Gardening in North Otago May 7th 2020

Autumn Rockvale Gardens

Here we are into another week of uncertainty with people and business's in limbo, thank goodness for our gardens and we are still in a mild season to enjoy being outside doing what needs to be done.

Trees & shrubs, we play the waiting game now, best to leave all major pruning well into winter when sap is right down, if pruned now new growth is likely to occur then winter damage will encourage disease, best to just stick to cutting back tired summer growth and raking up the ever increasing leaf drop. 

Every garden I cut back and tidy up here is getting a topping off compost and leaf mould mixed as bins need to be emptied for all the leaves, and there are wool packs filled weekly. Leaves, grass clippings, soft hedge trimmings and soft garden waste, ready compost and manure (for those on a farm ) layered will break down over time to lovely humus to be returned to the garden this time next year. With a commercial compost bin, the right conditions, moisture it will take a shorter time but I have large open bays and find it is ready for use during the following autumn. 

Here on the coast we can plant for winter colour, look about your garden for pollyanthas and pansy's left in from last winter also self sown seedlings under plants like lavender, calendula, Poppy's, sweet peas, lupins, hollyhock, viola and primulas. If they flowered well and made seed they will be there for the gathering. Pot up in punnets and nurse along until ready to re-pot or plant pot.
 I have sent off for flower and veg seeds on line and received them this week, there is time still to raise seeds before winter if you get onto it now. I raise mine outside but raise the containers up from the cold ground by placing them on polystyrene or straw bales in a warm sunny spot. Keep the planting mix on the dry side, always water only when needed early in a day as evaporation is not great now and very small seedling do not have the root capacity to take up excess moisture.

Seeds collecting: I am still collecting seeds from dry pods and saving them in paper bags and envelopes, adding a sprinkle of rice will absorb any remaining moisture and help to keep seed dry and in good condition until a spring planting. I have been looking out for self sown seedlings under plants like lavender, calendula, Poppy's, sweet peas, lupins, hollyhock, viola and primulas. If they flowered well and made seed they will be there for the gathering. Pot up in punnets and nurse along until ready to re-pot or plant pot.

Wisterias will need a cut back now, ours was growing along the upstairs balcony threatening to push through sliding doors and take over a bedroom and because it was getting very heavy it was cut right back to the trunk wood. It pushed out new growth really fast and I will now train only one leader left and right. For wisterias that are not causing a problem use a hedge trimmer to get rid of all the leafy, wispy growth, cutting too hard back into thick wood will remove new flower buds. Each long winding growth could eventually grow into a thick branch so if training a young plant let only one length go either way along a structure.

Lawns: Grass grub has been bad in areas of our lawn leaving dead patches after they have eaten all the roots, rake the dead patch away and rough the soil up a little then sow grass seed and rake in to the firm patch. If you do not get a strike during autumn you can resow in spring. Grass grub are feeding from February until May so by now they will be well down in the ground hibernating until they reappeared as the brown night beetle around November.

 

Fruit: Tamarillos, these delicious, tangy fruits ripen during autumn and winter and can go from pale green to rich ripe red in about a week. They are ripe when either a deep, dark red or golden orange / yellow depending on variety. Pick fruit individually by cutting stems, once picked they keep well and will become sweeter. Feajoa's will also be fattening up for those lucky enough to be growing them. 

Citrus bushes would benefit from a rich layer of compost, well-rotted manure, seaweed, straw – whatever you have to spread as a mulching layer around roots.

Vegetables:

Save seed from beans, peas, pumpkin family and also a few of your herb and companion flower plant seeds for next spring as we are still not sure what will be available in retail outlets as we go forward. Mound up around the base of leeks to keep them pale and sweet, but keep soil beneath the bottom leaf to stop it getting inside making washing them difficult. 

An application of lime now if you have some is a real benefit to many of the leaf crops – cabbage, spinach, kale, broccoli and silverbeet.

Potatoes need to be dug and stored now, if they still have more growing to do keep water off them, they last better if tops have yellowed and died down. 
Once dug let dirt dry on them, brush off and store in a cool dry place away from any other veg or fruit, any moisture will encourage sprouts. Non sprouting powder can be purchased but I use the layering of dried herbs method, cut Rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon balm, mint any of the herbs before they die back, let moisture dry out of them then layer among stored clean dry potatoes, (a herb filled muslin bag works to)  When all potatoes have been used crush the mixed herbs and store in a glass jar for use. 
Curing Pumpkins: Bring Pumpkins in for curing and storing before hard frosts, pumpkins are ready when the stem is dry and hard to the touch, cut from the runner leaving 10 cm stem attached to the pumpkin and cure by sitting in a warm spot, raised allowing air to circulate around the whole pumpkin for about two weeks then turn upside down and leave for another two weeks, this will harden up skin and intensify the flavor. Storing pumpkins: Rub all over with olive oil to seal in moisture, store in a dry place, off the ground is best on layers of newspaper.

Thinking ahead to spring planting already? Spring planting can be delayed for ages because of wet cold ground so in very cold areas place an insulating layer on soil you plan to plant out in early spring, this will prevent soil from becoming water-logged, use polythene, fertilizers bags or old carpet. 

Cheers, Linda.