In The Garden WITH BROWNIE
IN early Roman days the calendar had 10 months with the fifth month called Quintilis (Latin for fifth). Julius Caesar in 45 BC decided to change the calendar to be twelve months, basically adding two months to the start of the year, which moved Quintilis to be the seventh month. He also renamed Quintilis to July in honour of his birthday. When the Gregorian calendar subsequently replaced the Julian, July remained as the seventh month.
July is noted for some significant events – Neil Armstrong’s stroll on the moon in 1969; Lady Godiva’s nudie horse ride in 1040; John Farnham was born (July 1, 1949); and the first ‘State of Origin’ game was played (July 8, 1980, QLD 20 – NSW 10).
I hope you enjoy your July in the garden – here’s some ideas …
• Prune passionfruit vines of unwanted growth, mulch and water well. Prune the vine by cutting all laterals (shoots coming from the main stem) back to two buds.
• Top up the mulch around fruit trees. Clean out your compost bin, spread the contents under your fruit trees, and start another.
• Feed your citrus trees. Use 125g of citrus tree fertiliser per year of age of the tree up to 1.25kg. You need to do this 3 times a year – July, November and February.
• Lift Dahlia tubers and store in sawdust. Break up clumps of day lily, chives or shallots and replant new plants.
• Times to plant bagged roses and if you need to, move existing rose bushes to another spot in the garden.
• Carry out heavy construction jobs (paving, pergolas, walls and steps) while it is cool.
• Treat your lawn for bindii as soon as it appears. Any of the broadleaf lawn herbicides, such as ‘bindii and clover killer’ will do.
• Pruning acalyphas now will ensure that they have great flushes of new colourful foliage next spring.
• Keep the high nitrogen fertiliser up to your cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli plants, as they need it to grow strong and large.
• Plant rhubarb crowns in soil enriched with old manure, blood and bone. Use the same as a mulch around established plants.
• Take cuttings of frangipani to grow new plants. Leave them under the house or similar for four weeks to harden off before potting.
• Go along to the Queensland Garden Show at Nambour, July 11, 12 and 13 to get some great inspirations for your garden (www.qldgardenshow.com.au)
