July gardening jobs

• Water well – winter can be deceptive, with cooler days and occasional showers lulling gardeners into assuming that plants don’t need watering. Pot plants are the most at risk – they dry out surprisingly quickly after a few sunny days. Use your index finger to test the soil moisture level. 

• Smother winter-growing weeds, such as onion weed and soursob, by covering them with bricks, tiles or pieces of light-excluding cardboard. 

• Take hardwood cuttings to propagate roses and other deciduous shrubs. 

• Break up clumps of bulbs that are in too much shade and not flowering well, and move well-rooted sections into sunnier positions to encourage future flowering. 

• Use hedge shears to trim lanky pansies and violas, then liquid-fertilise with a flower-promoting plant food. 

• Plant more native correas, banksias and winter-blooming grevilleas in warmer areas; they will eventually provide shelter and food for birds at this time of year. 

• Visit orchid shows to see an ongoing parade as various species come into bloom. Local shopping centres often make space available to orchid groups, while larger events are held in community halls or in association with botanic gardens. These shows are usually helmed by enthusiasts who are happy to share their knowledge and passion.  

And there are more! For 50-plus seasonal jobs to do this month, and what to plant in your climate, get your copy of the July issue, out now!

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