Gardening in North Otago July 1st 2019

                                                        

July soon and frosts in North Otago is as it should be, but mid winter does not mean all in the garden shuts down, despite the cold some of the most fragrant shrubs take center stage later this month. Viburnum, winter sweet, witch hazel and daphne bholua introduce sweet fragrance to gardens unlike any other season. Hellebore's are also budding up, these wonderful plants will bring years of pleasure and there are many new hellebore cultivators on offer now. Another worth while winter interest plant is bergenia, this wonderfully bold foliage edging plant is enhanced by the cold, especially bergenia bressingham ruby turning a deep plum the colder it is then, as a bonus pushes up pinnacles of deep pink flowers in spring. 

Winter pots and baskets: A good time now to empty and refill pots and baskets with cheerful colour, here on the coast the African daisies Osteospermum works for me potted and placed in a sunny sheltered spot, I had some flowering during autumn so have re potted, cut back and they have pushed out new fresh growth which should bud up. Still time to pop bulbs into pots for a spring flowering, use deep pots filled half way with mix, this will allow for stem height. Pansies, violas and alyssum can be packed into hanging baskets for a colourful show. 

Birds will be looking for food this month, our native birds are not fond of grains and bread will attract introduced birds like sparrows and blackbirds. These birds can become dominant and crowd-out our natives, especially the small ones, meaning you might have birds in your garden, but they won’t be natives. Sugar water is the perfect food for nectar-eating native birds. You can make it by mixing 1/3 of a cup of sugar (preferably brown or raw) with 1L of water placed some where safe where cats can’t easily reach. It's well worth making a bird feeder and placing where it can be seen from the house, or hang in a tree. Buy wild bird seed or perhaps just use fat to attract the wax-eyes. Birds will be hungry and, once attracted to the station, become very friendly.  

Veg and fruit: Build up veg gardens by trenching in manure enriched compost then plant leafy greens, onion sets, garlic and brassicas.

 In the fruit garden it’s all about planting new season fruit trees, strawberries, pruning pip fruit and harvesting citrus. 

Cheers, Linda.
                                                                     

Lovely helleborus

                                                                         
                                                                               

Winter sweet (  chimonanthus praecox )

Gardening in North Otago June 17th 2019

Getting rid of ivy on trees and walls.

A nice past week of lovely winter day's but still a lack of frosts here on the coast however as this article is always a week behind frosts may now be a nightly occurrence.
A lot of cutting back summer growth and spreading compost here last week and while doing this being able to see what is going on at ground level.

Convolvulus has died off on top so when pulling out take it right back to the soil and remove as many roots as you can other wise roots will romp away and pop up everywhere in spring. Don't add convolvulus roots to compost because cold weather slows down decomposition so these roots will continue growing within the compost.

Ivy: It is too late in the year to trim soft trees and shrubs but ivy can be attacked if it is getting out of hand. It takes really nasty spray to kill ivy and with the height ivy grows spraying  would be a dangerous exercise when you will achieve the same visual effect of dead ivy by cutting the plant back at the bottom. Leave approximately 20 leaves close to the roots then paint upper and lower surfaces as well as the cut ends with an Ivy killing gel. The gel is systemic so it will kill down to the roots and is inactivated in the soil plus will not affect neighbouring plants, death of Ivy can take up to 14 days.

Arborists will be very busy now with deciduous trees standing bare, rule of thumb is keep the centre open by removing inward growing and crossover branches, don't just shorten an unneeded branch back because it will regrow from that point, take it right out. Flowering cherry and plum trees are best pruned in summer / autumn  because of silver leave infection. Silver leaf fruiting bodies release spores when sap is down during cooler, wetter periods less infection when the weather is warm and dry.

Always make sure your pruning equipment is cleaned from one tree to the next, methylated spirits is good for doing this. 

Self seed plants: here on the coast there are so many self seeded plants that can be potted to grow on at this time of the year, Hellebore, lupins, poppies, pansy, viola, forget- me- not and primula. They will keep making strong roots during winter and be ready to plant out in spring.

While weeding I found lots of rogue trees and shrubs introduced by birds popping up everywhere, some which have grown in amongst shrubs like rhododendrons and camellias and become quite established before I noticed them and stubborn to remove. It is best to remove them completely if you can because they just keep growing stronger each year and undermine the roots of the wanted plant. 

