Spring September October November

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1 Spring September October November MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd xiv-1 4/6/10 12:51:35 PM

2 Spring Flowering now All climates Plant now All climates Harvest now Cool climates Pests & diseases All climates It s surely impossible not to become excited as spring arrives. Signs of new life are everywhere, from newborn lambs, wobbling on uncertain legs on fresh green grass, new shoots unfurling limegreen on bare branches, to fields suddenly waking with the bloom of thousands of bulbs. In the garden the promise of spring heightens each day. The early-morning air is milk-soft; warm and scented. Buds are fattening on wisteria and garden beds are bursting with colour. The daffodils and wattle are out, lighting the day, along with our hearts, with their golden shimmer. And, as the soil warms, we prepare to plant more vegetables. It s not surprising that there has been a steep increase in the sale of fruit and vegetable seedlings over the past few years: war in many parts of the world and economic stresses have shocked many into turning to soothing activities like gardening. We are all nesting, perhaps. As well, many of us are rejecting foods that have been sprayed with chemicals, or genetically modified. There has never been more information, and more organic products, available to make growing your own food easier, and safer. Daffodil and other spring bulbs Kangaroo paw Trees Angophoras, throughout Sydney Bauhinias Brachychitons, jacaranda Native frangipani Silky oak Tree waratah (Alloxylon flammeum) Cool climates Clematis Fritillarias Japanese iris Solomon s seal Trees Crab-apple Lilac Ornamental and fruiting prunus Philadelphus Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) Temperate climates Anthurium Clematis Early roses, including the Banksian roses Grevilleas Iris Love-in-the-mist Orchids, including dendrobiums, cymbidiums and coelogynes Osmanthus Rock roses Wisteria Subtropical & tropical climates Anthuriums Orchids, including dendrobiums, cymbidiums and coelogynes Torch gingers Trees Grevilleas Ivory curl tree (Buckinghamia celsissima) Jacarandas Poinciana Sunflowers Fruit & vegetables Beans Beetroot Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower Carrots Cucumber Cut-and-come-again lettuce, and other lettuces Eggplant English spinach Herbs Leek Potatoes Pumpkin Radishes Rhubarb Silver beet Spring onions Strawberries Sweet corn Zucchini Cool climates Artichokes Temperate climates Artichokes Capsicum Chillies Sweet potato Tomatoes Watermelons Zucchini Warm to tropical climates Capsicum Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Sweet corn Sweet potato Tomatoes Watermelons Zucchini Asparagus Temperate climates Asparagus Beetroot Brassicas: cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli Broad beans Lettuce Peas Tropical climates Brassicas: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli Lettuce Potatoes Spinach Prune now All climates Fuchsias Orchids, after flowering Roses, after flowering Temperate climates Passionfruit Be alert for snails, slugs and caterpillars: employ a variety of deterrents, including coffee grounds around plants, and beer traps, to allow them to die happy Combat aphids, scale, thrips and other sapsucking insects; all exude a honeydew which further leads to unsightly black sooty mould Spray camellias against the invisible tea mites, which enjoy low humidity and cause a bronze sheen over these normally beautiful, deep-green leaves; use Yates Natrasoap, spraying under the leaves as well as over the bush Start monthly spray with Confidor to protect azaleas against lace bug As soon as tomatoes planted, hang up cards of parasitic wasp to combat white fly Hang fruit-fly traps Use ladybirds as natural predators against a range of sap-sucking insects, but be alert for the spotted lady bird, which will eat crops Cool climates Spray fruit trees at budburst with a com mercial Bordeaux mixture, especially to combat pear and cherry slug, and fungal diseases such as peach leaf curl Warm climates Watch for hibiscus beetle; spray with Confidor Commence spraying against bronze orange bug Tree waratah (Alloxylon flammeum) 2 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd 2-3 4/6/10 12:51:37 PM

3 September MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd 4-5 4/6/10 12:51:38 PM

4 Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit. To do this month September For many gardeners the first weeks of September are the most exciting in the calendar. In temperate climates spring Start fortnightly rose spray of Eco-Rose Watch out for cabbage white butterflies Hang cards of parasitic wasps to combat white fly in the vegie garden If I neglected to do it in August, hang up fruit fly traps Plant the first of the tomatoes including the early-fruiting Apollo Hill up soil around potatoes Fertilise dying winter bulbs to give them food for next year Start monthly feed of summer-flowering plants, including hydrangea Pick daffodils to bring into the house Tidy fuchsias: give them a light prune Watch rhubarb and cut off any forming flowers to encourage stems Ensure that garden is ready