Gardening in North Otago 27th January 2011

Another strange weather week for January just past, Not enough moisture to get down into the ground here on the coast in North Otago, only enough to be a nuisance.

This week I have been keeping on top of the weeds with spray. Gravel walkways and drives are great germinating areas for weed seeds. I need to use round up on the established weeds as have found that organic weed spray works well on weeds at the early stage of growth but I have little success when they get bigger.

The hedges have Had a light trim, overcast days are the best time to do this so that the growth beneath is not stressed by the hot sun. Just a bit of a tidy up at this time of the year.

All plants can do with a good feeding now because they have flowered well since the beginning of Summer, foliage feeding is great, if feeding fertiliser around roots water in well, if left to sit on top it will burn exposed roots.
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Keep dead heading the roses but, to those new gardeners ( repeating myself I know) dead heading means more than just removing the spent bloom, you must cut down to a new strong bud, usually about 3 buds down from the spent bloom. Remove all old leaves with black spot and rust, don't leave them lying on the ground around the roses. Spray fortnightly with a fungus and pesticide mix as well as liquid fertiliser, (all together is fine) There are some organic options available but the fortnightly ritual must be kept up.

I have been breaking up large clumps of daffodils and bluebells and planting them in areas where needed, it is safe to do this once the green has been used up by the bulbs.

I fed the lawns well while it was raining I plan now to not cut them as low as I have been - I have found if they are encouraged to make top growth grass will develop deeper stronger roots to sustain it, a little sprinkle of water now and then on dry grass will produce weak growth, a good soak and the natural rain will do the job but do not be tempted to scalp once it greens up they still have a long hot Autumn to tolerate yet.

Nip back the growth on grapes to let the sun in and to stunt leaf growth, the fruit needs all the vine can give now to ripen.

I have been digging potatoes and do not want the dug space to fill with weeds so I have raked the bare areas and planted barley to grow and then dig in while soft and green, this well add humus to the soil and keep it covered until I am ready to plant a winter crop of veg soon.

Cheers, Linda.