Gardening in North Otago October 1st 2019

October: and we were thrown back into the cold, wet winter early last week, a bit of a shock to the system for us and the new spring growth I am sure! However still lovely blossom about and rhododendrons and deciduous azalea buds opening, how lovely they are, in my view equal to any beautiful tropical flowers. 

Roses will have enjoyed a good deep drenching, I had spread old stable manure around a day before the rain. Getting food down into roots of roses during early growth will set them on the right path to staying healthy and strong. It is weak growth that attracts disease and aphids.  

Lavenders are putting on good growth with the absence,( so far) of spittle bugs, if these bugs do become a problem for you spraying will not work, the spittle surrounding them is a barrier to pesticide. A forceful hosing will dislodge them and hopefully drown a few.

Every week something new is popping up in my perennial boarders, so many spring delights like Solomon seal, Lily of the valley, tall phlox, amaryllis,Lily and iris, what a treat we are in store for.

Sweet peas are a delight in any garden, get them planted now in front of a climbing frame, be it wire netting or wire strung out along a wall or fence for them to twine and cling onto. Once up they will give a wonderful flower display with fragrance drifting about your garden right through summer. Sweet peas thrive on a good amount of compost / old manure  laid in a  trench below where they are planted to sustain them as they grow high. 

Dahlia tubers can go in now, they will start to make a move as the soil warms, if your dahlia beds are too full now is the time to reduce them by digging out and halving the clump with a sharp spade then replanting one half and maybe planting the other half some where else in your garden or pass it on to a gardener friend. If you are wanting to introduce dahlias to your flower beds we have a variety of clumps at the Garden Corner in the Resource Recovery park.

Fruit: Strawberries plants should be in and beginning to bud,  raised beds  filled with  good  manure enriched compost work well  for strawberries and once plants get going a layer of pine needles will keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Gooseberries and currant bushes are leafing up well and bee's are doing their important job visiting blossom on fruit trees during warm sunny days so cropping should be good this summer.

Herbs: are making strong growth now in readiness for summer menus, break up clumps now should you need to and they will recover quickly. Once leafed up they need to be harvested often to stop running to seed. 

Vegetables: A great time for planting out veg as that last heavy rain will have soaked down deep  the ground is  warming.  It should be ok to plant beans now, they will not move until the warmth in the ground is to their liking. Peas should be romping up netting on warm day's, cold snaps will hold them back. Keep planting veg seeds and plants, a few at a time so you can have the continuous thing happening. 

Cheers, Linda.

Gardening in North Otago September 23rd 2019

Blossom, bulbs, birds, bee's, butterfly's new born lambs / calf's and Gardens  filling in with plants that have been waiting below ground for the right time to pop up and breath new life into the World around us, how I love Spring.   

Rhododendrons and deciduous azalea's, how lovely they are right now, in my view equal to any beautiful tropical flowers. 

My roses are well in leaf now and aphids are colonizing on new buds but using the index finger and thumb removal method I am managing to control this, as leaves are still too soft to spray.Hellebore's are still looking wonderful but if you don't want hellebore seedlings germinating all through the garden cut out spent flowers before seed is dropped. 

Peony roses are well through now, supports around them before they bud up will help with heavy flower heads. Peonies need a lot of water and benefit from liquid fertiliser. If you planted new crowns for this season it would pay to let only one flower develop to allow growth to go into the crowns, then cut the one blooming flower off before it makes seed pods. Peony roses need full sun and do not like to be smothered by other plants.

Clematis are making good growth, hybrid's are those especially large flowered varieties, not the invasive pink and white montana type. You have to be quick in training hybrids where you want them to go while the trailers are still soft, they like a lot of feeding to take them to great heights. Manure, deep down with a little lime added when planting is beneficial. Don't worry if you have one with no buds just yet they all have different flowering times, If you planted a hybrbrid clematis this year let it flower then cut it to the ground, this will encourage it send up many more shoots and you will have a much bushier and stronger climber. Hybrids can also wilt and die for no reason if this happens cut it to the ground but don't dig out because I have known some to shoot away again the following year with no sign of wilt. 

