And now it is almost November and this spring weather is proving to be a challenge with all the rain but here in North Otago we cannot turn down spring rain. The spring blossom is still lasting without the usual strong October winds.
Roses are ready to take over from the camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, Iris's are also pushing through fat buds.
Remove mulch from iris rhizomes, they push themselves out of the ground now to be exposed to the sun, I love to see iris planted in large drifts to make an impact but most town gardens do not have the room for this.
If you have a display of forget-me-nots putting on a show now, don't pull them out when finished but cut them back, they will soon green up for summer and then flower again next spring.Some suggestions for planting garden colour are cosmos, marigolds, petunias, bedding dahlia, and blue salvia. Cat-mint edging is starting to show colour,
cat-mint is such a pretty edging that can be cut back after the first flowering to flower again. While this is happening sections with roots can be pulled from the main clump and potted up to grow a root ball, then planted out as edging in another part of the garden.
Trim spent blooms from flowering perennials and daisy bushes often to keep them bushy and continuously in flower, if you let flower heads go to seed the bush or plants will become woody.
Chrysanthemums and tall perennial asters flowering time is not until the end of summer, if cut back now they will grow up a second time but hopefully not so tall and fall all over the place. Chrysanthemum tips can be put into river sand to make roots for new plants.
Planting on a slope: Spring is a good time to plant out a slope or bank, the ground is moist and plant roots are growing fast which means they will get a good hold before the dreaded winds arrive. Spray out all competing weeds. If it is possible terracing a steep slope with rocks or sleepers would be beneficial to hold moisture around the roots. If this cannot be done try not to disturb soil/clay in areas that are not being planted. If the soil is disturbed and broken up it will wash away with rain and watering.
Planting; Dig a hole that is deep into the bank and shallow at the front, (an angle hole) this will create a hollow reserve for water. Make sure it dips down at the back for water to pool. Use stones around each plant, this will help prevent wind from blowing soil away from the roots. Choose plants that grow in dry conditions. South African plants grevillea, leucadendron, and Proteas would work. Ask at a Garden center what survives well in a pot without a lot of watering, plants that can be left for a while without water and they still look good.
Lawns: Grass, Grass. Grass...So much mowing! If like me you have not had to spray lawn weeds you can sprinkle your clippings around the garden as humus but not in thick piles, spread it out so it can break down fast. Your garden can take as much fresh green growth as you throw at it now the warmth is here.
Resown patches left from grass grub and moss removal damage will repair fast now if birds are kept off, try covering them with shade cloth until the seed has germinated, works for me.
Fruit bushes and trees are responding to spring as they should, the bees have done a wonderful pollinating job and we should all get bumper crops with the right amount of sun and moisture. Mulch around the drip line of all fruiting trees and shrubs to keep moisture from evaporating while the fruit is forming.....it's all on now for growing our own food.
Veg Garden Growth is amazing this spring with the warmth and moisture, potatoes are up for mounding, root veg is ready for thinning, leaf veg is heartening up and no white butterflies here to annoy them yet, young broad beans are ready for picking, no rust nor an aphid to be seen yet! Corn, runner and French beans have popped through and the snails were waiting so they have been covered and it is warm enough to plant tomatoes, cucumber, and all from the pumpkin family.
Cheers, Linda.
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