The Star: May 06, 2021

AUTUMN IS a great time to
tackle jobs in the garden that the
heavy summer heat doesn’t permit,
like getting your lawn back
into shape.
Plus it’s an ideal time to sow
winter crops if you haven’t
already.
Here are five tasks to get you
started.
1 The beauty of growing fruit
trees at home means harvesting
fruit when they are at their best.
Tree ripening enhances flavour
and results in juicy, delicious fruit
picked right at their peak. The
last of summer fruit crops like
peaches, nectarines, grapes and
passion fruit are now nearing an
end. Use bird netting to ensure
our feathered friends don’t steal
the last of the harvest.
2 Harvest remaining summer
crops as they come to an end and
start sowing and planting winter
veges. This will allow the roots
of plants time to establish before
temperatures drop much further
and growth slows. Winter crops
include beetroot, broccoli, carrots,
cabbage, cauliflower, silver
beet, spinach, swedes and turnips
3 It is important to ensure
plants enter their dormant season
in the best health. Give them
a final application of fertiliser
so they’re in good condition
to withstand cooler and wetter
winter months and are ready
for growth in spring. In cooler
areas apply fertiliser to fruit trees,
ornamental plants, shrubs and
roses, but don’t let that task run
into next week, the end of April
is generally the cut-off point.
4 Summer flowering annuals
will be at the end of their growing
season. It’s time to remove
old plants and prepare beds
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Thursday May 6 2021 The Star
GARDENING 25
Time running out to plant winter veges
MAINTENANCE: Sprinkle bare lawn with grass seed to encourage growth over the winter. Plant cornflowers now for a
display in early spring.
for winter flowering displays.
Prepare soil by adding in plenty
of compost and mix in well with
existing soil to a spade depth.
Some favourite winter annuals
to grow are; alyssum, calendulas,
cinerarias, cornflowers, larkspur,
pansies, poppies, primulars,
stock, sweet william and violas.
Grow them in the garden or containers
to brighten up the winter
months. If planting in containers,
toss out old potting mix and use
new mix prior to planting. Old
mix will be lacking nutrients and
over time can break down and
cause poor drainage.
5 Early May is an excellent
time for lawn renovation or the
laying of new lawn as this coincides
with the cooler temperatures
and more consistent rainfall.
Use a lawn patch for tiding
up smaller areas. Lawn
fertiliser can now be safely
applied in cooler regions where
there is reasonable rainfall. If
there is a dry spell, water regularly
to ensure the fertilisers are
washed into the lawn.
naTiVe planT
nursery
Trees for CanTerbury
speCialisTs in
• Groundcovers
• Ferns
• Grasses
• Small to big
sized shrubs
• Shelterbelts
• ALL grades
• Expert advice
• Planting now
Ask us about Super
Gold Card discounts
Helping our community grow
42 Charlesworth Street
Ph (03) 982-1028
OPEN 7 DAYS
www.treesforcanterbury.org.nz
oN sAle Now!
Now only
$35.80
Plus $5 P&H per copy
AvAilAble from stAr mediA:
Level One, 359 Lincoln Road
Addington, Christchurch
Phone 379 7100
Are you ready to grow?
Kiwi Gardener is your practical guide
to gardening in New Zealand.
growing with you Issue 503 | April 2021 | 100%
Superfood in
the garden
Beetroot, silver Beet
coriander & more
The rules
of division
How to multiply your
plants for free
SubScribe From
$
20
Rose Remedies
Identify and solve
common issues
In the name
of good taste
The last apricot orchard
on the Port Hills
$8.00 incl. GST
9 416770 121318
ViVe la Volunteers!
The growing force
behind our botanic and
community gardens
Read local
SubScriptionS Freephone
0800 77 77 10
www.Gardener.kiwi