Gardening in Waitaki November 3rd 2025

After that lovely rain this week, November gardens are bursting with growth, colour and, inevitably, plenty of weeds. Bidibid, chickweed and especially convolvulus seem to appear as thickly every year as the last. Convolvulus is the real nuisance; the only sure way to eradicate it is to dig out its mass of white, rope-like roots. It’s very satisfying when a long piece comes out whole, but remember that even the smallest section left behind will regrow quickly. Hydrangeas: are fully leafed out with flower buds forming for their summer display. Mulch now with manure-enriched compost for stronger growth and better blooms. Rhododendrons, azaleas and peony roses are beginning to make seed. Remove spent blooms on rhododendrons, particularly younger plants, to direct energy into growth rather than seed. There’s a point where the old bloom snaps cleanly without disturbing the new leaf tips; once found, deadheading is quick and easy. remove seed pods on peony roses before too much energy is put into ripening the seed. Roses are budding and swelling. Keep an eye out for early greenflies or rust. If fungal spores survived the winter, a combined fungicide/pesticide spray every fortnight helps keep new growth clean. Spray on a dull day to avoid bees and the sun burning through moisture droplets. Dahlias: are racing along, ensure they’re in full sun with around 10 cm of soil covering the tubers. Perennials and daisy bushes benefit from trimming back their first flush of spent flowers. Regular deadheading keeps them compact and flowering continuously; if seed is allowed to form, plants become woody. Remove old flowers on hellebores before the seed ripens to drop. Box hedging should have produced a good stretch of new growth by now. Established hedges can be trimmed back to the previous cut, but on new plantings, just even the tops and allow side growth to knit together. Choose an overcast day for trimming to avoid sun scorching the fresh cuts. When planting buxus, use 5–7 small plants per metre. Other hedges may also be trimmed once their spring flush is complete. Elderflower is in full bloom, for those who fancy making elderflower cordial, I use the following recipe. 30–40 elderflower heads, Zest and juice of 3 large unwaxed lemons,1.25 litres boiling water, 4 cups (800g) white sugar 2 teaspoons citric acid (optional, helps preserve and balance sweetness) . Rinse elderflower heads in cold water, shake dry, and remove thick stems. Put elderflowers into a large heatproof bowl or jar with lemon zest and juice. Pour over boiling water, stir, cover, and infuse for 24 hours. Strain through muslin into a pot, add sugar and citric acid, then gently boil until the sugar dissolves. Bottle the hot cordial in sterilised jars, seal, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks or freeze for longer. Lawns: Warm spring soil has helped grass seed germinate well. Repair bare patches by raking, adding sifted soil and sowing seed. Cover small areas with shade or frost cloth to prevent birds from pulling it out. Keep mower blades higher while the grass is lush—longer grass shades its roots and benefits from nightly dew, helping preserve soil moisture. Soft, unsprayed grass clippings make excellent mulch: spread thinly around shrubs, trees and garden beds to suppress weeds and build humus. Vegetables: It has been perfect weather for getting vegetables established. Keep weeds pulled early to give young plants space. A no-dig garden is a simple, effective way to grow summer veg. Choose a sunny spot on soil (not concrete) and frame it with boards, sleepers, logs or Oamaru stone. If building over existing grass, lay thick, saturated newspaper or cardboard to smother it. Build up alternating soaked layers of manure, compost, leaf mulch, dried clippings, soil and straw. Add river sand, a little lime and general fertiliser through the layers. Top with straw to hold moisture and suppress weeds. Then, plant at this time of year, you can expect to harvest within six weeks. Corn grows sturdily when planted in a block rather than a row, and pumpkins are thriving in current conditions. Tomatoes will soon need staking; if you don’t have a greenhouse, grow cherry or Russian Red tomatoes in pots in a warm, sheltered spot. Fruit: Berry fruits are racing ahead with the warmth and good bee activity. Keep moisture levels up, especially after wind, by giving trees and bushes a deep soak when rain is scarce. Mulch well to retain soil moisture. Grapes will be flowering: only feed vines that need it. Overfeeding established vines results in excessive leaf growth instead of fruit. A little potash helps fruiting, and remember that birds are waiting for all fruit to ripen. Cheers, Linda.