Follow these green-thumb tips and your garden will be blooming in no time.
- The orange-red wasps that fly over the surface of your lawn at dusk should not be treated as pests. They are actually trying to find an army grub (lawn grub) to lay their eggs into. Their parasitic relationship is of great benefit to us.
- If ants are invading a pot or a particular garden area, it could be for one of two reasons. The area may dry out too often – ants generally nest in dry areas. Or, it may be that a plant close by is actually besieged by sucking insects (scale) that leave a sugary sap behind, hence attracting ants.
- Trim hedges on a very slight angle for maximum surface area in contact with sun. This ensures thick, healthy growth at the base of the hedge.
- When you purchase plants, ensure a thorough soaking in a bucket of water before planting, so that the plant doesn’t dry out soon after planting in the ground.
- “Preparation is the key to success”. “Fail to prepare and prepare to fail.” These two quotes are 100 per cent true. The soil is the preparation we need to do before any planting takes place. Dig a hole twice the width and depth and mound up higher than original soil. Plant on mound.
- Charlie Carp does for plants what yoghurt does for people.
- Always raise potted plants off the ground on feet, to prevent ants and worms entering pots.
- When using a pressure spray or house fertiliser, add a couple of drops of food colour, so you know where you’ve been and when you run out.
- Plants are like people. They need food, water and a little TLC.
