Selwyn Times: June 09, 2021

Wednesday June 9 2021 Selwyn Times
NOW THAT winter is here we
can expect regular, heavy frosts.
However, the gloom of winter
is brightened by the appearance
of blooming azaleas, camellias,
early flowering rhododendrons
and early flowering cherries. It’s
an excellent time to plan your
summer garden.
It’s also time to harvest those
winter maturing vegetables that
were planted in late summer/
autumn. Veges to harvest
in winter include artichoke
(Jerusalem), broccoli, brussels
sprouts, cabbages, cauliflowers
and carrots.
Continue to spread compost
around maturing vegetables
to help with excess water and
improve the soil. Inspect your
vegetable plants regularly for
snails – they appear to become
more cold-hardy every year.
Where possible, prepare
the soil for spring plantings,
digging to a depth of 200mm
and adding compost as you go.
Ensure it is mixed in well.
Winter flowering annuals
should now be providing masses
of colour in your gardens
and containers. Remove dead
flowers to encourage continuous
blooming throughout winter.
Flowering winter annuals
include; ageratum, calendulas,
cineraria, cornflower, nemesia,
pansies, poppies, primulas,
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snapdragon, stock and sweet
pea. Top up existing plantings
with ‘potted colour’ annuals
that have been grown to the
flowering stage.
Complete pruning of
deciduous fruit trees and
spray with copper oxychloride
to prevent fungal diseases
reappearing in spring. Grapes
and kiwifruit can also be
pruned. Garden centres and
nurseries now have new season
fruit trees in stock.
Plan your purchases carefully.
Part of your fruit tree
selection should be to ensure
you have a year-round supply
of fresh fruit. You can easily do
this by planting a few varieties
that crop at different times of
the year. In warmer areas, a
variety of citrus will be ripening
soon, including mandarins,
lemons, limes, grapefruit and
BLOOMING: Early flowering rhododendrons.
PHOTO: GETTY
early oranges. Last plantings of
strawberries should be completed
before August.
Garden centres are bursting
with new stock of a wide range
of ornamental trees and shrubs.
Winter is a very safe time for
planting. Ensure your planting
sites are well prepared with
the addition of compost and
have adequate drainage. Pop
GARDENING 21
Winter a safe time for planting
in a planting tab when planting
your trees/shrubs to give
them the best start. Plan out
what and where you will plant.
Check the heights that plants
will grow to avoid overcrowding
in future years.
Winter is the main time for
pruning roses as the plants are
now dormant. Don’t be afraid
to prune your roses quite hard.
Spread fresh compost around
the base of the bushes.
One week after pruning,
spray with lime sulphur or
a copper compound such as
copper oxychloride to ward
off fungal diseases (do not mix
these sprays together), then
three or four days later, apply
a horticultural spray to kill off
any overwintering pests (again
do not mix with copper).
Garden hygiene is very
important with roses so remove
any dead leaves or diseased
wood from the ground. Remove
these from the property
as they can harbour overwintering
fungal diseases and reinfect
your plants come spring.
Don’t forget about your
houseplants in winter. Try not
to overwater them. Many only
require water once a week or
fortnight. A light misting of
foliage with warm water stops
leaves from drying in warm
indoor conditions.
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With the shortest day looming, it is time to
get prepared for planting garlic.
Garlic is a crop that is easy to grow and doesn’t require
a lot of space. Garlic also has many health benefits as
well as adding fantastic flavour to our food. All you
need is a pot or container, some top-quality growing
mix and a sunny spot somewhere around the house.
If you are starting from scratch, make sure you get a
good growing mix that is free-draining and supplies
the right nutrients. For pot and container planting, you
can use our Patio Plus Potting Mix, All Purpose Potting
Mix, Organic Growing Mix or Veggie Garden Mix. If you
have an existing area that you want to plant in, simply
mix through some organic compost and sheep pellets
to rejuvenate the soil if you haven’t done so already.
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When choosing which cloves to plant, make sure
you choose the larger ones to maximise the growing
potential. Split the garlic heads into individual cloves.
There is no need to peel off the white paper that
surrounds each clove, it naturally protects the bulbs in
the soil, and then disintegrates once the plant starts
developing.
When planting out, make a hole about 5cm deep, and
10cm apart. If you are planting in a large area, label the
rows so you don’t forget where you have planted. In
4-6 weeks you will see the bright green shoots appear.
Once they have popped up, add a layer of mulch
around the rows to help keep the soil temperature
even, retain the moisture, and keep the weeds down.
Make sure you water frequently as to not let the plant
dry out. If you’re unsure if your mix is drying out, the
best way is to feel the soil with your fingers. If it feels
dry – give it a water.
Garlic & Shallot Bulbs
Available in store
For more information on how to grow garlic
as well as other veggies, head to our website
www.igro.nz
Intelligro Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: 8.30am – 4.30pm
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Winter Hours (June, July & August)
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Sunday 9.00am – 4.00pm
261 Manion Road, Weedons 7677 | P: 03 347 9012 | E: info@igro.co.nz