Gardening in Waitaki September 13th 2023

A cool change this week here in Waitaki, I guess that is expected from spring weather. When the sun shines, bees are about working hard among blossoms and plants so all is as it should be in gardens. Seedlings need to be protected during cold snaps so if buying punnets of annuals get them accustomed to changeable weather and cold nights before planting them out and possibly losing them. Still too early for lobelia, begonias, petunias and marigold but not too early to sow seed of these under protection. Right now is the perfect time to plant seed for late spring and early summer flowers. Potted shrubs need to be inspected for root crowding, it takes only a year for some to exhaust the mix they are planted in. Remove from the pot if not too big and trim roots back by half with a sharp spade then replant into a fresh, heavy potting mix. Completely soak to the bottom of the pot to help the shrub settle back in with no air pockets. With Larger unmanageable pots and barrels top up with mix after pushing a sharp object down through the roots to create large holes for potting mix to be washed down in around established roots. However if after a number of years a shub stops thriving it will be time to start again with something fresh. Lavenders: Will be showing new growth now, if yours needs a trim do it now. English lavenders eventually get leggy and past it, don't nurse them thinking they will come back because they will probably not, dig them out and replace with new plants. Munstead lavender is the small edging variety which will not spill over a path. The bumble bee type, lavender major, are more manageable in borders and the French lavender dentata is a tall hedging lavender with serrated leaves that flowers all year round. lavenders like it dry but need to get roots down deep to tap into lower soil moisture, plant in full sun, give a dressing of lime from time to time, Lawns: The mowers are out again! keep catchers up while grass is lush and they will not dry out as they do when cut low. Make use of rain showers by fertilising lawns to boost new growth. Vegetables: Sow veg seeds into trays and protected from cold, cover seedling plants already planted from cold and birds. My board beans and peas are up and doing well and the seed potatoes are in, I am sure there will be clever Gardeners out there who already have potatoes up and growing in a sheltered spot, almost ready for the pot. I wait until I see a rogue potato left behind from last year's digging to send up leaves to let me know the ground is ready. Fruit: All berry fruits are on the move so food, water and mulching are needed for a good production, the earlier this is done the better the crops. The Garden corner at the Resource recovery park will be open again this weekend offering lots of natives and gap fillers. Cheers, Linda.

Repot root bound plants now