Gardening in Waitaki June 10th 2026

As we approach the shortest day of the year, there is still enough warmth in the midday sun to encourage slow growth, while frosts sweeten crops, improve soil structure and help reduce pests and diseases. If tender plants are at risk, cover them with frost cloth, allowing sunlight to warm the soil during the day and provide protection overnight. Trees and Shrubs: With deciduous trees now bare, this is the ideal time for inspection and maintenance. Remove any growth appearing below the graft on ornamental trees such as flowering cherries, magnolias, silver birch, ash and oak. Left unchecked, rootstock growth will eventually compete with the chosen variety, spoiling the tree's appearance and weakening its structure. Look for branches that cross, rub together or overcrowd the centre of the tree. Remove them completely rather than shortening them, making a clean, angled cut just outside the branch collar. Flowering cherries, crab apples and silver pears especially benefit from this thinning. To minimise the risk of silver leaf disease on prunus trees, prune only on a fine, dry day and disinfect tools with methylated spirits between trees. Standard Kilmarnock willows deserve annual attention. Their naturally ground-hugging growth has been grafted onto upright trunks, so dead growth accumulates beneath each season's canopy instead of breaking down naturally. Gently remove all old, brittle growth to prevent the tree from becoming top-heavy. Robinia mop tops also need their yearly cut back, removing all previous season's growth to maintain their neat, rounded shape, while weeping silver pears benefit from opening up the centre and removing any upright shoots. Spring Bulbs The best time for planting spring bulbs is Autumn, but there is still time to plant for a later spring display. Plant bulbs to a depth twice the diameter of the bulb; this depth ensures the darkness and moisture needed for bulbs to produce flowers. I have been nurturing seeds that germinated over the past two weeks. During these short winter days, they grow slowly, so I bring the trays indoors each night. On fine days, they go back outside, while on colder days, they remain in a bright spot indoors. Here on the coast, as the days gradually lengthen, growth will steadily accelerate, and by spring the seedlings should be a good size to pot up, bud and flower early. Further inland, where winter arrives earlier and lingers longer, gardeners need to be more patient, waiting until spring before new growth—apart from the ever-reliable spring bulbs bursting into action.   Flowers and Ornamentals Winter is an excellent time to lift and replant self-sown hellebores, lupins, violas, pansies, poppies, forget-me-nots and primulas. Polyanthas left in the garden from last year often multiply into generous clumps that can be divided and replanted. A light dressing of dried blood will encourage healthy green growth. Leucodendrons are a great addition to any garden, providing wonderful winter colour and making excellent cut flowers that last for weeks indoors. They thrive in full sun and well-drained acidic soil, dislike fertiliser and should never be moved once established.Compost and Mulch: I know I mention this often, but it is one of the best winter jobs, cleaning up fallen leaves, removing pest hiding places and spreading generous layers of compost over ornamental beds before topping with mulch. Earthworms will gradually work these nutrients down to the roots, ready for spring growth. Winter is also a good time to observe drainage problems while the ground is wet. Plants sitting in waterlogged areas can often be saved by lifting them, breaking through any clay pan beneath and adding stones or gravel to improve drainage if needed. Vegetable Garden: Frosts are helping break down heavy soil and reduce pest numbers, but winter vegetables still appreciate moisture during dry spells, as damp soil retains warmth better than dry soil.Continue planting broad beans, garlic, shallots, rhubarb and asparagus crowns on the coast. Have garlic ready for planting on the shortest day, using locally grown cloves rather than supermarket garlic wherever possible. Prepare next summer's leafy vegetable and onion beds with dolomite lime at approximately 250 grams per square metre if your soil requires it. Gardens that receive generous annual applications of compost often maintain a suitable pH naturally, reducing the need for regular liming.Glasshouses and tunnel houses should now be emptied of old summer crops, cleaned thoroughly and refreshed with new compost. Good hygiene now reduces problems next season. Fruit Trees: Bare-rooted fruit trees are arriving in garden centres this month. Prepare a sunny, open site with plenty of space for the tree to mature and receive maximum sunlight. Good air movement and access for pollinating bees will reward you with healthier trees and better crops in years to come.