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pH level. As a result, I recommend   focuses on Cycads. “Do not remove   diseases and it is important to
             that a lime application be used    the old leaves before the new crown   look out for this. For example,
             when planting trees,” Emile notes.   is fully developed,” she warns.   Aloes get scale, however this
                                                                                    can be treated with Oleum or
             Shrubs tend to take up fertiliser   Another feature that seems         Cypermethrin. Should your plants
             before it gets to the trees, Lizelle   simple, but can underperform, is   pick up any diseases, Lizelle suggests
             warns. She provides some key tips   grass. Emile explains that this is   calling in the experts, as incorrect
             for fertilising trees. “Make holes with   due to thatch or insect activity. “I   treatment can be damaging to
             a spade, about 20cm deep and a     would recommend that lawns are      the plant and the environment.
             spade-width wide, 2 - 3 metres apart   scarified in spring, followed by a
             around the circumference of the tree,   top dress and fertiliser - and an   In keeping with the development’s
             not right by the trunk. Mix your slow   insecticide application,” he says.   emphasis on environmentally-
             release fertiliser with some of the soil                               friendly living and awareness,
             from the hole, place the mixture into   Lizelle then went on to share some   Waterfall’s indigenous landscaping
             the bottom of the hole and then close   advice for healthy garden beds.   policy aims to promote bird life
             the hole with the balance of the soil.”    “Do not cultivate garden beds   and reduced water requirements
                                                too deeply, especially with forks,   – by recommending the use of
             She adds that pruning should be    as this can damage the shallow      indigenous plants and trees that
             done sparingly – no more than 30%   roots of shrubs. Focus rather on   are hardy and have very little or no
             of the tree should be cut, however,   mulching, as this helps with water   impact on our fragile water table.
             do not leave tree crowns overfull.   retention, reduces weed growth, and
             Indigenous shrubs also need to be   decreases heat on shallow roots.”  We hope these tips will help residents
             thinned out regularly, as they become                                  manage their indigenous gardens
             very dense. Her final trimming tip   Occasionally, plants will pick up   and see them flourish all year round!

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