North Canterbury News: September 05, 2019

SPRING GARDENING
32 North Canterbury News, September 5, 2019
The joys of spring’s
gloriousarrival
The excitementofspring brings with it aseries of important gardening
chores, writes Rachel Vogan.
Garden rebirth ...
QUICKSCREEN FENCING
VERSATILE SCREENING SOLUTION
Quickscreen Fencing isaninnovative, easy-to-install,
aluminium slat screening system that offers the
latest in architectural style. Quickscreen Fencing is
tough, long lasting, low maintenance and can be
adapted tosuit awide variety ofapplications.
•Available in Woodland Grey or Black
•Blades do not warp, crack, or splinter
•Non-weld assembly for easy installation
•Low maintenance“Stylish &easy to install”
QUALITY GARDEN SHEDS
“Stronger &sturdier storage sheds”
CHRISTCHURCH
Ph: (03) 338 9063
www.stratco.co.nz
Spring hails anew beginning, and with it comes aset of garden jobs.
55 Hands Rd, Christchurch NZ8024
STRONG, HIGH QUALITYSTORAGE SHEDS
Crisp, clean and uncluttered lines are afeature of
this attractive and economical storage shed.
The Stratco Garden Shed is asimple, strong and
secure, well designed storage unit that comes in a
size to suit every lifestyle and backyard requirement.
Quality construction means your Stratco Garden Shed
will be alasting investment. Stratco Garden Sheds are
made in Christchurch to withstand New Zealand
conditions. Strong, durable and made tolast, the
Stratco Garden Shed can beinstalled yourself, or
Stratco can organise installation for you.
How exciting is it when anew season
reveals itself, especially spring. With
more daylight and soils warming up, a
new chapter in the garden begins.
Essentially, September is all about
getting the root department —the soil —
ready for planting.
For vegetable growers, this means
enriching the soil with well­rotted
manure and mature compost.
Work this in by forking the layers into
the soil, so it is well blended before
planting.
In flower beds, it is time to hoe or
cultivate the ground to loosen up the soil
ahead of new plantings, and pots and
containers need aserving of fertiliser
and sheep pellets to freshen the potting
mix.
Herbs
Sow seeds of coriander, dill, chervil,
chives, fennel, caraway and parsley.
Hold off on sowing basil, unless you
have aheated green house. It will only
thrive in the hottest months of the year.
Trim back woody herbs such as thyme,
mint, rosemary, sage and oregano. This
will stimulate abushy growth habit and
trigger anew flush of foliage.
Aside­dressing of fertiliser will give
them awelcome boost too.
Pansies
With painted faces that light up the
darkest of corners, pansies are ago­to
flower for colour over the next few
months. Happy in both sun and shade,
plant out in clusters about 15cm apart
and you’ll soon have acarpet of colour.
Deadhead if you have the time,
otherwise just leave them to it.
Pestcontrol
With spring planting comes the risk of
pests, such as slugs, snails and birds
decimating new seedlings. Slugs and
snails are active at night and, during the
day, hide underneath plants, twigs and
fallen leaves, which makes them harder
to spot. Protect your plants by laying
pellets and deterrents on aregular basis
or consider protecting each new
seedling with small pottle or recycled
coffee cup until it’s big enough to
withstand attack.
Alternatively, fine netting can be laid
over crops, but the area does need to be
pest­free at planting time for this to be
effective.
Traps can be used to control slugs and
snails too. Try nestling asaucer or
container of beer­sweet liquid in the
garden near your crops.
Roses
One of the best times to plant roses is
in the spring —itgives the roots time to
bury themselves in the soil before the
ground gets too hot. You can grow roses
in pots too, as long as you don’t skimp on
size. Look to containers that are at least
20 to 30 litres in capacity, or wine­barrel
size.
While roses are forgiving plants, a
fertile soil or potting mix, with good
drainage, will ensure you get the best
blooms and overall results.
This month is also your last chance to
complete pruning before too much new
growth appears. Treat with awinter
clean­up spray afterwards to eradicate
any lingering pest and disease issues.
Vege patch
If your groundwork is complete —the
soil turned over, fertile and weed free —
piles of leafy greens and brassicas can
be planted out. Focus on cabbage,
cauliflower, broccoli, kale, spinach,
silver beet and pak choi. Rows of radish,
carrots and onions can go in too. Garlic
should be well above the ground by now,
so weed between the rows and add
layers of straw mulch over the bare
ground between the plants. Seed
potatoes can be planted out in warmer
regions.
Seed sowing
Now is the ultimate seed­sowing time,
as it will see plants get off to an early
start. Read each seed packet thoroughly,
as every seed has slightly different
growing needs. Sow seeds in trays,
pottles or recycled seedling punnets,
making sure they have good holes for
drainage.
Fill containers with seed­raising mix,
rather than dirt from the ground or
potting mix, as both have lumps and do
not give the best results.
Sow extra seeds as not every seed will
germinate, and only transplant the
strongest, healthiest seedlings.
—Courtesy of www.gardener.kiwi
24
MONTHS INTERESTFREE^
DON’T WAIT ANYLONGER, YOUCOULD GET
THEHUSQVARNA YOUWANT TODAY WITH NO
INTERESTFOR 24 MONTHS.
LAWN
TRACTORS
FROM
$
3,799 *
*
RefersmodelTS138
ZTR ®
ZERO TURNS
FROM
$
5,899 *
*
Refersmodel Z246
RIDERS
FROM
$
7,699 *
*
Refersmodel
R216
Your local authorised Husqvarna Dealer:
2200865
FINANCETERMS &CONDITIONS:
^24 monthsinterest free is available on Flexi PaymentPlans &Flexi PaymentPurchases forinstorepurchases from 01/09/2019until
31/12/2019. Minimum spend $ 2999 AnnualAccount Feeof $ 50 applies. NewCardholderfee - $ 55 Establishment.Existing Cardholder
fee - $ 35 Advance.Minimum payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $ 10 (whicheverisgreater) are required throughout
interest free period. Payingonly the minimum monthly payments will not fully repaythe loanbefore the end of the interest freeperiod.
StandardInterest Rate, currently25.99% p.a or 22.95%p.a. (dependingonyour card) applies to anyoutstanding balance at end of
interest free period. Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply.Rate and fees correctasatdate of publication, subjecttochange.
Mastercardisaregisteredtrademark and thecircles design is atrademark of MastercardInternational Incorporated.
*Valid from 01/09/19–31/12/19while stocks last,
at participating Husqvarna Dealersonly..
275 Flaxton Road, Southbrook
Fax: 03 313 6641
WWW.HUSQVARNA.COM