IN THE GARDEN
The Age
Saturday September 12, 2009
IT MUST be spring because the weeds are growing in the paths and the lawn needs mowing. I'm not one to use weedicide willy-nilly but I admit to dabbing a bit on those pesky weeds in the paths.FROSTS have been frequent this winter, which is usual in dry years. However, the damage to ground covers and shrubs is more severe than usual here in East Gippsland. Now spring is peaking through, I will prune all the unsightly brown foliage so the emerging shoots underneath turn the garden green again.I LIKE to leave the French lavender flowers on the hedge through winter even though they went brown after the frosts. Spring is my chance to hedge the foliage back to a neat shape to stimulate a new crop of flowers for spring and summer.SPRING is blossom time in the orchard and how pretty the pink and white blossom is. However, I must look closely at the new growth, particularly on the stone fruit, to check for aphids whose population can explode in days.SPRING is associated with strong winds and I have not yet tied up the broad bean plants that are about half a metre high. Many other plants also may need a stake and tie to keep them upright.
© 2009 The Age
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