Gardening tips: Sure-fire way to get your garden humming this summer, guru Dennis Scott tells how

Gardening wasn’t meant to be complicated. Beat the extremes and bring new life to your outdoor space this summer.

Landscaping and gardening expert Dennis Scott, of Selling Houses Australia, has joined News Corp Australia as a regular writer. You’ll find Dennis’ next monthly column in At Home on December 11.

In this article, Dennis shares his summer survival tips for lush lawns plus what to plant depending on your local climate.

Hello Summer!

Let the sunshine in and let summer begin. Are you summer garden ready?

Spring is all-but over, with the temperature and humidity rising this is a sure sign that summer is coming faster than a father racing the clock on Christmas Eve.

With these few tips and pre-planning your gardens do not need to be in the same last-minute frenzy.

Dennis Scott gardening guru and columnist.

BE SUN SMART WITH YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER

The Australian sun is unforgiving, so I suggest you try and get your garden tasks done in the cooler parts of the day (as a guide before 10am or after 4pm). Garden tasks require energy so it’s safer and more efficient if we can avoid the heat.

Wear a broad brimmed hat, UV rated clothing, apply sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Hydration is also important for our plants.

Summer can also bring storms and too much rainfall can create other problems.

Heavy rain can damage plants, erode soil and wash your mulch away. The combination of excess rain, moisture and humidity also creates the ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections in your garden.

Be sunsmart, for yourself and your garden.

Prepping your garden for the summer downpour is more about water management.

Ensure all debris is removed from waterways and clear your gutters and drains. Trim any damaged plants and make sure any debris or mulch washed against the trunk or stem of your plant is pushed away, this can create root rot from excess moisture.

In any major storm event, please contact your local council and follow their advice.

Have an emergency kit at the ready, remove all garden furniture and loose items that may cause damage to both plants and the house.

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF WATERING YOUR GARDEN

Higher temperatures will mean higher water requirements.

Failing to stay on top of a regular watering schedule during summer is a sure-fire way to see your lawn and gardens struggle. Here’s the trick to what to do (and not do) during the hottest months:

DON’T

Water your garden in the scorching sun. Water during the cooler periods of the day, morning is best. This part of garden maintenance is taken for granted and many individuals forget to stick to it.

DO

Install the right watering system. A strong irrigation system or watering plan is the key to a vibrant garden and lawn.

Watering manually using a garden hose or a watering can is time consuming. There are so many sprinklers on the market than can help but you need to consider your plant and lawns needs. An automated irrigation system could be the perfect solution for a time poor and forgetful gardener. This option will ensure your plants are hydrated and healthy.

Mulching is the final key ingredient for the perfect watering schedule.

Water during the cooler periods of the day, morning is best.

Install a good layer (approx. 75mm in depth) of quality organic mulch such as Tea Tree fines. Mulch has 3 key benefits:

+ suppress summer weeds

+ reduce the temperature of the soil and,

+ reduce evaporation to keep your plants roots moist and happy for longer periods.

Mulch also breaks down providing important nutrients back into the soil providing the plants with food to survive, I suggest using a general-purpose slow release fertiliser installed under the mulch to assist with this process.

It will also help revitalise the look and feel of your garden increasing the kerb appeal.

FIVE SUMMER SECRETS FOR LUSCIOUS LAWNS

The Australian Summer is all about sun, fun and festive times, but for our lawn it is the toughest season of them all. We need to be prepared to offer some TLC to ensure our lawn continues to thrive.

1. Equipment

Like all seasons at the very start is a great opportunity to ensure our garden equipment is ready for the season ahead. Your mower is an integral part of this equipment. You need to ensure your blades are sharp, if not replace them. Blunt blades cause damage to the grass allowing disease and pests to attack. Check them now.

2. Fertilise

I know you did this during spring but we need to do it again. Give your grass a good dose of slow-release fertiliser at the start of summer when temperatures are not their highest and your lawn will reward you with strong summer time performance.

The perfect SCG-style lawn is every gardener’s dream.

3 Wetting agent

If you are in the hotter zones I recommend using a quality wetting agent such as HydraMaxx to improve water penetration and retention in the soil. Summer usually means water restrictions so water early in the mornings before the heat of the day to maximise your effort and avoid any fungal infections if the grass is damp for a long period overnight.

4 Mowing

With the increased heat and water reduction your lawn may not grow as fast as other months, adjust your mowing height to allow for a longer blade of grass to help with water retention.

Mowing in the middle of the day will cause the leaf to burn more than early morning or late afternoon. If you do it in the late afternoon a nice cold beverage could be the reward!

Use a catcher to prevent excess grass laying on your lawn preventing air circulation, increasing the risk of fungal infections.

A weed free garden is the other dream.

5 Weeds

Sadly weeds don’t seem to care about what day, month, year or season it is, to have a weed free garden is everyone’s dream!

Weeds like Cats Ear, Cudweed and Creeping Oxalis should respond to herbicides like Bow & Arrow.

This will not be effective on all weeds, a Buffalo lawn will require a different herbicide than a cooch lawn, a lawn in Queensland will be different to a lawn in Victoria and NSW so consult with your local lawn professional or turf supplier to get the right advice.

If you are having issues with weeds consult your lawn professional for further advice. Some chemicals require PPE and specialist equipment to apply.

MAKE YOUR EDIBLE SUMMER GARDEN THE PICK OF THE CROP

Summer Plantings

It’s not all doom and gloom over summer, as there are a huge variety of plants available to plant during the summer period that will happily show off their foliage and flowers, especially natives.

But the pick of the crop is definitely your summer edible garden. With lots of options and an almost instant return, this could be your most rewarding gardening season of the year. Choose the right plants for your environment and you will be blessed with a thriving summer crop.

Tropical Wet/Dry climates (Gold Coast to FNQ, Coastal northern NSW, NT, WA):

Herbs – Basil, Lemongrass, Coriander & Mint

Fruit/Veg – Lettuce, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Pumpkin & Capsicum

Mediterranean (Adelaide/Perth):

Herbs – Pick the flowers from your basil and parsley crop to avoid them bolting into seed. They will continue to provide you with edible leaf.

Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated, break each task down into small steps and you can garden at your own pace.

Veg – Tomatoes, Lettuce, Zucchini & capsicum. (Get these in by the end of January)

Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Canberra):

Herbs – Parsley, Coriander, Basil & Chives

Fruit/Veg – Leek, Beetroots, Zucchini, Carrot & Pumpkins

Dry Inland, Arid/Outback: Inland NSW and Queensland, Central Australia

Herbs – Basil loves the hot weather but you will need to keep the water up to it.

Fruit/Veg – Pumpkin, Leek and Melons. Keep well-watered and under shade where possible

GARDENING SHOULD BE DONE AT YOUR OWN PACE

Still confused?

Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated, break each task down into small steps and you can garden at your own pace. Soon after you will be rewarded with a beautiful garden offering street appeal, delicious flavours and colourful surroundings.

Following these simple steps will help bring new life to your garden despite the season.

Remember, “Life’s a garden, dig it!”