Coastal Gardening in February

by Peter McGain

Bushfires in Victoria during January, bring back memories of the 1983 Ash Wedneday fires for those of us who experienced them on the Surfcoast. The fact that we have not suffered the same fate is due to good luck rather than good management.

If you're interested in viewing some photographs or reading some stories about Ash Wednesday and its aftermath click here

Plants that are fire retardants

Easy Summer Flowering Plants for Coastal Gardens

Shrubs to 1 metre:
Echium, acanthus, geraniums, hydrangea, canna, rosemary, lavender, red hot pokers (Knifofia), pentstemon, salvia, bog sage, dwarf crepe myrtle

Ground Covers:
Bacopa, thyme, convulvulus, myoporums, prostrate grevilleas, banksias, correas.

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN DURING FEBRUARY

1. Clean up for fire protection
2. Divert your grey water. Consult Barwon Water for the Do’s and Don’ts
3. Leave some water out for the birds
4. Take cuttings and collect seeds from your favourite plants. (Come into McGain’s and we will show you how).
5. Prune Wisteria. Get rid of all the long wispy bits. Flowers will come from the thicker growth off the first 5 to 7 buds
6. Don’t plant flower seedlings this month as there may still be days when the temperature reaches + 40 degrees. Spread some organic fertiliser on areas where you want to plant and wait until early March to plant. New autumn seedlings will be at McGain’s from 1st March.
7. Go to the fridge, get out a cold drink, sit on your deck, put your feet up on the table and contemplate what else you can do with your backyard.

Do you need more shade trees? Do you want to screen out the neighbours? Do you need a watering system? Does your wife spend a fortune on limes for gin & tonics over summer?

For the answers to these and other garden design or horticultural problems visit McGain’s during February so you can prepare your garden for Autumn planting.

McGains Nursery is open everyday in the Industrial Estate, Anglesea.

Tel: 5263 3841 Peter McGain has been designing and building beautiful gardens since 1971.