Gardening in North Otago April 6th 2021

Not much needed rain for North Otago yet but how wonderful the weather was during and after Easter, such a treat long may it continue before winter approaches. Leaves, leaves, leaves so many on the ground and yet to fall,  right now  gardens will be on fire with yellow, red and orange displays . Most of the leaves turn into good compost but limit composting  oak or walnut leaves, they take too long to break down in heaps. If you can burn them then add the ash to compost.The addition of hen manure while building autumn compost will aid in the heating process. Dried Blood is an easy way to replenish the nitrogen content in the soil for plants needing to perform through winter,  Polyanthus, Primulas, Pansies and Cyclamen love it and will flourish when you add dried blood to their diet.  Ranunculus and anemone will be on offer in Garden centers now, They are so worthwhile and a good investment because they multiply well and give vibrant or soft mid height colour to an early spring gardens. Ranunculus and anemone corms look very dried up and brittle in the packet when bought, soak them overnight and they will become nice and plump before planting, plant at least five together in groups to get the best effect. With lilies becoming available in shops this month established clumps can be lifted if necessary, but do not disturb them unless they are very crowded or unsuitably sited. Instead top dress them with a mixture of compost and blood and bone. (A cup full of blood and bone to each bucket of compost. Be sure to keep lily bulbs moist while they are out of the ground, roots must never dry out. Almost all lilies need to be planted as deep as three times the height of the bulb.The only exception to this deep planting is the Madonna lily which is planted just below the surface and prefers to be shifted in midsummer straight after flowering. This is also one of the few lilies which also prefers limey soil. Feed rhododendron and camellias with fertiliser mixed especially for them and water in to boost them for spring flowering Break up primula and viola clumps, pot up or plant out to fill gaps in front borders. On the coast give evergreen hedges a last light tidy up during this month. further inland I would leave top growth as frost protection and trim after spring growth. Vegetables / fruitI have broccoli, silver beet, spinach, cabbage, kale and parsley seeds up and potted into punnets.  Seeds of beetroot, broad beans, carrots, onions, swedes and turnips can be sown directly into garden beds. I am sure there are some wonderful pumpkin crops ripening on the beautiful sunny Autumn days.  Tomatoes, beans and corn will keep producing while days and nights stay mild, keep water up (early in the day)  during this dry autumn.  Still plenty of apples, quince, late peaches and walnuts to keep me busy and I see tamarillos are starting to make fruit. Cheers, Linda.