Handy Hints From the Horticulturist
Watering & Water Conservation - When establishing new plants it is imperative that they get off to a good start, a good water source is vital for their establishment, when watering new plants or any plants for that matter it is important that the plant develops a healthy root system, instead of watering every day with a light sprinkle because we are conscious of our current water situation. Water at the roots of the plant and really soak the soil, this will encourage a stronger, deeper root system which will allow the plant to extract water & nutrients deeper within the soil which will require less frequent supplementary watering in the future. Wetting agents are also useful & remember MULCH - MULCH - MULCH.
Plants & Plantings - When choosing plants for the garden look at where the plants are to be planted, does the area slope away which will not retain water or is the area to be planted in a low spot in the garden which will retain too much water, do the group of plants chosen all require a lot of water or are they all drought tolerant, there are plants for many situations, the first rule is to group the plants with similar requirements - Sun, Shade, Drought Tolerant, High Water Requirement then place your plants accordingly drought tolerant plants at the high spot and high water requirement plants at the low spot so that when you water the plants at the top the water will run down to the plants at the bottom.
Pest & Disease Control - Good Horticultural practices can save a lot of time, money & heartache in the garden, when watering the garden always try to water in the morning, this will not only encourage stronger plant growth which will be more resistant to pest & disease damage it will discourage a lot of the fungal diseases that thrive on moist, humid conditions. Encourage birds into the garden by planting plants which will encourage birds to feed, you will find that the birds will also eliminate a lot of those unwanted insects. Create habitats for frogs & lizards to clean up a lot of unwanted insects and have fun doing it. Chemicals in the garden will eliminate many beneficial insects as well as pests but more importantly the can be residual which can be harmful to family & pets.
The Good - The Bad - The Ugly - While there are numerous pests in the garden there are also many beneficial insects that can help eradicate many of the unwanted insects, ladybirds & lacewings are two common beneficial insects found in the common garden and they feed on aphids and other insects which attack new growth of plants another is the Leaf-Curling Spider, while there are many spiders that are beneficial in the garden it's the Black Hairy Ones that we need to watch, clean up any leaf litter that may be accumulated in the garden this is a perfect environment for this type of spider, red back spiders will also hide in dark sheltered areas so when the family is out in the garden remember to wear gloves and educate the kids not to touch areas that could be habitats for nasty spiders. Gloves and protective clothing should always be worn in the garden, plant material carries many pathogens that can be harmful to humans, the worst are Rose Thorns, clean tools regularly to avoid the spread of disease, remove weeds in the garden as they create competition for wanted plants, the wanted plants become less resistant to pests & disease and more pests are encouraged to the garden.
A family day in the garden is a great way for the family to spend quality time together,
be vigilant and enjoy!
Plants & Plantings - When choosing plants for the garden look at where the plants are to be planted, does the area slope away which will not retain water or is the area to be planted in a low spot in the garden which will retain too much water, do the group of plants chosen all require a lot of water or are they all drought tolerant, there are plants for many situations, the first rule is to group the plants with similar requirements - Sun, Shade, Drought Tolerant, High Water Requirement then place your plants accordingly drought tolerant plants at the high spot and high water requirement plants at the low spot so that when you water the plants at the top the water will run down to the plants at the bottom.
Pest & Disease Control - Good Horticultural practices can save a lot of time, money & heartache in the garden, when watering the garden always try to water in the morning, this will not only encourage stronger plant growth which will be more resistant to pest & disease damage it will discourage a lot of the fungal diseases that thrive on moist, humid conditions. Encourage birds into the garden by planting plants which will encourage birds to feed, you will find that the birds will also eliminate a lot of those unwanted insects. Create habitats for frogs & lizards to clean up a lot of unwanted insects and have fun doing it. Chemicals in the garden will eliminate many beneficial insects as well as pests but more importantly the can be residual which can be harmful to family & pets.
The Good - The Bad - The Ugly - While there are numerous pests in the garden there are also many beneficial insects that can help eradicate many of the unwanted insects, ladybirds & lacewings are two common beneficial insects found in the common garden and they feed on aphids and other insects which attack new growth of plants another is the Leaf-Curling Spider, while there are many spiders that are beneficial in the garden it's the Black Hairy Ones that we need to watch, clean up any leaf litter that may be accumulated in the garden this is a perfect environment for this type of spider, red back spiders will also hide in dark sheltered areas so when the family is out in the garden remember to wear gloves and educate the kids not to touch areas that could be habitats for nasty spiders. Gloves and protective clothing should always be worn in the garden, plant material carries many pathogens that can be harmful to humans, the worst are Rose Thorns, clean tools regularly to avoid the spread of disease, remove weeds in the garden as they create competition for wanted plants, the wanted plants become less resistant to pests & disease and more pests are encouraged to the garden.
A family day in the garden is a great way for the family to spend quality time together,
be vigilant and enjoy!
