Gardening in Waitaki 1st February 2023

February and Children back at School. Ok, now we really are into a new working year!!! North Otago is experiencing a real summer compared to what Auckland and the far north are getting. Where they have sodden ground we are getting the opposite, I see the intense sun heat creating dry cracked ground and fields browning where irrigation is not on hand, reminiscence of past drought like summers Waitaki was known for with grain crops ripening to the point dryers were not needed. It goes without saying watering gardens during heat is a daily thing to keep moisture up to plants and lawns so it was a relief for plants I am sure for plants to be greeted this morning morning with low cloud and drizzle. In the flower garden take seed heads off anything that you do not want to spread, that goes for weeds as well, make sure you whack the seed heads off even if you don't pull them out there and then .Continue deadheading dahlias, petunias and roses to keep them bushy and flowering longer, remove stalky old growth right back to where the stem is plumper. Keep trimming hedges as they finish putting on soft new growth and either compost the trimmings if not too woody or scatter them around the garden, they are soft enough to break down at this time of the year. Hybrid clematis: It's the right time from now on to plant large flowering hybrid clematis to get roots established before winter. There are some stunning hybrid clematis on offer, huge or delicate flowers, in vibrant shades that to me have a tropical look climbing and spilling through gardens, I had a stunning claret red one in my past garden which I forgot about every year until it bloomed to surprise and please me. When planting try not to disturb the roots, fungus spray on roots and growth will help eliminate the wilt problem some clematis suffer from. Sprinkle a little lime around the drip line to sweeten soil. Lawns Heat slows down growth if grass is not fed and watered regularly and weeds ramp up growth in dry lawns, leaving the catcher off now and then helps shade grass roots and covers gaps where weeds want to settle. I fertilise lawns during rain which adds nutrients when clippings are left or spread on gardens or composted. Grass grub beetles lay eggs in grass over summer and their grubs start feeding on grass roots this month until May. Grubs can be eradicated with products available while grubs are near the surface but after May they stop feeding and then burrow down to about 25cm to over-winter. Fruit: With all the ripening heat there is a lot of fruit ready for picking, I have made plum sauce and apricot jam so far and will not be stopping at that. Vegetables: plant, pick and enjoy.