5 things to get your garden ready this Spring
Mulch.
One of the best things you can do for your garden at the beginning of Spring is to mulch! Mulch makes it harder for weeds to grow while keeping the soil damp but remember that it should be no more than 100mm thick (even when you’re topping up).
Try to steer clear of coloured mulches, they contain dyes which can stain concrete and brickwork and will fade quickly and look poor after a short amount of time.
Natural is always a winner!
BEN’S TIP: If you’re mulching from scratch, start saving up your newspapers to lay them on the soil before you start. This creates a bio-degradable barrier for weeds that will let the water and air into the soil while your plants take off. I’d recommend about 3-4 sheets thick, wet with water when you lay it and then cover with mulch.
Prune.
Spring is a great opportunity to get out and make sure any fruit trees and other deciduous plants are pruned back to encourage better flowering and fruiting.
This also applies to natives too.
I’m a big fan of ‘tip pruning’ shrubs at the start of Spring to promote a good flush of new growth.
Watch this short video on how to tip prune.
Feed.
Give your garden a good feed at the beginning of Spring. Get yourself a slow release fertiliser and follow the dosing instructions on the label.
Make sure you choose the right fertiliser for the right plants.
Some natives, like Banksias and Grevilleas can’t cope with fertilisers that have high phosphorus (it can kill them), so make sure to get a good quality native slow release for this group. Other natives, like Kangaroo Paws, will cope with a more general slow release fertiliser.
Talk to your local garden centre if you’re not sure.
Fill empty spaces.
It’s a particularly great time of year to fill in those empty spots in your garden, as Spring brings the perfect combination of sunny days and the highest average rainfall for the year!
Natives are a great choice.
There are hundreds for you to choose from and range from lilies to grasses to shrubs and everything in-between.
Native nurseries like Edendale Farm in Eltham and La Trobe Native Nursery in Bundoora have a huge range and expert advice to help you choose the right plants for your garden.
Wildlife box or insect hotel.
I cannot speak highly enough of these! If you can encourage beneficial insects and microbats into your backyard, it can help to keep those nasties away – not just in spring but all year round. There are plenty of videos and blogs online to help you build an insect hotel, and you can purchase wildlife boxes from specialised groups, like La Trobe Native Nursery, who can give you pointers on where to install them. A great project for little kids (and big kids) who want to encourage natural fauna into their gardens – and it’s fun to watch!
