Gardening in Waitaki 4th March 2025

What a marvelous rain on Monday night, and then more showers today. Rain like that will keep autumn back a little longer as March is usually the ripening season, when seeds ripen, and growth slows with the dryness. However there will be no holding autumn back too long and If possible, take the opportunity to slow down along with the garden and enjoy the mellow days. This is also the time for the autumn flower display to begin—autumn crocus bursts into bloom alongside nerines, chrysanthemums are budding, and some spring bulbs are already pushing through. I spend a lot of time deadheading and cutting back, and the perennials pruned last month have already bushed up again, filling in gaps. This is a good time to mention the pruning and shaping of shrubs. Shrubs that flowered on the previous year’s growth—such as rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, ceanothus, forsythia, and coleonema (Breath of Heaven)—can be reduced in size now if necessary. There is still enough growing time left for them to recover before winter. In colder areas, all flowering shrubs should be trimmed as soon as flowering finishes, except for hydrangeas, which benefit from leaving spent flower heads on to protect new shoots through winter. Shrubs that flower on the current year’s growth—such as daisy bushes, rosemary, and fuchsia—are best left with their top growth intact until spring. Soil care is important now, following the intense heat and summer flowering and heavy rain the addition of organic matter—either dug in or left as a top mulch for worms to carry down to roots will help condition the soil for next spring. For some gardens, I need to wait until autumn leaves have been raked off or raked aside to allow a green crop to be sown before adding compost, blue lupin, mustard, or alfalfa, which will naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen. Dig it in before flowering, or simply cover it with compost before applying the final layer of pea straw if needed. Lawns: Grass grub damage will be noticeable in lawns now, with birds showing us exactly where the pests are, because lawns are soaked by the rain leave them for the birds to manage, then rake out the damaged patches and re-sow. Fruit: This is the produce gathering time freezers will be filled with stewed fruit, while jams and relishes are in full swing. Vegetables: Seeds sown now will germinate, but watch out for heat stress, cover with shade cloth to prevent drying out. If planting out seedlings, I recommend covering them as well to retain moisture and protect against white butterflies. Main crop potatoes should be well on, they need longer in the ground and should be left in the garden until the tops die back in autumn before harvest. They will be larger, thick-skinned, and should also store well. When to harvest corn: When the tassels of silk turn brown and dry the ear begins to ripen to maturity and it will start to angle away from the stalk. As the ear nears maturity the tip also changes from a definite point to a more blunted end. In this stage, the juice from the kernels changes, when pricked, ripe kernels will produce a milky white substance. If the fluid is clear, it’s not ready; if no fluid runs at all, it’s past maturity and likely inedible. Cheers, Linda

Gardening in Waitaki February 26th 2024

Another lovely week with moisture, perfect growing weather, continuous colorful blooms, and the intoxicating fragrance of jasmine and roses wafting among lush summer foliage. As February progresses, we start thinking about the cooler months ahead, now is the time for an end-of-season clean-up—tackling it while the weather is still mild. I have been trimming back hebes that have, and are flowering, they run to seed quickly and If seed heads are left new growth will start from that point leaving leggy gaps below. Keep them trimmed and they will stay bushy. For superior blooms on gerberas, dahlias, and delphiniums, remove spent flowers and excess buds, while giving fortnightly feeds of liquid fertilizer. Soil is getting hungry now so soak well after pruning and top up with compost to encourage new roots. Summer Shrub and Tree Care :Resist the urge to shift shrubs now; they will suffer from transplant shock even if watered well. Instead, wait until the end of autumn when sap levels drop. If large shrubs must be moved, begin wrenching, which means digging up and lifting one-half of the roots while packing compost underneath to stimulate new feeder roots. Keep watering to support the remaining untouched root system, this will avoid transplant shock when the tree or shrub is lifted and replanted in late autumn. Seed Collecting and Storage: with the hot weather, seeds are ripening fast. Look out for foxgloves, poppies, dianthus, lupins, marigolds, sweet peas, lavender and snapdragon seed pods. Store them in brown paper bags in a dry place, away from mice, to plant now or in late winter. Lawn Preparation: If you plan to sow a new lawn in autumn, start preparing now by removing all perennial weeds, then once weeds are well dead rotary hoe the area to ensure there will be no hard pan. Then roll the soil to firm if able to create an even service, then it's raking and more raking to ensure a fine layer of soil on top to sow grass seed, once sown rake over the seed through prepared soil. The warm ground and gentle sprinklings of watering will have the seed struck in no time. Leave any fertilizing until the lawn is established. Vegetable gardens should be abundant now: Keep planting root veg and fill soil gaps with a green crop to be dug in before flowering, this helps enrich the soil. Start planning your winter garden and allocate beds for strawberries, garlic, and broad beans. Strawberries: Remove spent plants, trim runners from those being kept for another season, and transplant strong runners for next year's crop. Apples: Because of birds feasting, pick fruit early and store in a cool place, check often for any signs of rot. Grapes will need covering to prevent bird damage. Cheers, Linda.

