by Mark Evans

As we move into August and pass the cross-quarter day, halfway between the winter solstice and the coming vernal equinox, the days are getting longer and brighter and the first signs of spring are beginning to appear in the garden – a reminder that it is time for some green spring cleaning.
Although we usually associate spring cleaning with housework, the same concept can be applied to the garden and right now is the best time to purge, cleanse and organise our green spaces. While in the house we might focus on washing, vacuuming and dusting, in the garden we focus on the ‘three eyes’ – excise, pulverise and fertilise.
Excise means to cut out and refers to the fact that now is a great time for pruning and weeding. Almost everything in the garden can be pruned right now – roses, perennials, shrubs, deciduous trees, grasses, the whole lot. All your plants will be getting ready to burst forth with a flush of new spring growth, so hop in now before that happens and give them a good chop to shape so that none of that growth and flowers are wasted. Additionally, now is also the best time for repotting and/or transplanting any potted plant, indoors or out, as well as moving plants from one part of your garden to another.
On the weeding side, now is a good time to spray any emerging bindiis in your lawn if you want to avoid the ‘bindii ballet’ when their flowers dry out to prickles come summer.
Pulverise refers both to mulching and composting the excised parts from the step above, as well as a general mulch of your garden beds and pots to help supress weeds, improve soil biota and conserve water in the coming warmer months.
Fertilise speaks for itself and all plants will appreciate a feed right now in preparation for their impending growth spurt: citrus, roses, lawns, you name it., all will benefit from feeding this month.
If this all-green spring clean sounds overwhelming, break the process down. Start small by concentrating on just one particular part of the garden, the area most neglected. Try limiting yourself to a small block of work at a time and increase to longer periods as your inspiration grows. Additionally, try and involve others, remembering the adage that a problem shared is a problem halved. Finally, make it more enjoyable by listening to the radio or a podcast as you work.
Like spring cleaning the house, spring cleaning the garden has significant emotional benefits that will leave you feeling empowered and energised. The accompanying sense of achievement and the feeling of order is the perfect antidote to any overwhelming feelings of helplessness and your garden will be ready to zing into spring.
August is also the best time to purchase and plant bare-rooted roses, fruit trees and ornamentals, plan your upcoming spring/summer vegetable garden, spray your peaches, nectarines and apricots to prevent peach leaf curl and other fungal issues before they open their buds, and to sprout your potatoes ahead of planting.
This month in the vegie garden we continue catering to the cooler weather, so are mostly still limited to planting leeks, shallots or onions, peas of any description as well as broad beans and lettuce. Rocket and silverbeet are also worth trying this month as is one of the fastest-growing vegetables, the humble radish. It only takes them twenty-three days to grow from a tiny seed to full-grown and ready-to-eat!
If you have any comments, gardening questions or plant or pest identification problems, please send them through to gardening@thetriangle.org.au and we will get back to you personally.
Happy growing.