Autumn / Winter Lawn preparation. Following simple lawn care steps will ensure that your lawn survives even the toughest of winters. The winter season can be hard on lawns and grassed areas. Even though most turf grasses are tough and deep rooted, even the healthiest lawn is vulnerable to fungal disease, compaction from vehicle and foot traffic, un-seasonal dry periods, frost damage and sunburn. Patches of browning and yellowing areas in your lawn are signs of these problems and will become more obvious as spring growth starts and these effected patches refuse to grow. Most of these problems can be avoided by following some easy steps to protect your lawn and prevent ongoing problems associated with poor lawn care. The most important measure to take in winter is the removal of all leaf matter from the lawn area. Leaves left on the ground / lawn will get damp and turn into a mat on the lawn, these wet leaves will kill the grass beneath them, as well as provide an envi...
Roses are dormant at this time of the year in the Southern hemisphere. Winter is the best time to prune roses, usually when leaves have fallen from the plant and there is no sign of any new growth. When preparing for winter pruning, ensure tools are sharp and sterile between cutting each plant. Prepare your spray solutions before pruning so you are ready to spray plants immediately after pruning. Copper sulphate spray and oil based sprays work well in combination to control fungal diseases and insects over winter. There are many copper compounds that are used as fungicides. The most common is Bordeaux mix. This is a combination of copper sulphate and hydrated lime.
Landscaping in New Zealand and potentially worldwide may never be the same again! New Zealand gardens and landscapes may be greatly enhanced by promoting timely plant flowering. Palmerston North AgResearch team have been working on a project involving a plant spray that triggers plants into flowering like a switch. The plant spray starts or kick starts the plants normal flowering process but does not speed up the usual flowering periods of plants. The spray being developed will also be used to slow down or stop plants flowering at all. The benefits could be beneficial to both the cut flower market, fruit / vege industry, landscape design, landscapers and gardeners planting options. To read more on the subject please follow the link provided here .