Your Garden Questions Answered in South Australia
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Episode: 25 (20th October 2007)
There’s one question that’s really hard to answer; where does your garden start and where does it stop? Is it the fence or do gardens continue on under a fence? Brian of Fullarton is having difficulty growing plants in an area because of the invading roots from next doors tree. Sound familiar?
There are a couple of things you can do.
Try digging a trench along the fence line, and cut through the nutrient robbing roots. You’ll need to keep this up though. Another option is to try and retain as much moisture in the area as possible by mulching. Pea straw is great. Break it up and spread around evenly.
Before you decide on chopping into roots, it’s a good idea to talk to your neighbours, because cutting the roots on you’re side can damage the trees on your neighbours side.
A well used lawn is often a well worn one. Swings, Sports equipment and activities can take their toll on the turf. It’s a good idea to move this gear around the yard regularly to even out the wear and allow those tired spots a chance to recover.
On the subject of lawns, Neil from Sturt has a question about his; he asks “Is it OK to put lawn clippings straight onto the garden?”
There’s nothing wrong with putting fresh clippings on the garden provided you spread them around evenly. Be careful not to put on too thick. This will cause water to run off and not be soaked into the ground. Also a light application of general purpose fertiliser will help the clippings breakdown quicker. Lawn clippings are also great in compost bins. Just a little at a time, that’s the rule.
One of our garden club members has asked a great question regarding their lemon tree. The tree is 80 years old and doing remarkably well. The owners want to know what they need to do to keep the tree fit and healthy for years to come.
Well the main thing is careful trimming; old citrus can produce plenty of dead wood. Cut out as much of it as you can. This will help open up the plant and allow light in and new growth to begin. Try to reduce the trees overall size. Trimming off top shoots will encourage lower growth and make picking easier. The next important step is to keep the tree well feed, do this and the tree can easily grow to one hundred years old and beyond.
Episode: 25 (20th October 2007)
There’s one question that’s really hard to answer; where does your garden start and where does it stop? Is it the fence or do gardens continue on under a fence? Brian of Fullarton is having difficulty growing plants in an area because of the invading roots from next doors tree. Sound familiar?
There are a couple of things you can do.
Try digging a trench along the fence line, and cut through the nutrient robbing roots. You’ll need to keep this up though. Another option is to try and retain as much moisture in the area as possible by mulching. Pea straw is great. Break it up and spread around evenly.
Before you decide on chopping into roots, it’s a good idea to talk to your neighbours, because cutting the roots on you’re side can damage the trees on your neighbours side.
A well used lawn is often a well worn one. Swings, Sports equipment and activities can take their toll on the turf. It’s a good idea to move this gear around the yard regularly to even out the wear and allow those tired spots a chance to recover.
On the subject of lawns, Neil from Sturt has a question about his; he asks “Is it OK to put lawn clippings straight onto the garden?”
There’s nothing wrong with putting fresh clippings on the garden provided you spread them around evenly. Be careful not to put on too thick. This will cause water to run off and not be soaked into the ground. Also a light application of general purpose fertiliser will help the clippings breakdown quicker. Lawn clippings are also great in compost bins. Just a little at a time, that’s the rule.
One of our garden club members has asked a great question regarding their lemon tree. The tree is 80 years old and doing remarkably well. The owners want to know what they need to do to keep the tree fit and healthy for years to come.
Well the main thing is careful trimming; old citrus can produce plenty of dead wood. Cut out as much of it as you can. This will help open up the plant and allow light in and new growth to begin. Try to reduce the trees overall size. Trimming off top shoots will encourage lower growth and make picking easier. The next important step is to keep the tree well feed, do this and the tree can easily grow to one hundred years old and beyond.
AS SEEN ON 