I have been potting up old fashioned cottage flowers like cosmos, love in the mist, salvia blue bedder, Clary sage, and lavatera. These are all taller flowering annuals planted close together so they hold each other up. The more plants put in the less room for weeds to grow is the plan. All the plants mentioned will be flowering at Christmas, and then for ages after if dead headed regularly. 

It is spraying time again! zap or pull weeds while they are small and you will keep on top of what nature intends for your garden. I will list some organic spray options that will work on weeds just popping through. 

1. Vinegar spray Method:White vinegar – 1 cup, Detergent – 2 teaspoons Epsom salt – 2 tablespoons Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a container,  Add 2 teaspoons of  detergent,  2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. (or table salt). Stir well to blend the three ingredients. Choose a bright and sunny day to use.     

2. Salt spray: Salt works by dehydrating the weeds and eventually causing their death. It not only kills existing weeds but also ensures that nothing new grows in the treated area. So, while it is a nontoxic, use with caution around garden areas. However, you can use it generously on your walkways and driveways to keep them weed-free. Method: Add ⅓ cup of table salt to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Attach the nozzle and shake the bottle well to dissolve the salt completely in the water, spray on your walkways and driveways, weeds will wither off in about 2 weeks. 

3. Boiling water: It couldn’t get easier than this. Scalding water can be poured over unwanted weeds to cook and kill them instantly. It is a much safer way to clear your concrete driveways in one go rather than using herbicides. However, make sure that there is no plant in the vicinity, as the hot water can reach the roots of healthy plants and kill them, too. Method: Pour enough boiling water over the weeds in your driveway to drench them completely.Wait a few days to see the weeds turn brown and die. If needed, repeat the process.  

Herbs: are making strong growth now in readiness for summer menus and drying, they need to be harvested often to stop running to seed. 

Vegetables: Still perfect Spring weather for growing all veg now the ground is so warm and moist. Board beans are doing well with no sign of rust, could it be the pinch of potash put in when planting? Peas are zooming up netting and it is warm enough to plant beans now. Keep planting veg seeds and plants, a few at a time so you can have the continuous thing happening. Thank goodness Bee's are about visiting blossom, especially early fruit blossom.

The Garden corner at our Resource Recovery Park is proving popular, thank you to all who have taken the trouble to bring in treasures from private gardens for us to pot up and share with Gardeners. Volunteers for half day periods welcome.

Our new Garden corner, Jenny potting up.

Gardening in North Otago September 23rd 2019

Blossom, bulbs, birds, bee's, butterfly's new born lambs and calf's how I love Spring. Gardens are filling in with plants that have been waiting below ground for the right time to pop up and breath new life into the World around us. 

Rhododendrons and deciduous azalea's, how lovely they are right now, in my view equal to any beautiful tropical flowers. 

My roses are well in leaf now and aphids are colonizing on new buds but using the index finger and thumb removal method I am managing to control this, as leaves are still too soft to spray.Hellebore's are still looking wonderful but if you don't want hellebore seedlings germinating all through the garden cut out spent flowers before seed is dropped. 

Peony roses are well through now, supports around them before they bud up will help with heavy flower heads. Peonies need a lot of water and benefit from liquid fertiliser. If you planted new crowns for this season it would pay to let only one flower develop to allow growth to go into the crowns, then cut the one blooming flower off before it makes seed pods. Peony roses need full sun and do not like to be smothered by other plants.

Clematis are making good growth, hybrid's are those especially large flowered varieties, not the invasive pink and white montana type. You have to be quick in training hybrids where you want them to go while the trailers are still soft, they like a lot of feeding to take them to great heights. Manure, deep down with a little lime added when planting is beneficial. Don't worry if you have one with no buds just yet they all have different flowering times, If you planted a hybrbrid clematis this year let it flower then cut it to the ground, this will encourage it send up many more shoots and you will have a much bushier and stronger climber. Hybrids can also wilt and die for no reason if this happens cut it to the ground but don't dig out because I have known some to shoot away again the following year with no sign of wilt. 

