Next on: Tonight 8.10pm (half hour program due to extended news), Rpt Sunday 1.30pm on ABC + iview (full episode) | | | | |
| | Sophie visits a garden that has been modified to make it accessible, Tino fills a vegie bed with plants for winter soup, Costa visits a stunning rooftop garden and Josh finds out how to attract native bees to the garden. | | | | | |
| | | | Tonight 8.10pm on ABC + iview | | Josh visits a native bee expert to learn about how to make a garden more accessible for our native garden friends | | | | | | | | | | Fact Sheet | | Costa visits the rooftop garden at the Qantas head office to find out how gardening is keeping the staff grounded | | | | | | | | |
| | Tropical Climate Zone - Coriander
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Parsley
Subtropical Climate Zone - Broad Beans
- Carrots
- Kale
- Onion
Arid Climate Zone - Asparagus
- Burdock
- Celery
- Kohlrabi
Temperate Climate Zone - Burdock
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Pak Choy / Bok Choy
- Rocket
Cool Climate Zone - Broccoli
- Endive
- Florence Fennel
- Mustard Greens
| | | | |
| | Cool - It’s time to give the Youngberry, Boysenberry and Raspberry canes that fruited last year a “berry” good haircut, all the way to the ground, and tie the rest of the canes to a trellis.
- It’s a great time to test the pH of your soil before winter planting and undertake any conditioning of the soil before you drop in your bare-rooted trees.
- Before the winter pruning season hits, spend some time cleaning, sharpening, oiling and disinfecting your favourite pruning tools – a great shed job for a chilly day.
Temperate - In warm temperate areas, it’s time to harvest remaining quince fruits before the first frosts. The scent of these fruits as they ripen is intoxicating, and they make a delicious jam.
- Bare root rose time is just around the corner, so prep your patch now. Build up your soil with compost and organic fertiliser, turn well and water – you’ll be ready to plant in no time!
- It’s time to grab the tulip bulbs out of the fridge and whack them into the ground. Plant them two to three times as deep as the bulbs, give them a feed with blood and bone.
Subtropical - Subtropical gardeners can celebrate World Bee day on the 20th May by popping in some high pollen and high nectar plants to bring in the bees. Think lavender, native rosemary, salvias and thyme.
- Pretty up your porch with a Hoya. These tough trailing plants are happy in a well-lit position protected from the harsh afternoon sun and will perform best when they are pot bound.
- Never heard of a Jaboticaba? Do yourself a favour and hunt one down – a striking small tree which bears its delicious lychee-flavoured, grape sized fruit on the stem.
Tropical - If you’re gardening in the Tropics, there is no better flowering plant for this time of year than the petunia. The variety of growth habits and amazing colours bring a splash of joy to every garden.
- Get involved in a count of wild pollinators in your backyard. Pick a flower on your favourite tree or shrub and record which pollinators you see visit at different times of the day.
- Go nuts for Aussie native peanuts! Also known as the red-fruited Kurrajong, this rainforest species is a great feature shade tree, bearing scented flowers and edible seeds in Autumn.
Arid - Arid zone gardeners, it’s a perfect time to store summer seeds. Select seeds from your favourites, dry them off the plant for at least a week in a shady spot and store for next year.
- Grapes are a reliable, delicious, useful climber is arid areas. Grow from prunings, or grab a couple of different varieties from your local garden centre.
- Get involved in a local Citizen Science project. With studies from biodiversity to bees, birds, bats, butterflies, mammals and marine environments, there are heaps of ways to get involved and make a difference.
Happy World Bee Day gardeners! | | | |
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