Gardening in Waitaki November 16th 2021

How wonderful the soft, soaking rain has been on gardens here in Waitaki....... and then we got the wind ! Dividing clumps of perennials that have finished flowering can be done now, violas, primulas, polyanthus, iris, helleborus, ground cover phlox, scabiosa, Solomon’s seal, any perennials that have out grown their spot in your garden can be divided. Just dig up part of a large clump and basically pull it to bits planting sections with roots into pots, by the start of next winter the small pots will be filled with roots, new leaves and buds ready to be planted out. There is also time to divide agapanthus, large and dwarf varieties. they can get a clump bound which reduces their flowering. Dig out the whole clump (if it is still manageable enough to do this), then pull off smaller root balls and plant out on their own using fresh compost to get the roots going again. Agapanthus are great gap fillers in new gardens, they can always be removed as you fill your garden with permanent plants. Weeds are starting to make seeds, get them out before they do, most are easy to pull when grown a bit. Some Gardeners could be battling with convolvulus, the only thing you can do now that gardens are full is pull it off plants and think about getting stuck in and digging out every root next winter while the garden sleeps. I found spraying will work on top growth but not the network of white roots below the top soil. If you have, or can get hold of some aged compost that has finished working, ready to put on the garden you will be able to make compost tea. Compost Tea is a nutritionally rich, well-balanced, organic plant food made by steeping aged compost in water. The water is then diluted and used as a root / or foliar feed. It is also noted for its ability to control various plant diseases (blights, molds, wilts, etc. when used as a foliar spray), to repel and control insect pests and their damage when used on a regular basis, and encourage the growth of beneficial soil bacteria which results in healthier, more stress-tolerant plants. The basic recipe most often recommended is as follows: 1 large container with lid (plastic rubbish bin works well) aged, completed compost to fill an old pillow case 1/2-3/4 full. Fill the container with water, place the compost filled pillowcase, tie off the top and submerge in the container of water. Cover (to prevent odor and insect problems) and let steep for a MINIMUM of 2 weeks. This steeping time is crucial to the formation of beneficial bacteria and the required fermentation process. When finished, dip out the tea and dilute (3 parts water to 1 part tea) and use weekly as root or folia food for all plants. The following factors will determine the quality of the finished tea: Use well-aged, finished compost - Fresh compost can burn the plants or contain harmful pathogens and compost past its best will be nutritionally deficient. If using purchased compost it should contain a portion of aged animal manure which apparently remains active longer than compost made up only of plant matter. Dilute it a little more when using on young seedlings. (It is important to note that COMPOST TEA AND MANURE TEA ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Manure tea can be made in the same way but is not generally recommended as foliar spray and is not as nutritionally well-balanced, I find roses do well when applied around roots. Time to start spraying roses for green fly and disease if you have not already started. Shield takes care of both if you follow the instructions and spray at the suggested intervals. Keep the food up as they flower, it's hungry roses that are more susceptible to disease. Slow release rose fertiliser will feed each time you water. Fruit: Keep moisture up to fruiting bushes, they grow fast and need moisture to full out and ripen. Strawberries are beginning to make fruit so cover from birds. Vegetables: Keep mounding potatoes to keep them producing more and more new potatoes for Christmas, consistent watering is important for potatoes now, this goes for all root vegetables. Leafy veg don't need any extra feeding at this time of the year it will just encourage them to bolt. Plant only as many seedling plants you think you would use when ready and hold back in a shady spot other small seedling plants from the same batch until needed. Keep pumpkin and squash plants mulched, their roots are fragile until their large leaves grow to create the root shade needed. All new small seedling plants can be over watered to the point where their roots cannot cope so will collapse, the soil should be dry on top between watering's and good drainage is essential . It's Elderflower flowering time again, I make elderflower cordial every spring it is a lovely floral drink as is with water or a splash in gin and tonic. Elderflower cordial: Ingredients: 20 large elderflower heads, 4 lemons, 1 tsp citric acid, 1.5 liters water, 1kg sugar. Method; Grate zest off lemons, then roughly chop into chunks. Gently wash the flowers and steep them in a bowl with water, add this to the flower head mixture. Cover and leave for 24 hours, then strain through muslin. gently bring the strained liquid to the boil, add sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour into sterilized glass bottles and store in the fridge when cool. Cheers, Linda