The Star: June 29, 2017

The Star 29
Gardening
Wonderful
winter
violas
Latest Christchurch news at www.
.kiwi
Thursday June 29 2017
WE’RE ON a colour buzz at the
nursery this winter. Last month, I
wrote about adding colour to your
winter garden with the three Ps –
polyanthus, primula and pansy.
Now, I’m going to recommend
you add even more colour by
planting violas.
We have several different
coloured violas available to order.
Two straight colours – apricot and
blue.
And two mixed bundles of
colours – the penny citrus mix,
which has yellow, apricot and
white flowers.
And viola-mixed colours, which
includes white, yellow, purple and
more.
You can order your plants from
our recently re-launched online
store at www.awapuni.co.nz. Buy
online and you’ll also be able to
earn loyalty points to put towards
free seedling bundles.
Next you need to find somewhere
to plant. I recommend
looking for wide, open spaces.
Violas grow really well alongside
paving or patios. They also look
fantastic in borders around spring
bulbs or roses – particularly as
the roses go dormant and lose
their leaves.
And if you’re a hanging basket
fan (like I am), use violas to
create a welcoming entrance at
your place throughout the cooler
months. You can also pop them
in a pot – in fact they look great
planted around the outside of potted
shrubs or citrus trees.
Wherever you decide to plant,
simply dig in a balanced fertiliser,
then plant your seedlings in small
holes, about 20cm apart.
If growing them in a pot, make
sure you use a good potting mix
to provide all the nutrients they
need.
Try not to position any pots under
the eaves of your house. Violas
like good air circulation and
keeping them away from these
types of spots will help prevent
them getting downy mildew.
In about four to six weeks, you
should have even more colour in
your garden. Remember to pick
off the dead heads to encourage
them to flower, and you’ll get to
enjoy the effect for much, much
longer.
•Henri Ham, Awapuni
Nurseries, www.awapuni.
co.nz
Plant now for strawberries
EVEN THOUGH this winter
has been pretty mild so far, it
still seems odd to be thinking
about such a summery fruit as
strawberries just yet. But if you
want to enjoy the fruits of your
labour at Christmas now is the
time to plant strawberries.
I love the fact strawberries
will grow just about anywhere.
Google strawberry planters and
you will find an array of creative
places for growing this tasty
fruit.
Cut off drain pipes, wooden
pyramids, garden beds, pots,
the list goes on.
I like to grow strawberries
in a raised garden bed. But I’m
also a fan of planting them in
a paradise planter or hanging
basket.
As long as they can see the
sun, and where you’re planting
is well-drained and not prone
to frost, you can expect healthygrowing
plants that produce lots
of fruit. When you’ve found just
the right spot or spots, prepare
the soil by digging in a general
fertiliser that’s rich in potassium
– this will help stimulate plant
growth and big, juicy fruit.
If you’re planting in a pot
or hanging basket, use a good
potting mix and for an extra
boost apply a liquid fertiliser to
the mix.
You can order your
strawberry plants from www.
awapuni.co.nz.
Each regular-sized bundle
has around four plants which
should produce between 60-100
strawberries come Christmas.
If you’re planting in a paradise
planter you’ll need 32 seedlings
to fill each hole.
Before planting in the garden
raise your bed by mounding
the soil. This will encourage
circulation, drainage and can
add depth to shallow soil.
Plant your seedlings around
the edges of your garden or pots
to encourage the strawberries to
hang over the sides and prevent
the fruit from touching the
ground and rotting.
Dig a hole 10cm deep and
place the seedling inside. A deep
hole is required to give the roots
plenty of room to spread out
and grow but be careful not to
bury the plant.
Pack the soil firmly around
each seedling and surround
with peastraw or newspaper to
help keep away weeds.
Place netting or wire over
you plants when they begin to
produce fruit.
This will block out birds
and ensure you get to eat the
strawberries yourself.
In spring, add another dose
of general fertiliser to your
strawberries to encourage
sturdier plants that are more
disease resistant heading in to
the warmer months.
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