for the spring growth spurt; check it s well mulched Keep watering new seedlings as they emerge Test soil ph Renovate lawn Pull out pansies and replant pots with petunias Harvest last of snow peas and then dig into the soil entire plants Stake emerging lilies so they don t collapse in later spring wild weather Start planting seedlings of lettuce, to ensure constant supply Order autumn-flowering bulbs Start feeding fruit trees with fertiliser that includes potassium to aid flower production and fruit set has arrived, and the scent of anticipation hangs in the air; in frost-prone areas sheets of late-winter daffodils still cover the ground with their golden glow. Although the winter bulbs have been blooming for several weeks now, this is the month when we celebrate daffodils, surely the brightest sign that the warm weather is almost here. There is nothing as delicious as those few mornings in early spring when the warm, scented air confirms that spring is on the way. In my Sydney garden my collection of wisterias has started to unfurl glorious long racemes. The later blooming magnolias M. Elizabeth and liliiflora Nigra are still performing, as are the dark-coloured hellebores beneath them. The cymbidium orchids, which began to show off in July, continue to flower and the coelogynes are dripping from the Chinese elm in our front garden, and from the terracotta pots that face east during much of the year. (I bring them inside when blooming so that their exotic, gorgeous scent can fill the house.) The native dendrobium orchids are also flowering, and many are scented. There are still some chores to do in the garden if it is going to really show off come spring: chief among these is lawn renovation. There will soon be plenty more to do, however, and so I am enjoying these first blooms of the new season before pests associated with our humid climate descend and before the weeds waken. 6 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN 7 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd 6-7 4/6/10 12:51:39 PM

5 How to do... Lawn renovation Pests & diseases As the weather warms the lawn starts to stir and so do lawn weeds like bindii, which are easy to remove by hand at this early stage, however. My lawn is the warm-weather buffalo (Stenotaphrum secundatum), a running perennial grass that is a good choice for a coastal garden (see my book The Constant Gardener for a full discussion of lawn species and varieties). Hard working and hard wearing, buffalo will cope with some shade but by this time of the year is crying out for some tender loving care. I pierce the lawn with a fork, taking care not to pierce the plastic irrigation pipes that are just beneath the surface. Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio in odio ullamcorper. Watch out for early-season pests and diseases this month; they will only increase as the weather warms. It s time to hang up those cards of parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa) that can be purchased through Biological Services, a mail-order company in South Australia. You order by the thousand, and the wasps arrive as eggs on small cardboard strips that are hung amongst your vegetables, particularly among the tomatoes. After they hatch the adult female wasp lays her eggs into the white fly; the larvae then parasitises the pest. Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio in odio ullamcorper. Alternatively, you can walk over the lawn with shoe spikes or, if you have a large expanse to cover, hire an aerating machine from a large hardware store. Then I replant any bare patches with some spare runners that have appeared in garden beds: broadcast a slow-release, organic fertiliser onto a damp lawn, and water in well. Use ladybirds as natural predators against sap-sucking insects to protect a range of plants, including strawberries. There are more than 500 varieties of ladybird in this country, and as early as 1888 we were exporting them to the United States to help in pest prevention. Be alert, however, for the spotted ladybird, which will eat your crops, particularly damaging your potatoes. If your lawn has become uneven you can apply a thin layer of topdressing soil, or sand, in early spring when new growth starts, or in early summer. Ensure that the surface is level and that the tips of the grass are visible. Check for aphids on roses, citrus and murraya as well as on spring-flowering bulbs that are finishing and will be weaker and more susceptible to attack. Aphids spread disease as well as excreting honeydew, which results in black sooty mould. Spray with Confidor or Natra soap, or combine Eco-Oil with Eco-Rose for your roses. Or, aphids can be removed by hand. Biological controls, which can be ordered online from several companies, include ladybirds and hoverflies. When mowing ensure that you don t cut the lawn too low, which will expose soil and encourage weeds. But do mow before any weeds have had a chance to turn to seed: you can then add lawn clippings to the garden as a mulch or, along with some nitrogen, to the compost bin. In early summer the curl grub will lay its eggs in your lawn; if you see moths rising from the lawn, perhaps as you mow, it is time to spray with Confidor. You will have been spraying regularly over winter in an effort to prevent an infestation of bronze orange bug. 8 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN SEPTEMBER 9 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd 8-9 4/6/10 12:51:41 PM

