Mean while back in the garden, the wheel barrow has had much use because once I start chopping back at this time of the year there is no stopping me, one cut back always leads to another.
Plants that are getting the chop in my garden: Acanthus mollis (bears britches), tall phlox, day Lillie's, damaged hellebore and hosta leaves, buddleia, honey suckle, jasmine, abutilon, evergreen viburnum,alstromeria, Hebe's, iris and all leggy, gone to seed herbs.
While working my way around I dealt to all my bearded iris's by cutting leaves back by two thirds and making sure the top of rhizomes were above ground to bake in the autumn sun. If you have iris that trees are now shading shift into sunny well drained locations. Iris's are well worth the trouble of growing and look wonderful planted together in their own bed enabling them to make an impact on their own. Propagation is usually 6-8 weeks after blooming, then rhizomes can be divided with a chunk of rhizome and roots to every new division.
Bulbs need to be planted now to create splendor in a spring garden, bluebells and snow drops can cope with dappled shade, the daffodil family need good light, hyacinth's look great in either pots or garden, ranunculusand anemones are vibrant after a long dull winter and freesia's love a sunny warm spot. Tulips are planted in May.
If your bulb clumps are getting too big offer some to other gardeners who I am sure would gladly dig them up from your garden just to have them.
Roses will be heading into the last bud up, I have dead headed for the last time and after the next flowering they will be left to make seed and hard wood in readiness for the big winter prune at the end of July/beginning of August so no more feeding roses because this will only encourage new soft growth.
If thinking of adding roses, or more roses to your garden I suggest looking at rose variety books or go on line to make your choices then get your order into a Garden center. New seasons roses will begin arriving in June and by ordering now you will be sure not to miss out.
Lawns: I am still raking out grass grub damaged areas of lawn here and re-sowing which means sifting soil for cover.
Spray flat lawn weeds before they go to seed and spread, spot spray when weeds are dry and thirsty.
Vegetables.
March is an important month for planting winter veg, prepare prior to planting with compost, general gardenfertiliser and lime if needed, (I add lime to my compost)
Prepare garlic beds
Beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, and silverbeet seedlings can be planted but will need to be protected from the white butterfly. A frame work or stakes to hold strawberry net stretched over plants would do the trick.
In colder areas seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are best sown in trays for planting out once hardened off.
Any areas of the vege garden which are not to be used for vegetables this winter can be planted with a green manure cover crop to be dug in later enriching the soil for spring and summer crops. Blue lupin, mustard or oats are good options.
Herbs
Parsley can be grown from seed sown now.
Perennial herbs, chives, mint, thyme, sage, and marjoram can be divided and replanted. Basil, a summer annual should be harvested before the cold weather, it can be dried or frozen.
Fruit
Late peaches should be ready to pick now along with apples, pears, quince and grapes. If your trees are producing more than you can use why not offer to those who would appreciate some fruit for freezing or bottling. Facebook:Oamaru gardeners buy/sell free forum
Feed citrus trees with citrus fertiliser
Summer prune nectarine and apricot trees.
Cheers, Linda.
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