Things to do this month

Cut back excess foliage from your shrubs because they become too woody during the growing season. This encourages new growth, reduces the space it takes in your garden and prevents insect and fungal problems.

Many flowering shrubs, in particular Leonotis leonoris, pictured left, and Hypoestes aristata, pictured here, would have finished flowering, so cut these back to a third of their size. Mulch with compost after pruning.

Now is the time to stop watering orchids. Some of the plants that need a dry, stressful period to initiate flower spikes in particular are Dendrobium, Calanthe, Oncidium. If you need to feed, use Chemicult 1 Flower boost which will encourage the existing buds to push better flower spikes.

Prune roses now. Try to keep about five healthy thick canes, remove the thin canes and prune to a third the size of the bush.

Prune to an outside node so the new growth grows outwards like a vase. Mulch with well-decomposed compost and water well.

Mulch your flower beds with well-decomposed compost or use fallen leaves. This is important, especially during the dry months because it keeps the roots warm, holds moisture and prevents weed growth.

This is the best time to re-pot indoor plants. Remove plants. Remove old soil from around the roots. Wash the roots well and remove diseased or dried roots. Using new soil, re-pot into the same pot. Remove dying leaves.

Reduce the surface area of the leaves by cutting some in half to prevent transpiration and the plant losing too much water and wilting. Sprinkle slow release osmocote on the surface of the soil. This releases a little food each time you water.

Restructure your garden in winter. It is cool, there is little rain and little growth. Use many of the plants in your garden by lifting, splitting and replanting.