July brings us into mid-winter and although we get some sunny days, especially after a heavy frost, we must still keep up with winter gardening tasks.
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Landscaping, digging over beds, dividing perennials and transplanting are major jobs as is winter pruning.
Check your gardening tools are in good repair and sharpen those that need it.
Rhubarb, asparagus and strawberries may be planted.
CITRUS CARE
I have noticed many citrus plants being carried out of nurseries in the past month and hope that their owners will keep them in the pots until spring as this is a much better time to plant citrus.
When you plant a citrus tree make sure it has protection from the west and south weathers, is planted in a rich, light soil and with the graft union above ground level.
ORCHID ENDS
When orchids have finished flowering cut off the dead flower stem and move the pot to a less prominent position. Feed with organic Dynamic Lifter pellets.
If the pot is overcrowded wait till the weather is a little warmer then break up the clump and repot with potting mix especially formulated for orchids.
IRIS-DESENT
A tough little plant for frosty coastal areas is Dietes bicolour, the butterfly iris.
This extremely hardy plant will tolerate a range of soil conditions including sandy and clay and is best grown in full sun or very light shade.
A South African native it produces stiff, grassy, slightly arching green leaves and flat, round, iris-like yellow flowers with brown blotches in the centre held on long stalks.
July brings us into mid-winter ...
Pest alert
Watch out for the first sign of pink in the buds of peach and nectarine trees, ornamental as well as the fruiting varieties and as soon as you notice this, spray for curly leaf.
Dieback usually occurs as the result of disease entering wounds on plants made by physical or insect damage.
Remove the infected part to a healthy growth.
Many plant diseases belong to the fungoid family.
The spores of this group rest on the stems or growing buds of their host plants and patiently wait there for the new leaf growth to begin so they can spread the disease again.
These diseases, and many more, can to a great extent, be controlled by a spray programme.
All affected fallen leaves should be raked up and burnt because the spores of the diseases are resting on these leaves as well as on the plants.
