September has not been without rain in Western Australia© John Bottomley
Sep 22, 1999
The other day someone said: 'where's spring gone?' September 1999 has been a month where the rainfall has reached the average for the month by yesterday, September 21. But, still, there are only three months left in the year and the rainfall is 94.6 mm (3.78 inches) short of the average. Unless there a few days of heavy rain it looks as if this year, again, the state will not make its average rainfall.
Anyway, the wildflowers are out now and there are some colourful sights along the country roads, and around the bush. Delightful bushes such as the Leschenaultia biloba (Blue Leschenaultia) and Leschenaultia floribunda (Free-flowering Leschenaultia) are in full bloom.
The Blue Lescenaultia is a small shrub, which grows to about 60 cm (24 inches) and spreads by suckering. It has narrow leaves and spectacular flowers varying from pale blue to brilliant dark blue, and occasionally white. Plenty of flowers are produced from July to November. The Leschenaultia floribunda is a very pretty rounded shrub, which grows to 50 cm (20 inches), and again spreads by suckering. The pale blues to mauve lightly perfumed flowers are without stalks and flower from October to December.
The Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman) is a neat prostrate plant and it spreads to 2 metres (6.6 feet). There are masses of scarlet pea-flowers from July to November. The blue-green leaves are wavy and divide into leaflets. The pea seeds are edible and are produced in pods. It is an easy to grow ground cover but prefers well-drained soil. I believe that the early settlers used the leaves to make tea, which was said to be a very acceptable taste.These are only a few of the many wildflowers available at this time of year.
Turning to the fruit garden for a while. This is certainly the time of the year to fertilise the citrus trees. Most people seem to recommend a citrus blend or NPK fertiliser and apply about two handfuls a month to April for new trees. The older trees would require about 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) now and again in autumn. I have only got a couple of lemon trees and a grapefruit tree. The lemon trees are OK, but the grapefruit has not been very prolific. I thought about moving it this year, but changed my mind when about half a dozen grapefruit appeared last month. There are a profusion of buds on every branch at this time. Perhaps it is in a too shady spot, but I will persevere for another year.
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