In the garden with Nell Carr

SEPTEMBER 2017 | Nell Carr

SEPTEMBER IS an ideal month to split up perennials that have growntoo “clumpy”.

Michaelmas Daisies, Heliopsis, Helianthemum, and Shastas will all benefit from plant division every few years.

Twitch grass - that perennial pest with subterranean stems that can spread for metres - can entwine itself through the roots. Lifting is a good opportunity to clean up the bed, wash and cut back any big woody roots,, and replant the plants in clean soil.

The drought resistant Aster novae-angliae (New England Daisy) pictured, began to emerge from its winter rest in July, and now should be bulky enough to divide up and re-plant.

In the Vegie Garden Brassica seedlings - Cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are now available in local plant shops. These like a well manured and fertilised soil before the plants go in, and benefit from regular doses of liquid manure - but keep it off the cauli curds once they develop. If well rotted animal manure is not available for bed preparation, there are bags of cow and poultry manure in Meander Valley plant and hardware stores.