6 10 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN MONTH 11 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:43 PM

7 e. f. The miniature daffodils Tete a Tete and the vampish Jetfire, with her swept back petals and orange cup, as well as Titania and Canalicultus, both white with a delicate yellow cup, do well in warm temperate climates. These belong to division 6, established to house the progeny of Narcissus cyclamineus, the most distinctive of all daffodils, native to Portugal but lost to cultivation for over 200 years. After it was rediscovered, it was used repeatedly in breeding. The miniature Titania, white with a delicate yellow cup, is also early. a. h. b. g. d. i. The multi-headed, or tazetta, daffodils are in division 8; Silver Chimes is among the best known; Grand Soleil d Or, which blooms butter-yellow with an orange cup in July, and the cream, very scented Erlicheer are also perfect for the warmer climates. I also grow the larger Jackpot, with its flattish outer petals in cream and its wide golden centre. The late-flowering Geranium is gorgeous, with a large white bloom and tangerine centre, or corona, and Winston Churchill is very full and very fragrant. Among the elegant white daffodils, Bliss is an old-fashioned favourite, although the early-flowering Fine Style is a pure white with a flared corona and scalloped Daffodils petals. Calgary and Gay Song are glorious, white, late-flowering doubles. The highly scented, cluster-flowered Paper White (N. papyraceus), which grows Caption: a. Lorem ipsum dolor; b. sit amet The countryside, along with my neighbourhood, and my garden, is washed in gold wild in the western Mediterranean, is among the first to bloom in June. I also nemo sibi nascitur; c. Lorem ipsum dolor in early spring, and in two genera in particular: wattles and daffodils. The wattles grow another species native to the Mediterranean, the hoop petticoat (N. bulbocodium), which flowers in bright yellow with an extended trumpet and almost sit amet nemo nascitur; d. Ipsum dolor sit I have planted behind our house as nurse plants to protect the more precious amet nemo sibi. Lorem; e. ipsum dolor sit gordonias while they establish are blooming this month; I pick branches of the amet nemo; f. sibi nascitur. Lorem ipsum invisible petals. wonderfully scented wattle blossom to mix with daffodils in bowls and vases. The sit amet nemo sibi nascitur. verges of nearby roads are lit with a variety of wattle and the selection of varieties Allow the foliage of any bulb to die right down after flowering to build up food of daffodil that started to bloom in my garden in mid winter are still surprising for the following year s display. Fertilise also with blood and bone to assist food me with golden treats. manufacture, again as new growth is emerging, and with a high-potash tomato The bulb is surely among nature s most impressive miracles: it is a perfect food just before flowering. package, consisting of a short stem that emerges from several fleshy scales, or leaves, that are wrapped around the flower bud, which is already formed. Surely Wattles there is nothing more exciting than watching the fresh green tips emerge from a To many of us wattles (Acacia spp.) are synonymous with Australia and, of hidden treasure buried in unforgiving winter soil: so much beauty erupts from so course, the golden wattle (A. pycnantha) is our national floral emblem. Their inauspicious a source. And when the show is over they just fade away, presenting bright yellow blossom, glowing each July and August, promises that winter is no trouble until they gear up to perform the following year. Among my favourites nearly over, although for some the blossom heralds the beginning of the hay are tulips, lilies, amaryllis, hyacinths and daffodils, all true bulbs. fever season. Some 900 species of wattle occur naturally in Australia: they Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi The easiest of the bulbs to grow for me at least are the daffodils (the large bloom with yellow or cream, pollen-filled heads or spikes of fluffy blossom that hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in genus narcissus), which originated in North Africa and Europe, and comprise a attract abundant bees. Wattles are fast growing but short lived trees and shrubs molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, range of species that will provide scent and colour for months, from mid winter to and are often used as nurse plants to protect slower growing, and perhaps ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio late spring. Ascertaining when each variety blooms is a crucial consideration for more precious, trees. Take care when choosing wattles for your garden, though, in odio ullamcorper. gardeners who don t live in cold climates. In coastal Sydney, and further north, as many, even though they are Australian natives, naturalise so well they are success is