Environment Matters Spring/Summer 2021

When is a good time to plant? Have you ever put plants in the ground for them to die shortly after? Planting can sometimes seem like a tricky science, but here are some tips on the most important factors for plant survival.

1. TEMPERATURE temperature-low

2. MOISTURE Droplet

3. PLANT PREFERENCES seedling

Too hot and plants suffer heat stress and dry out. Too cold and plants suffer frost-related deaths. Plants grow more effectively in warmer soil, so it’s important not to plant too close to winter. The more temperate months of Spring and early Autumn are good times to get planting. TIP: Remember to pick up your free native plants from the Ipswich City Council Nursery! See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/freeplants

Plant during or just prior to the wetter season (generally summer in Ipswich) if you can. A good soak of rain is far more effective for plant growth than we can achieve with manual watering. Use water crystals to maximise water retention in the soil and use mulch to suppress weeds and trap soil moisture. TIP: Dig the hole for your plants twice as big as the pot then fill the hole with water and allow it to entirely soak into the soil (this can take up to 24 hours), then follow up with a deep water once you have planted.

Each species has its own tolerances to sunlight, soil type and water. Spend some time understanding your planting site and try and select plants suited to those conditions. It will help your garden thrive! TIP: In full-sun areas establish trees

and shrubs as ‘pioneer’ species and then plant less sun-tolerant species as the understorey.

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