December

THINGS TO DO IN THE VEGGIE PATCH

-Veges to plant: basil, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrots, cauliflower,cucumber, lettuce, kumara, melons, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, radish, rhubarb (divide old plants now), shallots, silverbeet and zucchini.

-Spray broad beans, brassicas and other seedlings with a broad spectrum fungicide to control leaf spot and fungal diseases.

-Side dress young plants with Kings General Garden Fertiliser or liquid feed with Kings liquid Fast Food.

-Dust cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and other seedlings with Derris Dust to control caterpillars and use Yates Baysol to control slugs and snails.

-Weeding also keeps slugs and snails away.

-Mound up soil around potatoes for bigger and better crops

-Increase the quality of the soil by digging in Kings Organic Compost, General Garden Fertiliser and pelletised Sheep Manure .

-Plant herbs in the garden, containers or baskets.

THINGS TO DO IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

-Plants to sow: Alyssum, Ageratum, Asters, Balsams, Begonia, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Celosia, Cosmos, Californian poppies, Gazania, Impatiens, Larkspur, Linaria, Linum, Lobelia, Lupin, Marigold, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Petunia, Phlox, Poppies, Portulaca, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sunflower,Sweetpeas, Sweet william, Verbena, Violas, Viscaria and Zinnias.

-Flowers to plant: All the above, plus Cannas, Dahlias, Hippeastrum, Poppies, Cineraria chrysanthemums and Water Lilies. 

-Mulch all flower beds and liquid feed for strong, healthy growth.

TREES AND SHRUBS

-Keep all your trees and shrubs well mulched and irrigated. Liquid feed for strong, healthy growth.

-Spray roses and other shrubs-alternate between Yates Shield and Watkins Gild for pest control on roses prevents insects developing resistance to either.

-Prune blooms on roses and spring flowering shrubs once they have finished to encourage more blooms.

THINGS TO DO IN THE FRUIT GARDEN

-Water, water, water. Fruit trees need lots of it for healthy fruit development.

-Spray fruit trees, grapes and berry canes with Yates Guardall to combat pests and diseases.

-Take care to ensure that passionfruit are well mulched, watered and fed.

-Strawberries- fresh from your garden now. Mulch well to assist water retention.

GENERAL

-Avoid cutting lawns too closely at this time of year to prevent moisture loss.

-Water all indoor and outdoor container plants more regularly.

-Use Saturaid and plenty of mulch to reduce water loss.

YATES TRUSTED PRODUCTS TO USE IN DECEMBER

-Yates Baysol Slugs and Snails Killer. One application lasts 2-4weeks and even remains active in wet weather. Protects your flower and veggie seedlings.

-Bravo a broad-spectrum fungicide, ideal for control of mildew.

Kings Liquid Fast Food for all your hand watering needs.

-Yates Weed 'n'  Feed kills broadleaf weeds in lawns, and feeds at the same time. Conveniently clips onto your hose. Only for use on lawns.

-Yates Super shield is a combination spray that takes care of most insect, mite and fungal problems. A summer essential.