assured with early-flowering varieties; cooler parts of the city should now regarded as weeds. try the mid-flowering varieties. The later-flowering daffodils, particularly some of The Sydney golden wattle A. longifolia, occurs along the east coast of Australia the spectacular doubles, are susceptible to blasting, which results from warm and grows to about 5 metres. It makes a good first defence against salt winds and dry conditions and causes the developing flower to die at the bud stage. These or an informal hedge in a coastal garden. late-flowering varieties are for colder areas, where spring can arrive into October. Among my favourites is the soft grey-green foliage of the white wattle (Acacia A range of varieties, bred from more than fifty wild species, have been grouped linifolia), which is easy to use with a variety of exotic plants. Used toward the into twelve divisions by an international horticultural convention. During boundary of the garden, it will draw the eye toward the distance, creating a September my garden is full of King Alfred, a trumpet daffodil contained in division sense of space. 1, along with the double-flowered White Lion and the gold and yellow Pronto ; I covet the new Jersey Roundabout, which blooms in many layers of The blackwood (A. melanoxylon) loves the deep, rich basalt soils of the southern highlands of New South Wales, where it blooms in spring with yellow fluffy orbs. white with highlights of butter. The large-cupped daffodils comprise division 2; Its wood is valued for cabinet making. The green wattle (A. decurrens), grows to division 4 holds the double-flowered varieties. 15 metres and has fine, feathery leaves; it enjoys a warm temperate climate and TS: PLEASE EDIT THERE ARE NO PHOTOS OF ACACIA SO CAN WE EDIT THIS BACK? deep, moist soils. 12 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN Perhaps the best-known species of wattle, the Cootamundra (A. baileyana) SEPTEMBER 13 which now comes in a purple-leaved form, Purpurea is on the don t plant list. MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:44 PM

8 Wattles and daffodils, many from my garden, play a major part in the colour theme for this first month of spring: create small posies of the one species, and then group several together in a vase or a bowl for a powerful effect. As the weather warms, the spring garden makes the perfect setting for simple brunches or light luncheons. Here are two menus that can be prepared in advance, making the entertaining easy. 14 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN MONTH 15 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:46 PM

9 Sunday brunch Spring luncheon Dried fruit salad I love this delicious fruit salad: it combines a variety of dried fruits, including apricots, pears, pineapples and prunes. The fruits are plumped with up weak, cold tea, to which you add fragrant rosewater or a scented honey. It is delicious served warm, with thick yoghurt and muesli, for brunch, or as a rather rich dessert. It s high in calories, which is a shame, as it is more-ish. 150 g dried apple 200 g dried peach 220 g dried pear 375 g desert figs 150 g pitted prunes 170 g dried apricots 4 cups weak tea, strained 70 g honey (use a single blossom, such as apple) 2 tablespoons brandy (optional) 2 tablespoons rosewater (optional) few leaves of lemon verbena fresh rose petals (optional; ensure they have not been sprayed) In a glass bowl, layer the fruits and cover with the tea. If desired, add a little brandy, the honey and the rosewater. Leave, covered, in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours, and serve with yoghurt, or with whipped cream and toasted almonds. Serves six to eight. Buckwheat & pumpkin pancakes, with candied pumpkin & orange zest I first tried these delicious pancakes at Paro s lovely Uma Hotel, before I trekked to the famous Tiger s Nest Monastery in Bhutan, an ancient, sacred place that clings to a cliff at almost 4000 metres above sea level. With their decadent candied pumpkin and pureed-pumpkin yoghurt, they are substantial enough to sustain you on the gruelling climb; the buckwheat ensures they are not too heavy, however. And they make a perfect dish for a Sunday brunch. I have also used half pumpkin and half sweet potato in this recipe with great success. Pancakes: 1 cup buckwheat flour 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg pinch salt 1¹/ ³ cup soy milk 3 eggs ¾ cup roast-pumpkin puree zest of 1 orange 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, spices and salt. In another bowl mix the soy milk, eggs, vanilla and orange zest and blend well. Pour the wet ingredients slowly into the flour mix and blend. Add the pumpkin puree and mix well. Leave to rest for an hour. Pour quantities (depending upon the size of pancake you desire) into heated pan. Cook until bubbles rise and break. Turn and cook for a few minutes. Candied pumpkin (this can be made a few days in advance): juice of 3 oranges ½ cup honey (the hotel uses coffee-blossom honey) 1 cup water zest of 1 orange 1 cup pumpkin, cubed Place liquids in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil, and stir to dissolve the honey. Add pumpkin and zest. Simmer very gently until