Selwyn_Times: August 16, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday August 16 2023
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
32
GARDENING
Make a slow start with seedlings
IF THE weather seems to
promise an early spring, it is
tempting to rush into seed
sowing, but a cautious approach
will pay off later, with fewer
plant losses.
Vegetables
In warm corners, in the
greenhouse or under glass, a few
seeds of cabbages, cauliflower
and brussels sprouts can be
sown. Bolder gardeners may
also want to try their luck with
lettuce, spinach and carrots,
but the weather will determine
success.
Brussels sprouts should have
priority in terms of seed sowing,
as they require the longest
growing season of the brassicas,
which include cabbage and
cauliflower.
Sprouts will take two to
three months from sowing to
transplanting into the garden
where they are to mature. Plants
will grow to 1m or more and
may need soil mounded firmly
around their bases to hold them
in the ground.
The earliest potatoes may
be planted now, but will need
protection from frost when
shoots come through.
Covering plants with frost
cloth, or pea straw piled loosely
over the rows and held in place
with netting, are alternatives
to using newspaper when frost
looks likely.
Rhubarb, jerusalem artichokes
and asparagus can be planted
now. The site for jerusalem
artichokes should
be chosen with
care; these
tough
relatives
of the
sunflower
can be
invasive.
HASSLE
FREE:
Delphiniums
are among
the easiest
perennials to
grow from
seed.
PHOTO: ODT
With no sign of growth in the
lawn, have your mower serviced
and blades sharpened now.
Check garden tools and sharpen
secateurs, loppers and spades.
Always clean garden tools after
use.
Flowers
Although sowing may be
weeks or even months away, do
not delay buying seed, as popular
varieties are the first to go. Store
seed in airtight containers in a
cool place.
Delphiniums are among
the easiest perennials to grow
from seed. Pacific Giants and
Shogun will grow to 1m or more,
while Delphinium grandiflorum
will reach just 30cm.
Delphiniums come in shades
of blue, pinks and mauves, as
well as white. Generally, they
come into their own a year after
planting out. Seed needs warm
conditions (18 deg C to 20 deg C)
to germinate, so do not rush to
sow it.
If the weather is fine and the
soil not waterlogged, michaelmas
daisies, penstemons and phlox
can be broken up then replanted
in well-composted soil to give
better flowers over the next two
or three seasons. If slugs and
snails attack young shoots, protect
by surrounding the plants
with dry sawdust.
To divide these hardy
perennials, lift the clumps with
a fork, then use a sharp spade to
slice through the plant.
Cleaning flower pots is a
tedious task but worth the effort
to prevent the possibility of
disease. Scrub pots then dunk
them in boiling water.
–ODT
Vegetable garden workshop
Learn how to grow
your own food.
PATIos - ouTDoor AreAs - CAr PorTs
Wednesday 23rd August 6.30PM - 7.30PM
$20 per ticket
LANDSCAPE
RECYCLE STATION
email us for a 50% off discount code
info@igro.nz
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2589623