Gardening in Waitaki August 23rd 2022

Almost the end of August which means we should be leaving winter behind, BUT we could have a few more frosts which would upset my new seedlings, so my frost protection will stay on for a while yet. Plants have been putting on slow growth in the last couple of weeks, weeds included, chickweed and bidibid will romp away now that days are longer but at this stage are very easy to pull out before they run seed.  Magnificent magnolias have been taking center stage, they are very worthwhile trees to grace any medium sized garden. Beautiful bare branching through winter, stunning blooms and then large attractive leaves take them through to winter. They grow well with azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias because they all prefer an acid soil. There are many different choices in tree size and blooms, for the smaller garden, Magnolia billowing cloud is White / Pink Upright habit- Hgt / width 3m x 2,5m, for a larger garden Magnolia Charles Raffill soft Pink upright habit, Ht/width 7m x 5m, and Star Wars one of the first out, lovely large pink fragrant blooms   Ht/width5m x 4m, so many different beauties to choose from in Garden centers now. Roses: roots are moving fast now looking for food to swell buds into leaf. Well fed roses stay healthy roses, well worth the effort to minimize any spaying needed later on  Sow seeds under cover, seed packs that recommend spring sowing should germinate now. I sow seeds in trays of potting mix / soil mixed and layer of seed raising mix on the top. Once planted, cover trays with plastic or glass, using spacers to let air circulate. Lawns will be greening up after the rain but will need some attention after Winter dormancy. Moss can be eradicated with sulphate of iron (watering can), once moss has turned black rake out. The presence of moss in lawns indicates poor growing conditions for grass, growing where grass cannot survive, such as nutrient poor soil, soil with high acidity, soil that is compacted or drains poorly or where there is excessive shade or thatch accumulation. Give the older lawns a good rake to lift any thick thatch, cut and then aerate to improve drainage. Once all this has been completed, over the next 2 to 3 weeks apply lawn fertiliser during rain to boost and give lawns a good start. Vegetables: If you are planting out a veg garden, seedlings are best planted in a sunny position, kept moist and covered from birds and butterflys. Birds love small new plantings and butterflies, like to lay eggs on veg at any stage.  In area's you do not plan to plant for a while sow a green crop to add humus to the soil, Mustard, lupine, barley or wheat they will germinate in no time then dig in when lush, soft and green.Plenty of seed potatoes on offer now for you to get sprouting, early varieties can go in if soil is not too wet, and should show leaf in about a month when frosts are over.  protected from frost if they show leaves early. Fruit: As mentioned last week give fruiting shrubs and trees a dressing of potash enriched fertiliser to help with fruiting. Fruit trees and everything in the way of small fruit should be planted in August / early September at the latest. Cheers, Linda.