North Canterbury News: March 14, 2024

An Autumn ramble
An Autumn ramble through the
gardens of six of Oxford’s homes and
cottages, will help senior Oxford Area
School students fund raise for a
cultural exchange trip to western
Japan.
Convener of the Historic Homes and
Gardens of Oxford, Rebecca Griffiths,
says visiting the gardens will be avery
interesting ramble through some very
private gardens in the Oxford district
on Sunday April 7from 10am to 4pm.
‘‘Autumn will have arrived and there
will be much to see which is usually
hidden out of view of passersbys.’’
She says she came up with the idea to
help her son fund raise for the school
trip coming up soon.
‘‘The lovely ownersofthe six
properties have kindly opened their
gates to allow people in to experience
their amazing gardens.
‘‘It will be awonderful day rambling
around in among the autumn leaves,
looking through some beautiful local
gardens.’’
She says one site is acottage that’s
120 yearsold, another has aold farm
stable with partofaneven older
woolshed nearby, while one has a
beautifully maturetree with a1950’s
art deco family farminapark­like
setting.
Rebecca says it should on average
take viewers between four and five
hourstovisit and discover the homes
and cottages and their gardens.
‘‘They are either within Oxford or
nearby.‘‘
Blogger ‘The crazy gardener NZ’
Lorna Price says that given that very
little has happened in the gardens
thereatOaktree cottage since last
year, it's both aterrifying prospect and
areally exciting one for her.
The OAS students trip to their sister
school in the spa city of Hamasaka,
PERFORMANCE
BY HUSQVARNA
Autumn ramble ... Ascene from one of
the six Oxford historic homes and gardens
on show in Oxford.
PHOTO: TAMMY PFAHLERT
Hyōgo, Japan, is the first since COVID
forced ahalt to inter­school
exchanges.
It is something Mrs Griffiths has
experienced herself as she was a
student on the first one held back in
1996.
‘‘It is agreat place to visit and Iknow
my son and his nine colleges (all Year
12 and 13 students) will have great
time.’’
For more information visit www.
oxfordgardens.online/
“Autumn’sonits way–be ready
withaHusqvarna blower!”
AUTUMN GARDENING
The North Canterbury News, March 14, 2024
17
Achange of seasons
Aretired horticulturist and regular guest speaker at Canterbury
Horticultural Society meetings, Michael Coulter, gives his
Monthly Tips &Tasks in the latest Canterbury Horticulture Society
newsletter.
March signals the start of the change of
seasons from Summer to Autumn.
As the days become shorter, plant
growth slows down, and the tasks around
the garden turn towards preparing for
the Winter ahead.
Watering is needed as we are still in
need of rain to keep up good soil
moisture for growth, and the maturing of
fruit and vegetables.
Pip fruits will be ready for harvesting
this month, as will the last of the stone
fruit.
The right time to pick apples is a
question that Ioften get asked.
What Idoisnote when Ipicked the
fruit last year, then cut afruit in half and
look at the pips inside.
If they are brown, then Iwill pick
them.
Remember that pip fruit will continue
to ripen after they are picked, so if you
are going to store them, it is better to
pick them just before they are fully ripe.
Many of the pests and diseases of our
plants are most prevalent now, so a
timely treatment after fruit is picked
will help to reduce any carryover of
these problems to the next season.
Citrus plants can have their last feed of
the season; this will help the developing
fruit.
Also, look for signs of scale and
whitefly, which cause the black mould
on the leaves, and treat with conquer oil
or an insecticide.
The flower garden will still be in full
bloom with Summer flowers. Keep dead
heading as the Autumn plants gradually
take over.
Spring bulbs are available in retail
outlets and mail order; only buy those
that are firm and healthy and plant from
now on.
The bulbs that Ilifted and stored have
been sorted out and cleaned up.
Ikept only the very best for planting.
Some have been planted into pots to
flower early in the greenhouse,
providing colour in the Winter.
The rest will be planted into pots and
placed around the terrace and the front
Summer to autumn ... March signals the
change in seasons in aNorth Canterbury
garden.
PHOTO: FILE
door for aSpring display.
The perennial primulas that Idivided
up last month are growing well and will
be ready for planting in April.
The Dahlias that Igrew in pots have
been great, putting on afantastic show.
Only now are they showing signs of
mildew, which Iwill treat when Ispray
my show Chrysanthemums, which are
just forming flower buds now.
This month is the harvest time for
much of our fruit and vegetable crops,
giving us the opportunity to judge our
success and decide what we could do
better.
Enjoy the time in the garden.
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Husqvarna 125BVX (Blower/Vac)
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Tidying up
the garden?
As well as using the kerbside
organics bin, youcan turnexcess
garden waste into compost by
dropping it at the Southbrook
Resource Recovery Park.
Husqvarna 125B (Blower only)
$399
Husqvarna Aspire B8X
Skin $229 or battery&charger kit $369
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284 Flaxton Road, Southbrook
Kiosk: 03 313 5499
ReSale Store: 03 313 5798
Opening hours:
Mon-Sun 8.30am-4.30pm
Ph.313 6640
275FlaxtonRoad, Southbrook
sales@brandmowers.co.nz
2647592
waimakariri.govt.nz/rethinkrubbish