I have been potting up old fashioned cottage flowers like cosmos, love in the mist, salvia blue bedder, Clary sage, and lavatera. These are all taller flowering annuals planted close together so they hold each other up. The more plants put in the less room for weeds to grow is the plan. All the plants mentioned will be flowering at Christmas, and then for ages after if dead headed regularly. 

Herbs: are making strong growth now in readiness for summer menus and drying, they need to be harvested often to stop running to seed. 

Vegetables: Still perfect Spring weather for growing all veg now the ground is so warm and moist. Board beans are doing well with no sign of rust, could it be the pinch of potash put in when planting? Peas are zooming up netting and it is warm enough to plant beans now. Keep planting veg seeds and plants, a few at a time so you can have the continuous thing happening. Thank goodness Bee's are about visiting blossom, especially early fruit blossom.

The Garden corner at our Resource Recovery Park is proving popular, thank you to all who have taken the trouble to bring in treasures from private gardens for us to pot up and share with Gardeners. Volunteers for half day periods welcome.

Gardening in North Otago September 19th 2019

Blossom time

Rain in North Otago last week  and what a difference it has made to new growth and the lawns. I was out in the rain with the lawn fertiliser to boost them even more. The hum of bees is back with the flowering cherries in blossom and what a magnificent display magnolias are making around North Otago.

It was a joy to be planting out bedding plants and putting the finishing touches to gardens when the sun shone last week. I think every gardener enjoys trying new plants and colour combinations and now is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer flowering, but keep an eye on germinated seeds with late frosts. Some I planted a couple of weeks ago and have been protecting are up and in need of transplanting and regular watering.  Pansy, alyssum, and lobelia with shallow  roots can go three or four to a pot until ready to plant out but those with longer deeper roots like lupin, hellebore and Oriental poppy need planted into their own individual small root pots. It is best to have well developed roots attached before planting out.

Birds will be scratching about in gardens looking for worms and grubs to feed their young, They usually concentrate on the front edge of a garden making a mess on paths and lawns,  if you have a problem with this, growing a mat forming boarder will deter them. Some boarder plants to consider are catmint, lambs ear, alyssum, alchenilla mollis, dwarf agapantha, armeria maritim (thrift), mondo grass, any low growing perennial plant that mats over soil.

Baskets and pots need to be thought about now, use only shallow rooted plants for baskets like pansy, lobelia, small type petunias, nemesia, and trailers like dwarf sweet pea, with the addition of slow release fertiliser and water Chrystal's to keep them going. The roots of what you want to plant will determine the size and depth of a pot.
I have removed a lot of old stalky lavenders that were on their final chance to thrive last growing season. English lavenders eventually get leggy and past it, don't nurse them thinking they will come back because they will probably not, dig them out and replace with new fresh plants.  Time to address root bound pots, most established potted shrubs respond well to being removed and half the roots removed with a sharp spade, then re potted in fresh mix with a good amount of plant food to suit the plant, Spring flowering potted shrubs can be re potted after flowering.Potted roses and hydrangeas need a deep pot which will not heat up and cook roots at the height of summer. Tin foil around the inside of a pot before filling,( shinny side facing out) will help keep roots cooler, for roses, camellias, azaleas, hydrangeas and small trees and shrubs. All potted plants need excellent drainage and a consistent supply of food and water. If a potted plant is left too dry for too long between watering's it will never thrive or look lush and healthy. 

Roses are really leafing up now and the warmer it becomes the more aphids ( green fly) will be about, aphids settle on the top new growth of rose bushes and are easily visible on new small leaves for you to dispose of by removing with finger and thumb. I leave spraying until leaves are well grown and have hardened up a little.
Lawns:
New lawns sown on the coast should result in a strike now that the ground is warmer, as I have mentioned before seed must be sown thickly in spring to beat the annual weeds. Keep the mower blades up when cutting spring grass to allow it to thicken and feed lawns just before or during rain and they will stay lush.
Vegetables:
 Here on the coast Plant lettuce plants at two week intervals and any spare ground could be planted out in seed potatoes. Plant corn and pumpkin family seeds and protect until frosts have past, both of these need a long ripening season. 
Fruit: Strawberries and rhubarb are starting to move, they need fed, watered and mulched, manure enriched compost then straw, pine needles or un sprayed grass clippings will do the trick.
Help required I am putting a call out for Volunteers who enjoy working with plants and the public for a half day helping out at The Resource Recovery Parks Garden corner which is proving popular to find a special plant or two. The Garden corner is open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are up for joining the team ring 0274430256.

