Gardening in North Otago July 6th 2022

Deep root soaking means allowing water to be available to all roots of a tree or shrub.

July and some good frosts have come our way here on the coast but then very warm spring-like weather as well so we can't complain. Winter is normally the time to store away the hose but not unless we get a downpour, shallow rooted trees and shrubs will need a deep root watering if ground is dry, this should be done in the morning. For all evergreens that you notice looking a bit limp, camellias, rhododendrons, azalea's, hydrangea, lavender, Hebe. Shallow rooted perennials will let you know when water is needed, you will notice plumpness has gone from them ( but only established plants, small newly planted shrubs and trees will not have the root capacity to take up excess water. Deep root soaking is very important for established maples, dry ground puts these trees under huge stress which is shown instantly in the fine branching, clearing out dead branches from past dry damage will allow you to see if wood is looking stressed. After a soaking mulch will hold moisture from frost drawing it up, compost, pea straw, leaf mulch, old lawn clippings, any organic matter that will not blow away you have at hand is better than nothing. Dry winters are kind to bugs, check the underside of hellebores (winter rose) . They can be smothered in green fly ready to fly onto the new rose growth in spring. Rose pruning will be under way this month, if you are not sure how to go about it, concentrate on opening the middle of mature bushes. Cut out any inward growing, crossed over branches. Prune on a slant at an outward facing bud, the bud is where a new growth will emerge from so it needs to be facing away from the middle of the bush. This applies to standard roses as well. Established, trained climbing roses may need old leader branches cut right out and a younger new growth tied in its place. Don't be afraid to get stuck in and remove anything that looks past its best. All outward growth from trained long branches can be pruned back to the second outward facing bud, these buds will produce the flowers for this summer. Planting new roses: Plant to below where you see the rootstock grafted to the rose, fill the planting hole with water and let it seep away then plant with roots over a mound of soil and firm in. Standard roses will need a firm stake. Dahlias will need mulch protection if left in the ground, clumps can be dug now and reduced, dahlia tubers will hold in a dry place until planting out when frosts are over. Peonies are divided in autumn and on offer now to be planted in good draining soil, if you think there is a chance they would sit in wet soggy soil over winter they may rot, planting can continue until September. If young trees or shrubs need transplanting now is a good time to do it whilst they are at their most dormant stage. Vegetables On the coast start raising vegetable seeds in glass houses or under glass or plastic with ventilation spaces to circulate air and stop seeds going mouldy. Plant seedling plants that are now on offer along with garlic cloves. In colder areas sit back and let frosts work on the soil. Start sprouting seed potatoes, early varieties like Jersey benne, Cliffs kidney, Rocket, Ilam hardy, Maris Anchor should be sprouting now for an early planting. Fruit Look closely at the shape of your fruit trees and plan how pruning can improve them if needed. Well established Pip fruit trees will put out less unwanted growth if left until sap is back up in spring summer, but young fruit trees need shaping while branches can be seen. Cheers, Linda