Your Garden Questions Answered
Episode: # 10 09/06/07
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Bougainvillea’s are so easy to grow and provide nearly 12 months of colour, however Paul of Colonel Light Gardens is having great difficulty controlling where his is growing and wants to know is there anything he can do to reduce its vigour.
Choosing the right sized plant for your garden is really important and Kim looks at a good example of a plant that has got out of hand. Large canes are now growing under the roofing iron and, if not removed, will begin lifting the sheets, creating a big problem. Cutting back the plant is the only way to keep it in check and stopping it invading the house but be prepared for a regular pruning job, maybe as often as every 2 months.
If a bougainvillea does becomes a major issue, then look at planting a little less vigorous climber in its place. Chinese Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), with its fragrant white blooms, would be an excellent choice. Plant one nearby and let it establish first, before removing the bougainvillea.
On the subject of plants getting out of hand, ivy (Hedera helix) would have to be high on that list and there is always plenty of questions from our Garden Gurus Club members about dealing with ivy in the yard. The stuff seems to grow while you are watching, so keeping on top of it is essential.
Stop ivy growing into trees. It will quickly take over and smother the tree. Pull off any tendrils, this might be harder than it sounds. Clearing a small area around the base will also help keep the ivy well away from the trunk.
The most successful way of removing ivy is to hand pull as much as possible first and then follow-up with a herbicide like Zero Glyphosate. Either paint onto fresh cuts or, spray when there is new growth. You will need to do it a number of times for a proper kill.
A word of warning, exposure to its fine dust can quickly trigger an asthma attack so if you have any kind of breathing difficulty, wear a respirator or mask when working around ivy.
If you are pressed for space but still love your veggies, then have a go at growing some favourites in a large pot. Regular handfuls of a good organic fertilizer will keep them growing right through winter. Just watch out for slugs and snails, they are sneaky critters, so search around to find them. Pick or bait to control.
Want to know more about creating an edible garden or, helping your yard survive water restrictions? Pick up a copy of the latest Garden Gurus newspaper.
Featured Products
Zero Glyphosate Weedspray
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Bougainvillea’s are so easy to grow and provide nearly 12 months of colour, however Paul of Colonel Light Gardens is having great difficulty controlling where his is growing and wants to know is there anything he can do to reduce its vigour.
Choosing the right sized plant for your garden is really important and Kim looks at a good example of a plant that has got out of hand. Large canes are now growing under the roofing iron and, if not removed, will begin lifting the sheets, creating a big problem. Cutting back the plant is the only way to keep it in check and stopping it invading the house but be prepared for a regular pruning job, maybe as often as every 2 months.
If a bougainvillea does becomes a major issue, then look at planting a little less vigorous climber in its place. Chinese Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), with its fragrant white blooms, would be an excellent choice. Plant one nearby and let it establish first, before removing the bougainvillea.
On the subject of plants getting out of hand, ivy (Hedera helix) would have to be high on that list and there is always plenty of questions from our Garden Gurus Club members about dealing with ivy in the yard. The stuff seems to grow while you are watching, so keeping on top of it is essential.
Stop ivy growing into trees. It will quickly take over and smother the tree. Pull off any tendrils, this might be harder than it sounds. Clearing a small area around the base will also help keep the ivy well away from the trunk.
The most successful way of removing ivy is to hand pull as much as possible first and then follow-up with a herbicide like Zero Glyphosate. Either paint onto fresh cuts or, spray when there is new growth. You will need to do it a number of times for a proper kill.
A word of warning, exposure to its fine dust can quickly trigger an asthma attack so if you have any kind of breathing difficulty, wear a respirator or mask when working around ivy.
If you are pressed for space but still love your veggies, then have a go at growing some favourites in a large pot. Regular handfuls of a good organic fertilizer will keep them growing right through winter. Just watch out for slugs and snails, they are sneaky critters, so search around to find them. Pick or bait to control.
Want to know more about creating an edible garden or, helping your yard survive water restrictions? Pick up a copy of the latest Garden Gurus newspaper.
Featured Products
Zero Glyphosate Weedspray
- Ready to use.
- Non selective control of all grasses and broadleaf weeds.
- Effective, economical and easy to use in rockeries, garden beds, paths, driveways, fence lines, lawn edges and before planting new lawns and gardens.
- Kills the weeds, roots and all.
AS SEEN ON 
