COOMA GAS & GARDEN SUPPLIES

SNAILS AND SLUGS. These pests love the conditions at the moment and will make short work of newly planted seedlings and some vegetables. Use snail bait by sprinkling pellets among the plants. Don’t leave in heaps. If you have cats and dogs as pets use the more friendly variety MULTIGUARD as it is an iron-based product, less dangerous if eaten by your pets. Snail and slug traps can also be employed throughout the garden and the trapped offenders dunked in a bucket of hot soapy water the next morning.

HARLEQUIN BEETLES. These have been found in quite large numbers in some gardens. Spray on ornamental plants with Confidor. On edible plants other means of control may be necessary. Find their overnight resting places and destroy the bugs before they have dispersed throughout the garden. They will hide behind old tin, under wood, in any concealed protected spot in clusters.

Other pests that may be causing problems are earwigs, aphids, thrips and caterpillars. For best control for these bugs please ask in the shop.

DISEASES. Roses have been hit hard by both black spot and powdery mildew, as the conditions are just right for these diseases to thrive. All the wet weather has also made it hard to get to spray on a regular basis so a concerted effort will be needed to get on top of these two major rose problems this season. For best control use alternate sprays of Triforine and Rose Shield.

TOMATOES have also been suffering from diseases that thrive in the conditions, some of which could be: Bacterial Canker, Fusarium Wilt, Spotted Wilt, Target Spot and Blight. Tomato fungus diseases can be controlled by using copper sprays or Mancozeb. If unsure bring in a specimen and we can try to identify the problem. Very good drainage is important when growing tomatoes.

PRUNING. This is another job that will keep everyone busy, as the amount of growth on some plants is astounding. Keep deadheading flowering plants including roses to ensure another flush of flowers. If you have a wayward wisteria keep pruning back the long whippy growth to keep it under control. This summer pruning encourages flower bud initiation for next season’s flowers.

LAWNS. Lawns and grass will be growing madly and really needing a weekly trim. Keep mower blades sharp and don’t be tempted to mow too short as this will only invite weeds to out-compete your lawn grasses.

ORDERS. If you missed out on your chosen fruit trees last season, an ornamental tree or that extra special rose, then we are taking orders for these plants from now until about the middle of May. So make your list and come in and see us.

HARVESTING. Are you lucky enough to be harvesting any edibles yet? Raspberries should just about be finished their spring early summer fruiting. Cherries will be just about finished. Blueberries are beginning to ripen and will do continually over the next few weeks. Strawberries will have some fruit still appearing – nip off any runners that shoot out. Apples will be growing nicely. Veggies, like carrots, beetroot, silverbeet, spinach and lettuce should be ready to harvest.
Here’s to a successful gardening year in 2012.