Why Autumn is the time to plant climbers

If you haven’t planted seeds of peas, snow peas, sugar snaps and sweet peas yet this year, it’s not too late.

Sweet peas.

If you haven’t planted seeds of peas, snow peas, sugar snaps and sweet peas yet this year, it’s not too late. They love the cool months and are easy to grow in a sunny spot. Push the large seeds into enriched soil, directly where they are to grow, as they don’t like being transplanted. They’ll need something to climb on, such as a trellis or a teepee made of stakes or bamboo canes. In frosty areas, wait until late winter or spring to plant.

Autumn is also the time to safely transplant evergreen shrubs and small trees. Prune back the foliage by one third to half, as it’s important to take some of the load off the plant. For camellias this also means removing all the flowers and buds. Ensure the soil is moist before you start, then dig out as large a rootball as possible. When replanting, don’t bury the rootball any deeper than it was before as this suffocates the fine roots. Water in well, mulch, then keep lightly moist. Seasol applied fortnightly is good to stimulate root growth and overcome transplant shock. Don’t apply any fertiliser until there is strong new growth.

Phlebodium 'Davana'. Picture: Plants Management Australia

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Q&A

Must I remove all the fruit from my new citrus trees for the first two years as I’ve been told? Robert Whitley, Brisbane

The reasoning is that bearing fruit takes a lot of resources, so young trees are better off putting energy into growing a strong root system and branch framework. In the second year, or if you bought an advanced tree, you can keep a few fruit if the branches are strong enough to support their mature weight. Keep trees well watered and mulched and apply a little organic-based citrus fertiliser every month.

I have some amazing red paintbrush lilies. What is their proper name and when is the right time to move them? Pam Davidson, by email

Haemanthus coccineus is a large bulb from South Africa with arresting flowers like a shaving brush in late summer or autumn. Not until after flowering do the two, long, tongue-like leaves appear. These die down in spring and the bulb is then dormant, which is the ideal time for lifting, dividing and replanting into free-draining soil or pots.

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When should I prune my several varieties of rock rose (Cistus) and may bush (Spirea)? Chris Cremer, Cooma, NSW

Tip prune young cistus frequently in their first year or two to develop bushy plants, then prune all over by about one third after flowering finishes. You can also prune after any flush of flowers, as they’ll come back into bloom during the warm months. For spring blooming Spiraea varieties, completely remove some of the oldest, less productive stems at the base straight after flowering to stimulate new canes. You can prune back into old wood or lightly shape as desired. Summer blooming species are usually pruned to size in winter or spring, with a light deadheading after flowering.

Send your questions to: [e-mail]. The best question for May wins a Cozze 13” gas pizza oven worth $399 with stainless steel paddle ($60) and cutter ($30).