Judy's Garden Calendar July
Winter is well and truly here, and much of the garden is quietly waiting for warmer days to arrive.
Vegies to sow in July – Spinach
Sow spinach seeds every couple of weeks (in pots in cold areas) and you’ll be able to eat these health-promoting greens right through until late spring. Harvest by picking leaves from the outside of the clump as soon as they reach the size you prefer. Yates Winter Queen Spinach develops relatively large leaves that retain a good texture. Sauté spinach lightly; the leaves will turn to mush if they’re cooked too long. Yates Baby Spinach is ideal for salads.
Flowers to sow in July
Yates English Daisies (Bellis perennis) produce single and semi-double flowers in soft shades of pink, maroon and white. These low-growing clumps look at their best as an edging along a border or at the front of a garden bed. Removing spent flowers will encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding.
Feed in July
Herbs are just about to take off with new growth so this is a good time to sprinkle some Yates Blood & Bone around them. Blood and bone releases relatively slowly, so it will still be working as the weather warms.
Prune in July
July is arguably the most important month of the year for pruning. Deciduous fruit trees that weren’t pruned after harvest should be cut back now. Thin out crowded growth and shorten long shoots. Prune grapes and kiwifruit back to short, fruiting laterals coming off main stems. Prune long-blooming roses back by half to two- thirds, removing the oldest and weakest shoots.
July pest watch
Scale infestations can be treated this month with the help of a Conqueror Oil spray. But white louse scale, often found on the trunks and branches of roses, can be particularly difficult to eradicate. Control with a spray of Yates Lime Sulphur after pruning. It can also be helpful to use an old toothbrush to scrub and remove this pest from the stems and branches. Lime Sulphur will also clean up scale, moss and lichen on other deciduous plants like fruit trees. It can be sprayed at winter strength while the plants are bare of leaves.
July job file
Lift clumping plants (such as daylilies). Break up clumps and re-plant sections into soil that’s been enriched with compost and Dynamic Lifter pellets. Plant out, or transplant, deciduous plants.
Plant of the month – Camellias
Camellias, especially the shade- loving japonicas with their solid build and matching fat flowers, are at their peak in July. They don’t necessarily have to be pruned but any trimming that’s required – or desired – should be done immediately after flowering has finished. Follow up with a feed of Yates Thrive Granular for Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons. These plants prefer an acidic soil. Unsuitable soils can be treated with Yates Acitone, a tonic for acid-loving plants.
Article supplied by Yates New Zealand.
Growing Calendar June
In June we have winter’s arrival and the shortest day of the year. But gardens go on growing, albeit a little more slowly than during the warmer months.
Vegies to sow in June
As long as the soil is well drained and not too cold, broad beans can be sown in June. These cold-loving vegies have so much to offer. They add valuable nitrogen to the soil and are said by some to clean up root-damaging nematodes. Then, in spring, the beans can be enjoyed at their young, tender and delicious best.
Flowers to sow in June
It’s not too late to sow sweet peas, especially the small-growing varieties – e.g. Pixie Princess, Cupid or Bijou – into pots. If sowing direct into garden beds (only for warm areas), make sure that they have good drainage. Otherwise the seeds might rot away before they germinate.
Feed in June
With World Environment Day in June, this is a good time to feed with a natural-type fertiliser such as blood and bone or Dynamic Lifter. They release gently, which suits the slower growth at this time of year, and they don’t dump lots of soluble nutrients to pollute waterways etc. Plus, they’re produced from waste materials, which means another environmental benefit.
Prune in June
Cut back asparagus ferns that have turned brown. New shoots will emerge from the soil in spring.
June’s a good month to check your pruning tools and get them ready for winter action. Sharpen secateurs, clean saws and tighten and oil joints. Take the opportunity to wrap some brightly-coloured tape around the handles so, when tools end up half buried in the mulch, they’ll still be easy to see.
June pest watch
After their leaves fall, give deciduous fruit trees a clean-up spray with a copper fungicide. Yates Champ DP dissolves readily and is easy to apply. Next month you can follow up with a winter-strength white oil spray to kill off aphids, mites and scale insects.
Plant of the month
It’s hard to beat daphne for winter colour and perfume. Pink or white-flowered Daphne odora is still the favourite, but look out, too, for some of the new daphne varieties.
June job file
Watch out for the weeds that flourish in winter. Lawn daisies and other broad-leafed weeds begin to pop up in lawns. Yates Turfix will remove them without harming the grass. Spray emerging chickweed before it has time to seed. Roundup Fast Action will do the job, even at this time of year, but don’t allow it to contact any wanted plants.
