Coastal Gardening in September

by Peter McGain

Welcome to Spring

We have all survived another winter (not that it was really cold) and we are preparing to welcome our tanned grey haired neighbours back into the fold after their caravan journeys to the deep north. Soon we will be able to chat over the fence about the latest going ons at Noosa, Magnetic Island and the Middle East and then forget it 10 seconds later and turn our minds to the garden.

The race is on. Can we get tomatoes for Christmas, impatiens flowering by Cup Day or petunia baskets to die for? Fortunately the answer is yes, but you had better get busy.

JOBS FOR SEPTEMBER

THE LAWN
If you have a build up of thatch (all the dead material under the grass) especially on couch, kikuyu and buffalo lawns, set the mower really low and scalp it almost back to bare earth. If your lawn is fescue or fine rye grass simply feed with a slow releasing quality lawn food eg Scotts Lawn Builder and watch how it transforms into a brilliant green. Remember, a well fed, healthy lawn requires little water in summer and is less vulnerable to weed infestation.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
Get down and get dirty. Fork over the bare ground or dig in your green crop. Add an organic fertiliser and draw up what you are going to plant where. Put up some trellis or wire mesh on the southern side of your plot to grow tomatoes, climbing beans or peas. Then create mounded rows facing north. When all else fails read the instructions on the seed packets or ask your local nursery people.

SOW OR PLANT
Lettuce, radish, capsicum, silver beet, sweet corn, spring onions, chives and basil and almost anything else.

FLOWER GARDEN - BASKETS & POTS
Petunias, impatiens, alyssum, lobellia, dwarf marigolds, nasturtium.

IN THE GARDEN
Mix perennials and annuals in order to achieve an easy care garden. When planting seedlings plant in drifts or masses of the one variety. Work out what sort of personality you are and plant accordingly. If you are rigid and structured you will be happiest with an unbusy look. If you are free and easy, plant anything, any colour, anywhere and finish by casting mixed seeds from the veranda.

McGains Nursery in Anglesea a professional garden advisory and landscaping service.