MAYGardening to doMove cold sensitive potted plants into areas under cover.

Pick pumpkins when the stalk withers, store somewhere dry and sunny.

Strawberry runners can be planted. Select virus free stock from garden suppliers.

Last chance to plant spring flowering bulbs.

Handy tipsDon’t waste fallen autumn leaves – use as a mulch or add to your compost.

Only stake trees if absolutely necessary – if in a windy or exposed position, support with a figure of eight tie made from soft material such as nylon stockings.

Native plants are great for attracting birds and butterflies.

SowLocal natives can thrive if planted in May – try Banksias, Grevilleas, native grasses and groundcovers.

Vegetables: Onions, Peas, Snow Peas.

Governmentof South Australia

Governmentof South Australia

We all love our gardens. In fact, gardens and gardening contribute to the wellbeing of South Australians and are an important part of our life and landscape.This year-round guide provides simple, smart gardening tips.

A healthy garden is a waterwise garden.

Remember to check water restrictions or permanent water conservation measures in your area at www.sawater.com.au

Have a great garden and claim up to $100 on eligible garden goods as part of the H2OME Rebate Scheme! Goods include:•  Organic mulch or compost•  Soil wetting agents•  Tap timers•  Outdoor compost bins•  Rainwater diverters•  Soil moisture sensors or rain sensors•  Irrigation system controllers and more!

Visit www.sawater.com.au to find out more  and apply.

JANUARYGardening to doMake a New Year’s resolution to enjoy a sustainable garden – visit www.environment.sa.gov.au and check out the Sustainable Landscapes Projects for details.

A good layer of mulch will help garden beds retain moisture.

Spray roses for black spot, powdery mildew and aphids and look for environmentally friendly, chemical free alternatives.

Handy tipsUse environmentally friendly slow release or liquid fertilisers to feed pot plants.

Hand pollinate (transfer pollen from male to female flowers) to help increase crops on pumpkins, cucumbers and melons.

Water early in the day to help discourage fungal diseases.

SowSeeds: Calendula, Snapdragons.

Vegetables: Brussel Sprouts.

FEBRUARYGardening to doPrepare veggie beds for autumn/winter crops – start by digging in old compost or manure.

Buy spring flowering bulbs while stocks are fresh. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry, dark spot and plant out when soil temperatures are cooler.

Cut dead heads off roses, agaphanthus and other summer flowering plants.

Research plants native to your area – plants from around Australia may suit our conditions but check their watering requirements and weed potential.

Handy tipsDivide clumps of bearded iris and plant in other parts of the garden.

SowSeeds: Cineraria, Cornflower.

Vegetables: Broccoli, Lettuce, Chinese Cabbages.

MARCHGardening to doPrepare a sunny bed (that faces north) for sweet peas.

Start a compost heap.

Visit autumn rose shows, select from catalogues and prepare new rose beds for winter planting.

Handy tipsRemove excess buds from chrysanthemums to encourage larger flowers.

Curled and distorted leaves on new citrus growth are usually caused by citrus leaf miner. A weak spraying solution of white oil will protect citrus from further attack.

Patch holes in lawns by sowing with a fast germinating, drought tolerant grass blend. Ask your lawn expert for advice.

SowSeeds: Pansies, Poppies, Lobelia, English Daisies.

Vegetables: Spinach, Radish.

APRILGardening to doCut down watering of indoor plants as their growth slows.

Cooler days are great for re-potting container plants.

Pot some bulbs into containers for indoor colour in spring.

Handy tipsPurchase new autumn fruit and foliage trees while they’re in full colour.

Pull out weeds before they have a chance to set seed.

Organic material will help improve any soil whether it’s clay or sandy.

SowSeeds: Stocks, Primula.

Vegetables: Broad Beans, Broccoli, Spinach, Sweet Peas.

JUNEGardening to doA good month for buying and planting perennials.

Prepare soil for planting deciduous trees.

Prune hydrangeas and take cuttings. Only prune stems that have flowered in the previous season.

Prune deciduous trees. Pruning of spring blossom trees should be left until after flowering.

