July
A great month for pruning – not spring-flowering trees and shrubs.
Roses should be pruned this month (frost-prone areas can wait until August).
Stone fruit that suffer from leaf curl should be sprayed with Copper Oxychloride during the last two weeks of July (then again during early August).
Crepe Myrtles should be cut back to within several centimetres of last year’s growth – don’t prune back to the same spot as ugly calluses will appear.
August
Fertilise citrus this month; only use slow-release on potted plants.
Feed ground-grown plants with poultry manure, followed several weeks later with citrus food.
Hydrangeas that have been pruned back to two plump eyes should be fertilised, giving consideration to colour.
Once camellias are finished flowering, deadhead and trim to shape, fertilise and mulch with peat moss.
Early tomatoes can be planted in well-manured soil.
Eradicate weeds before lawns are fertilised.
September
Don’t fertilise lawns until they are actively growing.
Agapanthus, murraya, gardenia and other flowering summer plants should be fertilised with cow manure.
Don’t prune tropical plants until warm weather is established.
If gardenias develop yellow leaves as they are setting flowers, apply chelated iron and keep well-watered.
October
Camellias and azaleas should be fertilised after flowering. Use a slow-release fertiliser for potted plants.
Roses are prone to aphid attack on their new growth; keep this under control with pyrethrum or Malathon.
Hibiscus making new growth will need cow manure and chelated iron to prevent yellow leaves.
November
Give native shrubs that have finished flowering a light prune.
Summer-flowering annuals and vegetables will benefit from an application of blood and bone.
Watch for fruit fly attacking tomatoes, stone fruit and other ripening vegetables.
Use fruit fly baits and paint tomato stakes with a spreadable paste of Vegamite and Malathon (no specific ratio).
December
End of the year again, and it’s mulching time, ready for the long, hot summer.
Use peat moss around the root surface of azaleas and camellias and mulch the rest of the garden with sugar cane mulch. Plant annuals for Christmas colour.
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