pumpkin is cooked through and well glazed and the liquid is almost evaporated. Pumpkin cream: 1 cup pumpkin puree pinch grated nutmeg 1 tablespoon honey 1 cup plain yoghurt (I always use goat or sheep yoghurt) Puree all ingredients in blender until smooth. To serve, pile pancakes and top with candied pumpkin and pumpkinyoghurt cream. Garnish with orange zest, and, perhaps, a fine slice of fresh orange. Potato hot cakes with crisped pancetta, goat cheese cream and quince marmalade [Holly: Please supply recipe.] Spring luncheon Middle Eastern roast lemon and lime chicken This dish is best made several hours in advance, or the day before, to allow flavours to develop. Reheat gently to serve. (Make the rice or the couscous just before you are ready to serve). Chicken: 6 coriander seeds, crushed, or 2 tablespoons ground coriander ½ teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground star anise 1 teaspoon allspice ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon medium or mild paprika 1 large brown onion ½ head organic garlic, crushed ½ small fresh chilli (optional), chopped (remove seeds if you wish to reduce heat) freshly ground salt and pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 chicken supreme (breast with leg and skin attached) per person 2 small black limes[holly: where do we buy black limes?] 1 cup preserved lemons (see recipe in June); use skin only, discard flesh Pre-heat oven to 180 C. Fry all the spices in the butter and oils, add onions, garlic and chilli, and set aside to cool. Fry chicken pieces in the same pan for 5 minutes each side. In a baking dish, place chicken skin side up on limes and preserved lemons and paste onion and spice mix over the chicken skin. Leave, covered, for at least 1 hour. Cover baking dish with foil and roast for 1 hour. Remove foil from dish and turn oven to grill setting so that skin crisps. Serve with steamed pilau rice or fragrant couscous. Fragrant rice: ½ cup unsalted pistachios 4 cups jasmine rice, soaked for 1 hour, then washed till water runs clear chicken stock water chicken juices ½ cup sultanas pinch saffron Spread pistachios on a baking tray and toast in a 180 C oven for 5 to 10 minutes until golden, watching carefully to ensure they don t burn; alternatively, toast in a dry frying pan, stirring to ensure even browning. Place rice in rice cooker and add stock, water and some of the juices from the cooked chicken, ratio according to taste, to measure on cooker. Add sultanas and pistachios according to taste, then saffron. Fragrant couscous: ½ cup unsalted pistachios ½ cup sultanas 250 g couscous 250 ml orange juice 1 lime, juiced (optional) 1 onion cloves of garlic, to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil 150 ml chicken stock few tablespoons mint, or coriander, chopped Dry-roast pistachios, following the method given in the rice recipe above. Soak sultanas in fruit juices. Boil stock and then add couscous, allowing it to absorb the liquid; set aside for 30 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add spices. Stir into the couscous, add raisins and cover to keep warm. Before serving add pistachios, mint or coriander. Serve in a shallow dish with chicken on top, and additional fresh quartered limes or lemons. Serves SEASONS IN MY GARDEN SEPTEMBER 17 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:47 PM

10 Lime tart This is my daughter Olivia s recipe and is delicious using any citrus in season. Pastry (pâte brisée): 2 cups plain flour ½ cup icing sugar pinch salt 250 g chilled, unsalted butter, cubed 4 tablespoons iced water 1 egg white (retain the yolk to use in the filling; see below) Line and flour 23-centimetre loosebottomed flan tin. Place flour, icing sugar and salt in food processor and pulse to blend. Add butter and pulse to breadcrumb consistency. Add water and pulse to mix to wet sand consistency. Tip onto clean, floured surface (mixture will look crumbly and will not hold together in a ball at this stage). Gently bring mix together with your hands to dough consistency. Roll out, using a little extra flour. Gently ease pastry into tin, including up the sides, being careful not to stretch. Trim off excess. (You will have pastry left over for small tarts, or to freeze.) Refrigerate 1 hour. Preheat oven to 180 C. Bake blind (cover pastry with baking paper, and weigh this down with dried beans, rice or pastry weights) for 20 minutes. Remove paper and weights, brush with beaten egg white, and cook for a further 20 minutes. During this second cooking time, prepare filling. Filling: 3 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk 130 g caster sugar 200 ml pouring cream 180 ml freshly squeezed lime juice (3-4 limes) zest all the limes Place eggs, sugar and cream in food processor and blend. Add juice and zest and blend. Pour mixture into pastry shell while it is still warm. Reduce oven temperature to 160 C and cook tart 20 to 30 minutes until filling is almost set. (Watch to ensure pastry does not burn.) Cool tart in tin; serve with clotted cream or ice cream. Triple-chocolate & almond brownies (gluten free) These triple-chocolate and almond brownies (which use white, milk and dark chocolate) are gluten free but not, of course, calorie free! I use this mix for a delicious (but very rich) base for slices, and also as a base for desserts. For an easy dinner-party pudding, simply cut rounds with a small glass or cookie cutter and sandwich together with vanilla ice cream, crème fraîche or whipped cream. Add fresh raspberries or strawberries. The cooked slice keeps well for up to a week, and also freezes well. To serve for afternoon tea, simply cut the brownies into bitesized rounds. 