Growing Calendar May
Vegies to sow in May – Onions
Onion seeds can be sown now in warmer climates. The seeds can go straight into the ground, but many expert onion growers suggest starting them in what’s termed a ‘seed bed’, a small section of pre-prepared garden bed. With this method the onions will be all crowded together to start with, and transplanted when they’re about the thickness of a pencil. While the seedlings are growing, prepare the soil by digging in old manure or compost and, in most areas, some Yates Garden Lime
Flowers to sow in May – Linaria
Linaria is a pretty little plant that’s also called ‘Fairy Bouquet’, a name that gives a good indication of the delicacy of its flowers. It’s an easy variety to grow – just scatter the seeds onto the soil, rake in and keep moist (not soggy). Thin crowded seedlings.
Prune in May
In warm areas tibouchinas and oleanders should be cut back before winter arrives. Oleanders grow readily from cuttings, so think about propagating new plants from the prunings. Remember, though, to handle these poisonous plants with care.
Feed in May
Bulb leaves are emerging from the soil and young bulb plants will appreciate some liquid feed at this early stage. Thrive Flower & Fruit’s a good choice because its high potash level helps strengthen the plants.
May pest watch
Most native wasps are good guys in the garden but some of the introduced species can cause problems and control measures may be necessary. Then there’s the evil German (European) wasp – introduced accidentally into New Zealand in the 1940s – that can be downright dangerous because it loves to live in close proximity to humans. Fortunately aerosol Blitzem Wasp Killer can jet up to four metres, which means you can spray from a safe distance. Wait until after dark before approaching the nest. By then, the wasps will all be tucked up inside. They’ll be sleepy and much less aggressive.
Plant of the month – Chrysanthemum
Always associated with Mother’s Day, chrysanthemums are most commonly seen as indoor pot plants. After it begins to fade, take your tired chrysanthemum out of the pot and find a spot for it in a sunny garden bed. It will last for years.
May job file
Collect fallen leaves and add them to the compost. And don’t forget to spray deciduous fruit trees with Yates Lime Sulphur after their leaves fall. This will also help remove unwanted lichen on the stems.
Gardening Calendar April
There’s plenty to do in the April garden and, luckily, it’s a wonderful month to be outdoors.
Flowers to sow in April – Calendulas
Calendulas are favourites for winter planting. Yates Calendula Pacific Beauty produces orange, yellow and apricot daisy flowers that are particularly cheering during the cold weather. And, not only do calendulas look good, they’re renowned for their ability to deter pests like whitefly and aphids. As a bonus, calendula petals can be sprinkled into salads or added to stews for extra flavour and colour.
Vegies to sow in April – Leeks
Leeks grow slowly and steadily through the cool months and, with their creamy, mild onion flavour, they’re well worth waiting for. Sow Yates Welsh Wonder Leek seeds into pots of Yates Seed Raising Mix and transplant the seedlings when they’re big enough to handle. One popular technique is to dig a trench about 20cm deep, stand the baby leek plants upright in the base, cover their roots and fill in the trench as they grow. This helps them develop that treasured white stem. If you don’t get around to planting them in a trench, you can ‘blanch’ your maturing leeks by wrapping the base of the stem in paper, or sliding an old milk carton over it. Begin harvesting leeks when their stems are about 2cm thick. And, if you leave the cut-off bases in the garden bed, they may even re-shoot!
Feed in April
If you haven’t already done so, feed the lawn to get as much growth as possible before winter. Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Lawn Food is made from composted manure. Its gentle nutrients feed the grass and encourage healthy soil.
Prune in April
Trim and tidy summer bulbs after they’re finished flowering. Ideally, remove any seed pods – unless you may want to try growing new plants from seed. You’ll need patience if you do because they’ll take some years to reach flowering stage.
April pest watch
April is the month when lawns are damaged by two pest insects – porina and grass grub. The porina caterpillar emerges from holes in the ground to eat grass leaves, while the grass grub chews the grass roots. Both can be treated by sprinkling with Yates Soil Insect Killer granules, but don’t forget to make a note to apply the granules earlier next year.
April job file
Clean out the remnants of the summer vegies, then dig organic matter and some Dynamic Lifter pellets into the empty beds.
Resolve to plant some daisies for Easter. Whether it’s the Michaelmas daisy, potted chrysanthemums or the jewel-coloured annual cinerarias (for frost-free gardens only), daisies always add bright touches.