Lawns: In spite of winter’s arrival, in all but the coldest climates lawns are resting but roots will still be active. If we have a decent rain in the offering feeding before or during with a mix of fine compost and lawn fertiliser will keep lawns in good health and ensure they maintains a better colour through winter by feeding lawns gently and, at the same time, promote beneficial bacteria in the soil.  A few weeks after feeding, sprinkle some Lime over the lawn to lift the pH. If in doubt, take some soil to a garden centre and ask to have its pH checked If much below 6 on the pH scale lime spread now will show a marked improvement during the growing seasons. Broad-leafed weeds flourish during winter, clover, dandelions, Onehunga weed, daisies take advantage of the cooler conditions. I have been popping weeds and daisies out with the point of secateurs and filling bare patches with compost for grass to spread into.

Vegetables: The shortest day is upon us already and traditionally garlic planting time,  break cloves from the bulb and plant point facing up around 2 inch apart 1-2 inch deep in a sunny location in rich, well drained soil. I cover with pea straw for winter protection, garlic will pop up when ready to sprout.

Fruit: Healthy, productive, bare rooted fruit trees will be on offer for planting now. One of the main attractions of growing your own fruit is knowing which, if any chemicals have been used to produce a crop. Get fruit trees off to a good start by planting in full sun and free draining soil. Fruit trees in shade are more likely to have pest and disease infections, and poor cropping. If soil is on heavy clay dig planting holes down deep into clay, break up clay, add soil and stones well down to create a sump for drainage.

Prune citrus during winter, when there is no chance of borer entering the pruning wounds.

Cheers, Linda.

Spread compost and lime together on lawns in winter.

Gardening in North Otago June 11th 2019

                                                           

Last week I celebrated the fact that we had some much needed rain to dampen ground which should have remained at this time of the year but then strong winds returned us to getting the dreaded hose out again and raking the last fallen leaves and those tucked away in nooks and crannies which for me have been wool pacs full. However I do enjoy removing the build up of warm dry hide aways for garden pests and exposing the soil then a shovel or two of compost and a good soak to feed and dampen roots of the approaching spring growth.  

 Ya! I have had a load of that wonderful weed free compost from Pukeuri meat works delivered and it is going down fast onto the ornamental gardens. Contact for this is Gregg, 0272293215 who delivers truck loads or you can buy it bagged from the Humber street stall. A good mulch for orchards, shrub / native areas can be obtained from our Waitaki Resource Recovery Park,  ring Trish  03 4340999.  

I have noticed touches of spring already about the town, spring blossom, (mostly pretty prunus autumnalis which flowers four times a year) also jonquils blooming  and we have only just come into winter. Milder temperatures and the odd shower are encouraging plants to make soft growth, all the more reason to leave major pruning until we have really been hit by winter.  

Tree's that really do need attention each year are standard kilmarnock willows, these small ornamental willows are a ground cover willow species grafted onto standard willow wood becoming a Man designed, small weeping tree that nature had no plan for. Growing along the ground as it should the dead undergrowth rots and breaks down but in the upright form each seasons growth dies and builds up under new growth making the tree top heavy, remove all past growth by working under the new growth canopy. Robinia mop tops also need an annual cut back, they have also been grafted onto a standard, these trees put out fresh new growth each spring so all past growth needs to be cut right back to retain the round growth habit. 

Leucodendrons are taking center stage now here on the coast, they are wonderful for picking once fully hardened and will last for months picked and put in a vase, just the thing when there is not lot else to pick. Leucodendrons are easy to grow in the conditions they prefer, being full sun, good draining acid soil and staked to protect from strong winds until established. They will grow on dry banks and rough area's as long as they do not have to compete with grass and weeds. Leucodendrons resent any type of fertiliser, will not cope with hard frosts and once established will die if shifted. There are leucodendrons which grow very large, low spreaders which look great spilling over walls, low bushy types, they all add wonderful colour to a dull winter garden.     Ponds: I have been removing leaves from my ponds before they break down and turn into bottom pond sludge which if left will build up and decrease the water dept. Leaves are easier to remove than sludge and with my ponds containing fish they need the depth. Sludge is very normal and under most conditions is not going to pose any significant problems unless severe. The decomposition process of the organic material will reduce oxygen levels which will begin to cause harm to other living things in the pond environment starting with the beneficial bacteria.  

