Traditionally, this should be the time to sit back and enjoy the garden. Recent rains have continued the growth spurt and weeds are everywhere. This is an opportunity to reshape earlier pruning and make sure your plants are ready for the next growth spurt in late winter/early spring. The best thing about weeding is that it gets us up close and personal with your plants . Removing tangled grasses around the base of the plant will give it a chance to breathe and if you top that off with a haircut it will be ready to go. Add some mulch to deter the weeds, but keep it away from the stem itself.

While you are down there on your hands and knees, you might find some fungi. Stop and enjoy these, perhaps take a photo with your phone, because they will be gone in a day or two., Local field guide “Noosa’s Native Plants” has a section on fungi that might help to sort them out for you.

By Stephanie Haslam