Good

WHAT TO plant now

Summer is here and it’s time to reap the rewards of your gardening this year!

Gardening in December

• For gorgeous tropical blooms this summer, plant some hibiscus, gardenia, mandevilla and tropical frangipani.

• Your roses will be in bloom now, make sure these beauties are getting well-watered every couple of days. Give them a good prune too, to allow for new growth.

• Zest up your summer with some citrus trees, such as an already-flowering Meyer lemon. Take care to deep water these weekly for the best possible fruit next season.

• Keep an eye on your potted trees and plants – they will be needing a little extra love as the weather gets drier. Pop your finger in the potting mix to check the moisture levels – if it is dry and dusty, get the watering can out!

• If you’re heading away for the holidays, pick up some water storage crystals for your potted plants – this will help them survive while you’re gone!

• For some extra colour, brighten up your summer garden with some flowers such as nemesia, dianthus, dahlias, zinnias and verbenas.

• Looking for some passion? Find a sunny spot against your garden fence to plant a passionfruit and soon it’ll be climbing along.

• For an instant and delicious return, pop some large-grade tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums and chillies in the garden – the perfect addition to summer salads.

• Summer desserts incoming – it’s berry harvest time! Pick your juicy strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

• Remember it’s important to hydrate your garden in this heat – the best time for watering your garden during summer is in the early morning or evening to avoid scorching your plants.

• Keep your lawn looking fresh and green for Christmas by raising the mower a level, watering the grass, and applying lawn food.

• Keep deadheading old flowers as this will encourage more blooms.

Gardening in January

• Now is your last chance to plant summer veggies, so don’t forget about your tomatoes, courgettes and beans!

• For your leafy greens and herbs, stagger the planting so you can spread out the harvest.

• Looking to spice up your summer? Gardening stores will have varieties of large-grade chillies and peppers available this month – dangerously hot included; test your limits! • For maximum benefit, water the roots of your plants and not the leaves. Try to save water by collecting rainwater or reusing greywater for your garden.

• Freshly picked blueberries anyone? These bushes fare best in acidic soil rich in organic matter. For areas with alkaline soil, apply a soil acidifier to lower the pH.

• Summer-prune your stone fruit trees by trimming 30-40% of the growth to promote next year’s crop, which also lowers their water requirements – win-win!

• For some colourful foliage, go for a coleus plant – perfect in a hanging basket, and it copes well in humidity. • Make sure your hanging plants aren’t drying out – soak the baskets in a large container of water for 10 minutes, which will allow the water to penetrate through the potting mix.

• Overwhelmed with watering? Opt for some droughtresistant perennials such as portulaca pizzaz, ice plants and osteospermums.

• Weed and feed: in these conditions; weeds will be thriving too so manage it by pulling them before feeding.

• Help your citrus trees by spraying the leaves and stems with organic spray to control insects. Keep them thoroughly watered and top up mulch for the best harvest.

• Harvest time! Don’t forget to pick your cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, lettuce, even avocados if you’re lucky – toss with olive oil and dinner is sorted. g For more tips and advice visit kings.co.nz.

Brought To You By Kings Plant Barn

en-nz

2022-11-17T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-17T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://good.pressreader.com/article/282488597714790

SCG Media