SPRING is almost here, but before the warmer weather sends gardens into overdrive, now is the perfect time to give the backyard a little attention.
The final weeks of winter offer gardeners a valuable window to prepare soil, tackle pests, inspect trees and make sure irrigation systems are ready for the growing season ahead.
GIVE YOUR MULCH A TOP-UP
Mulch may have looked healthy earlier in the year, but warmer months can cause it to break down surprisingly quickly.
Check garden beds and aim for a mulch layer about 75–100mm deep.
Mulch helps retain moisture, insulates the soil and suppresses weeds, while fallen leaves can also be put to work rather than thrown away.
HUNT DOWN PESTS AND DISEASE
Winter is also a good opportunity for a garden clean-up.
Remove diseased, damaged or pestaffected leaves and keep an eye out for coloured spots, rotting foliage and old leaves providing shelter for insects.
Fruit trees and roses deserve particular attention, with old leaves and fruit potentially harbouring pests and diseases including codling moth, black spot, rose rust and mildew.
LOOK UP AS SPRING ARRIVES
Deciduous trees are easier to inspect while their branches are bare.
Look closely for dead, cracked, damaged or hanging limbs that could become dangerous during strong winds or storms.
If there are concerns about the stability of a large tree, contact a qualified arborist.
DON’T PANIC ABOUT LICHEN
Those unusual patches growing across tree trunks and branches are not necessarily something to scrub away.
Lichen grows on trees without harming them and can actually be an encouraging sign.
FIND THE WET AND DRY SPOTS
Finally, take a walk around the garden after rain or watering and look for areas that remain unusually wet or dry.
Check irrigation lines, hoses and fittings for cracks, leaks or other damage before demand increases during spring and summer.
