Weigelas provide a splash of colour in the mixed border garden with their attractive, trumpet-shaped tubular flowers in shades of pink, red and white.
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These small shrubs adapt well and can be trained as standards or espaliered against a wall.
They do best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade.
Dwarf varieties of fruit trees can be grown in containers, and kiwifruit, grapes and passionfruit can be trained as climbers.
Plant blueberries, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, parsley, lettuce, garlic and silverbeet.
Sow spinach, snow peas, carrots, radish, endive, onions and parsnips.
Cautious with caulies
Careful selection of cauliflower varieties allows them to be grown for much of the year.
Plant in fertile, loamy soil to which plenty of well-rotted organic compost has been added.
A pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is best, and lime should be used to increase the pH level if necessary.
The curd, or head, of the cauliflower is an edible flower.
Azalea care
Decorative azaleas have many uses in the garden and show their best when seen in groups.
When planting several azaleas together, take care to plant according to their spread as overcrowding can lead to defoliation, leaving unattractive, woody plants.
They grow best in semi-shaded areas away from the hot summer sun.
Azaleas like an acid soil with good drainage and a mulch of organic matter such as well-rotted manure. Keep soil moist.
Make the most of moth orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids, commonly known as moth orchids, are native to tropical Asia and make beautiful potted plants.
They need a chunky, well-drained orchid mix to grow in and love humidity and bright, but indirect, light.
To create a humid environment, sit your potted moth orchid on a saucer filled with pebbles and regularly add water to the saucer.
To keep moth orchids well-nourished and flowering, feed regularly with an orchid food like Yates Thrive Orchid Liquid Plant Food.
Take good care of your orchids and they’ll keep on blooming for many years.
Perfect potatoes
The eating quality of potatoes can be affected by over-watering. Often dry-grown potatoes that rely on summer rains are better than potatoes that have been forced by watering.
The ideal soil is a sandy to medium loam that has had plenty of well-composted organic matter added. Heavy soils can be improved by regular, deep digging and the addition of organic matter.
Careful soil preparation can reduce the amount of water needed to grow tasty taties.