38 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>July</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday <strong>July</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2022</strong> <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> GARDENING 39 Plenty to be done – prune, spray, mulch OFTEN THE coldest days of winter occur in <strong>July</strong>, so it is not the easiest of months for gardening. However, there are many tasks requiring attention – pruning, mulching, and spraying, so take advantage of those fine days when you get them. Houseplant care Pay close attention to your houseplants observing how they are growing in the colder winter months, remembering that many of our houseplants come from very warm, tropical countries. Move them closer to windows for more light and warmth if needed, but not in the direct path of heat-pumps or drafts. Water only as required, rather than on a regular, scheduled basis. Planning on rainy days Use rainy days or downtime planning your summer garden. For instance, think about expanding your vege garden to provide even more crops for your family (container gardening is a great way to utilise space too). Read new season seed or plant catalogues to find new and interesting varieties to grow for spring and summer. Be sure to get your orders in early. Vegetable garden Vegetables to be harvested in In the Garden with intelligro Dry Firewood Stock up ready for winter with our dry pine firewood. Available for pickup and delivery. $142.50 per cubic metre <strong>July</strong> include, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, celery, leeks, lettuce, parsnips, peas, silver beet and spinach. Where required, plant new seedlings of broccoli, cabbages, lettuce, kale, silver beet and spinach. Broad beans should be growing vigorously and may need support to prevent them blowing <strong>July</strong> Product Picks • Pine Firewood • Organic Compost <strong>July</strong> is a great time to tick off tasks such as sharpening tools, mower blades, cleaning the garden shed, and planning for your spring planting. Organic compost and a good layer of mulch can be added to your garden beds to protect them from the cold winter conditions. If planting winter veggies, make sure you use a quality Veggie Mix and ensure you have some frost cloth on hand! Another great option for winter growing is a Vegepod. Check these out on our website. • Veggie Garden Mix • Bark Mulch • Frost Cloth 261 Manion Road, Weedons 7677 | P: 03 347 9012 | E: info@igro.co.nz TASKS: Pruning time for all varieties of roses. Stake broad beans to protect from winter winds. over in the wind. Hammer one metre stakes at regular intervals alongside the row of beans. Then stretch and tie gardening twine (or even old pantyhose), horizontally about 30cms high between the stakes (add another at 60 cm if your plants are taller). Rose care Now is the main month for Strawberry plants available in store now. Get in quick! May-<strong>July</strong> Winter Hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 5pm Sun: 9am – 4pm www.igro.co.nz /igro.co.nz /intelligro_nz pruning roses, bush, standard and climbing. Ensure your secateurs are sharp and give them a clean with methylated spirits before you begin. With bush and standard roses, reduce the amount of main ‘leaders’ or branches. Remove all inward growing branches and prune to an outward facing bud. With climbing roses tie down main leaders as horizontal as possible. It is the growth from these leaders that will produce flowers. When planting newly purchased roses prepare the site thoroughly with fresh compost, the new roses will be in the same position for a long time so give them the best start. Ornamental trees and shrubs Garden centres are packed with new trees and shrubs in <strong>July</strong>. Always be careful when selecting new specimens for your garden. Choose the very best plants you can find as they will be with you for many years. Inspect plants thoroughly and purchase healthy, undamaged, pest and disease-free varieties. Add plenty of compost at planting time. Fruit trees Complete pruning of all deciduous fruit trees and follow up with a spray of a copper compound to help prevent reinfection of fungal diseases in spring. Mandarins, navel oranges, lemons and limes can now be harvested. It’s time to plant out new fruit trees. Always try and select a warm, sheltered, sunny position. Fruit trees only flower once a year and in a windy position, flowers can be blown off the tree. The end result is the fruit will not set, which means no crops! Again, add in plenty of compost went planting, and stake young trees if required. Paths, decks, and driveways It is in the wet, cold months of winter that slippery driveways and paths become an issue. Water blasting not only cleans the surface but makes it that much safer when walking to carry out all the many tasks required in a garden. Also cut back overhanging branches or shrubs that may be blocking access to paths or the sun. Meeting <strong>2022</strong> Wednesday 27 <strong>July</strong>, 7.00pM S1, Stewart Building, Lincoln University. Arrive at 6.30pm for refreshments. HugH Wilson natural regeneration, or planting? We welcome botanist and conservation legend Hugh Wilson as our keynote speaker. Hugh has been managing Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula for 35 years, having an impressive effect on the landscape with his novel approach to land management and regeneration. the diana isaac Cup will be awarded to a deserving greendot landowner. RSVP: office@kakariki.org.nz or 027 773 3262 www.kakariki.org.nz Subscriptions 0800 77 77 10 kiwigardenermagazine.co.nz Are you ready to grow? For real kiwi gardeners who like to get their hands dirty. SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 20 % Canterbury Timber & Hardware Timber Wood Fuel Pellets 20kg Bag for $<strong>13</strong>.30 Call in today for your free quote! NEW ENTRANCE: 167 Manion Road, Rolleston Jason Pester P 03 347 7465 F 03 347 7032 E jason@cthl.co.nz Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Saturday: 8am-12pm Canterbury C T H Timber & Hardware We are here