Gardening in North Otago 24th July 2018

Moving into August temperatures are still not freezing here in coastal North Otago and the ground is still soft and damp after rain this week assisting bulbs popping through heading for an early spring display. If temperatures drop now buds will be held but the cold will have a noticeable effect on soft new growth as we are seeing on early flowering camellias which have been affected by frost. However prunus autumnalis is in full flower and the fragrance from winter sweet, witch hazel, Daphne,boronia and violets wafting about gardens makes the spring explosion seem closer. This is time to create and dress the garden by planting out, shifting and feeding, liquid feeding annuals and perennials that have been nursed through winter, Folia feeding helps new leaf growth, budding and flowering plants from now on, roots are starting to take in nutrients to plump up buds.

While raking out the last autumns leaves that had blown under shrubs I come across branches from shrubs laid down in soil forming roots, viburnum, choysia, camellia and hydrangeas. Most shrubs growing low to the ground can sometimes drop a branch into the soil and form roots, leave until the roots become enough to sustain the branch that can eventually be cut from it's Mother plant to be potted and grown on.  This can also be purposely done at the beginning of spring by pegging branches down into the soil, roots should develop at the covered point, making a small wound on the buried stem will help to stimulate root development.

Peony roses: Cut the old growth from peony roses now and destroy, disease can winter over on last years stems, be careful not to knock the new pink shoots emerging from the tubers. Cut the old growth from dahlias now as well, if thick and tubular bend the cut stalk over to prevent rain water building up inside which will lead to rot in a tuber.

Iris: Remove soil / mulch from bearded iris rhizomes, they are starting to move now and need to be partially exposed to give the best flowering, a dressing of lime / potash will boost iris flowering avoid nitrogen which will encourage too much leaf growth. 

Roses: Pruning continues and with roses making a move to bud up roots will be now taking in food, powdered rose food needs watered in around the drip line, slow release fertiliser will work each time it rains, keep manure away from the crown.
Old wood can be cut out of  wigelia and spirea bushes, you can tell which branches they are because the wood looks old and spent compared to the new fresh wood, prickly berberis can be trimmed top and sides, budleias should be cut well down to encourage soft silver branching and catmint can now have all old growth clipped off. 

Bare rooted Trees and Roses are available in Garden Centres, If you think your garden is too small for trees, I have seen dwarf Peach and Nectarine Trees on offer, if you need a smaller tree growing to a width and height of 1.5 metres to add height in a part of your garden why not have one that blossoms beautifully and then gives you fruit and planting trees in grow bags into the ground will contain width and height and still grow, flower and fruit well.

Vegetables: Work the ground now in readiness for spring planting, annual weeds can be dug in and trenching in manure/compost now will be taken down by busy worms to benefit spring roots. If your veg garden has wintered and is ready for planting there are good selections of veg seedlings on offer but once planted will need to be hidden from hungry birds, frost cloth will do this until plants become bigger. 

Fruit: Prune newly planted fruit trees, this is probably the hardest cut you’ll make, but the most important. Cut a new tree at about hip height, do this whether your wanting a vase shape or a single leader. If the main branches start here they’ll be reachable when fully grown. 

Lets hope we don't get too many dull overcast days by the time fruit trees blossom, we need those wonderful bee's to come out and set to work pollinating.

Cheers, Linda.