With October’s sunny days and mild evenings there’s no better place to be than outdoors.
Mid Spring is the ideal time for planting. The soil is warm and there’s often enough rain to help encourage good plant growth. All this new growth means we need to do some important things to keep the garden healthy. We must water regularly, fertilise, and keep up maintenance. This way, our garden can keep on thriving. I find doing less more often an easier way to keep on top of all of these tasks.
Your garden demands plenty of attention during this time, and it might feel a tad daunting. But worry not, these useful tips below will help make things easier.
Look after your roses
Spring is the perfect time to give your roses a good feed as this will greatly improve their health and vigour as they shoot with new life. Richgro Black Marvel Rose and Flower Food will support healthy new foliage and a prolific spring bloom. Water in thoroughly.
Unfortunately, this new spring growth also attracts pests and diseases. Especially aphids who like to make an appearance on the tender new spring shoots. Wipe them off if they are few, blast them off with water, or spray with Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray.
Roses are also prone to fungal diseases. If your roses have been struggling with rust, mildew, or blackspot in the past, a preventive application of Richgro Black Spot & Fungus Killa when the new shoots emerge can be a good idea. Because the product is applied dry to the plant there is no mixing or mess or risk of overspray that could potentially harm bees and other beneficial insects.
Add compost to your soil
Adding compost to your soil will have numerous beneficial results. Compost such as Richgro Black Marvel Garden Compost improves the fertility and structure of the soil. It improves the water holding capacity and decreases the amount of watering required. The perfect growing medium is soil that drains easily, so it doesn’t get waterlogged, but holds enough water to feed the plants and compost will do both these things.
Protect your plants from pests
As the temperatures rise, it’s important to be prepared for the increased activity of pests that tend to feed on the fresh growth of your fruit and vegetables. Safeguard your crops with Richgro Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray which is also highly effective on fruit trees.
Richgro Bug Killa is an excellent option for keeping pests at bay when it comes to your ornamental plants.
Feed your garden
October is the time to nurture your entire garden with a feed of fertiliser. While some plants need regular feeding throughout the year, all plants benefit from an early spring feed to encourage strong growth.
For a general, all round, fast-acting liquid fertiliser apply Richgro Black Marvel Rose and Flower Food Hose On on your roses and flowers. It is absorbed through the leaves and roots to produce rapid results. High in Potash to produce plentiful blooms plus added Iron and Trace Elements for rich green leaves and overall plant health.
Liquid Fertilisers are the best way to see quick results with your plants. This is because plants need to take up nutrients in water and liquid fertiliser provides that. Black Marvel liquid comes in a convenient hose-on that can be sprayed on the plants. Plants can absorb nutrients through their leaves as well as the roots, so this application method allows for nutrients to enter the foliage and the excess gets taken up by the roots.
As a liquid fertiliser, it can be reapplied regularly (every 1 to 2 weeks) throughout the growing period. This is ideal for all plants including rapidly growing plants such as annuals as well as potted plants.
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