Gardening in North Otago May 12th 2021

Autumn at our lovely Oamaru Botanical Gardens. What a difference a rain makes during Autumn, It is the shallow rooted tree's and shrubs that need moisture before winter. I have lost aged maples because of dry Autumn and winter season's. Other shallow rooted shrubs that will be benefiting from a good soaking are rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, daphne, hydrangeas lilacs, cornus (dogwood), buxus and viburnums. Leaf mulch: Fallen leaves will have a head start breaking down with moisture and autumn warmth, each tree leaf drop is meant for nourishing the roots of the tree that shed them but piles of leaves left on lawns will restrict light needed for grass. Leaf mulch can be returned to tree roots once decomposed. Mowing leaves before bagging for leaf mulch gets mulch breaking down faster, if leaves are dry add enough water to wet each layer. I have been potting up well grown seedlings before the nights get colder, because they are straight from seed trays frost cloth has not been needed yet here on the coast but it soon will be, I remove it on sunny days and replace once the sun goes down. 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 do 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. Lilies, this is the main time to shift or divide old overgrown 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. Hellebores (winter roses) can now have old leaves removed, they are budding up for a winter display so a fortnightly liquid feed can be given 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. 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 . Lawns: Grass grubs will be slowing down the eating of grass roots now, as larvae, they eat to fuel their transition into the brown night beetle, this process takes about 12 months. The most damage done to lawns is during February until May. Rake out patches of dead lawn ready for re-sowing now on the coast while ground is still warm or wait until spring. Earth-friendly way to eradicate grass grub is nematodes. Beneficial nematodes seek out and kill grubs and other soil-inhabiting insects. They come on a sponge (invisible to naked eye) that you soak in water, put in a sprayer and spray your dirt or lawn. They will multiply over time and continue to kill grubs. Vegetables and fruit . Continue planting strawberry plants, raising the beds where drainage is suspect and adding manure rich compost to the beds. If planting new runners from existing strawberry plants use only one or two closest to the mother plant. 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 still happening. Cheers, Linda