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.