Interviews     

Jean Lucy Sargent

Lavender Conference, Launceston Tasmania, 6-9 February 2011

www.talga.com.au

Lucy Lavender Farm, 40 Centre Road Yellingbo, tel , 03-59648238

Jenny Phillips

Botanical Art Exhibition, Jenny Phillips: The Hidden Meaning of Plants

Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Until 6 February 2011

Dunns Road, Mornington. Tel. 03-59754395

www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

David and Karen Moad

Rivers of Yarrambat, 28-50 Kurrak Road, Yarrambat

Tel. 94363200 / www.riversofyarrambat.com

Plant of the Week

Ferns to cool your summer, birds nest fern is a beauty as a focal point, some of the ground ferns like Blechnum or Asplenium are good. 

What to do in the garden

• Grapevines have suffered with the extra rain causing humidity and you might notice the leaves looking holey and damaged. You can spray with a copper based spray but give them some fertiliser that the new leaves will come out fine. These warm humid summer conditions have meant the fungal problems like black spot on roses has been prolific. You can prune off all effected parts or be vigilant with a fungicide that can prevent. Seaweed solutions can be applied over the foliage and drenched around the soil to keep them looking at their best.

• Wisterias have had a summer growth spurt producing loads of long tendrils that can be pruned off right back into the foliage

• Dust tomatoes with tomato dust or sulphur powder to stop any caterpillars that can be around at this time of year.