Vegetables 

Keep planting out seedling veg plants, board beans and garlic along with rhubarb and asparagus crowns here on the coast. 

Those with glass or tunnel houses will be cleaning them out about now, removing all old summer produce, sterilizing and building up again with fresh compost. It is a shame that Jeyes fluid is now not available to use for sterilizing both glass house and soil, if you do have some tucked away in a shed it would be much sort after by an organic gardener. An alternative sterilizing agent is diluted bleach. Dilution is the means by which bleach is used as a disinfectant, mixed with water in the amount of one part bleach to nine parts water. Wash off any soil or organic matter before disinfecting. Jeyes fluid was used to sterilize soil in glass houses without contaminating soil but bleach will contaminate soil so I have researched a method that will do the trick but you may need to wait until warmer spring days. 

Sun sterilization: work the soil until loose and friable and test moisture level by squeezing a hand full. If soil sticks together while squeezed then falls apart when your hand is opened the soil is appropriately moist for sterilization using sun energy. Irrigate soil if it is too dry, as moisture conducts heat and facilitates the sterilization process. Dig a 4- to 6-inch trench around the area selected for solarization, Placing the trench soil around the outside perimeter of the area. Lay polyethylene over the selected area, allowing it to extend into the trench on all sides. Shovel the trench soil onto the plastic in the trench to keep the plastic tight. Make a small hole in the plastic and insert a soil thermometer or temperature probe. Check the temperature daily. Aim for a minimum of four weeks with soil temperatures in the 110- to 125-degree Fahrenheit range. If the weather turns cool or cloudy, it can take up to eight weeks to achieve optimum results. This is not a precise science and requires individual judgment. Remove the plastic when the process is complete. 

  

Cheers, Linda 

                                                        

Gardening in North Otago June 5th 2019

                                                                              

Cool week after the rain, frost cloth is in place for me on plantings I am hoping will keep growing roots and flower at the end of winter, or even during winter in sunny areas,
 however aafter rain in June the ground will stay damp and cold so I think we can say goodbye to the mild out of season growth we have been enjoying and  plants and bulbs will know for sure what season we are experiencing.


My hellebore's have had all old leaves removed because they were very infested with greenfly wintering over, waiting to pounce onto my roses come Spring. Now beautiful winter rose flowers will pop up and flower without being hidden by leaves and look wonderful in sad winter gardens. 


Perennials can be divided if overgrown, plant rooted cuttings from the outer edges of the clumps.


Dahlias have been halted by frost, mine are blackened and will die back into the tubers. When they dry out cut back at ground level and mulch for protection. if where you have them is not draining well tubers will probably rot. They can be dug out and stored in moist sawdust and plant again when frosts are over.   

Lilium bulbs can still be planted, these are best planted in raised beds and roots should never dry out. 


Roses are looking bare and stalky now, don't be tempted to cut, leave pruning until the end of July when they can be taken well back to an outward facing buds which will plump up gradually to become new spring growth.

Buxus (Box hedging) Re-pot container grown buxus every second year or if they look pot bound.Trim the outer roots and replace potting mix. They make a huge amount of roots every year that are not all needed.

Spots of winter colour: Plant polyanthus for a bright patch of colour, a few poly's in a pot is all that's needed to brighten up any doorway. Pansies, viola's, wall flower, primula melacoidies,  ornamental kale and, poppies and sweet peas planted now will all flower early.

Wisterias:  once wisterias have lost all their leaves prune off all long and unruly canes because if you don't they will entwine themselves around established branches and keep growing thicker each year.

Vegetables: On the coast sow broad beans, garlic, shallots and rhubarb.
Colder areas nothing much can be planted.  

Fruit: Now all leaves have fallen pip fruit trees can be pruned to ensure good cropping next season, Feijoas, figs, olives can be pruned when finished harvesting. Lemon bushes should be left until frosts are passed, they do not need to be pruned every year.

Stone fruit, almonds and plums should have been pruned in Autumn but remove any old remaining fruit and leave to hard prune in summer / autumn after fruiting.

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Cheers, Linda.