Gardening in Waitaki November 23rd 2022

What great rain last week to push spring growth on, then sun shine on Sunday for the wonderful Victorian market day, perfect. Right now conditions are just right for planting, the soil is warm and moist, weeds are easy to pull and hoe out which brings me to mention mulching again, bare soil will always grow weeds and weeds are starting to mature and make seeds so get them out before they do. If time is limited just cut seed heads off to avoid spreading. Fill your gardens with annual and perennial flowering plants, all gaps will be filled with beauty plus bees and insects will be encouraged for pollinating berry and fruit trees growing close by. I am spending days sowing seeds and potting up germinated seedlings, a lot of room is needed for this job once all seeds pop up, thank goodness for the Recycling center and all the pots they are able to supply. During last week I potted on lavender and hedge cuttings taken at the end of last summer and lots of annual seedlings, flowers and veg which germinated during the last two weeks.....this sure is seed planting time. Dahlia supports put in now will reduce damaging plants by adding when growth is well on. Roses are well on now, if you have not fed rose bushes around roots do it now to keep them healthy. Aged manure or slow release fertiliser will keep them happy. The Recycling center offers bagged pig manure, no smell and clean to handle, it is a stressed hungry rose that will succumb to disease. If aphid and fungus or black spot have taken hold, feed and spray with an insecticide/ fungicide product. Pond water will be heating now, one of the easiest ways to keep your pond water cool is by shading the pond. You can install a shade sail over the pond or use a small tarp to cover a part of the pond if there are no plants to create shade for fish. Pond plants with large leaves or shrubbery planted to block strong afternoon sun are the natural way to provide pond shade. Top water levels up, evaporation is greater from now on. Fruits are forming well, reducing apple clusters will achieve good sized fruit. Mulch around all fruit trees to retain moisture from the last rain. Unsprayed grass clippings mixed with compost will do the trick. Vegetables: Keep mounding the potatoes to keep them producing more and more new potatoes for Christmas, consistent watering is important for potatoes now, this goes for all root veg. Carrot fly is on the wing now, thinning young carrots can attract carrot fly with smell if thinnings are left lying about. Delaying sowing until early summer, you can sidestep the first generation of the pest. I have planted early so have covered rows with frost cloth which still allows light in and keeps the low flying carrot fly off. Growing varieties of pungent Rosemary, Alliums, Sage or Marigold provides a deterrent by confusing smells. Wind has been hard on my broad beans, stems break very easily, I have created a string web with stakes through the bean stalks which seems to do the trick and have already started picking young tender beans. Tomatoes are zooming up stakes and needing attention almost daily now to control growth. Flowers are looking for pollination which is encouraged by flowers being included around tomato plants, marigolds, basil, sage thyme, plants to attract pollinators. As mentioned last week, keep pumpkin, squash and courgette plants mulched, their roots are fragile until large leaves grow to create the root shade needed. All new small plants can be over watered to the point where their roots cannot cope and they collapse, the soil should be dry on top between watering's and good drainage is essential . Cheers, Linda

Gardening in Waitaki November 16th 2022

North Otago is experiencing lovely warm days to help active roots especially for annuals coming on for a summer show, plant up pots and hanging baskets now and they will put on good growth before Christmas. I have divided clumps of violas now finished flowering,  just dig a clump up and basically pull it to bits and plant 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. The same for polyanthus, and primulas, break up clumps; plant out only fresh new growth and throw away gnarly old spent roots. There is still time to divide agapanthus, they can get a bit clump bound which reduces their flowering which usually happens in February but I have been noticing some in bud to flower soon? Dig out the whole clump (if still manageable enough to do this), then pull off smaller root sections and plant out on their own using 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. If you have, or can get hold of some aged compost, finished working and 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 which is then diluted and used as a root / or foliar feed. When used as a foliar spray It is noted for its ability to control various plant diseases (blights, molds, wilts, etc. ), to repel and control insect pests and their damage when used on a regular basis. Around roots to 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) enough aged, completed compost to fill an old pillow case 1/2 to 3/4 full. Fill the container with water, place the compost filled pillowcase (cheese cloth bag or pantyhose also work well), 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 it (3 parts water to 1 part tea)  use weekly for all plants. The following factors will determine the quality of the finished tea:  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.  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 but great for roses when applied around roots to keep them healthy.  Weeds are maturing to seed stage, get them out while the ground is soft or if in a large rough area and time is limited, just remove seed heads.  Fruit: Gooseberries, raspberries, currants and strawberries should all be making fruit if bees have done their job, keep water up to help swell small fruits. Vegetables:  So much can be planted now so veg and herb gardens will be filling. Potatoes are putting on fast growth and should be forming good crops below the warm soil, don't load them and other green veg up on high nitrogen fertilisers, it will only encourage top growth and leaf veg to bolt. New small plantings can be over-watered to the point where their roots cannot cope and they collapse, good drainage is essential and soil should be dry on top between waterings. This applies to glass house plantings as well.Tomato plants should be flowering now and ready for side shoots (laterals) to be removed to help channel energy into the fruit, rather than wasting it on foliage.  Mulch pumpkin and squash plants as leaves increase in size to protect fragile roots.  Elder flowers are blooming again, I have been out collecting to make the first lot of elderflower cordial, lovely at the end of a hot day added to a gin and tonic, how wonderful to be coming into Summer again. Cheers, Linda 

