Now spring is here, even reluctant gardeners want to be out in the nice weather getting their gardens and courtyards in order. Our Bay OK gardening tips will help you prepare your garden so it, as well as the Bay, can enjoyed all throughout summer!
Our lawns generally look a little shabby after winter and most of us are itching to perk them up with fertiliser. Most lawns and gardens will benefit from a healthy boost to the underlying soil. Look out for products that contain added microbes, which plants rely on to deliver nutrients to their roots. If you are applying fertiliser, just remember to check the label and the rain forecast first.
Keep the soil moist. October is the month to get soil wetter and mulch on your gardens. Don’t wait for the soil surface to dry out before you get to work! Once the soil feels dry, it is much more difficult to reverse and get the moisture back in. Sandy soils tend to become hydrophobic and are unable to hold onto moisture, no matter how much you water them. Work miracles on your lawn and garden with an application of soil wetter and sprinkle of compost! Keep the moisture from evaporating from your garden beds with a decent layer of coarse, chunky mulch that will decompose slowly and feed your soil.
Add clay to sandy soils. Adding clays at the recommended rate will transform your sandy soil to promote plant growth much more effectively. Clay helps your soil hold moisture and nutrients in its structure where plants can access it. Clay only needs to be added to your soil once and can be done any time of the year, but I think spring is the perfect time to get the job done!
Following these Bay OK garden tips will help you have a beautiful low-nutrient, waterwise garden that supports local biodiversity, while protecting our iconic Geographe Bay.
The Bay OK gardens project is part of Royalties for Region’s Healthy Estuaries WA and Revitalising Geographe Waterways programs. These State Government initiatives aim to support the long-term health of our south-west estuaries. The project is also supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Lisa Massey has been the Bay OK Project Officer at GeoCatch for over seven years and is a passionate advocate for sustainable gardening.