Gardening in Waitaki February 19th 2025

The hot, muggy days last week, combined with good rainfall, created ideal growing conditions but weren’t great for harvesting—nature doesn’t always cater to everyone. Cutting back and tidying plants to encourage summer flowering is still ongoing, once areas are cleared a dressing of compost and then a deep watering would be beneficial to provide much-needed humus to soil drained of nutrients from summer growth. Leaf mulch makes perfect humus so with autumn approaching consider allocating a space, bin, or even bags for storing gathered leaves with the addition of moisture to help decompose into leaf mulch. Continue deadheading roses and dahlias to prolong flowering. Deadheading roses and dahlias is a critical part of care. It means removing the remains of the spent. By doing this, the plant’s ‘desire’ to set seed is frustrated, so it puts its energies into growing more flowers. Continual deadheading means flowering continues until the onset of winter. Spring bulbs are now available in garden centers. It may feel odd to think about spring at this time of year, but to acquire a stunning spring garden, planting must start now. Bulbs should be planted at the depth recommended on the packaging—typically 4 to 6 inches of soil on top—to ensure they survive dry periods while dormant. Plant in groups for the best effect, a drift of daffodils and grape hyacinths (match heads), tulips, and hyacinths, or a drift of any spring bulbs with forget-me-not make a stunning spring show. I also adore iris planted in drifts, plant bearded iris in an area where they can stay, rake mulch away from their rhizomes so they get good baking from the summer sun, and divide rhizomes as they age. Lawns will benefit from a good feed now—have fertilizer ready for the next rainfall. If you notice dead patches, grass grubs are likely the cause. There is still time to treat them before May when they are actively feeding on roots. For years, treatment granules were unavailable, but a new solution is now on the market. Native organic Neem granules effectively combat grass grubs and other garden pests, making them worth researching. Vegetables and fruit are still growing well, so maintain consistent watering on days when evaporation is minimal. Birds are targeting outdoor tomatoes and ripening apples, old net curtains or frost cloth can be used as a cover to keep them hidden. Apricot trees can be pruned as soon as all fruit has been harvested. Cheers, Linda

