Spring is here!
September is the beginning of spring here in Perth and the perfect time to get ready for the warmer days ahead. It’s a great time to plant pretty much anything and undertake an outdoor spring clean. There’s lots to do in the garden but don’t get overwhelmed; just aim to do a little each week and you’ll have it under control in no time. Or Get in touch with our team of experts to take the burden away from you.
Must-Do Spring Garden Maintenance Tasks
Spring in Perth means it’s time to prepare your garden for growth and get it in the best shape possible to beat the heat.
Here are some of our top tips for the garden maintenance tasks you should be tackling this month:
- Turn on and check your reticulation system: reticulation can be switched on again from the 1st of September so make sure to either book in a reticulation repair and service or check it yourself to make sure the watering days are set correctly, it is still giving proper coverage and the right amount of water to your garden and lawn areas.
- Fertilise! Now is the time to give your gardens and lawns a fertiliser boost to help with growth. Add soil improvers to garden beds, lightly fertilise lawns, apply Blood n Bone to citrus, fruit trees and roses, and top dress the lawn.
- Prune your citrus trees. If they have finished fruiting, it’s time to give them a prune to cut back anything dead, diseased or unwanted before bud break. Read our guide on pruning fruit trees if you need some tips.
- Planting time! Warm season veggies, citrus trees and loads of other shrubs, flowers and plants can be added to your garden this month. Check with your local nursery to select the right plants for your local area.
5. Back to normal maintenance. Tasks like regular hedging and more frequent mowing can begin again now that growth will begin to increase.
6. Spring Prune. Winter flowering plants, natives and hedges can be pruned back now to ensure healthy new foliage and promote growth. Ornamental grasses can also be pruned back if they are starting to look a bit dry and old.
Extra tips for Gardening in September
- Fertilise strawberries to encourage a bumper crop
- Get weeds under control
- Apply a slow-release lawn food to all grassed areas
- Use a metal rake to remove any build-up of thatch or a low mow. Then water well to assist recovery!
- If looking a bit sparse – reseed or returf bare areas of the lawn
- Increase watering of potted plants as the weather warms up
- Apply a slow-release fertiliser to all potted plants
- Fertilise all plants and lawns as growth resumes
- Prune hibiscus and also prune plants that flowered in winter and early spring
- Plant herbs such as parsley, mint, coriander, and oregano
- Renew mulch on garden beds – cover the soil with compost and then cover with a layer of mulch
- Divide and repot cymbidium orchids after flowering
- Watch for pests on new growth such as aphids and snails. Aphids can be squashed or treated.
- Snails and slugs can be trapped or deterred
- Repot potted plants that are root bound
- Divide herbaceous clumping plants as new growth resumes
- Dead head spring annuals and bulbs
Complete an Outdoor Spring Clean
September is also a great time to spring clean your backyard ready to spend more time outside having fun, relaxing and entertaining in the warmer weather. Check all your outdoor furniture and equipment (including cubby houses, trampolines, swing sets). Clean and repaint or re-oil outdoor furniture as required. Check and tighten nuts and bolts. Sweep or water-blast paved areas to remove mould or moss build-up as well as accumulated leaves and dirt. Clean the BBQ and replenish the gas bottles so you’re all set to enjoy the warmer weather that September brings.
If you need help with your yard this September just contact our team to find out how we can help your garden get the best start to Spring and beyond – garden maintenance is what we do!