Gardening in North Otago November 18th 2020

November is almost over and we are racing towards December the busy month. Warm winds have dried ground out again as I write this there are rain filled clouds all around but no rain as yet.Because some nights are still cool the night beetle and the big brown moths have not yet made an appearance, but the spittle bug is here frothing up plants. Spittle bug nymphs can turn a liquid secretion into bubbles by moving or pumping their bodies, once bubbles have formed, they use their hind legs to cover themselves with the froth that insulates  them from temperature extremes and protects them from predators. Although spittle bug nymphs do feed on plant sap, the damage is minimal and populations are usually small, so no pesticide is necessary, a strong hose  blast should be enough to dislodge them.  Roses: I am keeping up the fish emulsion to foliar feed roses and deter greenfly plus still removing old hellebore leaves where I see green fly have populated on the under sides and wintered over.orchid growers it is the time to re-pot now, use orchid mix for the best results, it takes the guesswork out of wondering what to feed them. Dahlias are pushing growth up fast, get supports around those that grow large heavy blooms and they will not collapse when fully grown. So much spent spring growth in our garden is needing cut back now, aquilegia's, forget-me-not, pansies, viola's and catmint, plus I have dug out all the pollyanthus to replant in a shady damp spot until next winter. Gaps will be filled with daisies, poppies, petunias, marigolds and salvia .vegetable garden: Early morning soaking keeps moisture up through the day and helps with the germination of seeds. Successive planting can be kept up right through the Summer. If you are having problems with bugs or mildew on veg try an organic option spray or make your own natural sprays, The following plant leaves can be simmered in water and the resulting liquid used on plants. Basil will help to eliminate aphids, Chives prevent mildew occurring on cucumbers, squash and pumpkins. Coriander also for aphids and spider mite. Eucalyptus is a good general purpose insecticide. Rhubarb has been found to help prevent black spot. These may be only plants but in liquid form they can be harmful to children so keep marked bottles high up. I found that it is not a good idea to breath in fumes when simmering, keep doors and window open.  Companion planting: Some plants have been proven to help and enhance others so I will list what has proven to work. Carrots and onions together, celery and the brassica family, i.e.: cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, marigolds and beans/brassicas.  Get corn and pumpkins in as soon as possible because they need a long growing and ripening season. Fruit: Keep water up to currants an berries, lemons and fruit trees, it takes a lot out of a plant to grow fruit. There are specially prepared fertilisers for most plants with instructions for how much to apply and when. All fruiting trees and plants need a lot of water now to create juicy plump fruit, it takes only a day of strong wind to zap moisture from the ground. Remember to cover strawberries from birds. Strawberry netting stretches out to cover a large area and does the job well, birds can strip gooseberries as well, throw some frost cloth or old net curtains over them until you get a chance to pick them.   Keep food up to tomatoes as  they grow, be sure to remove laterals of the taller growing variety and stake them to keep them upright as fruits get heaver. They should be flowering now waiting for bee's to pollinate them. If your bees are few and far between on overcast days you may have to move an electric tooth brush close to flowers to gently move  pollen around while leaves are dry.  Cheers, Linda