Had enough of winter yet? Are you literally sick of this season, as coughs and colds hit home? Then it’s time to get back on track with the patch, and see what’s in store for us – aside from rain – when we’re out and about in the garden this month.
General Gardening
If a tree falls in the garden it does indeed make a sound! Even if trees aren’t in danger of falling due to high winds, this month is a good time to transplant them, while they’re dormant.
Don’t be left counting the cost of frost; ensure frost protection covers are doing their job on cold and icy mornings.
Spray it, don’t say it! Spray plants to control fungus diseases and ‘pesty’ insects. And, as regular Garden-NZ contributor Wally Richards says: ‘winter is a fine time for lime’! Click here to view Wally’s guide to using lime sulphur in the winter garden.
Flowers
At this time of year, while other roses doze, those adorable hellebores simply can’t be ignored! Available at garden centres now, hellebores – or winter roses – really do help to beat the winter blues. Although, this winter, it seems beating the Blues isn’t a tough task at all, just ask poor Pat Lamb!
Other varieties of roses can also be planted in July. Select healthy plants and use rose compost, such as Debco from Tui, to give them the best possible head start.
And, speaking of getting a-head, continue dead-heading as required. Roses can be pruned in warmer regions.
Daphne’s are also in flower, along with polyanthus and primroses.
Oh and we did not forget forget-me-nots! We mentioned them last month under ‘sow & grow’, sow… there! Once planted, these little lovelies can actually be forgotten because, once established, they’ll be back year after year.
Sow & grow: hellebores, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, gladioli, dahlias.
Vegetables & Fruit
Later in the year you’ll want the spuds to be up for the chips to be down; so start laying out potatoes in trays for sprouting.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, so lay it down and head to bed! Asparagus crowns can now be planted out in well-composted and fertilised beds.
Keep planting those fruit trees as more become available at your local garden centre and prune existing trees to remove old wood.
Have ‘pots’ ‘o fun growing baby spinach. There’s also a lot at stake this month for broad beans; stake them up as they grow.
You’ve heard it through the grape vine; it’s time to prune grape vines while the weather – much like Marvin Gaye – is at its coolest.
Leeks and silverbeet are ideal as winter treats right now! Also, many other winter veggies are ripe for the picking and perfect for the pot.
Sow & grow: potatoes, onions, broccoli (in warmer regions), baby spinach, broad beans, peas, cauliflowers, cabbages.
Click here for top tips for growing winter veggies when the temperatures drop.
Lawn Care
If someone tries to tell you there’s nothing to be done with your lawn at this time of year, tell them Garden-NZ said: ‘get off the grass!’ While lawns don’t require a lot of TLC over winter, there are a few things that can be done to keep them looking keen and green come spring.
If experiencing some unseasonable dry spells, take the opportunity to give the lawn a mow; keep the blades high, however, to avoid damaging shoots.
Grass may appear yellow if the lawn is waterlogged. But it’s all too easy to blame insufficient drainage, or the household dog for that matter! Remember that yellowing can also be caused by a lack of nutrients.
Weed as needed. Prickles may start to ‘spring’ as the season turns.
And there’s no pool like an old pool! Keep an eye out for spots where water is collecting; this will help in planning more effective drainage and irrigation when the weather allows.
Although winter may be gloomy, there’s no need to feel down. As Garden-NZ reader, Margaret, reminded us all on our Facebook page recently, “you can bury a lot of troubles by digging in the dirt”.
Welcome to your winter everyone, from the team at Garden-NZ.