Gardening in Waitaki February 11 2025

Another week of unpredictable weather here on the coast while inland gardens and people sweltering in the heat. February is an excellent month for taking cuttings and propagating your plants. By late summer, the soft new spring growth has hardened, making cuttings less prone to moisture loss from their leaves. Semi-succulent plants like geraniums (Pelargoniums) and impatiens are ideal for beginners. Still, many common shrubs—such as abelia, buxus, lavender, camellia, choisya, fuchsia, and hebe—also have a high success rate as do all those lovely African daisies available now. The key to successful propagation is keeping cuttings alive while they develop roots. Professional nurseries use glasshouses with heated beds and regular misting, but home gardeners can achieve great results with the following method.1: Take cuttings early in the morning while it's still cool. Select tip pieces about 100–150mm long and place them in a bucket with enough water to keep them upright. If needed, they can remain in the bucket for a couple of days, and work in the shade.2: Fill a deep container with river sand or crusher dust, water it thoroughly, and allow it to drain.3: Trim the base of each cutting just below a leaf node (where a leaf is or was attached). Remove the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top, large leaves can be cut in half to reduce water loss. 4: Dip the base of each cutting in rooting hormone (gel or powder). 6: Use a pencil to create holes in the mix; a 150mm pot can hold about six cuttings. Insert each cutting into a hole and gently press the mix around it. 7: Water carefully and place the pot in a lightly shaded area. A plastic cover isn’t needed at this time of year, but check regularly to ensure the mix stays moist. After a couple of months, gently move the stems—if they feel firm, the roots have started to develop. Once well-rooted, transplant cuttings into individual pots with potting mix and feed with a mild liquid fertilizer. Raise pots off the cold ground over winter before planting them in larger containers or directly in the garden in spring. Compost bins will be working well to break down garden and food waste, I have been emptying mine from the bottom, happy that the many worms have enjoyed time contributing to turning waste into great compost.  Seed Collecting. Many seed pods are ripening, making it the perfect time to start collecting seeds. I’m filling small paper bags with sweet peas, cosmos, lavatera, delphiniums, and nasturtiums, to name a few.Monarch Butterflies. On sunny days, Monarch butterflies are actively laying eggs on swan plants, leading to an abundance of caterpillars that can strip the plants quickly. If you don’t have enough swan plants to sustain all the caterpillars, it’s best to remove and squash eggs. If your swan plants are in pots, consider bringing them indoors to prevent butterflies from laying eggs on them. Swan plants don’t develop hardwood, making them vulnerable to frost in very cold areas. However, some mature swan plant trees can be found in North Otago. I’ve had success overwintering young plants by covering them with a double layer of frost cloth. Lawn Care: Lawns are retaining growth well because of the overcast weather.  Keeping mower blades set higher will help shade the roots and retain moisture.Have lawn fertiliser handy to spread on lawns during the next downpour. Fruit Trees: There should be an abundance of plums, apples, pears, nectarines, and late peaches being picked, such a joy to have them in a garden. Feed citrus trees with citrus food, If you notice scale on leaves and branches, spray with winter oil. If your lemon tree is becoming crowded, remove a few branches to improve airflow and allow more light in for pollinators because lemon bushes have a very long fruiting season. Vegetables: There’s still plenty of growing time left! Keep sowing vegetable seeds like carrots, beetroot, parsnips, spring onions, and lettuce. Seedlings planted now will need protection from birds until they grow larger. Late potatoes should be in flower now, mounding is needed to keep light out.  Cheers, Linda

Gardening in Waitaki February 5th 2025

Some lovely summer days came our way this week to remind us how lazy, hazy summer days should consistently be. However, cutting back plants as they run to seed is a constant to keep blooms coming. Dead-heading dahlias by taking stalky old growth right back to where the stem is plumper keep them bushy and flowering longer, Roses are budding up again after the first blooming, it takes about six weeks from a prune at a new outwards-facing bud to new blooms. Watering and mulching with aged compost will keep roses healthy and blooming right through until early winter. Agapanthus are taking center stage in gardens right now. The blues have a cooling effect on hot summer days, and the whites highlight shaded garden areas. They are perfect for dry banks, under trees, and any part of a large garden where they are allowed to multiply and form drifts of colour. Dividing agapanthus can be done when they have finished flowering. Cut English lavenders back by 2/3rds as they flower once, and give them a dressing of blood and bone. However, if they are too old and woody, they will probably not put out new growth, so take cuttings from what you cut back and grow a few new plants. Lavender stoechas and dentata (French lavender) will keep producing flowers if trimmed often. Catmint and alyssum also need a cutback to encourage another flowering. It's the right time from now on to plant large flowering (hybrid) clematis to get roots established before winter. A fungus spray at planting will help eliminate the wilt problem some clematis suffer from, when planting try not to disturb the roots, and sprinkle a little lime to sweeten the soil. There are some stunning hybrid clematis on offer with huge or delicate flowers in vibrant shades that to me have a tropical look climbing and spilling through gardens. Seed collecting begins again and the sowing of well-dried seeds for colour during autumn and early winter, pansy, poppies, statice, calendula, primula, cineraria, alyssum, and snapdragon will all get an early start if sown now into seed trays then placed in semi-shade to germinate. Lawns: All lawns will be stressed now, weeds can be spot-sprayed out with product at the suggested strength, it is best to do this in the heat of the day when weeds will be thirsty. I pop them out with the blade of my secateurs and that works fine. Keep the catcher up and leave it off when mowing from time to time to let clippings feed back into the lawn. Fruit & Veg: Overcast days have slowed ripening down but with a few more sun-filled days like last week fruit, veg, and filled glasshouses will make up that lost time. Corn, tomatoes, and all in the pumpkin family need continuous heat. Keep rotating root and leaf vegetables to get the best results, i.e. where carrots have been growing, plant lettuce. Cheers, Linda.

