Gardening in North Otago July 10 2010

Still settled sunny days here in North Otago, how lucky we are, I have been busy as most gardeners will be getting ready for spring. Still cleaning up after the removal of so many established climbers cut out, tying back shrubs that had been growing away from where the climbers were growing and watering shrubs that had been shearing the soil and living the shade of the removed climbers.
Roll on spring I am excited about the new look areas that are now getting a chance to grow and add new interest to our garden.
I am still rose pruning and cleaning up around the base of bushes before composting and mulching with pea straw.
Roses are very susceptible to disease especially scale infections on the trunks and branches. A safeguard at this time of the year for the eradication of all rose diseases is lime sulphur, this spray will completely defoliate rose bushes, this is why now is the time to use it, before new growth begins. Also use on deciduous fruit trees,(not apricots) and tolerant ornamental's for Scale insects, moss and lichen Use 100ml in 1.5 litres of water. For pear leaf blister mite control apply just before buds open. Lime sulphur can not be mixed with other sprays. Spray with winter oil a few weeks later to seal pruned roses.
July is the month of the year for pruning. Deciduous fruit trees, if they were not pruned after fruiting they can be cut back now. Thin out crowded growth and shorten long shoots. They are budding up to blossom soon so a little potash to encourage fruiting and a dressing of compost would be beneficial.
Clumps of day Lillie's can be broken up and replanted into composted soil, I cut back all remaining leaves then put a sharp spade through and half and quarter clumps.
Rhododendrons and camellias are well budded now and will start blooming from now on, keep an eye on the ground around these bushes, water at the start of a day if you think they may be dry. Rhododendrons, camellia's and azalea's are all very shallow rooted and benefit from being mulched with compost or peat before spring.
Vegetable seeds planted into seed trays under glass now will get a good start to becoming strong young plants for planting out in spring. Sow spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce. On the coast Plant broad beans and peas directly into the garden. Strawberries in pots wintered over in a glass house will fruit several weeks earlier than strawberry plants grown outside. In colder areas where the ground is frozen there is nothing to do in the vegetable garden for a while yet.
Cheers, Linda