Gardening in Waitaki February 22nd 2023

With Waitaki being soooo very dry, the rain we are getting as I write this will rejuvenate gardens and lawns, Helleluyah ! Gardens and plants are very tired now although the plants I cut back early this month are beginning to regrow with fresh growth so cut back border and rockery perennials as they finish flowering then top dress with compost and some blood and bone to give all a gentle boost for the growing they have yet to do. To get superior blooms on gerberas, dahlias, delphiniums and chrysanthemums dead head and give fortnightly feeds of liquid fertiliser, remove excess buds from large flowering chrysanthemums they will be putting on a show soon. Deadheading all plants will encourage flowering rather than seed producing. With rain and the now heavy dew's gardens should carry on producing new growth until the first frosts but as days shorten colouring and leaf fall will begin then the raking up season will begin! Wrenching: I would dearly love to shift shrubs but I know they would suffer being shifted at this time of the year even if water was kept up to them, best to wait until winter when the sap is down. But you can wrench trees and shrubs now and shift later. To wrench is to dig down on one side of the tree or shrub cutting roots as you go, once all feeder roots have been severed pack compost or peaty potting mix around them for new roots to grow into over autumn. Untouched roots on the other side will continue to feed the tree or shrub until lifting in winter when plants are dormant. Once planted, cut trees or shrubs back by a third. However if you have no option and have to shift trees or shrubs a root ball would need to be as wide as the plant, retaining as much of the tap root as possible, the planting hole should be twice as big as the root ball, compost or peat added then filled with water before planting and firming in with a secure stake to protect the transplant from wind movement. Remove a third off the top and side growth then stake and leave a hose dripping down into roots until you feel things have settled. Mulching has been so worth doing during these exceptionally hot months for shading roots, retaining moisture and keeping weeds down. Water deep for mulch to do its job, it will always look dry on top but the thicker it is, the more moisture will be absorbed and kept where needed. Those lucky enough to pile up garden trimmings in a stock paddock for burning, when fire restrictions are lifted be mindful of what is being left for stock to eat. There are a number of common plants that can poison animals and Children : Arum lilies, Calico bush ( Kalmia latifolia ), Daphne, English yew, foxglove, Hemlock, Holly berries, Iris, Ivy, Kowhai (especially seeds) Laburnum, Lily of the valley, Ngaio, Deadly nightshade, Privit, Rhododendron, Rhubarb (leaves) Spindle berry, Potato ( green berries and green tubers) to name a few. But all mentioned can be broken down by composting or shredding into a mulch. Lawns: Lawn weeds spot sprayed will wilt away very quickly, even Hydrocotyle which I had so much trouble with will succumb. I see where grass grubs are eating away at the roots of grass, mostly in the ground at the foot of trees night beetles strip leaves from, (Grass grubs turn into these beetles), granules can be applied from now until May during the a significant rainfall. I always hope worms will duck down deep away from any chemicals used on lawns as they are the most important component in a healthy lawn. Veg: New root veg can go in now, parsnips, beetroot, carrot and board beans, french beans, onions, spring onions and all brassicas. If planting out leaf veg it would pay to cover from white butterflies and birds that seem to go for the small newly planted. So much home grown produce will be picked and frozen or stored this month, so reassuring for gardeners to know their fresh veg is fresh and safe from chemicals. An easy planting guide to follow https://tuigarden.co.nz/media/3530/tui-planting-calendar-poster.pdf Fruit: Dig out old spent strawberry plants and discard, plants being kept for another season should have runners cut off now to preserve the strength of the main clumps. Transplant only strong runners close to the Mother plant and keep the water up to them until they make roots. Apples, late peaches, nectarines, quince and grapes are the next picking crops then walnuts will be falling, SUCH ABUNDANCE. Cheers, Linda.