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
1 comment:
UVC sterilization supplier
Post a Comment