Gardening in North Otago March 14th 2018

Shorter days, temperatures up and down and leaves falling like snow as autumn sets in. but frequent rain is not the norm when we think autumn weather is it? However rain is keeping the ground soft and easy to weed.

We are still filling the trailer with the summer cut back and now leaves, a good amount of leaves are added to the compost heaps along with soft weeds, soft hedge trimmings and lawn clippings. Leaf mulch is a real benefit to soil, but as Gardeners we tend to rake up from under ornamental trees to keep grounds tidy rather than let leaf drop build up and break down over the roots of trees as nature intended. Bagging shredded leaves into wool packs or fertilizer bags along with layers of fresh grass clippings to add nitrogen and a sprinkle of water, (not a drenching) is a way to break down leaves without them blowing all over your garden.  Then In Spring, your mulch will be ready to add back under trees and to your garden. You might see a white covering on the leaves. this is a leaf fungus that adds to the mulch's nutrient value. The easy way to shred leaves is to run over piles with the lawn mower, shredded leaves break down quickly to a fine mulch.

Cut back, lift and divide summer flowering perennials as most are putting on root growth after flowering. Small sections with roots can be potted up to be planted out once roots have filled pots, you will have good success increasing plants this way rather than planting small sections with limited roots straight into the garden. Pot up sections of catmint, lambs ear, violas, primula's virtually any plant that does not grow from a root ball and increases in width as it sets down roots.

Keep collecting seeds, keep annual seed for a spring sowing but perennial seed can be planted now to germinate and continue making roots over winter. Protection from frosts will be needed while small through winter.

While working my way around I dealt to 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. I have shifted a lot out from shade 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 put on a grand display on their own. Propagation is usually 6-8 weeks after blooming when the rhizomes are divided leaving a chunk of rhizome and roots to every new division. 

So many spring bulbs are on offer now all need to be planted in good light apart from bluebells and snowdrops, both cope with dappled shade and look wonderful in a woodland setting.Tulips are planted in May. Ranunculus and anemone corms are on offer as well, they are very small and dried up when purchased but with a soak over night in water with a little liquid fertiliser added they plump up ready for planting.

Ornamental grass seed heads should be removed now,  pulling out with a rake head will leave grass clumps a lot tidier. Clumps can be trimmed back if getting too big or divided by putting a spade through the middle and removing half. Sometimes I have to dig the whole grass out and pull apart while standing on half.

Roses: If thinking of adding Rose's or more roses to your garden I suggest looking at rose variety books or going on line to make your choices then getting your order into Garden centers. New seasons roses will begin arriving in June and by ordering now you will be sure not to miss out.

Vegetables.
March is an important month for planting winter veg, prepare prior to planting with compost, general garden fertiliser and lime if needed, (I add lime to my compost)
Beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, and silverbeet seedlings can be planted but will need to be protected from the white butterfly, shade cloth or strawberry net will do the trick and something planted close by for them to lay their eggs on instead like a veg gone to seed.
In colder areas seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are best sown in trays for planting out later.
Any areas of the vege garden not being used for vegetables this winter can be planted with a green manure cover crop. This will be dug in later to enrich the soil for spring and summer crops. Blue lupin, mustard or oats are good options. Make sure mature crops will not shade vegetable plantings.

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. I dry all the trimmings from culinary herbs now by laying out in a dry airy place until crunchy to touch then rub and put into a glass jar for my mixed herb supply.
Fruit
Late peaches, apples and quince should be ready to pick now, feed citrus trees with citrus fertiliser.

Cheers, Linda.