Hybrid clematis's

Gardening in Waitaki January 28th 2025

Nothing like a good heavy summer rain like we received last week to freshen lawns and gardens. Geraniums are doing well this year, an old but reliable plant that gives heaps of colour all through summer & autumn. Some very pretty and different varieties are on offer nowadays, they are a wonderful plant for pots and the ivy type is lovely in hanging baskets. This is one plant that will not fail to root when cuttings are planted. Geraniums are so easy to grow in full sun and they do not mind if you forget to water them for a while because they like to be a little dryer than most other plants. Tree peonies will need old stems that flowered cut out, this will reduce their size by half and stop the seed pods from popping everywhere. Don't let tree peonies get away and swamp other plants, they can also send out runners from the mother plant that pop up all over the place. Cut them out if they are not wanted. Same for euphorbia plants, there are many different types of euphorbia and they are all worthy of having a spot in the flower garden or just planted grouped to make an impact but seed heads must be cut back to stop them spreading. I recommend wearing gloves when deadheading euphorbia because the white milky sap can result in redness of exposed skin, swelling and sometimes blistering and should not come in contact with eyes. If this happens gently wash the exposed skin with soap and water. Rinsing with water alone will not be enough to remove the sap from the skin. Don't let this put you off introducing these lovely plants into your garden. After a wet overcast period, snails will be about. I came across a method of dealing with them that I have put into place and thought I would share with you. Scientists have discovered that slugs and snails detest caffeine. Pouring the dregs of your morning coffee on the ground will drive them away. Even better, add coffee grounds to your mulch or potting mix. Ask your local coffee shop if you can recycle their leftovers and mulch your hostas, lettuce seedlings, and more. Now is a great time to give this a try.I pulled all the eaten leaves off hostas, cineraria and lettuce plants and the first lot of coffee grounds have been spread around, I will let you know the outcome. Slug bait is poisonous to birds and dangerous for children. Plants in pots can be protected with a thick band of Vaseline applied right around the rim of the pot - impossible for slugs and snails to cross. Healthy plants will resist pests better than struggling, spindly specimens. Feed your plants well and ensure that they get adequate water. Encouraging birds into your garden to control pest populations, not spraying allows insect predators to get to work. Roses: Spray or not to Spray is a big question when it comes to pests on your roses. When you spray you also eliminate the predators, predators take longer to restore their population than the fast-breeding pests, so the problem seems to worsen when we spray and it becomes an endless cycle. I opted not to spray in my past large garden and it took only a couple of growing seasons for pests and predators to take care of things. I removed the rust and black spot-affected leaves and destroyed them and kept a good supply of food up to the roses keeping them strong and healthy. >earwigs can eat great holes in your flowers overnight, an earwig trap made from an upturned plant pot filled with scrunched-up newspaper resting on top of a bamboo stake pushed into the ground makes an ideal hiding place for these nocturnal pests - you can tip them into rubbish or leave the bodies on the bird table. Spittlebugs, hidden in a foamy 'spittle' like substance, can be removed with a strong jet of water from the hose, or even by hand. If you are looking for non-toxic solutions to keeping those bugs down, try the following sprays. Garlic garden spray: 3 large cloves of crushed garlic, 1 tbsp of vegetable oil, 1 tsp of liquid soap, and 1 litre of water. Combine the garlic and vegetable oil and leave to soak overnight. Strain and add to the water along with the liquid soap. Spray regularly. Rhubarb spray: Aphids can also be eliminated with Rhubarb spray. Boil 5 rhubarb leaves in a large pot of water for approximately 10 mins. When cooled add a squirt of dishwashing detergent to fix the spray to the leaves. Rhubarb leaves contain toxic oxalic acid. Lawns:Spot spray weeds during warm days, use the right product that kills the weeds and not the grass. There are a few on offer, even some that weed and feed at the same time. Apply lawn fertiliser when we next get rain. Vegetables: where to plant from now & when to harvest, Basil (herb) Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from March - April Beetroot Sow in garden. Harvesting from February - April. Cabbage Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvesting from March-May Carrot Sow seed in the garden, water well and harvest from March - April. Chives Sow seed in the garden, harvest from February - April Dwarf beans: (also French beans, Bush beans) Sow in the garden, harvest from February - April Fruit: Those with fruit bushes and trees may be disappointed with low crops due to the many overcast days that kept bees and pollinating insects away. Apples will be well on now with some cooking varieties almost ready and attracting wasps, if this is happening on your tree remove all wasp-damaged fruit away from the tree, even those on the ground because it will be these bringing the wasps. Hopefully, later crops will get the sun needed for ripening. Cheers, Linda.

