Winter is upon us and the rain was very welcome. It is frightening going into winter without rain; however we are off to a reasonable start now. The trees and gardens all look better and the weeds are flourishing so it all feels ‘normal’ again.

WATERING: Orchids and cacti need to be fairly dry in winter to flower in spring. Water about once a month, but keep outdoors out of frost. Indoor plants need to be just damp; use a spray bottle to add humidity. Mother-in-laws tongue is better dry in June and July; water sparingly if it begins to wither.

CUTTINGS of deciduous trees, shrubs and roses can be taken now. Figs and roses are the easiest, but anything is worth a try. Place a number of cuttings in a pot with sharp sand in the bottom and potting mix on top or dig a sloping trench in the garden, place sharp sand along the bottom, lay your cuttings at an angle with their bases in the sand and back fill. (Grape growers do this)

MAY BUSHES (Spireas) make suckers and are easily propagated from these; in fact anything that suckers is easy, but beware of trees that sucker as you have a permanent problem. Narrandera Council planted Silver Poplars along the street bordering the Canal and now has a thick forest along the embankment. Popular ‘Mop Tops’ (False Acacia) sucker willingly – ask the Food Garden helpers.

CAMELLIAS are coming into flower, sasanquas are already making a great show.

Kanjiro is probably the hardiest and makes a handsome little tree. They need excellent drainage and need a mound in heavy soil (or a big pot). The hardiest Camellia japonica is Great Eastern, closely followed by the Czar, the Emperor of Russia and Star above Star which looks delicate but is very tough. It is the only survivor of the 10 I bought when I moved back to Narrandera. Do not be beguiled by the wonderful blooms at the Camellia Show in August.

GARDEN ART: It’s amazing what you can use in the garden, from a magnificent big pot to a painted wagon wheel. I recently visited a farm garden with an impressive collection of ‘antique’ containers full of succulents hanging from the trees along the neatly mown driveway. Most effective! And all the containers were salvaged from the farm’s scrap heap, the source of much farm innovation.

NATIONAL TREE DAY: Congratulations to Glenn and all the people involved.

Narrandera Wetlands are a great credit to Narrandera Landcare, Narrandera Shire Council and all the people involved over the years. Thanks must go to Narrandera Landcare, Leeton Toyota, Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists and the Narrandera Pizzeria.