Rain and wind chill again in North Otago as new spring growth wants to retreat back into bud, but spring rain is always welcome here.The hum of bees is back when the sun shines on all the flowering cherries in blossom and what a magnificent display magnolias are making.
Now is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer flowering, I am sure every gardener enjoys trying new plants and colour combinations but keep an eye on seedlings with late frosts. Some I planted 3 weeks ago have germinated so I have been protecting them.
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 pansies, 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. Place a deep saucer on the basket bottom to catch and hold water before filling with planting mix.
Time to address root-bound pots, most established potted shrubs respond well to being removed and having 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, repot spring flowering shrubs after flowering.
Potted roses and hydrangeas need a deep pot that will not heat up and cook roots during 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 food and water supply. If a potted plant is left too dry for too long between watering it will never thrive.
Roses are leafing up now and the warmer it becomes the more aphids (greenflies) will be about, aphids settle on the top new growth of rose bushes and are easily visible 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 once the cold snap is over, as I have mentioned before seed must be sown thickly in spring to beat most 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 nourishment to become strong.
Fruit: Strawberries and rhubarb are starting to move, they need to be fed, watered, and mulched, manure enriched compost then straw, pine needles, or un sprayed grass clippings will do the trick around both.
Vegetables: Here on the coast Plant lettuce plants at two-week intervals and any spare ground could be planted in seed potatoes. Plant corn and pumpkin seeds early and protect once through the soil until frosts have passed, they both need a long ripening season.
Enjoy watching the glory of spring gardens as the beauty unfolds before our eyes.
Cheers, Linda.
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