Gardening in North Otago April 28th 2020

Autumn in Rockvale Garden

The splendor of Autumn is happening all around North Otago however most of us will have to be content with the autumn colours in our own area. Some will be  bursting  out of their bubbles a little more this week to start the new normal, but our own gardens will still be the safest place to get a productive workout for a while yet.

Compost is still being compiled here in our garden by layering  Autumn leaves, grass clippings, ready to use compost, soft garden waste and stable / poultry manure. Nitrogen, phosphate, and potash in a natural organic form, all the elements required for compost.
 

Leaf mulch /mould is also a wonderful addition of humus for gardens and a simple process during Autumn, leaves can be shredded with the lawn mower and spread along with lawn clippings as mulch around the garden, or leaves can be turned into leaf mould by heaping and containing in straw bale bins or similar. Layer leaves with grass clippings and soft garden waste, add water as layers fill bins then cover with polythene or old carpet when full. Smaller amounts of leaf mould can be made in plastic rubbish bags or wool packs, shredding leaves first for smaller amounts will quicken the process. 

New growth is not encouraged from now on as plants make seed and prepare for the dormant months, but here on the coast we like colour to continue in gardens by planting hardy annuals to brighten winter, these can be boosted with fertiliser now to give them a good start. Not being able to pop out and buy fertilisers right now is a problem but you may have pine needles, rotted sawdust or coffee grinds on hand to use as a boost for those acid loving rhododendron, azaleas, camellias and lemons.  A link to home made fertilizers  https://www.thespruce.com/make-your-own-fertilizer-1388159      

Continue to dead head dahlias until frost collapse them, when this happens cut back ensuring large thick steams are not left open to allow rain in to rot tubers. Dahlias can be dug out at the end of the season and stored away in a dry place to be planted out after frosts in late spring / early summer. A topping of pea straw is good protection for dahlias that over winter in well drained soil.

The rain during the cold snap may have spoiled roses, remove rotting blooms and resist dead heading or cutting back, roses need to start making seed hips to help harden wood before winter. However If growing in a warm sheltered spot one last dead heading will produce late blooms.

Vegetables / fruit /herbs
Time to dig up and divide Rhubarb crowns, mixing in heaps of compost before replanting and a good time for sowing Spinach, beetroot, broad beans and snap peas (if you have the seed.)

Strawberries should still be flowering and fruiting , keep water up and remove runners if too many, some can be left to make good roots if replacements are needed, 3 years is usually long enough for a fruiting plant. 

Don't be tempted to prune fruit trees yet, wait until winter when sap is down, pruning will encourage  new growth if we get unseasonal warm spells.

Herbs can be cut back and divided now, top growth should still be fresh enough to dry then rub to make mixed herbs. Tie and hang or Lay out on news paper in a warm dry place rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, oregano, marjoram,basil, nasturtium leaves and flowers, once completely dry and crispy rub, remove stalks and store in a glass jar. 

Cheers, Linda.

Rhubarb crown

seeds are a magic gift from nature