Gardening in North Otago 12th May 2020

Autumn splendor at Rockvale Gardens

What a difference a rain makes during Autumn, however I have still needed  to give some areas a good soak, it is the shallow rooted tree's and shrubs that need help before winter. I have lost aged maples because of dry Autumn conditions  so I now always give every one a good soak  before winter. Other shallow rooted shrubs that may be looking for a good soaking are rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, daphne, hydrangeas, lilacs, cornus (dogwood), buxus  and viburnums. 

A heap of work was done here in the garden this week, my ready compost is going down fast as autumn leaves, annual weeds and lawn clippings refill the bins for my next autumn compost.

I have been potting up well grown seedlings before the nights get colder, because they are straight from seed trays frost cloth has gone on at night. I remove it on sunny days but once we start getting frosts it will remain on until spring.

Remove water trays from pots now, soil will stay damp from now on and should never be waterlogged through out winter as this will lead to plant roots freezing and rotting.

This is a great time to make new perennial beds or re-organise existing beds, with perennial clumps increasing in size annually they soon over fill a space. Lift overgrown clumps, break up and replant some of the youngest growths from the perimeter. Healthy vigorous plants can be reduced by putting a sharp spade in where you would like a reduction then lift the cut portion out without disturbing the remaining plant. I have been doing this with asters, phlox, aurbretia, small grass's, hosta's, and herbs like sage, thyme and lemon balm. Rockery plants can be divided now as well. Once plants have been sectioned and rearranged cover the bed and around plants with compost to encourage new root growth and help to keep perennial beds warmer through the colder months.

All old leaves from my hellebores  (winter roses) have now been removed, they are budding up for a winter display so a fortnightly liquid feed can be given now if you feel they need boosting. Further in land it would be advisable to leave some top growth on to give frost protection to soft new growth, once hardened remove all leaves to display flowers.

Lilies, this is the main time to shift or divide old over grown clumps of lilies. Be careful not to break the fleshy scales and to retain all the basal roots. Don't pull the old steams away from the bulb as it leaves a hole where water can enter and cause rot, just cut old stems short and bend. Never allow Lilly bulbs to dry out while out of the ground, I plant lilies on a little river sand and cover with compost which has had blood and bone added. 

May is the planting month for tulips  bulbs should be in retail outlets when they open, plant them at least 8 inches (20cm) deep in a  well drained sunny spot .

Vegetables and fruit .
Continue planting strawberry plants, raising the beds where drainage is suspect and adding manure rich compost to the beds.
Garlic planting time, It is said to plant garlic on the shortest day but any time from late May until August is ok. Select large single cloves (plant point up) 5cm deep and 20cm apart in warm, well-drained sites where soil has been recently limed. 

Feijoas are plumping up and our NZ cranberries (myrtus ugni) are ripe for eating , also figs  should be ready  along with walnuts and hazelnuts  so still a lot of gathering happening.

Cheers, Linda

Feijoa 

myrtus ugni NZ cranberries