March 4th, 2025Glen’s Garden
No matter what the weather forecasts tell us it’s officially autumn on March 1, so time to consider refreshing your spring-flowering daffodil and jonquil plants before they start their regrowth and produce their little bulblets.
In fact, if you have established clumps of any of the spring flowers and wish to move or thin them out, do it now, before they start their new growth cycle.
Many of these varieties generate strong root growth before the flowers emerge, and they could suffer a setback if they are disturbed.
A garden bed with deep friable soil or a large garden pot will do, providing the drainage is good. An open, sunny position suits daffodils best, although some protection is needed during their flowering period.
Under normal conditions they should be planted 6 to 7cm deep. Space the bulbs 8 to 10cm apart. They should be able to stay in the bed for three to four years without needing to be lifted.
Now to your questions! Keep them coming.
Q. Hi Glen, One of my friends told me he read somewhere that banana skins make a good fertiliser. Is this true? If so, how would I use them? – Curious, Kyneton
A. Hi Curious, yes, that is correct. In fact, banana skins are an excellent source of potash, and as they are high in water content, they rot quickly and the potash soon becomes available to the plant. Up to six to nine skins can be put around each shrub, mashed and dug in. Researchers in the United States have found that monthly applications in spring and autumn were the most beneficial.
Q. Hi Glen, many of my plants look unhealthy, yet they receive adequate water and fertiliser, and I feel are well maintained. One of my friends, who is a keen gardener, told me that perhaps I had a chemical deficiency in my soil. Could this be possible? If so, how could l find out what chemicals are deficient without resorting to expensive tests and equipment? – James, Woodend
A. Hi James, tell-tale signs for detection of soil deficiencies can help you grow better plants, once you learn to read them. If the growing conditions are correct look for nutrient deficiencies such as these: Nitrogen – yellowing of the leaves – starting from the base of the plant; Phosphorous – poor root system, dull leaves, seeds fail to form, spotty leaves; Magnesium – yellow blotches between the larger veins on the leaves; and Calcium – weak growth, inadequate root systems. All of these symptoms must be considered when correcting deficiencies.
Your garden questions answered. Simply email your enquiry to: Garden queries to glenzgarden@gmail.com You should see your answer in the next edition of The Local
