Gardening in August and September
July brought a heap of snow to the alps, and the ground temperatures are down, so expect the spring bulbs to be a little later in showing their colourful heads.
Remember Fathers Day 3 September this year. Check out our Facebook Page to go into a draw for a Free Fathers Day gift – Mid August
Flowers
- Pull winter annuals out if not done yet
- Hydrangea – Prepare your garden for the colour you want Blue = Aluminum Sulphate, Pink = Lime
- Protect early Azaleas and primroses from late frosts
- You can still divide Hostas, Astibes, Peonies and Bergenia
- Prepare flower beds for new seasons annuals wait until frosts have finished before planting annuals
Edible Garden
- Raspberries/currents – Remove dead canes and tie new canes for the coming season, a clean up spray helps too e.g. copper spray
- Final prune of grape vines if not done yet.
- Purchase new seasons potatoes – place in warm spot inside to encourage sprouting of tubers
- Prepare ground for new vegetables – Plant new potatoes in frost free area
- Plant vegetable seedlings e.g. broccoli, lettuce etc and plant in newly prepared soil
- Ideal time to plant fruit trees e.g. cherry trees, plums, apricots, apples, pears etc.
- Plant new strawberries – cover with wire mesh /bird netting to prevent birds having a feed
- Fertilise asparagus, place mulch to prevent weeds – do not plant asparagus in colder areas until October
Garden Clean up
- If you need advice in your garden, on what to take out, move or add to your outdoor areas, contact Geoff White (over 30 years horticulture experience) for Garden Advice, he will do a 1 hour consultation and design ideas.
- Prune fruit trees
- Spread last seasons compost over garden and dig in winter crop
- Late September: spread pea-straw and/or bark compost to prevent weed growth and keep moisture in.
Trees/shrubs
- NOW is the best time for planting trees and shrubs this should be done before summer hot temperatures arrive
- Flowering foliage looking good so purchase now: Deciduous magnolias, Daphne, Flowering cherry trees, Camellias
Lawns
- If you need to sow a new lawn, late August/early September is the perfect time to do it – We have put up extensive notes on how to make a perfect lawn. Sowing a New Lawn http://www.egn.co.nz/sowing-a-new-lawn/‘
- Fertilise/feed lawns with Lawn Builder or Growplus Professional Lawn Food and any humps and hallows topdress with fresh grass seed
- Start to fertilise lawns and any humps and hallows topdress with fresh grass seed
Roses
- Still time to prune roses if not done yet
- New roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating around roots, always good to add fertiliser when planting.
