Better weather this week in North Otago, last week I mentioned leaving small grade plantings until spring but with moisture still in the ground from the last rain larger grade shrubs and conifers an be planted now to get their roots started. There is time for them to harden off in readiness to take them through the winter without too much damage.
Take the trouble to find out each plants preference for soil and shelter. Remember some shrubs grow really fast, pick the right spot that will allow for shrubs to grow full size horizontally and vertically . While shrubs are small gaps can be filled with annuals or perennials like lupines, hellebore's or forget-me-not. which can be dug out as shrubs need more space.

The cold snap we had reminds me that the frosts will not be far off, although I feel our seasons are getting later so I am hoping for a long warm autumn, as long as the night temperature is not less than 10 degrees at night things will continue growing and germinating so keep planting seeds and get them well under way before the colder nights.

I have had the weed spray out again this week, I like to zap them when they are small and I have dealt to the couch grass which is showing its self through the pea straw cover I have had my eye on it and was waiting until it became long enough to spray. This grass cannot be ignored because it spreads really fast under mulch and weed mat and will pop up all over the garden.

Most gladioli have have finished flowering now and can be lifted, although I have seen some still flowering. Remove leaves once they have dried off and store in paper bags (never plastic). in all but the coldest areas it is ok to leave them in the ground provided the site is well drained. if superior blooms are required for showing then it is best to lift them and dust them with protective powder. The blooms will always do better if lifted.

Keep collecting ripe seeds for sowing in spring, seeds like cosmos, sunflowers, lupins, marigold, poppies any flower you like which have gone to seed. Pot up seedlings you find around your garden, I have an amazing amount of young seedlings of lavender, pansies, primula, hollyhock and foxglove popping up.

Stop dis budding chrysanthemums now, they will be well budded up now bringing wonderful colour to gardens.

Pick apples and pears now, pears especially need to be picked while still firm and as soon as they come away easily when pulled, they ripen well inside.
Keep feeding & watering cropping trees and citrus, blood & bone is fine for this and mulching will help keep moisture there.

Grapes need to reach their full sweetness while on the vine, but they will need protection from birds.

Winter veg in cooler inland gardens should be encouraged to grow vigorously while the soil is still warm by mulching, generous watering and liquid feeding late beans can help them go on producing. Keep an eye on pumpkins which will need frost cloth at the first sign of frost if still not ready.

Gardening by the Moon early march
Prepare, compost and manure/fert beds as necessary for winter planting

A good time to collect seaweed and cow manure to use in the autumn compost heaps.

Tomato & pepper maintenance - mainly feeding and disease control. Stop delateraling tomatoes.

Plant seeds for the winter garden, such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, lettuce, celery, swedes, turnips, parsley, welsh bunching onions, radishes, daikon, silverbeet, chard, peas, Miners lettuce, endive and corn salad.plant a widerange of winter vege, choose secific winter varieties and a choose a widerange of maturing times for optimal food security.

Plant flowers for winter and spring colour, and for vege companions, such as calendula, heartsease, stocks, chamomile, hollyhocks, sweet william, forget-me-nots, columbine and viola

Plant sweet peas now for early flowering .

Orchard:
If you are planning on planting an orchard or improving your orchard this winter now is the time to do your planning. Read Design Your Own Orchard. If you fancy a Food Forest we recommend Martin Crawfords wonderful book Creating a Forest Garden to help you out with your planning.

Irrigate all trees as required.

Plan and organise your autumn orchard fertilsation program, Best to feed while soil is warm and moist for best results following season. It is critical to have the right minerals in right relationships for optimal tree health and crop set, do a little research. Compost and compost tea can be used on small or large areas.

A good time to cut trees in shelter or hedgerows for firewood or garden stakes, etc.

Make a list to help organise winter planting and order any trees you need

Shift hawk kites and nets to protect fruit from birds

Cheers, Linda