Gardening Calendar March
Gardening is much easier in March because the heat has retreated and the soil is once again holding onto its moisture. This makes March a great month to get back into planting mode.
Flowers to sow in March
Early autumn’s the ideal time to sow ‘scatter seeds’ like those in the Yates Bouquet of Blue packet. This specially formulated mix of cut flowers in a wide range of blue shades includes cornflowers, delphiniums, larkspurs, nigella and many others. Sowing these is a quick way to fill a garden bed with colour-themed flowers
Vegies to sow in March
Silverbeet just has to be the most versatile vegie in the kitchen garden. And it’s a great choice for beginners because it’s easy to grow from seed and suffers from very few problems. Yates has a choice of three different silverbeet – large-growing Fordhook Giant, long-cropping Perpetual and the attractive red-stemmed Ruby Chard.
Sow silverbeet seeds direct where they’re to grow into well-prepared, moist soil. Water again and firm down. Good, firm contact encourages moisture to travel from the soil and through the corky outer layer that surrounds the seeds.
Feed in March
If you’re planting out flower or vegie seedlings in March, here are two suggestions for giving them the best possible start. First, before planting, soak the pot or punnet in a solution of Yates Dynamic Lifter Seaweed Tonic. This contains natural hormones that promote growth. Then, after planting, water in with a solution of Black Magic Seedling Fertiliser. The seaweed kick-starts root development and, as they grow, the seedlings will take advantage of the fast- acting liquid fertiliser.
Prune in March
As soon as harvest is over, cut back long unwanted shoots on deciduous fruit trees. Remove crowded growth and open up the centre of the tree so that sun can reach into the innermost parts.
March pest watch
Leaf rollers are caterpillars that chew the foliage on fruit trees like apples, pears and avocados, then take shelter within a webbed-together cluster of leaves. Fortunately, Yates Success provides a low toxic and very effective solution to this problem.
Fuchsias produce a glorious display in the autumn garden. Their ballet-dancer flowers dangle from arching stems and gently sway in the breeze. They add charm to lightly shaded parts of the garden.
Gardening Calendar kindly supplied by Yates New Zealand.
Gardening Calendar February
The main focus for the gardener in February is on keeping everything alive on those hot days. Don’t forget the future, though, because February’s an important month for planning for winter and spring in the garden.
Vegies to sow in February
Spring onionsSpring onions are terrifically versatile – use them in salads, dips, stirfries, soups and a host of other dishes – but they’re often only needed in small quantities. This is why it’s such an advantage to grow your own. Spring onion seeds can be sown directly into garden beds and the stems harvested as required.
Look for Yates Straightleaf Spring Onion with upright-growing leaves that stand well clear of the soil, making harvesting clean and simple.
Chinese cabbagesIf you’ve had problems in the past with Chinese cabbages bolting to seed, think about sowing them now. Start them off in pots in a cool part of the garden. Transplant the seedlings carefully during the milder autumn weather when there’s less chance of them bolting.
Flowers to sow in February – Cornflowers
Amazingly, this attractive plant was given its common name because it’s a weed in the British cornfields. With its tall stems topped with pretty, raggedy-petalled blooms, it’s hard to think of cornflower as a weed. Most New Zealand gardeners would think themselves blessed if they grew this pretty plant in weed- like proportions! Sow seeds of Yates Mystic Blue cornflower into pots of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix and transplant carefully in autumn when conditions are cooler.
Prune in February
You can prune hydrangeas now, or wait until the depths of winter. Pruning at this time of year gives the plant more time to develop next season’s flowering wood but, by waiting until winter, you get to enjoy the lovely, old-chintz colours of the aging blooms. No matter when you decide to prune your hydrangeas, make sure of two things: only cut those stems that have flowered this season, and make the cut just above a pair of healthy, plump buds.
Also, February can be a good month to prune summer fruit trees, especially the disease- prone apricots and cherries.
Pest watch in February
Two-spotted mites cause bronze discolouration of leaves and, when the infestation is severe, produce fine webbing that covers the leaves. Plants in dry spots are particularly susceptible. Watering over the leaves will reduce mite numbers, and a spray with Yates Nature’s Way Insect & Mite Spray – both sides of leaves – can also help. Badly-infested flowering annuals should be destroyed – they’re not worth saving.
Keep an eye out, too, for caterpillars, especially on cabbages and relatives. Nature’s Way Derris Dust is fast acting and easy to apply.
