July Garden Jobs

[Bronwyn Blake]

What jobs should I be doing with my Australian native plants in July?​

• If you are experiencing frost damage to tender specimens such as native rainforest species it is best to leave the damaged shoots in place until spring as cutting them back now may lead to further burning of tender new shoots.
• Seedlings of colourful annuals such as paper daisies can be started now in a punnet or pot in a protected position and transplanted into the garden when the weather warms up for a prolonged flower display through spring and summer.
• If you have a farm or very large garden, consider planting a deciduous native tree such as red or white cedar on the western side of your property to provide winter sun and summer shade. Both species can become quite large, so don’t plant close to buildings.
• Mulching in bushfire prone areas can also be addressed at this time of year. Inorganic mulches such as gravel are just as effective at preventing water loss as organic materials and can be used close to the house to reduce fire hazard.
• Carpobrotus and Disphyma have fire retardant properties. Now is a good time to plant these native succulents so they can grow to form a good spread of living mulch.
• Many of the native fuchsias (Correa species) have finished flowering now so it is a good time to give them a light trim in climates where frost is not severe. In colder areas wait until the danger of frost has passed.
• If you have a protected area of the garden such as a small greenhouse then you can plant seed of trees and shrubs that you can get established in time for a spring planting. Sow a number of seeds into a pot and thin out to the strongest one to get the best possible root system for your new plantings.
• This is a good time to extend your bush tucker larder by planting Muntries (Kunzea pomifera). This tough waterwise shrub is ideal for coastal and other areas and yields small berries that can be eaten fresh or dried and make a very serviceable jam or relish additive.
• Watch out for borers in waratah flower buds at this time of year. Small holes are the evidence of attack. Use a piece of wire to squash the grubs to reduce the damage to developing flower buds.
• While things are quiet in the garden why not build a rockery for some of the spectacular native plants that need very good drainage such as lechenaultias, blue dampieras and feather flowers (verticordias).
• If you are in a bushfire prone area this would be a good time to reduce fuel loads in bush gardens. If you are not allowed to burn off fallen leaves and bark then many councils offer a green waste collection service.