Selwyn_Times: January 17, 2024

Selwyn Times Wednesday January 17 2024
30
GARDENING
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Keeping the
PHOTO: GETTY
Don’t give up
on fresh veges
garden fresh
for summer
HERE IN THE southern
hemisphere, the Christmas and
New Year holidays probably arrive
at the worst possible time for the
garden, especially the summer vege
garden.
At this time of the year,
temperatures are normally
high and there is little or no
rainfall (although great for
holidaymakers!).
Returning from a relaxing
holiday, the garden often looks
like a serious challenge and in
many instances there is temptation
to abandon the entire garden
altogether.
But don’t give up. There are still
months of warm weather ahead in
which your summer garden can
thrive, especially your vege garden
which can continue to produce
plenty of fresh food for the table.
Preparation of beds before
planting is always one of the keys
to success and is never more
important than in planting a
summer garden.
Ensure copious amounts of
compost are added to the existing
soil prior to planting or sowing
seeds, then mulch around the
young plants with more compost.
This will improve the soil texture as
well as helping retain moisture.
Replant quick maturing
veges such as spinach, rocket,
radish, salad greens and dwarf
beans.
Revitalise existing
tomato and bean plants by adding
compost, removing old growth and
applying a side dressing of fertiliser
(water it in well).
Applying mulch and feed around
your vegetable plants will not only
improve soil water retention but
will also help suppress weeds.
Provide shelter to the more
exposed parts of your garden as
hot winds dry soils very quickly
and can cause ‘stress’ to young
plants.
Be vigilant with insects in the
garden. When temperatures rise,
pests such as aphids, white fly and
passion fly hopper can multiply at
an astounding rate.
PHOTO: GETTY
Conserve water – While
we may not reach Australian
levels of urgency with water
shortages, the eco-messages
are just going to get tougher
from now on. Take a good look
at how you use water in your
garden and make some plans.
This might be the year you
invest in a rain water tank to
capture all that free wet stuff,
and to review the sprinkler
system timing and spacing (so
you don’t waste water spraying
paths and so forth). Whatever
your method, be sparing with
the frequency of watering –
established plants need only 30
minutes of water once or twice
a week, vegetables more. Check
the soil at 100mm first.
Mulch to save work –
Mulch is the instant makeover.
It suppresses weeds, makes a
As we move through summer, keep the garden
looking fresh with these simple tips.
tired garden look fresh and
slows water evaporation.
But only apply it once the soil
is good and wet, as otherwise it
will not help your plants. Leave
breathing room around trunks
and shrubs to avoid fungus
infections.
Plant locally – Native
plants are perfectly adapted
to local sun, rain and wind
conditions, so they look after
themselves. Planting natives
is not just about restoring the
environment and looks, it is also
a handy way of reducing hard
work.
Mow lightly – In the
summer lawns do best when
the grass is longer (about 25-
30mm). The soil and roots are
shaded so the lawn does not get
sunburnt and more moisture is
retained. If you can, leave clippings
on the lawn to help conserve
soil moisture and feed it.
Add water – There is
nothing like water to enhance a
garden. While a full-scale water
feature can get expensive, garden
centres sell small plug-andgo
bubbling water bowls and
sculptures which do not need
elaborate construction. Add a
few plants and you have a tiny
tropical paradise.
Create shady spots – If
your deck gets the full blaze of
sun, look at creating a secondary
area for relaxing in the heat of
the day. Deciduous trees may
take a while to grow, but a
pergola with removable shade
sails, or a market umbrella that
hangs from a wall or fence are
good summer solutions that can
be packed away when you need
to soak up winter rays.
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