Gardening in Waitaki September 28th 2021

October: Such a pretty month for gardens with still lovely blossoms about even after nor west winds threatening to remove them all. Rhododendrons are taking center stage right now but deciduous azaleas are slow to flower compared to other years by my notes. , in my view they are equal to any beautiful tropical flowers. Roses are well in leaf now and aphids are colonizing on new buds but using the index finger and thumb removal method you will manage to keep them under control. Aphids winter over on the underside of last year's hellebore leaves, if you have not done so already remove and destroy them because fresh new leaves are popping up now. Hellebores are still looking wonderful but if you don't want hellebore seedlings germinating all through the garden cut out spent flowers before seed is dropped. Peony roses are well through now, supports around them before they bud up will help with heavy flower heads. Peonies need a lot of water and benefit from liquid fertiliser. If you planted new crowns for this season it would pay to let only one flower develop to allow growth to go into the crowns, then cut the one blooming flower off before it makes seed pods. Peony roses need full sun and do not like to be smothered by other plants. Lavenders are also budding up with the absence( so far) of spittlebugs, if these bugs are a problem for you, spraying will not work, the spittle surrounding them is a barrier to pesticide. A forceful hosing will dislodge them and hopefully drown a few. Clematis are making good growth, hybrid's are those especially large flowered varieties, not the invasive pink and white montana type. You have to be quick in training hybrids where you want them to go while the trailers are still soft, they like a lot of feeding to take them to great heights. Manure, deep down with a little lime added when planting is beneficial. Don't worry if you have one with no buds just yet they all have different flowering times, If you planted one this year let it flower then cut it to the ground, this will make it send up many more shoots and you will have a much bushier and stronger climber. Hybrid clematis can also wilt and die for no reason, if this happens cut it to the ground but don't dig out because I have known some to shoot away again the following year with no sign of wilt. I have been potting up old fashioned cottage flowers like cosmos, love in the mist, salvia blue bedder, Clary sage, and lavatera. These are all taller flowering annuals that need to be planted close together so they hold each other up. The more plants put in the less room for weeds where soil is exposed is a good plan. All the annuals mentioned will be flowering at Christmas, and then for ages after if deadheaded regularly. Herbs: are making strong growth now in readiness for summer menus and drying, they need to be harvested often to stop running to seed. Vegetables: Keep planting veg seeds and plants, a few at a time so you can have the continuous thing happening as it is perfect Spring weather for growing all veg now the ground is warm and moist. My board beans are doing well with no sign of rust, could it be the pinch of potash put in when planting? Peas will be romping up netting in veg gardens and beans can go this month if the ground remains warm. Fruit:Thank goodness we are not getting overcast days this year so bees can be about visiting blossoms on fruit trees. Cheers, Linda.