The following is a list of vegetables and herbs you can plant in October in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb:

• Amaranth
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Basil
• Beans – climbing and bush beans
• Beetroot
• Borage
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cape Gooseberry
• Capsicum
• Carrot
• Celeriac
• Celery – in seed trays
• Chicory
• Chives
• Chillies
• Cucumber
• Daikon
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Jerusalem artichoke
• Leeks
• Lemon Balm
• Lettuce
• Luffa
• Marrow – in seed trays
• Mint
• Mustard Greens
• Okra – in seed trays
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Parsnip
• Peas
• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Radish
• Rhubarb
• Rocket
• Rockmelon– in seed trays
• Rosella – in seed trays in greenhouse
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Silverbeet
• Spring onions
• Sunflower
• Sweet corn
• Thyme
• Tomato
• Turnip
• Water melon
• Yacon

Plant of the Month – Grevillea – ( ‘Lady O ‘)

Grevillea ‘Lady O’ is a popular and hardy perennial native shrub in the Proteacea family.

It is a hybrid developed from Grevillea victoriae hybrid and Grevillea rhyolitica and is attractive to pollinator insects and to birds with its nectar.

Once established it is frost tolerant and grows to height of 1.5 m and a width of 2-2.5 m, with an open rounded habit.

Its beautiful red flowers add colour to the garden for most of the year. with extra blooms in spring and autumn.

Click on any image below to get extra detail of this beautiful plant.

The Grevillea ‘Lady O’ inflorescence is carried at the end of the branches beyond the leaves. It has stalked flowers arranged singly along an elongated unbranched axis, with the flowers at the bottom opening first. Flowers on the raceme emerge around a 360 degree radius and the raceme is wider at the base and about 7 cm long by 5 cm and bright red in colour.

The glossy leaves are elliptical and about 3 cm long, to 1 cm wide and are compact on stems that are slightly weeping.

Individual flowers are composed of 1 carpel where the style and stigma protrude. They have 4 stamens hidden in the perianth and four tepals. The bright red carpels are to 25 mm long with red tips. The perianths are bright red with hints of yellow at the tips.

Soil and Site:

The planting site needs to be well draining and Grevillea ‘Lady O’ can grow in most soil types. If the soil is heavy however, amend it with well composted cow manure and prepare the garden bed by mounding it up a few weeks before planting to improve drainage.

Grevilleas do not like their roots disturbed so take care when planting. Give a deep water once planted and mulch around the base (keeping it away from the stem) to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.

Select a site that receives full sun for at least 6-8 hours a day to ensure compact growth and good flowering.

Grevillea ‘Lady O’ can be grown in borders, as a feature plant, or on patios in pots and planters.

If planting in pots, use Native Potting Mix has been specially designed for the propagation and growing of Australian Native Plants. Manufactured from composted bark and sand, Native Potting Mix is low in phosphorous whilst supplying all other nutrient requirements.

Watering:

In the early stages it is important to water regularly but once established a deep watering occasionally and when conditions require like extended hot periods or droughts is all that is needed.

Pruning:

It is important to prune grevilleas regularly, especially over spring and summer when they quickly regrow and re-flower. Left unpruned they can become leggy.

The ends of stems can be pruned to maintain compact growth. Just pinch out the tips when young or clip older plants to encourage new growth and flowering.

As a sustainability measure, and as Grevillea ‘Lady O’ flowers over most of the year, you might avoid pruning during late autumn and winter to ensure birds and other insects a source of food when other plants are dormant or not in flower.

Fertilizing:

Apply fertilizer after pruning and in the spring.

It is important that any fertilizer used is low-phosphorous suitable for native plants.

Grevillea ‘Lady O’, a medium sized grevillea, is perfect for any garden, attracting birds insects and butterflies and adding colour and lovely dense foliage that provides both food and habitat when fully grown. It is easy to maintain and a great waterwise choice for your garden that gives an abundance of flowers all the year round.