Gardening in North Otago May 7th 2019

Autumn promises warm mellow days leading into the coldest months, so what are these dull damp days we have been experiencing here on the coast about? lets hope we will revert to past autumns then clear bright winter days.

Trees & shrubs, we play the waiting game now, best to leave all major pruning well into winter when sap is right down, if pruned now new growth is likely to occur then winter damage will encourage disease, best to just stick to cutting back tired summer growth in gardens and raking up the ever increasing leaf drop. 

I have dug out a mass planting of bedding blue salvia  replacing it with annuals and red tulips, the saliva had taken a lot out of the soil so beds were dug and topped with compost along with a sprinkle of blood and bone. During mild North Otago winters here on the coast we can experience colour in gardens if annuals are planted now. Pansy's, pollyanthus, primula, snapdragons, calandulas and statice should be on offer to get planted and reach budding stage before the ground gets too cold.

Wisterias will need a cut back now, ours was growing along the upstairs balcony threatening to push through sliding doors and take over a bedroom and because it was getting very heavy it was cut it right back to the trunk wood. It pushed out new growth really fast and I will now train only one leader left and right. For wisterias that are not causing a problem use a hedge trimmer to get rid of all the leafy, wispy growth, cutting too hard back into thick wood will remove new flower buds. Each long winding growth can eventually grow into a thick branch so if training a young plant let only one length go either way along a structure.

 Seeds:I am still collecting seeds from dry pods and saving them in paper bags and envelopes, I read that adding a sprinkle of rice will absorb any remaining moisture and help to keep seed dry and in good condition, worth a try.

Compost again,  Balance all those leaves with layers of old compost/soil, straw, manure and grass clippings . Moisture is a must as well, if a mix is dry add water during the heat of a day so the chill will be off before nights cooling. Decomposing will continue on until temperatures drops dramatically. 

Fruit: Tamarillos, these delicious, tangy fruits ripen during autumn and winter and can go from pale green to rich ripe red in about a week. They are ripe when either a deep, dark red or golden orange/yellow depending on variety. Pick fruit individually by cutting stems, once picked they keep well and will become sweeter

after a week or so.  

Citrus bushes would benefit from a rich layer of compost, well-rotted manure, seaweed, straw – whatever you have to spread as a mulching layer around roots.

Vegetables:

Save seed from beans, peas, pumpkin family and also a few of your herb and companion flower plant seeds for next spring. 

Mold soil around the base of leeks to keep them pale and sweet, but keep it beneath the bottom leaf to stop it getting inside making washing them difficult. 

An application of lime now is a real benefit to many of the leaf crops – cabbage, spinach, kale, broccoli and silverbeet.

Potatoes need to be dug and stored now, if they still have more growing to do keep water off them, they last better if tops have yellowed and died down. 
Once dug let dirt dry on them, brush off and store in a cool dry place away from any other veg or fruit, any moisture will encourage sprouts. Non sprouting powder can be purchased but I use the layering of dried herbs method, cut Rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon balm, mint any of the herbs before they die back, let moisture dry out of them then layer among stored clean dry potatoes, (a herb filled muslin bag works to)  When all potatoes have been used crush the mixed herbs and store in a glass jar for use. If you have essential oils peppermint, spearmint, and clove oil are said to keep sprouting and rot to a minimum.
Curing Pumpkins: Bring Pumpkins in for curing and storing before hard frosts, pumpkins are ready when the stem is dry and hard to the touch, cut from the runner leaving 10 cm stem attached to the pumpkin and cure by sitting in a warm spot, raised allowing air to circulate around the whole pumpkin for about two weeks then turn upside down and leave for another two weeks, this will harden up skin and intensify the flavor. 
Storing pumpkins: Rub all over with olive oil to seal in moisture, store in a dry place, off the ground is best on layers of newspaper.
Thinking spring planting already? Spring planting can be delayed for ages because of wet cold ground so in very cold areas place an insulating layer on soil you plan to plant out in early spring, this will prevent soil from becoming water-logged, use polythene, fertilizers bags or old carpet. 

Cheers, Linda.