Gardening in Waitaki July 25th 2023

Moving on into August and temperatures are still not freezing here in coastal North Otago, the ground is still very soft after rain this week assisting bulbs popping through heading for an early spring display. If temperatures do drop buds will be held but the cold will have a noticeable effect on soft new growth. Early flowering camellias and rhododendron Christmas cheer are adding colour to gardens, prunus autumnalis is in full flower and the fragrance from winter sweet, witch hazel, Daphne, boronia and violets wafting about gardens makes the spring explosion seem closer. Old wood can be cut out of those lovely old weigela and spirea bushes, you can tell which branches they are because the wood looks old and spent compared to the new fresh wood, prickly berberis can be trimmed top and sides, buddleias should be cut well down to encourage soft silver branching and catmint can now have all old growth clipped off. Root cuttings: While raking out the last of autumn's leaves that had blown under shrubs I came across branches from shrubs laid down in soil forming roots, viburnum, choisya, camellia and hydrangeas. Shrubs growing low to the ground can sometimes drop a branch into the soil and form roots, leave until the roots become enough to sustain the branch that can eventually be cut from the Mother plant to be potted and grown on. This can also be purposely done at the beginning of spring by pegging branches down into the soil, roots should develop at the covered point, making a small wound on the buried stem will help to stimulate root development Peony roses: Cut the old growth from peony roses now and destroy, disease can winter over on last year's stems, be careful not to knock the new pink shoots emerging from the tubers. Cut the old growth from dahlias now as well, if thick and tubular bend the cut stalk over to prevent rain building up inside which will lead to rot in a tuber. Iris: Remove soil / mulch from bearded iris rhizomes, they are starting to move now and need to be partially exposed to give the best flowering, a dressing of lime / potash will boost iris flowering, avoid nitrogen which will encourage too much leaf growth. Roses: Pruning continues and with roses making a move to bud, roots will be now taking in food, powdered rose food needs watered in around the drip line, slow release fertiliser will work each time it rains, keep manure away from the crown. Lawns: This week's rain will have shown Gardeners where drainage is poor, best to keep off lawns but take a note where areas need built up. Birds will be pecking for worms as they come to the surface to avoid water and in doing so will be aerating compacted lawns. While lawns are still moist I plan to top dress with compost that I have worked through a wide mesh sieve to add humus as my new lawn has a high clay content. Wait until late spring to feed with lawn fertiliser when grass is showing new top growth. Feeding grass too early will interfere with root development happening now. Vegetables: Soil will be sachurated after the rain right now so best to let it drain and plan your early plantings for later in the month for spring planting. Fruit: Prune newly planted fruit trees, this is probably the hardest cut you’ll make, but the most important. Cut a new tree at about hip height, do this whether you're wanting a vase shape or a single leader. If the main branches start here they’ll be reachable when fully grown. Let's hope we don't get too many dull overcast days by the time fruit trees blossom, we need those wonderful bee's to come out and set to work pollinating. Cheers, Linda.