Gardening in North Otago September 8th 2020

Such a lovely beginning to the new growing season, North Otago is looking so pretty with masses of lovely blossom and daffodils everywhere, "Spring makes it's own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer."~ G. B Charlesworth. Cleaning out ponds was first on the list for me last week, leaves and old growth from pond plants needs to be removed and perhaps overflowing the pond will freshen it. Water Lilies, oxygen weed and water iris's are starting to make a move. A couple of years ago a helper and I removed all the yellow bog iris from the big pond, this was a much needed job because this common yellow iris was spreading so fast and took up a quarter of the pond with it's mat forming roots ( lesson learned, don't plant yellow bog iris in a domestic pond) The place for this iris is along the banks of a creek, the fibrous roots are fantastic at holding the sides back from erosion. Don't be tempted to add bull rushes to a domestic pond either, they also spread too quickly. While water lilies are not fully in leaf sections can be cut and re potted. If you do not have a mesh pot specifically for aquatic plants crate holes in the sides of a plastic pot and use that. Line the pot with sacking or woven fabric and 3/4 fill with garden soil and a small amount of slow release fertiliser in the center. Plant water lily section then add stones or gravel to the top of the pot and submerge to the bottom of the pond. Now the sap is up, remove unwanted growth from prunus trees, (flowering cherry) this is said to be the best time to make cuts in prunus to avoid the spread of silver leaf which can spread from tree to tree while in the dormant stage. Always on a warm dry day cut out any weak growth and cross over branches before they grow thick. Cut out all dead branches from beneath Kilmarnoch willows if you have them, this is the ornamental pussy willow once used often in small gardens. Each new branch grows out from the bud of last year's growth. All subsequent years growth dies and builds up under the new growth. The grafted weeping tree is much nicer to look at with all those dead branches removed and it is easier to do this when bare of leaves. Keep folia feeding new spring growing plants (other than bulbs , they store their own food ). Liquid plant food will encourage strong growth now plant, plant,plant all the pretty spring seedlings on offer now and sow seeds for summer flowering to save on buying seedlings later in the year. Lawns, Lawns benefit greatly from an early spring feed of lawn fertiliser but this works best with rain to wash it in. Unfortunately too much soil is removed from new building sites these days which means clay is not as far down creating a solid moisture holding pan under soil. Gypsum ( soluble lime) will work on opening up clay without changing the ph of soil. Frosts will soon be over allowing new lawns to be sown, remember to sow seed thickly as annual weed seeds will be competing. Vegetables: Soil is warming with the sun filled days becoming longer, every plant is now coming to life for spring so heaps to do in the veg garden as you ready it for planting. Break up and rake clods to fine soil down for direct seed sowing. Get pumpkin, butternut and squash and corn seeds started now under protection until frost finish, they need a long warm growing season to grow and ripen. It's great to be planting salad veg again especially while there are still no white butterflies or aphids about. As an early season deterrent start spraying fish emulsion on both veg and flowering seedlings, this will feed the plants and repel pests by fooling them into thinking their favorite food is now protein not vegetable, repeat after rain. Get sprouted potatoes in the ground, when leaves appear start mounding over them to encourage leaves and stalks to grow longer producing more potatoes. Keep water up to rows during dry spells. Fruit: All deciduous fruit trees can still be planted in September while the plants are just coming out of dormancy . All fruits require a position in full sun, shelter from prevailing winds is preferable or a stake added for a couple of years until roots are well anchored. If leaf curl is a problem on young stone fruit trees, pull affected leaves off and destroy, new leaves take their place. Strawberries: Delicious strawberries are easy to grow in a home garden, as little as 25 plants can yield more than 50 pounds. Strawberries need at least six hours of direct sun daily and will do well with a dressing of feriliser specifically formulated with extra potassium, regular irrigation and slightly acidic soil and covering the bed in straw or pine needles will keep the weeds down and the fruit clean. All other berries on offer should be planted now to settle in to a season of fruiting. Cheers, Linda.