200 g almond meal ½ cup rice flour 1¾ cups caster sugar ¹/ ³ cup cocoa 300 g total of dark, milk and white chocolate, well chopped, or chocolate drops, proportions to taste 3 eggs, lightly beaten 250 g butter, melted ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Pre-heat oven to 180 C, and line a 24-cm by 35-cm baking tin. Mix almond meal and rice flour with cocoa and sugar. Add chopped chocolate (or you can use chocolate drops). Combine eggs, butter and vanilla and fold into chocolate mixture. Bake 40 minutes. (It will still be a little soft to the touch but will firm as it cools). Cut into rounds or small slices when almost cool. Triple-chocolate & almond brownies (gluten free) Lime tart 18 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN SEPTEMBER 19 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:47 PM

11 Flowering now Spring bulbs Kaffir Lily The garden is awash with spring bulbs. What joy they provide and with such little effort! A little forethought in high summer, when the bulb catalogues fall through your letterbox, prompt planting, and a little bulb food results in a parade of scent and colour throughout spring. In my Sydney garden freesias, triteleia, grape hyacinths, hyacinths and the common bluebell are the most successful, along with the early-flowering daffodils. I leave them undisturbed for years; they prefer not to be watered in summer, when they are dormant. In a small garden mass plantings in generous drifts, or in clumps remain the most pleasing. Or, plant in pots, in multiple layers, for an exciting show of scented flamboyance; bring the pots inside when they are at their best. Then, after the flowers are finished, return the pots to the outdoors, feed, and store them out of sight. If you have a large garden you might set aside some room for a meadow. Instead of persevering with expensive packets of seed which will struggle when faced with our climate and rampant grasses, you can employ bulbs to create an economical and easy-care wildflower meadow. Plant tall-growing bulbs towards the middle of your planned meadow; low-growing bulbs go on the perimeters and along the edges of your mown paths. Particularly useful in such a situation are bluebells. While some gardeners reject them as weeds, I love them as they flower till the end of November, and then multiply generously. Once the foliage has died down, cut, with the mower blades as high as possible, once a month; stop mowing around Easter, when the new shoots will start to emerge. Do you need a tough ground cover that will thrive in a south-facing, shaded and dry position? The Kaffir lily (Clivia spp.) will be happy to oblige, particularly if you garden in a frost-free climate. Clivia are also happy under awnings or on verandahs; they hate having wet feet. Just apply a handful of fertiliser once or twice a year. There are four species in the genus; they all produce strappy green leaves from short rhizomes with thick, fleshy roots. I have a small collection of clivia, including the coveted cream to yellow variety, which does particularly well in large pots outside a bank of windows. After flowering is finished, attractive bunches of yellow seed heads develop to extend the season of interest. The undemanding orange-flowering clivia is a saviour in the most difficult area of my garden, under a large tree that robs the ground of nutrients and moisture. The genus was named for Lady Clive, the Duchess of Northumberland, who first flowered Clivia nobilis in her greenhouse in the United Kingdom. Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio in odio ullamcorper. The grape hyacinth is an easy and generous addition to the late winter and early spring border, and looks wonderful massing out toward the front of a border. Native to Mediterranean regions and western Asia, the brilliant blue of Muscari armeniacum looks gorgeous picked and placed in a shallow bowl with sprigs of the scented pink-and-raspberry flowers of Daphne odora. The common bluebell is a favourite as it seems to grow anywhere. The Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) grows easily, and multiplies generously, in most climates in Australia, flowering in scented blue to lilac spikes. H. non-scripta is the English bluebell. 20 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN SEPTEMBER 21 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:49 PM

