Gardening in Waitaki 20th September 2023

Mount Fuji in full bloom.

Rain in North Otago last week and what a difference it has made to new growth and the lawns. I was out in the rain with the lawn fertiliser to boost them even more. The hum of bees is back with the flowering cherries in blossom and what a magnificent display magnolias are making around North Otago. It is a joy to be planting out bedding plants and putting the finishing touches to gardens when the sun shines. I am sure every gardener enjoys trying new plants and colour combinations and now is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer flowering, but keep an eye on seedlings with late frosts. Some I planted a couple of weeks ago and have been protecting are up and in need of transplanting and regular watering. Birds will be scratching about in gardens looking for worms and grubs to feed their young, They usually concentrate on the front edge of a garden making a mess on paths and lawns, if you have a problem with this, growing a mat forming a border will deter them. Some border plants to consider are catmint, lambs ear, alyssum, alchemilla mollis, dwarf agapanthus, armeria maritim (thrift), mondo grass, any low growing perennial plant that mats over soil. Baskets and pots need to be thought about now, use only shallow rooted plants for baskets like pansy, lobelia, small type petunias, nemesia, and trailers like dwarf sweet pea, with the addition of slow release fertiliser and water Chrystal's to keep them going. The roots of what you want to plant will determine the size and depth of a pot. Time to address root bound pots, most established potted shrubs respond well to being removed and half the roots removed with a sharp spade, then re potted in fresh mix with a good amount of plant food to suit the plant, Spring flowering potted shrubs can be repotted after flowering.Potted roses and hydrangeas need a deep pot which will not heat up and cook roots during the height of summer. Tin foil around the inside of a pot before filling,( shiny side facing out) will help keep roots cooler for roses, camellias, azaleas, hydrangeas and small trees and shrubs. All potted plants need excellent drainage and a consistent supply of food and water. If a potted plant is left too dry for too long between watering it will never thrive or look lush and healthy. Roses are putting outleaf now and the warmer it becomes the more aphids ( green fly) will be about, aphids settle on the top new growth of rose bushes and are easily visible on new small leaves for you to dispose of by removing with your finger and thumb. If you feel you need to spray, wait until the leaves are well grown and have hardened up a little or leave to encourage birds and predators to take the bugs. Lawns: New lawns sown on the coast should result in a strike now that the ground is warmer, as I have mentioned before seed must be sown thickly in spring to beat the annual weeds although annual weeds will be mowed out with the first mow. Keep the mower blades up when cutting spring grass to allow it to thicken and feed established lawns just before or during rain and they will stay lush, no feeding is required on very new lawns as they need to push roots down deep looking for moisture and nurishment to become strong. Vegetables: Here on the coast Plant lettuce plants at two week intervals and any spare ground could be planted out in seed potatoes. Plant corn and pumpkin seeds early and protect once through the soil until frosts have past, they both need a long ripening season. Fruit: Strawberries and rhubarb are starting to move, they need fed, watered and mulched, manure enriched compost then straw, pine needles or un sprayed grass clippings will do the trick around both. Cheers, Linda.