Gardening in North Otago 24th January 2012

A little cooler at times this past week which helps to hold back growth a little, not a bad thing when the heat and the odd shower of rain we have been experiencing really accelerates growth.

This week has still been dead heading, cutting back and planting in the gaps for me. Plants like tall campanula, alstroemeria, some lemon balm, lupins, lavateria, daisy bushes and delphiniums were all looking a bit tired and messy and a cut back will encourage them to make new growth. I also cut the old stems that flowered out of the tree peonies which reduced their size by half and stop the seed pods from popping everywhere. Don't let tree peonies get away and swamp other plants, they can also send out runners from the mother plant that pop up all over the place. Cut them out if they are not wanted.
My geraniumns are doing well this year, an old but reliable plant which gives heaps of colour all through summer & autumn. Some very pretty and different varieties are on offer now days, they are a wonderful plant for pots and the ivy type are lovely in hanging baskets. This is one plant that will not fail to root when cuttings are planted. Geraniumns are so easy to grow in full sun and they do not mind if you forget to water them for a while because they like to be a little dryer than most other plants.

I have noticed a lot of snails about this year, my chooks take care of them in the places they wander but in other parts of the garden they are such a pest. I came across a method of dealing with them that I have put into place and thought I would share with you.
Scientists have discovered that slugs and snails detest caffeine. Pouring the dregs of your morning coffee on the ground will drive them away. Even better, add coffee grounds to your mulch or potting mix. Ask your local coffee shop if you can recycle their leftovers and mulch your hostas, lettuce seedlings and more. Now is a great time to give this a try, i have pulled all the eaten leaves off hosta's, cineraria and lettuce plants and the first lot of coffee grounds have been spread around, I will let you know the out come, if you experiment and let me know the out come.email:linda.lsw@gmail.com
Slugs and snails can be controlled by night raids with a torch, beer traps. Slug bait is poisonous to birds and dangerous for children. Plants in pots can be protected with a thick band of Vaseline applied right around the rim of the pot - impossible for slugs and snails to cross.
Healthy plants will resist pests better than struggling, spindly specimens. Feed your plants well and ensure that they get adequate water. Encourage birds into your garden to control pest populations, not spraying allows insect predators to get to work.

To Spray or not to Spray
To spray or not to spray is a big question when it comes to pests on your roses. When you spray you also eliminate the predators; ladybirds and the like. These predators take longer to restore their population than the fast breeding pests, so the problem seems to worsen when we spray and becomes an endless cycle. I have opted not to spray this year and so far so good, I have been pulling off the rust and black spot effected leaves and destroying them. It looks like the natural predators are taking care of the green fly and keeping a good supply of food up to the roses is paying off in keeping them strong and healthy.
Nature Isn't Coping
If natural predators don't keep pests to an acceptable level then you need to intervene.

Earwigs can eat great holes in your flowers overnight, an earwig trap made from an upturned plant pot filled with scrunched up newspaper resting on top of a bamboo stake pushed into the ground makes an ideal hiding place for these nocturnal pests - you can tip them into rubbish or leave the bodies on the bird table.

Spittlebug, hidden in a foamy 'spittle' like substance, can be removed with a strong jet of water from the hose, or even by hand.
If you are looking for non-toxic solutions to keeping those bugs down, try Garlic spray for aphids.

You will need
3 large cloves of crushed garlic
1 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 tsp of liquid soap
1 litre of water

Combine the garlic and vegetable oil and leave to soak overnight. Strain and add to the litre of water along with the liquid soap. Spray regularly.

Aphids can also be eliminated with Rhubarb spray. Boil 5 rhubarb leaves in a large pot of water for approximately 10 mins. When cooled add a squirt of dishwashing detergent to fix the spray to the leaves. Set to and spray. Note that rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid and should not be eaten.

Here is one I found for Rabbits and Hares, I have seen small rabbits hopping around our garden lately.

Troubled by rabbits eating your plants? You can buy commercial sprays from nurseries but try making your own.

You need
6 eggs
60mls acrylic paint
600 mls water Thoroughly mix eggs with a small amount of the water and add rest of water and acrylic paint. Spray plants. If planting new plants be sure to spray them before the rabbits and hares get a taste for them

Vegetables where to plant & when harvested
Basil (herb) Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from March - April

Beetroot Sow in garden. Harvesting from February - April




Cabbage Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from March - May

Carrot Sow in garden. water well. Harvesting from March - April

Chives Sow in garden. Harvesting from February - April





Dwarf beans
(also French beans, Bush beans) Sow in garden. Harvesting from February - April


.

Kale
(also Borecole) Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from February - March




Leeks Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from April - June

Lettuce Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.. Harvesting from March - April

Mustard greens
(also gai choy) Sow in garden. Harvesting from February - March
Oregano Sow in garden, or start in seed trays. Harvest when plant reaches the flowering stage

Parsley (herb)
(also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley) Sow in garden. Harvesting from March - June

Parsnip Sow in garden. Harvesting from April - June
Potato Plant seed potato. Harvesting from April - June



Gardening by the moon: January 28th 2012
Leaf Pisces
Waxing crescent

Waxing crescent

Sow leafy vegetables and annuals that produce above ground. Lettuce, Spinach, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Sprouts, Sweetcorn, Cucumber. Grains are also good to plant now. This is not a good time to pick vegetables if they are to be stored.


Moon in Pisces: This is a Water sign. It is a good time to sow Leaf plants like Cabbages, Celeriac, Lettuce, but it would not be a good time to sow Fruiting plants like Broad Beans (Fava),Peas,
Moon in Pisces: This water sign promotes root growth.

January 29th 2012

Leaf Pisces
First quarter

First quarter


This is a good time to sow vegetables that produce internal seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.

Moon in Pisces: This is a Water sign. It is a good time to sow Leaf plants like Cabbages, Celeriac, Lettuce, but it would not be a good time to sow Fruiting plants like Broad Beans (Fava),Peas,

Moon in Pisces: This water sign promotes root growth.

Cheers, Linda.