12 Orchids There is hardly a month when a species of orchid is not flowering in my garden. This enormous and diverse plant group of some 900 genera and more than 30,000 species must be the most generous of all plants. Orchids are easy to grow; just give them a couple of hours of morning sun each day, weekly watering with excellent drainage, and a little fertiliser when you remember! If you enjoy orchids as indoor plants, after flowering place the pots outside, under a deciduous tree, rather than in direct sun. To prevent fungal infection, keep water off the leaves. For greatest success you might observe, perhaps, where your favourite orchid occurs naturally. As well as being native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, orchids are found on all continents except Antarctica. My favourite orchid is probably the coelogene genus (pronounced see-lodg-i-nee). It s hard to believe that any plant as beautiful as the coelogyne could be so easy to grow. You might assume these gorgeous orchids, which bloom in scented cascades through winter and spring, would be drama queens, but they demand nothing more than a few hours of morning sun and an easterly position in the garden. Bring them inside when flowering, where their fragrance will fill your house. While coelogynes love the cooler weather, they also thrive in my humid Sydney garden; I just ensure they have excellent air circulation. Because of their cascading habit many species look fabulous in hanging baskets, in the forks of trees, or perched on stands. They form pseudobulbs which are linked by rhizomes; the leaves emerge from the top of each pseudobulb. I have greatest success with C. cristata, which produces gorgeous arching branches of highly scented, delicate, milk-white flowers with yellow and gold throats in late winter. I also grow C. flaccida, which erupts in spring with long cascades of slightly smaller but equally fragrant blooms. Perhaps my very favourite is C. mooreana, a rare, cool-growing species from Vietnam. It is easy to grow and yet it produces large, glistening white flowers on upright to arching stems in late spring. The genus coelogyne, among some 900 orchid genera distributed throughout the world, was named in 1821 by the illustrious Dr John Lindley ( ), who was, at various times, assistant to Sir Joseph Banks, Director of Kew Gardens, Professor Hybrid orchids Hybrid orchids, whether man-made or naturally occurring, do not attract the single quotes usually employed in botanical Latin. For instance, the glorious hybrid between the two coelogyne species, cristata and flaccida, is always written as Coelogyne Unchained Melody. Dendrobiums are among the 190-odd genera of orchids which are native to Australia. Like most orchids their main requirements are sunshine, particularly in the morning, and excellent drainage. Some are deciduous and need a good soaking to burst into flower, but most enjoy a drought, thriving, pot bound, on almost no water, a situation that replicates their natural habitat of cracks in rocks and pockets in trees. And this is how I grow them in my garden. My favourite in this genus, the glorious king orchid, or rock lily (Dendrobium speciosum), native to New South Wales, flowers in late winter and spring with cascades of cream and yellow scented flowers. I have it in a large black plastic pot (which it loves) hidden amongst foliage in a northeasterly spot. In my front garden the easy-care D. curvicaule, also often called the king orchid, blooms in cascading, scented, cream to yellow trusses in frost-free climates. These look wonderful planted in rock crev ices with a moss or orchid compost base, or bound into the fork of a tree. Also carefree is the more discreet Dendrobium kingianum var. album, which, each spring, sends up an arch ing mass of scented, delicate white bells. (Turn to November for a discussion on dividing and repotting orchids.) Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio in odio ullamcorper. Hybrid orchids, whether man-made or naturally occurring, do not attract the single quotes usually employed in botanical Latin. For instance, the glorious hybrid between the two coelogyne species, cristata and flaccida, is always written as Coelogyne Unchained Melody. of Botany at the University of London, author of Ladies Botany, and organiser of Britain s first flower show in A genus of around 200 species, coelogynes are native to Nepal, India, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands. While there are more than fifty species available in Australia, none are indigenous to this country, and only a handful are commonly grown. Dendrobiums are among the 190-odd genera of orchids which are native to Australia. Like most orchids their main requirements are sunshine, particularly in the morning, and excellent drainage. Some are deciduous and need a good soaking to burst into flower, but most enjoy a drought, thriving, pot bound, on almost no water, a situation that replicates their natural habitat of cracks in rocks and pockets in trees. And this is how I grow them in my garden. My favourite in this genus, the glorious king orchid, or rock lily (Dendrobium speciosum), native to New South Wales, flowers in late winter and spring with cascades of cream and yellow scented flowers. I have it in a large black plastic pot (which it loves) hidden amongst foliage in a northeasterly spot. In my front garden the easy-care D. curvicaule, also often called the king orchid, blooms in cascading, scented, cream to yellow trusses in frost-free climates. These look wonderful planted in rock crevices with a moss or orchid compost base, or bound into the fork of a tree. Also carefree is the more discreet Dendrobium kingianum var. album, which, each spring, sends up an arching mass of scented, delicate white bells. (Turn to November for a discussion on dividing and repotting orchids.) 22 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN MONTH 23 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:51 PM

