Gardening in Waitaki December 4th 2024

Drying Herbs:

Wow the last month of the year already and so hot for the start of summer. If you are playing catch up before the Christmas break you can be assured gardens just keep on doing what they are supposed to regardless of weather conditions or people intervention. Endless cutting back will be going on as late spring flowering ends, It is disposing of everything that creates a problem for most, however, at this time of the year the cut-back growth is soft and with the help of daily heat it will break down in heaps or on the compost, so pile it up and leave until all moisture has gone and this will drastically reduce the green waste. Gaps left can be replenished with fresh compost and planted out in summer annuals. Catmint edging can be cut right back now, it will grow back and flower again if left clumps will make seed and collapse and flatten. English lavender will need cutting back now, it is worth, bunching and hanging once stems have firmed. Dried lavender will continue to give off that lovely fresh lavender fragrance for months if kept inside. Rhododendrons need spent flowers and seed heads removed, it will be impossible to do on very large bushes but beneficial to smaller bushes as you want them to put growth into the bush, not seeds. There is a point on a spent rhododendron flower /seed head when bent will break cleanly without damaging new growth. Roses: Keep moisture up to roses, deadhead to encourage new buds, and remove and destroy leaves showing rust or black spot. Lilies also need moisture kept up as the heat we are now experiencing dries the soil. Lilies prefer moist roots but like most bulbs will rot if water-logged. Hedge trimming will be ongoing, trim hedges if you feel they have put out all the spring growth they are going to. Buxus (box hedges) can be trimmed as soon as stalks snap cleanly when bent. Herbs are beginning to flower so if trimmed back now you will prevent them from running to seed and becoming woody. Herbs should be harvested before they flower when flavor and aroma oils are at their peak. Harvest early in the morning after the dew dries and before the heat of the day. Culinary herbs to pick and dry: rosemary, thyme, sage, dill, basil, chives, parsley, oregano, tarragon, and nasturtium (leaves and flowers) Once dried and rubbed glass jars can be filled. Fruit: black currants, raspberries, and gooseberries all need continuous sunny days to ripen. Large top leaves on strawberries can be removed to let more air and light in but will need to have a net cover if exposed to birds. Elder flowers are blooming so elderflower cordial is on the go again for me. It is so refreshing after a hot day in the garden, Gin, tonic, ice, and a splash of elderflower cordial. Make enough to give as a gift at Christmas along with a jar of dried mixed herbs, Elderflower cordial, 25 elderflower heads, zest and juice of 2 lemons and 1 orange, 1.5 litres boiling water 1kg sugar 1 heaped teaspoon citric acid. Method: Wash flower heads to remove any bugs, and place in a large bowl with orange/lemon zest. Bring water to boil, pour over flower heads and zest, cover, and leave overnight. Strain, pour into a saucepan, and add sugar, lemon /orange juice, and citric acid. Heat gently to dissolve sugar then simmer for a couple of minutes, bottle (sterilized), and seal. Vegetable garden: Weeds, as well as veg, are romping away but easy to pull while young. Keep potatoes mounded, not long now to harvest for Christmas dinner. Corn will be well up, add compost over roots as they need a good hold in the soil when windy. I find they get support from each other if planted in squares rather than a row. Pumpkins, zucchinis, and the like will not be coping with the early heat. The large leaves dehydrate quickly, covering them with shade cloth would be beneficial on very hot days. Cheers, Linda.