Gardening in North Otago May 21st 2010

Lots of moisture in the ground now.

I am still raking up leaves which are nice and wet and layering them on the compost heaps along with the remaining compost that I have been using around each plant, tree and shrub in the garden to add organic matter to their roots. I spread it around the roots and then let the worms do their job of taking it down into the soil.
Next week I will be spreading pea straw around each garden, the bales are wet which makes it easier to work with and pack down around the roots of plants. I will then turn my back on weeding until spring YA!

Lately I have been buying punnets and bundles of bedding and perennial plants and planting them into deep polystyrene trays, the polystyrene insulates the roots from the cold ground allowing the roots to grow faster. Once the plants show signs of strong growth and the start of budding I plant them out into a sunny spot in the garden in the hope that they will go on to flower during winter if it is a mild one. The worst that can happen is they Will sit making strong roots until early spring and flower then. Any one wanting early colour in their gardens around September/October should do this now.


You can start planting garlic now to the end of the month, Plant garlic 3-5cm deep and 10-12 cm apart in warm, sunny well drained place.

Deciduous fruit and citrus trees will be in retail outlets soon, if you are planning on planting some get the soil ready now by digging and working the ground in the spot chosen for planting. If you plan to plant a few out together measure the distance between now and dig the holes. Read up on the varieties you plan to plant before you do this, taking note of the height and spread each tree will eventually grow. Fruit tress need sun and light right around them to fruit and ripen well so allow plenty of room for each tree. At planting time use slow release fertiliser under each tree as it lasts for two years.
Fruit tree pruning should start as soon as the leaves have dropped.

Harvest your lemons now frosts make the fruit bitter and dry.

Harvest pumpkins after the first frost
Pick once the pumpkins have coloured up and sound hollow when you knock the shell with your knuckles.
If the skin of the pumpkin is hard and doesn’t leave a dent when ‘knocked’ it is ripe.
also once the leaves have died away is another way to know your pumpkins are ripe.
Pick pumpkins from the vine but leave the stem on. This is important because if you cut it off you leave a wound which may cause the pumpkin to rot rather than store well.
Place in a dry, dark place away from rain and weather. Garages, wood - sheds and tool sheds are perfect – just keep them up off the ground.