Come On Spring!

With Spring just weeks away there is a renewed optimism so, "let's have a go". Water restrictions (although relaxed) are still in force and as yet we are not sure what the next level will involve BUT they certainly won't be able to ban mulch, wetting agents, water crystals or our will as gardeners.

The dry cool Winter has produced some better than average plants this year with the best display of Grevilleas we have seen for many years. Kangaroo Paws have been in abundant supply with a larger variety available than in previous years. So too the Cyclamen, they are stunning and should flower well into September making them the best value potted colour around.

Mulch garden beds using an organic mulch such as Lucerne or sugar cane. Top dress with a scattering of Dynamic Lifter or well rotted manure.

Rejuvenate pot plants by re-potting into a larger pot. Trim unwanted or pot bound roots, use a premium or good quality potting mix and feed with slow fertilizer. As usual, water in well so the soil gets washed into the roots. This will give the plants a boost ready for new spring growth.

Many Australian natives flower during winter; they provide much-needed colour and nectar to attract the birds, so why not plant one?

Deadhead camellia and azalea flowers as they fade. This makes the plant look better and reduces the chance of spreading diseases like petal blight.

Daffodils and Jonquils will have almost finished flowering now so remove their flower stalks but leave the leaves to die back naturally because they are storing energy in the bulb for next year.

Perennial plants should be dug up, divided and replanted now before the warmth of spring brings them to life. Divide them with a sharp spade or a large gardening knife.

Summer seems so far away but now is the time to plant summer and autumn flowering bulbs like Gladioli, Christmas Lily, Nerine and Hippeastrum. You can cover the bare soil by planting some quick flowering annuals.

Take cuttings of Chrysanthemums and strike them in a free draining mixture with a lot of sand. You will still have to keep them warm so cover the pot with a plastic shopping bag.

Plant deciduous plants if the buds haven't opened.

Turn your compost heap to keep the heat even. If the compost is kept warm (or hot) it will break down faster, which is good because you can use it sooner then begin a new heap.

We can all help the fauna that lives on our doorstep by turning our gardens and backyards into natural havens. Visit the Flora for Fauna web site and find out what Flora to select to attract Fauna in your local area. Flora for Fauna is an initiative of the Nursery & Garden Industry and is supported by the Federal Government through its Natural Heritage Trust.

Dwarf Mountain Pine

Clinging to the cliff faces within the spray zone of only a few waterfalls in the upper Blue Mountains the rare and endangered little conifer, Microstrobos fitzgeraldii, can be found.

Growing only on south facing cliffs at 700-900 metres above sea level, it is now threatened by polluted water from urban run off and invading weeds such as montbretia and ivy.

To preserve this species, removal of weeds and rubbish from the plants steep habitat is achieved by abseiling down the cliff face.

The botanical name, Microstrobos comes from the Greek words "mikros", meaning small and "strobos" meaning cone. The species name, Fitzgeraldii, honours Robert D Fitzgerald, (1830-1892), a botanical artist and orchidologist.

The plants have a weeping habit with delicate, pendulous branchlets and are slow growing to a maximum height of 2 metres. Because of the low numbers, due to the limited range of its habitat, there has not been a lot of study of the species ... the rate of growth is not yet known.

M. Fitzgeraldii are dioecious - male and female cones are found on separate plants. Less than 300 individual plants are known to exist in the wild. In cultivation, propagation is from cuttings. Plants require a shady situation with good drainage and plenty of moisture. They are also suited for growing in pots.

Mountain Arks

Mountain Arks is a cottage industry based in Warrimoo amid the beautiful Blue Mountains, West of Sydney. They manufacture tastefully well designed and constructed timber pet enclosures for use as chicken coops, rabbit hutches, guinea pig cages, dog kennels and nesting boxes.

Visit Mountain Arks. website.