Cheers, Linda.  

Gardening in North Otago September 9th 2019

New rose growth

Back to some very bleak days after experiencing the odd lovely spring day to fool us into thinking winter is behind us, what a difference a day makes when it comes to the garden and Gardeners!

Roses may need attention now:
Things to watch out for are die back after Winter, not all branches make the grade, if they have been affected cut them right back to new growth. Watch for growth below the graft, it comes up from the root stock, usually a different colour and leaf to the grafted branches. All roses are grafted onto strong disease resistant root stock of an insipid flowering rose. Cut it right out because it is stronger and will leave the grafted branches behind. 
Once leaves are fully out and have hardened spraying can begin to keep your bushes healthy, use what works well for you every 10 to 14 days if you are new to roses good old shield or guild will do the job, they combated both insects and disease.
I prefer maintaining mine organically by keeping them well fed and if needed spraying with fish emulsion and pyrethrum spray plus a natures way fungicide. Fish emulsion feeds the plants and fools the insects into thinking that the foliage is protein but it is not systemic so needs to be applied often.

Still too chilly to uncover seedling being nursed but I am pricking out from seed trays into rot trainers on warm days then returning them to protection.

If you were given a cyclamen in flower over winter it is now time to plant it outside in a cool shady spot to finish the growing year. Pot up just before next Winter to bring back inside to flower, they will continue to do this for many years. 

My perennial tall phlox and many other perennials are pushing up through pea straw now, I will start early this year with a copper spray well down into the root area in the hope the mildew problem can be solved. Tall phlox need to be grown in full sun to get the best result and the heady fragrance they waft through the garden in late afternoon is worth growing them mildew and all.

Lawns:
Grass is on the move again, always uneven and tufty until after the first mow. Have some lawn fertiliser on hand for the next rainy day to give a spring boost.  Once the ground warms a little lawn seed can be sown in areas affected by grass grub and moss.  I have been sowing grass seed in the areas of lawn that have been effected by grass grub. Cover small areas with weighted down frost cloth or shade cloth to keep birds off, this still allows light and moisture through and I leave it on until seed has germinated.
Sulphate of iron is great for getting rid of moss in lawns, buy a small bag from a garden centre, quantities for a watering can will be on the bag, once watered on effected areas leave until moss turns black then rake out.

Veg:
The nights have been still too cold for new young seedlings and plants without night protection. 
Get seed potatoes and peas in now and they should make good growth and be ready for Christmas and all herbs can go in now apart from basil (still too cold) 
Always harden new flower and veg plants before planting out, leave them outside in a sheltered lightly shaded spot for 2 or 3 days to get them used to your outside temperature, never plant them out in the heat of the day, they will only wilt and then take a while to recover.

Fruit:
Apricot and peach trees will be in blossom waiting for bee's, we need a few warm days in a row now.
Raspberry canes need attention while still manageable, Summer bearers produce berries on two year old canes while one year old canes grow right beside them. Older canes are brown and the new are green. In autumn older canes that finished a fruitful year should have been taken out and about 6 strong green canes left, remove all canes growing sideways. Tying new canes into hoops keeps them neat and easy to pick, left alone all summer rows will become thickets. To get best fruiting results raspberry canes need to be mulched right through the summer to retain needed moisture.
Rhubarb is on the move as well now, it will be looking for some good manure enriched compost.
Remember to check out the new Garden Corner at our Resource recovery Park which opened on the 7th Sept with lots of plant bargains. Donations of surplus garden plants from the public are really appreciated to keep our Volunteers busy potting up to sell. I will be explaining about this venture and garden related topics, including growing and landscape design at Paper plus on Thursday September 26th at 7pm, all interested welcome.