Handy tipsCold and wet days give you a good chance to catch up with the latest gardening books and website information.

Add organic matter to your garden.

Well placed lighting can transform your garden into a night time wonderland. Look for easy to install lights with solar panels.

SowSeeds: Dianthus, Alyssum, Gypsophila.

Vegetables: Broad Beans, Spinach, Cabbages.

JULYGardening to doMoist weather encourages snails. Try chemical free alternatives to keep them at bay. Beer traps work well.

Prune roses.

Plant potatoes in a sunny position.

Aerate lawn by stabbing with a garden fork or hiring a mechanical aerator.

Handy tipsWinter is a good time to carry out major landscaping tasks.

Plan carefully – speak to your nursery and landscaping expert.

Pots of polyanthus give cheerful short-term colour indoors.

Don’t prune frost damaged parts of plants until frosts are over to help protect other areas of the plant.

Let nature do the watering for you.

SowSeeds: Hippeastrum, Violets, Red Hot Pokers.

Vegetables: Asparagus, Rhubarb.

SEPTEMBERGardening to doCheck lemon trees for lemon scab and treat if necessary.

Prune hibiscus and other summer flowering plants such as plumbago and fuchsias.

Citrus with yellowing leaves in the centre or end may need magnesium or complete fertiliser.

Handy tipsVisit open gardens for inspiration.

Install micro-irrigation systems to make watering easy and efficient or check for leaks in existing systems.

SowSeeds: Salvia, Marigold, Zinnias.

Vegetables: Warm season veggies such as Beans, Pumpkin, Eggplant, Cucumber and Tomato.

OCTOBERGardening to doBuy and plant natives suitable for your area.

Add gypsum or claybreaker to new garden beds in clay areas.

Plant tropical fruit and ornamentals as soon as they become available.

Pinch back geraniums to encourage bushy growth.

Handy tipsClean up before the bushfire season.

Companion planting will grow a better garden. Plant tomatoes with asparagus, carrots with onions, potatoes with peas and thyme with cabbage.

Yellowing of the older leaves of gardenias in spring is a sign of magnesium deficiency.

Look out for thrips (insects that can be a pest to plants) in dry spring weather.

SowSeeds: Petunias, Dahlias.

Vegetables: Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Zucchini.

NOVEMBERGardening to doAllow lawn grasses to grow longer, this will shade the root system and the lawn will stand up better to summer heat.

Cut back long tendrils on wisteria and other climbers.

Thin out crops on fruit trees to increase size of fruit.

Handy tipsPick vegetables while still young and tender for the best flavour and to encourage further production.

Remember to protect yourself from the sun with Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide!

SowSeeds: Aster, Verbena, Portulaca.

Vegetables: Cucumber, Pumpkins, Capsicum.

DECEMBERGardening to doPot up some plants to use as Christmas gifts.

Trim bottlebrush and other Australian natives after flowering.

Mulch your garden well.

Prepare some portable shelters to protect sun-sensitive plants on very hot days.

Handy tipsMake sure hanging baskets don’t dry out in summer – special hanging basket potting mixes contain water holding crystals.

Remove weeds while they’re still small – they compete for water and harbour plant diseases.

In hot, dry areas choose drought tolerant natives or visit the SA Water Mediterranean Garden at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens for inspiration.

SowSeeds: Dahlias, Snapdragons.

Vegetables: Beans, Chillies, Spring Onions.

AUGUSTGardening to doCut and remove branches affected by the citrus galls wasp before the end of the month.

Use an environmentally friendly spot spray to control soursob while it’s in flower.

Mulch the root systems of azaleas and camellias.

Handy tipsNuts are attractive plants that give a bonus harvest. Almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and macadamias can all be grown in suitable climates.

Strawberries grow easily in hanging baskets.

Cumquats and Meyer Lemons are excellent tub plants for a sunny spot.

Have your soil analysed so you know the right balance for your garden.

SowSeeds: Ageratum, Cosmos.

Vegetables: Lettuce, Carrots, Silver Beet.