Gardening in Waitaki May 14th 2024

Here we are well into May and the days are lovely after light frosts,   This week I will cut back dahlias that blackened and collapsed from frosts over the last two weeks, I will not dig them out to store as what I left in last year came through the winter fine in this new garden. If you feel your dahlia tubers will be sitting in wet ground during winter it is best to dig and store them.  In my last large garden after compost and pea straw had been spread the gaps where dahlias had been would be filled with winter flowering annual wall flowers, poppies, and calendula ( winter marigolds)  Planting for interest in a winter garden: A few years ago I planted small clumps of the variegated iris, this iris has an insignificant blue flower but its interesting green and white striped leaves lighten a dull winter garden. I mass-planted them under standard iceberg roses and they made a wonderful show. The clumps became large quickly but were easy to dig and break up. Cineraria silver dust, (Silver ragwort)  is grown for the stunning silver foliage, and hardy, striking plants adding interest to a dull winter garden or winter pots, Take fresh tip cuttings and firm them into sifted river sand ( keep moist, not wet)  and they will have roots in no time. Cineraria silver dust is a good front border gap filler, I never let them flower and trim often to keep it compact.  Remove the old leaves from hellebores as they are budding up for a winter display, a fortnightly liquid feed can be given now if you feel they need boosting. The underside of hellebore leaves are a chosen place for aphids to winter over. Further inland it would be advisable to leave some top growth on to give frost protection to clumps.  Time has run out for a last hedge trim before winter sets in, if needed just a light tidy-up trim, leave hard cutbacks until the end of spring when new growth has finished. Erica's, I know I mentioned these not long ago but they are worth mentioning again for winter flowering. Erica's are in Garden centers now, budded, and ready to burst into winter colour. The low-growing variety are wonderful ground cover for low-maintenance gardens and the mid-height ericas as melanthera never let me down in a winter garden. Trim spent flowers from erica's that flowered through the summer months to keep them compact and they will put out fresh new green growth through winter. All erica's like dry acid soil and full sun, no lime.  I have shifted all trays of my plant cuttings into a light warm spot and raised them from the cold ground for them to continue growing well over winter. Check trays & pots are draining well, some of mine were holding too much water and needed drainage holes unblocked.  Inside pot plants need less watering from now on and need to be moved away from cold glass as night temperatures drop.   Lawns: It is time to keep the mower blades high enough to pick up leaves, rake, or mow fallen leaves from lawn areas because they restrict the light grass is needing now as days shorten.   Vegetables: Clear out finished summer veg or dig in any leafy veg ( not root veg ). Work in manure-enriched compost with a little lime if the soil has been extensively cropped over the summer. Scruff the dog has taken the responsibility of our property protector up a level to be the street protector !!  Dogs, cats, birds,' vehicles, and people seem to need a good barking when passing, I feel it could be boredom having no chickens and rabbits to chase now. Cheers, Linda