Cheers, Linda.

Continue protecting seedlings. 

Gardening in North Otago September 3rd 2019

Early spring at Rockvale Gardens Weston

Some beautiful early spring days experienced here in North Otago over the last week things are really moving in gardens now.

I have been re potting cuttings that made roots during winter, fresh potting mix to sustain the explosion of new leaf growth and flowers will ensure good results. Liquid fertilizer once a week can start now as well, I use a watering can, when leaves are dry of dew. Pansies, primulas, pollyanthus, sweet peas, lupins, all new seasons bedding plants respond daily to being feed now.

I am sure every gardener enjoys trying new plants and colour combinations, now is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer flowering, germination is fast when days are bright, warm and lengthening so we are off to a good start this spring. I have sown seeds under glass and some just under frost cloth, better still if you have a glass or tunnel house. 

Baskets and pots will need freshening up with new potting mix, slow release fertilizer and water crystals,  use only shallow rooted plants for baskets, pansy, lobelia, small type petunias, nemesia, and trailers like Virginia stock and dwarf sweet pea. To get best results the roots of what you want to plant will determine the size and depth of a pot or basket, they have a long growing season so depth is needed for roots.

Old woolen blankets cut to size and slit where plants are to be poked in are an economical alternative to bought basket liners, also I am experimenting with using disposable nappies in my hanging baskets, the water crystals for absorbing moisture are the same as what you buy for hanging baskets and pots. Place the nappy on top of the liner, slit the plastic cover over the crystals then add potting mix, plant out and water. The water crystals will absorb moisture for roots to grow into.

Too much garden to fill? the width of a flower garden can be cut down by planting a spreading front boarder, a boarder of the same plant will also formalize a busy mixed garden and cut down on weeding. Some boarder plants to consider are lambs ear, purple sage, aubretia, dwarf agapantha, catmint and ground cover

erica's will cover like a carpet not allowing weeds to grow and also prevent birds from scratching. A large clump of lambs ear can be divided into single plants. Silver is a perfect shade to use as a break between strong and soft shades and will grow in sun or semi shade.

Roses are pushing out new shoots, if you haven't pruned yet do it now before they leaf up and give them a dressing of rose food or manure / compost if you have some, well fed roses will stay healthy.

Dahlias, too early for planting tubers yet but the addition of dolomite lime where they are to be planted will sweeten the ground ready for planting next month.

Lawns:

Prepare ground for sowing new lawns, here on the coast ground will soon be warm enough to get a strike, sow seed thickly in spring to beat the annual weeds. Once spring mowing starts keep the mower blades up to allow grass to thicken and feed lawns just before or during rain and they will stay lush.

Vegetables:

Here on the coast sow lettuce seed and plant lettuce plants at two week intervals, my board beans are flowering, I was once told to plant each bean with a little pot ash to help with rust problems, they still get a little rust but I think that's probably due to them getting too dry between watering's. I will need to secure them with wire stakes before the strong winds arrive.

New potatoes: Prepare ground for planting sprouted early seed potatoes and they will be on time for Christmas dinner.

Strawberries: still haven't  prepared the strawberry bed yet, maybe this weekend.! when strawberry plants start moving they flower up quickly and need to be hooking into plenty of organic matter / food to support continual fruiting.

Fruit: keep an eye on peach / nectarine bud burst, if you need to deal to leaf curl. Leaf curl is a fungal disease which over winters in tree bark and around buds, leaves become curled and deformed with warty growths. Just before bud burst spray with Champion copper or liquid copper and once again after petal fall. 

If looking to fill gaps in your flower garden pop down to the Resource recovery park in Chelmer Street where a Garden corner has been introduced, annuals, perennials, shrubs, potted bulbs and natives are on offer along with second hand garden equipment and pots and sound garden advice.

Cheers, Linda.

Front boarder of lambs ear