Garden Calendar January
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2010, another great year for gardening!
Flowers to sow in January
Forget me nots are aptly named because, once they’re in your garden, they’re with you forever – ensuring you can never forget them. Sow seeds now, ready for transplanting later. Some people think that forget-me-not plants can look weedy but, if cut back after flowering, they’ll never get to that scrappy stage (but always leave a few plants to self-seed for next year!).
Vegies to sow in January
It can be hard to think about winter vegies in January’s heat but, if you’re planning to sow from seed, this is the time to start broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, leeks, swedes and turnips. Most can be sown into pots or trays for transplanting when it’s closer to autumn, but seeds of swedes and turnips need to go in direct where the plants are to grow. Sow in rows so that you can follow the time-honoured technique of creating a water-holding trench alongside the row. The trench will allow water to seep water slowly into the root area.
Feed in January
Vegetables and herbs respond well to liquid manure and it’s easy to make your own by filling the foot part of an old stocking with Dynamic Lifter or BioGold pellets, suspending it to soak in a bucket of water for at least a week, and then diluting the resulting liquid (to the colour of weak tea) and pouring it onto plants as desired.
Prune in January
The best way to keep lavender tidy and healthy is to continually prune lightly just below the flowers. Never cut back into hard wood – it won’t re-shoot. Pick lavender flowers when they’re in their prime and dry them for later use. Strew dried lavender flowers in cupboards or among clothes to deter insect pests.
January pest watch
Earwigs are becoming more of a problem. These nocturnal munchers can be trapped in pots filled with screwed-up newspaper but, if the problem persists, spray with ready-to-use Yates Insect Gun or concentrate Nature’s Way Pyrethrum.
Mildews and rots are prevalent during warm weather. Good hygiene (picking up fallen leaves and fruit) will help keep diseases at bay. Low toxic Nature’s Way Fungus Spray is a general copper and sulphur-based fungicide that can be used to protect all fruit, vegetables and ornamentals.
Geraniums, also called pelargoniums, are wonderful for summer colour. They’ll produce endless waves of flowers, especially if trimmed occasionally and fed with Thrive Flower & Fruit. Keep a Yates Rose Gun on hand to treat fungal diseases (like rust and powdery mildew) and control warm weather pests such as caterpillars.
Garden Calendar December
In December the garden faces stiff competition from Christmas and all its associated razzamatazz. But, with plants growing madly in December and temperatures rising, it’s important to keep up a level of care. After all, we’ve got have the garden looking good for all those summer visitors!
Flowers to sow in December – Tomatoes
You may already have tomatoes that are fruiting but in warmer areas if you move quickly you can direct sow another batch of seeds. In colder areas, with their shorter growing season, save time by planting ready-started seedlings.
Vegies to sow in December – Marigold Petite Yellow
Marigolds are tough enough to cope with late summer heat but they have other desirable attributes, too. They’re renowned for their ability to attract insects into the garden, which means they help maintain a healthy balance of the good insects (like hoverflies). Petite Yellow’s small mounds are easy to place in the garden, either to form a cheery border or to mix in with other plants.
Feed in December – Lawns
Early December is a good time to feed the lawn and get it into shape for Christmas. Dynamic Lifter Organic Lawn Food is based on chicken manure particles that fertilise gently over a period. Feed early in the month and the smell will be gone before Santa arrives! Yates Lush Lawn Master is an inorganic, slow release lawn food with added wetting agent that will continue to feed for up to 3 months.
Prune in December
Check topiaried and formally-shaped plants. Any unwanted growth should be removed as soon as possible. Even potted Christmas trees can be lightly trimmed before bringing them indoors. Most are conifers, so remember never to cut conifer branches back into bare wood – it won’t re-shoot.
December pest watch
Rose black spot is starting to infest bushes. This dreadful fungal disease is particularly troublesome in humid coastal areas. Remove affected leaves, drop them into a plastic bag and pop the whole lot into the bin. Don’t put the leaves in the compost. If you haven’t already done so, begin spraying with a good fungicide like that in Yates Super Shield. Super Shield also contains an insecticide that controls a range of pests, including mites.
Plant of the Month – Pohutukawa
New Zealand Christmas tree, also known as pohutukawa, is the iconic symbol of the festive season in New Zealand. This long-lived tree can grow up to 15 metres or more in old age, so most gardeners prefer to plant one of the smaller-growing selections such as ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’ or ‘Vibrance’.
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