How to encourage new plants to grow?

PennyH

I moved to a property and planted a garden shortly before winter. Everything seems to have survived pretty much in the state it was planted in.

Now I am wondering how best to maximise growth of plants and improve the lawn for spring and summer

I need to look after a row of waterhousia and a row of murraya which are planted in beds as well as one crepe myrtle tree.

The lawn has greened up nicely after seeding and weed and feed before winter set in but isn't the nicest lawn (lots of different types in there)

Would love some advice on how to best prepare it for spring and when to start 🙂Crepe Myrtle

EricL

Hello @PennyH 

Thanks for sharing your question about your garden. You are in a really good position heading into spring because your garden has had time to settle in over winter without too much stress, and now is the perfect time to give everything a boost. For your waterhousia, murraya and crepe myrtle, the focus should be on steady feeding and moisture management. 

A controlled-release fertiliser such as Yates Nutricote Tree & Shrub Total Blend or Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Landscape Controlled Release Fertiliser, both available at the store, will supply balanced nutrients over several months and encourage strong root development as well as lush new growth. Keep the mulch you’ve laid down topped up but pulled slightly back from the stems, and as the weather warms, establish a consistent deep-watering routine, particularly for the crepe myrtle. Both waterhousia and murraya will benefit from a light prune after their first flush of new spring growth, which helps keep them bushy and better shaped for screening.

For your lawn, spring is the ideal time to improve density and appearance. A starter fertiliser such as Lawn Builder Scotts Starter Slow Release Lawn Fertiliser is excellent for greening and strengthening new seedlings while feeding established grass for up to three months. If you notice bare patches, Garden Basics Lawn Repair (Seed + Fertiliser) is a simple solution that reseeds and feeds simultaneously, while Hortico Organic Lawn Fertiliser is a good option later in the season to build soil structure and improve long-term health. 

Aerating compacted edges near the deck or concrete, lightly overseeding to reduce the mix of grass types, and mowing regularly but not too short will help create a more even, lush surface.

The best timing is to start fertilising and aerating as soon as frosts are behind you and soil is warming, usually early to mid-spring. This will give your shrubs, tree and lawn the nutrients they need at the very moment they start to grow actively, setting them up for a strong summer. By following this approach with the right products, you will see your garden thicken, green up and become more resilient as the warmer months arrive.

Here is a handy guide that will help: How To Get Ready For Spring

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric