Gardening in Waitaki 30th August 2023

Urban rewilding brings nature to town.

A good frost early this morning as I walked Scruff but Soil is warming on the coast so planting begins in Veg and flower gardens.  Have you considered contributing to Native green corridors? More native planting is thought to be needed here in Waitaki to Increase biodiversity. Green corridors bring birdsong, wildlife and remove starkness from urban streetscapes. Many native plant roots do not cause a problem with paving if this is the reluctance to soften a fence line with much needed fauna & flora.The cycle track between Oamaru and Weston is a good example, being added to constantly by enthusiastic volunteer plants people. The same planting and wonderful biodiversity has been achieved at Cape Wynbrow, now a special place for wildlife and walkers. There are many roadside fence lines with grass verges that could be incorporated in a green corridor.  Sap is on the way up again so unwanted growth from prunus trees  (flowering cherry) can be removed, this is the time to make cuts in prunus to avoid the spread of silver leaf which can spread from tree to tree while in the dormant stage. Cut out  any weak growth and cross over branches before they grow thick.  Sow seeds for late spring and summer flowering into seed trays, raise trays up off the cold ground and cover with glass or clear plastic to get good germination and water when dry with a mist spray early in the day. Cuttings pushed into river sand in autumn should have made roots. Pot into small pots in a heavy potting mix then store in a warm location until roots fill pots. Only water when the mix is dry on top, roots will be too small to take up excess moisture. Foliar feeding spring flowering plants (other than bulbs ) with liquid plant food to encourage strong growth. When weeds are growing strongly it will be safe to plant all the pretty spring seedlings on offer now.  Cleaning out ponds is a must in early spring before pondweed and plants  really take off,  if  oxygen weed is choking the pond, reduce it now because as water loses its chill fish will soon begin to notice each other and eggs will be  blown into the weed. I overflow ponds, clean out leaves and dead iris leaves leaving a good amount of sludge on the pond bottom. Leave what you remove on the side of the pond overnight to give pond life a chance to make it back into the water. Don't plant yellow bog iris in a domestic pond) The place for this iris is along the banks of a creek, the fibrous roots are fantastic at holding the sides back from erosion. Don't be tempted to add bull rushes to a domestic pond either, they also spread too quickly. Lawns benefit greatly from an early spring feed of lawn fertilizer, working best with rain to wash it in. If moss is a problem, sulphate of iron watered on from a watering can will deal with it. Rake it out once it has turned black.  Unfortunately too much soil is removed from new sections which means clay will be creating a solid, moisture holding pan. Gypsum ( soluble lime) will work on opening up clay without changing the ph of soil. Vegetables: Heaps to do in the veg garden as you ready it for planting. Spread old stable or pig manure and dig in if you turn soil over. If you don't leave on top for worms to take in. A metal rake will soon break up winter clods to fine soil down for direct seed sowing. Get pumpkin, butternut and squash and corn seeds started now under protection, they need a long warm growing season to grow and ripen. It's so good to be planting salad veg again especially while there are no white butterflies or aphids about. ( cover new veg with fine net if you spot them)Get seed potatoes in the ground, when leaves appear through the soil start mounding soil up over most of the leaves to add soil depth which encourages more potatoes. Cheers, Linda.

Gardening in Waitaki August 23rd 2023

Blossoms, and magnolias are throwing off their woolly blankets, winter sweet and violets are wafting nature's perfume about gardens, Spring has arrived. Keep the frost cloth handy for seedlings and protected plants for a while yet. I have been re-potting plants held over winter and planting dahlia tubers in sunny places where drainage is good. Tubers will sit until the soil is warm enough for them to start moving. With new spring growth starting it is time for shrub height and width control. Soft shrubs encroaching on drive and walkways can be trimmed back, they will soon recover with new spring growth. You can do this if height is a problem without spoiling the shape of shrubs like pittosporums. What I do is cut out the center top leader down to where the side branches bush out, sometimes height reduction can be up to 2 or more meters. Shrubs will soon send up a new leader but will also increase growth into the sides. A lot of climbers are in bud now ready to do their spring flowering so when trimming watch you are not cutting off new buds, Jasmines may have been knocked by frosts, if so leave them a bit longer until sure frosts are over before trimming them. If you have still not fed your roses do it as soon as possible! they are moving fast now and need food kept up for good health.This goes for most plants now, If you have no time to do anything else in the garden feeding plants is a must while roots are searching. It is well worth the effort and will minimize the spaying needed later on. Now would be a good time to mention plants that resent being fed, many South African and Australian natives, proteas, leucadendrons, banksias and all grevilleas do not need feeding. I have lost some of these because they had absorbed fertiliser from neighbouring plants. There is still time to divide hostas before they start moving into leaf. these dramatic shade loving perennials can really highlight a shaded spot with their fresh greens and variegated shades. Simply lift established clumps and use a sharp spade to slice them into a few good size pieces, then replant. Slugs will be waiting so try epsom salts sprinkled on the soil, supposedly known to deter slugs and also helps prevent Magnesium deficiency. Magnesium helps to deepen color, thickens petals and increases root structure. Other deterrents are builders Sand, Nut Shells, Sprigs of rosemary scattered around are said to repel slugs. Continue to sow seeds under cover, seeds I planted two weeks ago are up already and getting a weekly liquid feed of diluted worm tea. Any seed packs that recommend spring sowing will pop up now. I sow my seeds in trays of compost and soil with a layer of seed raising mix on the top, this way your seed raising mix will go further. Once planted cover the trays with plastic or glass, but use spacers to let air circulate between the plastic / glass and tray. Lawns will be making a move soon so they can have the first feed from now on, we have too much clay content in ours so I intend to spread compost and water in. Vegetables: If you plan to grow vegetables this summer get the garden ready now by digging in some weed free compost, then let the soil settle a bit before planting. In area's you do not plan to plant out for a while why not do tired soil a favor and sow a green crop to add humus. Mustard, lupine, barley or wheat will germinate in no time. If you do decide to do this, dig it in when lush, soft and green, don't let it get stalky because it takes too long to break down. Plenty of seed potatoes on offer now for you to get sprouting, early varieties can go in and should show leaf in about a month when frosts are over. Fruit This is the time to give fruiting shrubs and trees a dressing of potash to help with fruiting. Deciduous fruit trees and small fruit shrubs should be planted in August at the latest. I have been thinning and arranging raspberry canes this week, taking out old canes that have fruited and removing all spindly canes and excess runners. If you have canes in a row why not hoop them together for easier picking.. Now is a good time to trim, feed and shift citrus trees. Cheers, Linda.

Hooping raspberries.

Gardening in Waitaki August 15th 2023

Insects need flowers.

Winter chill is still with us as Nature pushes on towards Spring. Treat your garden to a late-winter pep-up by removing weeds while they are still small then digging in compost or just spread and let worms take it down into soil.  Lift and divide perennials such as delphiniums, chrysanthemums, hostas, asters and astilbes.  Sow flower seeds with spring sowing instructions on the packet.  I have just sown, nigella, alyssum, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, dianthus, nemesia, viola, phlox, salvia, snapdragon, viscaria, and linaria. Most of these seeds I saved from last growing seasons flowers which then makes them locally grown and when germinated should do well. With life being so very busy a good number of gardens now are planted as easy care, ornamental grass and evergreen shrubs requiring less attention than flowering shrubs, perennials and annuals. Bees and butterflies rely on flower filled gardens which I know is a big ask for busy people but why not introduce some flower filled pots and hanging baskets that would also bring necessary insects into the garden.  Roses  are now absent from many new garden plantings  because of the attention needed to keep them healthy and looking good. However, there are the flower carpet type roses that can be trimmed as a shrub and flower right through late spring, summer and autumn and need only manure enriched compost applied to keep them happy. Those gardeners who enjoy the magic roses bring to a garden will be watching new buds swell and applying the food needed to give them a good boost for the start of the busy flowering seasons ahead. There is still time to prune roses during this month but by September pruning should be done and dusted.                     Fairy magnolia blush is proving to be a winner for a pretty hedge or tree for a small garden and also looks great in a large pot. This magnolia / michelia cross grows 4m high and 3m wide after 10 years and likes full sun or semi shade.  Lawns: August can be a tricky time of the year for lawns because the weather is so unpredictable, fertilize if we get a good shower for nutrients to be available when needed. You may find the growth rate of grass increase from now on, if you feel it necessary to start mowing, keep the blades high and  remove any perennial weeds by hand before they flower and seed.   Fruit: Get all fruit bushes and grapes pruned as soon as possible because sap is rising which means branches will bleed sap when cut. remove some old grape leaders, replacing them with new growth leaders, the result of this will be vertical budding then fruiting next year.  Meyer lemon bushes have been happy with our winter conditions with all the fruit covered bushes I am seeing about, now I am waiting on the elderflowers to go with them to make elderflower cordial. Vegetables: Raised gardens in  sunny locations probably have not had enough hard frosts this winter to break up the soil, spreading compost now will get worms going before planting.  Early potatoes planted now will not take long to pop leaves up, as they grow mound soil up over and around them to keep light off. Onions can be planted into seed trays, they don't have to be in a greenhouse in 4 - 6 weeks they can be planted out. When planting, space plants 5-10 cm apart, onions prefer a sunny position with a rich but light soil, they will do well in most soils as long as it is firm.  Downy mildew, neck rot and white rot are the most common diseases that attack onions. To avoid these, plant disease-resistant varieties and keep the garden clean of diseased debris. If your veg garden is further inland start adding some compost and a little lime now in readiness for when you plant out later this month.   Cheers, Linda.

Nursed seedlings.

Gardening in Waitaki August 9th 2023

Pussy willow buds,

We are a little closer towards Spring as I see fluffy pussy willow and magnolia buds ahowing colour, a few rhododendrons bursting buds, early blossoms, flowering currant and viburnum flowering but it still feels very much like winter. Soil is wet and cold but as days lengthen ground temperature starts to rise gradually. It is the plants that let us know when Spring is here and they are happy to push out new growth. This is the time of the year I notice the yellowing of some plants, with the winter rain we have had ground gets depleted of nitrogen affecting shallow rooted camellias, azaleas and rhododendron, acid fertiliser especially formulated for them is available, ( If powder water in well) folia feeding is also beneficial now as roots are forming and looking for nutrients, I used a watering can to apply liquid comfrey feed made last summer as a boost to spring flowering plants that are showing movement. Worm tea diluted to (weak tea colour) horse / cow manure is an inexpensive folia / root food for newly planted annuals, perennials, roses and shrubs as new buds swell. Potted plants out growing their containers will soon show poor growth, these plants can be revived by reducing the root mass by half then re-potting back into the same pot or potting on into a larger pot. Remove the root bound plant from the pot and lay it on the ground, I use a sharp spade to chop the root ball in half. Then using tin foil, (shiny side against the inside of the pot ) will help with roots sunbaking, the use of a heavy tree and shrub mix is best for moisture retention. With all the slow release fertilisers on offer now it makes it easy to choose the right one for all plants. Keep planting roses, peony roses and gladioli from now until September if dividing or planting lilies get them planted straight away, they never stop making roots and should never dry out. Cut back : leggy, bush lavatera and buddleas they will bush up fresh new growth again in no time. Lawns Moss will be noticeable in lawns after a damp winter, there are a lot of products out there to deal with moss but killing the moss in lawns is simply a short term measure, it does not address the basic problem. If you really want to eradicate moss from your lawn, then you have to find the problem causing it. The reasons are varied, but not too difficult to isolate. Things that would be causing moss in your lawn could be: Water logging, Poor feeding regime, soil too acidic, shaded lawns and mowing lawns too close. Drought - not to be confused with a bit of summer-browning and compaction. Treating areas of moss in lawns can be carried out with sulphate of iron watered on at the strength displayed on the pack per sq meter, the moss will turn black and after a couple of weeks rake out the dead moss and re-seed. Moss rarely competes with strong growing lawns, the first lawn feed can be as soon as new growth is noticed. Slow release grass fertliser is ideal when the ground is wet and rain is about to happen, powdered grass fertiliser must be watered in either by rain or hose, if left to sit it will burn new growth. Vegetables Here on the coast get spring sowing off to an early start, plant peas and broad beans and veg seedlings on offer in garden centers. Further inland the soil will take a bit of thawing before any planting but an early start may be achieved by using a row of cloches or a stretch of clear polythene to warm and dry out the soil. Plenty to do preparing veg gardens by digging in humus/compost in readiness for the big plant out. I see seed potatoes are available for sprouting, then into the ground for early crop on the coast, people have been telling me of the benefits gained from planting potatoes on a bed of pine needles, I lay them on comfrey leaves but will use some pine needles as well this year, I am sure there will be many other potato planting traditions out there. Fruit Peach trees should be just about at bud burst so spray with a copper spray for leaf curl, once in blossom it is too late to spray. If you have not already pruned your peach or nectarine tree that's ok, they are best left until after the coldest weather. I will run through how to go about it. 1. Standard type trees are easily trained to an open center or vase shape with 3 or 4 primary scaffold branches or they can be trained to V-shaped trees with just 2 scaffold branches, cut larger branches needing removal close to the trunk leaving only a small collar to prevent decay in branches. 2. Remove small weak upright branches on trunk or main branches. 3. Leave 50 to 75% pencil thick shooting wood per tree. Both peach and nectarine trees fruit on wood developed last summer. Inspect the buds on newer wood, single buds are leaf buds, double buds are immature fruit buds and triple buds are mature fruit buds. Cut to an outward facing double bud, leave triples. Cheers, Linda

Peach bud swell.

Gardening in Waitaki August 2nd 2023

Hydrangea cuttings.

What will August weather hold for Gardens? going by my past notes we still have proper winter weather ahead before we can leap fully into spring, soil along with plant's need a continual cold spell to grow at peak performance. The down side to a late old snap is the damage that is done to new growth and fruit blossom. We need milder sun filled days for pollinators to do their job during the short blossom blooming period. Cold or not August is the time to think about creative ways to dress ornamental gardens by planning, planting out, shifting and feeding. Liquid feed annuals and perennials that have been nursed through winter, roots are starting to take in nutrients to plump up buds. Roses and hydrangeas will be still getting the winter prune, roses like flower carpet if well established can be trimmed with a hedge trimmer Hydrangeas will be showing fat green shoots, take hardened branches that flowered down to the second bud from the bottom and leave all non flowering growth as these will carry the new blooms. Hydrangea cuttings can be taken now, thick rather than thin cuttings are best about 12" long on a slant, dip cuttings in rooting hormone (this is optional), insert the slanted end into damp river sand, around the edge of a well draining pot rather than the middle, water well and sit in a sheltered place. Staking Trees: I have been noticing newly planted tall grafted trees planted in gardens without stakes, while the ground is firm and winds are usually few during winter come spring with unpredictable weather these trees will be whipped about moving roots that should be firm in the ground. Tree's left un-staked take much longer to make the roots needed to anchor them so grow slower, sometimes not at all. Seed sowing for me is under way, cottage annuals, cosmos, cornflowers, love in the mist, snapdragon and alyssum, plus, plus, plus can be sown under glass in trays to germinate in a warm place up off the cold ground. More tender annuals need to wait until it is warmer unless you have a heated glass house. Perennials and annuals already putting out growth need to be protected from any sudden freezing. Vegetable gardens: This month is the time for sowing veg seeds that should then be ready for pricking out into punnets to grow on ready for planting into a warm spring garden. Veg gardens will be enjoying the sunny days with frosts helping to break down soil. Birds will be hungry and starting to nest so cover leaf veg with netting or frost cloth to keep them off. Fruit Trees are available in Garden Centres, each fruit tree is grafted onto rootstock that will determine how large the tree will grow and should have the following codes on labels, M26 is ideal for espaliers and cordons. M27 is good for stepovers ( the smallest of fruit trees) or trees in pots. If in doubt, ask for advice from the seller. Grape pruning needs to finish soon before sap rises, to prune a fruiting leader remove all new long growth on the vine other than the fruiting leader, on leaders prune each new growth back to the second bud. These fruiting buds should be around a hand space apart to ensure adequate sized fruit, this means removing some of the new bud growth along the top of the leader and all new bud growth growing underneath. Some of these new budding top growths will throw two lots of bud branches, remove the least stronger one leaving only one lot of double buds to produce fruit. Keep an eye on peach budburst, in milder gardens it will happen early. A copper spray right at the bud burst will help with leaf curl. Scruff update: Since moving into a new subdivision Scruff our dog has had to settle for an average sized section, BUT feels he neededs to claim the whole of the area! no cat, bird, dog or person is allowed anywhere near. I was able, in our past large garden, to quiet him very vocally with no one in earshot. But now with Neighbours all around it is me that has been quietened and Scruff is happy in his defending the Subdivision.! Cheers, Linda

Scruff.