13 The edible garden Strawberries It s hard to believe that rich, sweet, red strawberries (Fragaria ananassa or Fragaria vesca) are so easy to grow. And they are good for you, being high in vitamin C and folic acid and in demand for their antioxidant properties. I like to cultivate them in terracotta pots or wooden troughs; you can even grow them well in heavy plastic bags. Courtyard owners can allow them to drip over the edges of planter boxes, and you might construct these at waist height for ease of maintenance. From the huge Rosaceae family, which also contains many fruit trees, along with roses, strawberries are well worth growing, as the fruit you purchase in the shop might have been subjected to a chemical assault. Plant virus-free plants, from late winter to spring, in a sunny spot in rich soil on the acid side of the ph scale; water well and apply a liquid fertiliser each fortnight. As with all vegies and fruit, a good-quality soil or potting mix with a good dose of organic fertiliser that is not high in nitrogen, and even, regular watering will reap the greatest rewards. Remove any runners as they will reduce fruit production. Strawberries, which grow to about 30 centimetres in height and spread about the same, usually bear fruit four to six weeks after planting, from late spring, though summer and into autumn. Traditionally, straw is arranged over the soil to prevent the fruit from being damaged; you can also use dark plastic, which will suppress weeds and keep the soil warm. Strawberries demand full sun in their preferred cool climates, but I grow Torrey, a variety more suited to the warm temperate Sydney climate, in a spot which receives about five hours of sun daily. Temptation is also good for pots as it produces no runners and fruits over a long period. I also grow Nellie Kelley Sweetie, which fruits later, after Christmas. You will need to protect from birds, too, who find the fruit just as delicious as we do. Crop rotation If you are following the rules of good gardening you ll practice some form of crop rotation. This involves moving each group of edible plants each season, locating them in a different garden bed, so that any soil-borne diseases such as nematodes that may be unique to one group won t multiply to become a problem. Put simply, this means that the legumes beans and peas which require a good dose of fertiliser and organic matter, and which I ll call group one, are followed by group two, the brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, turnip and swede), which then don t need any additional feeding. (Also plant peppers and tomatoes, along with companionable basil, with your legumes.) The brassicas are followed by group three, the root vegetables: beetroot, onion, leek, garlic, spinach, carrot, chard and potato. But if all that sounds too complicated, disaster will not descend. And you can plant fast-growing leaf vegetables such as lettuce in any of the sections. Gardeners with plenty of space will have a fourth bed, which will be left fallow one year in four to grow a nitrogenfixing legume crop. Caption: Ut elit luptatum euismod wisi hendrerit velit ut suscipit consequat in molestie consequat. In duis ea, odio lorem, ex consequat facilisis aliquip tation odio in odio ullamcorper. Spring brings great excitement in my garden, not least because I m looking forward to all those summer vegetables surely there can be no taste better than that of a just-picked, vine-ripened tomato! In September, however, the ruby and rainbow chard continues to thrive: I keep picking leaves to toss into the salad, along with the leaves of my beetroot. The Flaming Parrot tulips that I have planted throughout my several vegie gardens and in the terracotta pots of leaf vegetables have added a certain pizzazz to the early-season edible garden. The cauliflowers that I planted in autumn have now formed tiny heads; I ll harvest them while they are still small for a salad. I am on the lookout, however, for cabbage white butterflies, which are about now, and will lay eggs on the brassicas; hundreds of tiny caterpillars will hatch to devour the precious produce. Spray weekly with a biological, safe spray like Dipel or Success or erect a frame over the vegie garden and cover the entire show with a fine net. This is the month I plant spinach and silver beet. Although they are not related, they are both easy to grow, delicious braised and served with butter and ground pepper, and, torn, make a great addition to salads. Plant seedlings in enriched soil, in drills[holly: Could you briefly explain what drills are? Particular sorts of rows?]. Mulch well, protect from pests, and feed and water regularly to ensure a quickgrowing and tender crop. 24 SEASONS IN MY GARDEN SEPTEMBER 25 MUP YEAR 1ST PAGES.indd /6/10 12:51:52 PM