Gardening in Waitaki March 5th 2024

March is when seeds ripen and growth slows, it would be good, if able to slow down along with the growth and enjoy the mellow days.  it is time for the Autumn flower display to begin, autumn crocus has burst into flower along with nerines, chrysanthemums are budding and some spring bulbs are pushing through.  I spend a lot of time hand watering to top up moisture around plant roots while at the same time noticing what needs dead-headed or cut back, perennials cut back last month have already bushed up again to fill in gaps. I thought this would be a good time to mention the pruning and shaping of shrubs. Shrubs that flowered on previous years growth, rhododendrons, camellias, azalea, ceonothus, forsythia colonemia ( breath of heaven) only if needed can be reduced in size now while there is still enough growing season for them to recover before winter. In colder areas trimming of all flowering shrubs should be done as soon as flowering has finished, except hydrangeas leaving the spent flower heads on to protect new shoots through winter.Shrubs that flower on current years growth, daisy bushes, rosemary and fuchsia are best left with top growth on until spring. Caring for soil is important now after the intense heat and summer blooming this year, deep watering, and then the addition of organic matter either dug in or left as a top, mulch will help to condition soil in readiness for next spring. I wait until autumn leaves have been raked off gardens before I add the compost and pea straw cover that will take gardens through winter which leaves time from now until then to sow a cover crop like blue lupin, mustard, or alfalfa to add natural nitrogen to the soil. Dig in before flowering, or just cover with compost before a final cover of pea straw. Lawns. The grass grub damage will be showing up in lawns now with birds letting us know just where they are, I have decided to leave them for the birds to deal with then rake out all damaged patches and re-sow. Fruit: This is a wonderful gathering time, I am sure freezers will be filling with stewed fruit, and jams and relishes will be on the go. Vegetables: All seeds sown will germinate but watch the heat, I have covered my seed boxes with shade cloth to keep them from drying out. If planting out seedlings I would cover them as well to keep moisture in and white butterfly's off. Cheers Linda