when petunias become available for planting - once you dig out tired spring annuals, fertilise with cow manure and wait one week to plant.
For special events such as Christmas allow eight to ten weeks from planting to flowering, applying Flourish weekly.
HAPPENINGS
The Maitland and Coalfields District Orchid Society will be holding an orchid display at Rutherford Market Place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday where there will be orchid plants for sale and experienced growers on hand to freely give advice on orchid cultivation.