Gardening in Waitaki 8th November 2022

Spring weather seems to be settling here in Waitaki, offering up warm sun-filled days and mild nights with the odd shower. Established box hedging should be firm enough to be trimmed now, oh how I remember doing this and ending up like a half shut pocket knife at the end of trimming.  If hedges are at the hight and width required take them back to the last growth. Newly planted box will probably need only the tops straightened leaving the sides to thicken, a boost with slow release fertiliser will feed and keep them green. Other hedges will be ready for trimming now as well, soft trimmings can be spread about gardens as mulch. Keep cutting back spring flowering perennials then fill gaps with annuals. Sun lovers:  lobelia, alyssum, antirrhinum, petunias, salvia, marigolds, cosmos, aster, verbena. Shade lovers:  Impatiens, begonia, coleus,lobelia, nemesia, viola, alyssum, cineraria. Roses: Fat rose buds are now opening, healthy and beautiful before succumbing to the stress of hot drying days, aphid, black spot and rust, if water, feeding and mulch is kept up these can be avoided and healthy roses can be enjoyed through to early winter. Pull off leaves showing any sign black spot or rust and burn, squish aphid or keep hosing off with a strong hose spray. Dahlias are pushing through now as spring bulbs finish. Dahlias need to grow in full sun, supports can be put in place now for large spreading dahlias before they put on heavy growth. Hydrangeas are leafing up, it is important to keep water up and a good layer of old stable manure around them now will keep them feed through the growing season. It's a dressing of lime for pink and Epsom salts or aluminum sulphate to keep them blue. Peony roses: Supports are needed for most peony roses to hold up those beautiful full flower heads.  Vegetables: Keep mounding potatoes to give more depth for them to produce, consistent watering is important for potatoes, 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. Only plant as many plants as you think you would use when ready to pick and hold back small seedling plants from the same batch, keep in a semi shady place until required for planting.  Keep pumpkin and squash plants mulched, roots are fragile until their large leaves grow to create the root shade needed. Corn and beans can be planted now the ground is warm. Planting corn in squares rather than rows will ensure pollination on the lower tassel's and add support during strong winds.  Cheers, Linda.

Gardening in Waitaki November 1st 2022

Now we can hear growing happening around us as nature gives us the perfect spring growing conditions. As I write this, gardens everywhere are exploding with colour. If not in your own garden, visit our public gardens to see it all happening beautifully. Rhododendrons, azaleas, peony roses, iris, and fresh green on hedges and trees and "oh," the birdsong as nests are filled with eggs and young. This is undoubtedly the time for planting, but never in the heat of the day, wait until the end of the day or better still wait and plant on a dull day if possible. I am busy most days weeding and pricking out flower and veg seedlings into punnets. Fill every space in the garden to not only look amazing but also to leave no room for weeds to take hold. Those that do persist need to grow fast to the light which makes them easy to pull. A full garden also keeps plant roots shaded and less evaporation after watering. Sow summer flowering seeds now and leave to germinate in light, semi shaded areas, too sunny and planting mix dries out too quickly, too shady and seedlings grow too fast looking for light. Once seedlings come through, leave until a set of two leaves fully form then prick out carefully into punnets and soft water spray often until firm enough to cope with a stronger hosing. Once planted punnets are filled with roots they can be planted into the garden and should thrive.  Spring is the perfect time to get Children involved in gardening by planting sunflower seeds so they can watch plants grow fast and taller than themselves. Runner beans are great for growing over bamboo or wooden lengths joined into a teepee tent shape for the bean runners to grow over to form a green living tent for them to play in and pick beans. I work with Children in a School garden and know they love peas, carrots, beans,  radish and  all berries straight from the garden. We Also grow swan plants so monarch butterflies will visit, lay eggs to hatch for Children to watch grow into fat caterpillars that create a chrysalis then grow into beautiful butterflies. Nature at its best is to touch, smell, taste and happenings in real time. Peony roses are stunning right now in bud and flower, it pays off putting supports under them to hold up heavy flowers to come. I have tall wire supports shaped like a u that are pushed into the ground with the rounded top in place to let them flop over and stay in place. Peonies need water kept up to their roots,  I have some crowns that were planted last season so I have let only one flower develop to see what it is like and removed any others. I will cut the one blooming flower off before it makes seed pods. A clump will form much faster if you do not let it flower for the first two years. Hybrid clematis:  ( those large flowered clematis) are shooting skyward now, you have to be quick to train them onto supports or they will just find their own way over plants. Direct them while trailers are still soft, they like a lot of feeding to take them to great heights, manure is great. Don't worry if you have one with no buds just yet they all have different flowering times, If you planted a new one this year, let it flower then cut it to the ground this will make it put up more shoots and you will have a much bushier and stronger climber. If you have one that looks dead with the ends wilting I am afraid it will have wilt and should be cut off at the ground level. Don't remove it because I have known some to shoot away again the following year, climatic like a sweet soil so add a little lime. Lawns: Grass, Grass. Grass...So much mowing! sprinkle unsprayed clippings around the garden, it is wonderful humus but don't leave thick piles, spread it out so it can break down fast. Your garden can take as much fresh green growth that you can throw at it now the warmth is here to break it down. Sow new lawns and fill bare patches with the right lawn seed for the lawn you require. An autumn sowing usually has a more successful strike by not having to compete with annual weeds and not drying out at the same rate as an early summer sown lawn. Fruit: Blossoms have moved on to forming fruit, gooseberries, currents,  strawberries, pip and stone fruit seem to be all swelling fruit well. Remember to keep water up when needed while fruit is plumping. Veg: Keep planting veg seeds and plants, a few at a time so you can have the continuous thing happening. Butterflies are about wanting to lay eggs on brassica crops, keep them off with overhead netting.  The ground is warm enough now to plant corn and beans, pumpkins and courgettes. Carrot flies are still about, when thinning carrots remove thinnings as carrot flies can pick up the scent from far away. In the glass house tomato plants will be looking to be tied and supported, cucumbers and peppers should be starting to make progress. Plant basil and a few marigolds to encourage pollinators in and deter pests. Cheers, Linda.