Make Spring Sing
Melanie Rosettenstein dishes the dirt on how to get your garden to spring to life.
It’s warming up but the sun doesn’t have that summer sting – yet. Now is the perfect time to get your hands dirty.
Stuart Bain from Earth Creation Landscapes says everything you do now to prepare your garden will repay you tenfold once the summer growing season starts. So, dust off your secateurs and start with pruning all the dead wood out of your larger trees; removing any winter growth and minimising the size of your plants, such as heliconias and gingers.
“Don’t be shy about it either,” he says, “Your plants will love you for it in a couple of months. Spring is the time to also get on top of the dreaded weeds before they get out of control. Don’t be lazy or you’ll regret it. Get the wheelbarrow out, order a lovely, fresh load of mulch and cover your beds to a depth of around 100mm. This will get you ahead of the weeding game for another 12 months!”
When it comes to the latest gardening trends and the growing desire for fresh, organic produce, Stuart recognises that more and more people are shifting towards growing their own food.
“There is something very special about knowing that you have been able to plant, grow and then eat what you have sown,” he says. “My advice to anyone thinking of going down this garden path of joy is to start small. Don’t try and create a vegetable garden that will feed the entire neighbourhood.
“Be realistic with your expectations. You will have failures but don’t be disheartened, it’s a learning curve and remember Rome wasn’t built in a day – nor was rosemary grown in one.
Stuart says this also offers the perfect way to get the kids off the screens.
“Remove that device from their sweaty, vegemite-covered little mitts and get them outside to discover the joy and magic of ‘The Garden’!” he says.
If pretty foliage and flowers are a must in your garden, whether it’s a free-flowing native garden, a structured or formal garden, make sure you balance colours with plant size and shape.
“The trick is to visualise the garden as if all the plant material has reached full maturity. Don’t over-plant and think carefully about the placement of new plant material,” Stuart advises.
“Choosing colours for your garden beds entirely depends on the overall effect you’re going for. Mass-planted whites and pastel colours will give you a calming effect while bold reds, yellows and blues will make a statement.
“When selecting colour in the garden, keep it simple. Choose fewer colours but more plants. Mass plantings of single colours are never wrong.”
Stuart says hardscaping elements like pathways, firepits and patios continue to be popular.
“These elements are focal points in the garden. Firepits are a place where families can connect, cook marshmallows and drink wine; while outdoor showers are now stunning works of art,” he says, adding that this year’s spring gardens may look a bit different due to the unseasonal rain and a cooler winter.
But you’ll never know until you start so get those shovels out and start planning, pruning and planting! For a beautiful, bountiful spring garden, preparation is key and it all starts with the basics – your soil, mulch, fertiliser, weeding and irrigation. Here are Simon van Roy from Manawee Garden Centre’s top tips for preparing your garden ahead of planting:
Soil
Dig in organic matter, manure, compost and worm castings for a rich mix that will allow strong root growth. If you have heavy clay-based soil opt for light organic matter, for sandy soils, add more manures for moisture retention.
Mulch
Mulch acts like a blanket that protects soil and important micro-organisms. Make sure you use the best quality mulch then dig it into your garden. The faster it breaks down the more it feeds your garden.
Fertilisers
Use a variety of products to get a range of nutrients into the soil. Organic-based products will give you a faster result. Remember there isn’t one product that fixes everything. You’ll need to mix it up.
Weeds
Weeds fight with your plants for nutrients and can even smother them. Weed regularly.
Check your irrigation
If you have an irrigation system, chances are it needs some attention after winter. Check for leaks and blockages and make sure it’s ready, especially for a dry summer.
