february gardening

The hottest days are over, the soil is warm and moist from summer rains making February an ideal time to plant for Aussie gardeners.

• Before planting new shrubs, make sure to dig the soil well over an area twice as wide and deep as the diameter and depth of the root ball of your new plant. Add plenty of compost and some slow release fertiliser. Always fill the hole with water and allow it to drain away before planting, so that the roots have moisture below.
• Prune back

  fuchsias

  ,

  geraniums

  ,

  pelargoniums

  ,

  daisies

  and

  hydrangeas

  this month. If you would like additional plants, use the pruned material for cuttings. (view our PLANT PROPAGATION article here)
• Watch lawns for signs of

  lawn grub

  . Bald patches of grass and foraging birds on the lawn are a sure sign. If affected, cover the grub-laden area with an old towel or cloth over night. In the morning you will find the caterpillars under the cloth. Lawn grubs are easy to control with a hose on lawn grub killer.
• Trim spent flowers from

  petunias

  and other summer annuals for another burst of colour in autumn. Plant

  French marigolds

  ,

  dianthus

  ,

  impatiens

  ,

  salvia

  and

  coleus

  to fill empty gaps.
• Look after your

  citrus trees

  . Check carefully for collar rot, if grass or weeds have grown up around the trunk. Collar rot appears as a soft spongy or cracked bark at the base of the trunk. If you find it scrape away the damaged bark and paint the area with a paste of Bordeaux powder. Leaf miners love the tender new shoots on citrus trees. Control them with a fortnightly spray with Eco Oil.

• Hibiscus

  are amongst the greediest plants in the garden. Feed them well to promote flowers and healthy growth.

• Camellias

  love fish emulsion and seaweed fertiliser to restore their dark green foliage after the hot summer. As their buds swell remove the excess leaving just one or two on each stem. This will give them extra energy to produce perfect flowers.
• As the weather cools down bring

  cymbidiums

  into a well-lit position and feed them with a fertiliser to promote the flower spikes that will begin to form now for winter. There are many available to choose from.
• Plan your autumn bulb planting now. Spring flowering

  daffodils

  ,

  jonquils

  ,

  freesias

  ,

  ranunculus

  ,

  anemones

  ,

  snowdrops

  ,

  bluebells

  and

  tulips

  are in the stores now. Get in early as the best selection soon runs out. Keep them in the fridge until late March before planting. Make sure that they do not freeze.
• Prepare your veggie garden for major planting next month. Dig it well adding plenty of compost and manure.
• This month you can plant out a last crop of

  beans

  ,

  lettuce

  and

  tomatoes

  in warmer districts. Make sure you leave room for the winter vegetables next month.