Gardening in Waitaki May 7th 2025

What a difference a rain makes during Autumn; however, some areas will still need a good soak, as it is the shallow-rooted trees and shrubs that need help before winter. I have lost aged maples because of dry Autumn conditions, so I now always give them all a good soak before winter. Other shallow-rooted shrubs that may be looking for a good soaking are rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, daphne, hydrangeas, lilacs, cornus (dogwood), buxus, and viburnums.   Ready compost should be going down fast onto gardens to make room for autumn leaves, annual weeds, and lawn clippings to refill the bins for autumn compost.Potting seedlings: I have been potting up well-grown seedlings before the nights get colder, because they are straight from seed trays frost cloth has gone on at night. I remove it on sunny days but once we start getting frosts it will remain on until spring. Remove water trays from pots now, soil in pots should stay damp from now on. Potted plants should never be waterlogged throughout winter, as this will lead to plant roots freezing and rotting. This is a great time to make new perennial beds or reorganise existing beds, with perennial clumps increasing in size annually, they soon overfill a space. Lift overgrown clumps, break up and replant some of the youngest growth from the perimeter. Healthy vigorous plants can be reduced by putting a sharp spade in where you would like a reduction, then lifting the cut portion out without disturbing the remaining plant. I had to do this almost annually in my past large garden with asters, phlox, aubretia, small grasses, hostas, and herbs like sage, thyme, and lemon balm.  Rockery plants can be divided now as well. Once plants have been sectioned and rearranged, cover the soil around plants with compost to encourage new root growth, Compost also helps to keep perennial beds warmer through the colder months. All old leaves from my hellebores  (winter roses) have now been removed, they are budding up for a winter display, a fortnightly liquid feed can be given now if you feel they need boosting. Further in land it would be advisable to leave some top growth on to give frost protection to soft new growth, once hardened remove all leaves to display flowers. Lilies, this is the main time to shift or divide old, overgrown clumps of lilies. Be careful not to break the fleshy scales and to retain all the basal roots. Don't pull the old stems away from the bulb as it leaves a hole where water can enter and cause rot, just cut old stems short and bend. Never allow Lilly bulbs to dry out while out of the ground. I plant lilies on a little river sand and cover with compost, which has had blood and bone added. May is the planting month for tulips  bulbs should be in retail outlets when they open, plant them at least 8 inches (20cm) deep in a  well drained sunny spot . Vegetables: Continue planting strawberry plants, raising the beds where drainage is suspect, and adding manure-rich compost. There is still a good choice of veg seedlings on offer for planting before the soil gets too cold, warm autumn soil gets roots off to a good start before growth slows. Fruit: Feijoas are plumping up and our NZ cranberries (myrtus ugni) are ripe for eating, also figs should be ready along with walnuts and hazelnuts  so still a lot of gathering happening. Cheers, Linda.