Gardening Australia – May 2019

GARDENING AUSTRALIA MAY 2019 63

sow & plant...

artichoke l l l l
asian greens l l l l l
asparagus crowns l l l l

beans l l
beetroot l l
broad beans l l l l
broccoli l l l l l
cabbage l l l l

carrot l l l

cauliflower l l l l l
celery l l l
coriander l l l l l

english spinach l l l l
garlic l l l l
kale l l l l

leek l l l

lettuce l l l l l
onion l l l l
parsley l l l l l
radish l l l l l
rocket l l l l l
silverbeet l l l l

snow peas l l l

spring onion l l l l l
turnip l l l l l

tropical l

subtropical l

arid/semi-arid l

warm temperate l    

cold temperate l

KEY

IN MAY

YOUR

PLANNER

TOPJOB

If you have an evergreen shrub, such

as gardenia, azalea, hebe, camellia or

buxus, that would be better off in some

other part of the garden, May is moving

month in most areas. Be aware, though,

that shifting any shrub that is more than

1.5m tall is hard work, and it is best to

dig up and move these using a machine.

Start by choosing and preparing the

new position, taking time to select a site

where the shrub is most likely to do well.

Dig a hole that’s wider than the expected

size of the root ball, and mix some

compost into the excavated soil.

Water the plant well the night before

moving. Next morning, use a sharp spade

to carefully dig it out, causing minimal

disturbance to the root system. Naturally,

some large roots will be severed in the

process. Trim these with secateurs or

a pruning saw to remove ragged edges.

Slip a tarp under the root ball and use

this to drag it out of the hole and over to

the new spot. Ease it into the prepared

hole, ensuring that the top

of the root ball sits level with

the ground surface – you may

need to shovel some of the

excavated soil back into the hole

beforehand. The plant should

be facing in the same direction

it was in the old spot – tying a

ribbon on the northern side of

the shrub before you dig it out

will help with this. Backfill, then

water the plant well to settle

the soil around the roots.

It can be useful to apply a

soil wetter and liquid seaweed

around the base of the plant

to promote new root growth.

Next, apply a layer of mulch

to help keep the roots moist.

Watch for late bursts of heat

and, if necessary, rig up some

temporary shade with a few

stakes and some shadecloth

to reduce heat stress.

transplant evergreen shrubs

Let gutters run free

Clear your gutters and drains

before winter rains arrive.

Remove dead leaves and plant

material, and flush gutters

with jets of water to clean

out accumulated dust and leaf

mould. If clogged gutters are

a regular problem, install

leaf-screening mesh, or prune

overhanging branches that

are likely to drop leaves.