Gardening in North Otago 20th November 2019

Still so much change in the weather but never as dramatic here in North Otago as elsewhere and those showers are fantastic for gardens and crops.

I am like all Gardeners weeding, weeding,!! and cutting back heaps of stuff that has finished flowering, 

Dahlias are pushing out new growth fast now, they need to be positioned in full sun and at least 10 cm of soil cover above tubers, if dahlias remain in the ground through winter tubers tend to loose soil  soil / mulch cover so if needed top up over tubers now before full growth.

Daisies bushes : Prune where needed to encourage summer flowering, and prune spring-flowering shrubs as well now if they are taking up too much room in the spot they are planted, take back to past growth now before seed is set and new growth hardens. 

Summer bedding annuals : will thrive if planted now in the warm soil, pot's and hanging baskets. Petunias, lobelia, nemesia,  nasturtium, salivea,  marigolds and many more to choose from in retail outlets now. 

Geraniums are now available, plant in a sunny, dry spot and dead head often to keep them flowering. Fuchsias are also available for planting now, they prefer semi-shaded areas and along with hydrangeas take over from the spring flowering of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. 

Tuberous begonias: Those who store tubers over winter will be checking to see if shoots are starting. If new to tuberous begonias choose a well-drained site that is protected from wind in a semi shaded spot. Early morning and late afternoon sun is ok. Plant tubers with soil just barely covering them at 20-30cm apart with the indented side facing up and water well, roots and sprouts will form in a few weeks. Keep watered enough to keep the soil around the plants very slightly damp, never enough for it to be soggy, avoid watering on top of the plants encouraging mildew. At the first sign of a white patch on any of the leaves apply a fungicide. Feed Begonias with a well-balanced ( fish based) plant food every 2 to 3 weeks. Begonias have male and female flowers on the same plant with the former containing stamen and the latter an ovary or seed sack, to encourage bigger blooms female flowers are picked off and the prettier male ones left to flourish.

My buxus hedging is still too soft to be trimmed, when you can bend new growth and it snaps cleanly then it will trim cleanly, if too soft the hedge will still be growing and you will not get a sharp cut. 

Lawns : Have some lawn  fertiliser on hand for the next rain  (which never seems far away this month) encouraging strong roots to withstand the hot months ahead.

Vegetables: Changeable weather is affecting  tomatoes, they literally turn bluish in colour  when affected by a cold snap but soon recover once the heat returns, best not to water late in the day while the day's are swinging from hot to cold. The odd chill keeps leaf veg from bolting to seed so it's not all bad.

Fruit: All fruit seems to be doing well even though the weather has been so changeable, nutrients and moisture are the important elements while fruit is forming. Berries and plums mature first and birds have it all worked out! Berry bushes and strawberries will need a net covering to keep them off, some use old net curtains.

Cheers, Linda.