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DECEMBER
Water constantly in dry weather - deep trickling on plant roots, mist spray foliage.
Mulch around trees and shrubs.
Check white wax scale on citrus, especially lemons. Spray white oil with insecticide to control.
Plant annual summer flowers like petunias, marigolds, phlox, ageratum, alyssum and salvia.
Spray black spot on roses with fungicide, eg. mancozeb or Bayer Rose & Ornamental Spray.
Collect black spot infected leaves and burn or put into garbage.
Harvest stone fruit as it ripens.
Pick up fallen fruit and place it in a large plastic garbage bag, then tie securely. Leave in a hot, sunny spot to destroy fruit fly larvae.
Plant brussell sprouts, cauliflowers, leeks and sow beetroot, celery, dwarf beans, lettuce and radish.
Provide a small garden for the children to manage as some occupation during the holidays. Why not let them do some of the work!
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JANUARY
Lightly prune roses and fuchsias to encourage good autumn blooms.
Plant more tomatoes for a late crop in autumn, and seedlings of broccoli, brussell sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, celery, apple cucumber, leek, lettuce and zucchini.
Annuals to grow now include alyssum, candytuft, cineraria, cornflowers, larkspur, lobelia, pansies, poppies, scabiosa, viola and wallflowers.
Sow anenome and ranuncula bulbs. Aquilegia suits semi shaded spots.
Stake dahlia plants to prevent breakage in strong winds.
Throw away tired indoor plants and renew with fresh, healthy ones.
Mow grass with new, sharp blades. If grass is long after holidays, mow twice - first on high, then at the required height.If grass is a problem, try Yates New & Safe Lawn Tamer.
Remove spent flowers on annual plants to encourage further blooms.
Harvest all fruit and vegetables as soon as ripe.
Cut stems of herb plants like basil, coriander, thyme and marjoram and hang to dry for use in winter.
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FEBRUARY
Order spring flowering bulbs - get a catalogue from one of the specialist nurseries, or ask the Garden Club.
Refrigerate tulip and hyacinth bulbs.
Disbud chrysanthemums and dahlias - retain one bud to a stem.
Lift irises and divide if necessary - spread lime over the bed.
Prune hydrangeas for improved late flowers.
Pick roses, remove any hips and fertilise for autumn show.
Sow annual flowers as for last month and add carnations, clarkia, delphiniums, dianthus, lupins, penstemon, snapdragon, statice, stocks, sweet william, verbena and virginia stocks.
Remove lateral stems from staked tomatoes and allow only five or six trusses of fruit per plant.
Go moonlighting for snails and slugs and destroy with salt or Blitzem snail and slug granules which do not attract animals.
Water, water, water, if the weather is dry.
Strike leafy cuttings from favourite shrubs to sell at the Garden Club.
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