Keys to a Fabulous Garden

Keys to a Fabulous Garden

  

Establishment is crucial

 Establishment is crucial to make plants tough and hardy. Here is how to do it...

  

1. Soil conditioner - The backbone of the garden  

Add Organic Pure Magic Compost to garden beds prior to planting, this will loosen soil for growing roots and provide a quality medium to assist plants to absorb nutrients and moisture.

 

2. Wetting agent - The water saver

  • Dig Rapid Soak through new garden beds and sprinkle it over the tops of all garden beds. Rapid Soak is a re-wetting agent that helps soil to absorb water and moisture and delivers it deeper to the root zones of plants. It also assists the soil to retain nutrients, making it easier for the plants to take them up.

 

  • Rapid Soak should be added to the garden at least twice per year. It maintains its overall water retention capability and ensures the soil does not dry out and repel water. Rapid Soak should always be added to new plantings. If the soil has been let to dry out completely at any stage, reapply Rapid Soak to ensure water does not sit on the surface or run off.

 

3.Feeding - The balanced diet

Apply Organic Pelletised Fertiliser twice a year in Spring and Autumn. Specific fertilizers to offer better flowering and fruiting in a variety of plants particularly in our poor soils include:

 

 

 

Apply specialised fertilisers every 6 weeks throughout the growing season.

 

Your garden will flourish with lush growth and basically be healthier and stronger. Regular feeding not only provides the essential nutrients to make plants look their best but it helps to develop stronger plants. Healthy plants in turn fight pests and disease better and withstand tougher growing conditions such as reduced watering and extended periods of dry heat.

 

4. Maxicrop - The vitamin 'pill' and root starter

With new plantings we recommend that you water with Maxicrop every 2 weeks for 3 months after planting. This hasten the settling in of new plants, so they escape their pots and encourages maximum root growth into the garden.

A monthly dose of Maxicrop around the garden will help to re-invigorate tired roots and re-juvanate existing plants. Ask us about a quick and easy applicator to apply Maxicrop.

 

5.Mulch - The finishing touch

Mulch can consist on various types of material including barks and straws. We stock the most environmentally friendly option with low carbon footprint that is available at the time. The depth depends on the type of mulch.

  • Organic Lucerne and Pea Straw add nutrient to the garden as they break down

 

Always apply a sprinkling of Organic Pelletised Fertiliser and Rapid Soak prior to any new layer of mulch as mulch can draw nutrients away from plants as it is breaking down.

It is easy to get complacent about retaining moisture. No matter what the season we want to see mulch on all gardens. Mulch assists moisture retention, helps to reduce weeds and means the garden uses less water overall. Additionally it provides a newly planted garden with a finished and established feel.

 

6. Watering - Without wasting

Water is essential to establishing a new garden and during dry spells. How often depends on your allocated day, sun, air temperature, wind and rain. The best thing to do is disturb the surface of the soil and feel for moisture before you water.

Hand watering is efficient when water is directed to the roots for 3-5 seconds for each shrub (longer for large trees). If you have a drip system we recommend that it run for no longer then 40 minutes. Systems do vary so check the directions or ask your installer.

New gardens with drip systems also require hand watering while they are establishing, as roots may not have established to the dripper zone.

Ongoing summer survival will continue to be impacted by the health and strength of the plants and quality of the soil prior to the weather hitting. Everything we have outlined will maximise your garden's ability to beat the heat and dry conditions!