BLOOMING BEAUTIES
Many flowering plants bloom in
summer, with some so plentiful
they’re an excellent choice to
cut and brighten up your home
indoors. Flowers perfect for garden
and vase include cosmos, dahlias,
sunflowers, marigolds, salvias,
statice and zinnias. Pelargoniums
and hydrangeas are top sellers for
Multicoloured marigolds
can provide a bright border
throughout summer
a reason – their large blooms
appear over many months. To
cover fences and arches, plant
climbers such as mandevilla,
pandorea, bougainvillea, clematis
and star jasmine. In hanging
baskets, try petunias, calibrachoa,
impatiens, begonias, portulaca,
fuchsias or sweet alyssum.
LAWN LOVE
Keep on top of your grass with these expert tips
1
Master moisture
Neglect or bad weather can leave
a lawn looking and feeling less than
lovely. For an area that seems pretty
dry and dead but still shows some
green, try watering it well – grass is
resilient and may recover. If water runs
off, improve moisture penetration with
a soil wetter. Compacted soil can also
prevent water and nutrients reaching
grass roots – use a garden fork, spiked
roller or lawn sandals to aerate it.
Fill in bare patches
Barren spots of lawn can be
replaced by sowing seed or laying turf.
Yates lawn specialist Steve Jackson
says seed is economical and suits
both large areas or repairing small
patches. “But it can take months for
the grass to establish, and you need
to stay on top of weeds,” he warns.
Turf is an instant but more expensive
option – plus you’ll need to clear out
weeds, stones and other debris, and
improve the soil, Steve says.
3
During the growing season,
monitor your lawn for potential
problems, so you can nip them
in the bud before they progress
4
Feed and flourish
During summer, apply a granular,
lawn-specific fertiliser, and a liquid
fertiliser in periods of active growth.
Mow regularly, but trim only one-third
of the grass blade length. “Removing
too much of the leaf blade stresses
the lawn,” Steve explains. For deep
root growth, water less frequently,
but for longer. Check with your local
council for watering restrictions that
may apply in your local area.
50 bunnings.co.nz |
bunningsnz |
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Banish intruders
Dig out weeds as you spot them
or use a product suitable for the type
of weed and your variety of grass.
Irregular patches of dead grass could
mean common lawn pests, such as
sod webworm, grass grubs and
armyworm, are active – treat with
lawn-specific insecticide.
Keep in mind…
If using products to deal with pests, diseases
or weeds, always read the label, follow the
instructions carefully and wear suitable
protective equipment.
n Wear gloves and a mask when handling potting
mix, compost and mulch.
n Store all garden chemicals out of the reach
of children and pets.
n
Scan the
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Find out how to banish barren
spots in your yard: bunnings.co.nz/
fix-bare-patches-in-the-lawn
Read it!
Words Tammy Huynh. Photography (marigolds) Getty Images; (above) Gap Interiors/Jonathan Gooch.
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