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| 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.
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.
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.
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