Gardening in Waitaki January 15th 2025

Happy New Gardening Year To all who toil in the soil, a warm welcome to another year of gardening adventures! gardening understandably will have taken a back seat and with the days being so changeable enthusiasm is not quite there yet for me but deadheading has to be done, if seeds on plants are left they will mature and flowering will be shortened. I do let some plant seeds mature to save in brown paper bags. One blessing this summer has been not having to drag hoses around so often, a time-saver and a relief for those who spent time away knowing their gardens would remain fresh and blooming on their return. Seed Collecting: I’ve started collecting seeds from sweet peas, sweet William, poppies, , delphiniums, dianthus, lavender, cosmos, marigold, and lavatera to name a few, storing them in small paper bags to plant either in Autumn and carry seedlings through winter or sow in late winter for a spring germination. Roses: Certain rose varieties are naturally more susceptible to fungal attacks, particularly when days are overcast, warm, and damp. Rust on leaves can be a problem during strong, warm winds drying out the soil between waterings. To manage these problems: remove affected leaves regularly: Spray with a fungicide when time permits. : Avoid using sprinklers late in the day if it’s overcast, as wet foliage combined with warm nights encourages mildew. Deep watering around the roots is essential to keep fungus at bay.: Collect and dispose of all diseased leaves from around the base of plants. To support continuous rose blooming, add compost and blood & bone or a slow-release fertilizer to replenish nitrogen. Keep deadheading roses and give them a summer prune: cut spent flower stems down to an outward-facing bud on a sturdy part of the stem. Hydrangeas and Petunias: Hydrangeas are stunning this year, with vibrant blooms and healthy foliage, likely thanks to frequent rain, but petunias and other soft flowering plants are taking a hit with overcast dampness, keep deadheading they will soon bounce back when we get the sunny days we should be getting. Rhododendrons: Deadheading rhododendrons is tedious but worthwhile for young plants. Removing spent flowers helps direct energy into bushy growth rather than seed production. You’ll find a point where the old flower heads break off cleanly without damaging new shoots—once you get the hang of it, it’s quite satisfying. Chrysanthemums: Stake now before they grow too tall. Tip cuttings can be taken and rooted in river sand. These lovely flowers will provide vibrant color in autumn. With very tall varieties the first new grow can be removed leaving the second growth to grow shorter. Lawns: I recently fertilized the lawn during heavy rain, which also fed the weeds! Spot spraying for weeds is now on my to-do list—it’s an ongoing battle to keep the lawn looking its best on clay soil, leaving the catcher off now and then helps build up humus and keeping the mower blades higher avoids drying roots during summer. Fruit and Veggies: Current and berry jams should be on the go now for some Gardeners if this dull season has achieved ripening. I like to pick and freeze then make jam when the time allows. For black currents I cut off fruiting branches before removing the currants, pruning as I harvest. In the vegetable garden: Seeds are sprouting quickly after sowing, .Lettuces are holding well without bolting. Corn is growing steadily, while pumpkins seem to need a pep talk—they, like corn, require a long, hot ripening season. Tomatoes struggle also during overcast days. In glasshouses, keep the environment moist during the day to deter whiteflies, which prefer dry conditions but keep plants dry going through the night to avoid fungus. Keep planting vegetables (except for corn and pumpkin, which should have been started earlier), and enjoy the abundance your garden has to offer! Cheers, Linda.