Sit back and tuck in

As plants thrive it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labour

November has got to be one of the most enjoyable months for gardeners with prolific growth everywhere, lashings of colour and scents and plenty of tasks to keep busy!

Strawberries

Strawberry plants should be producing masses of ripe berries innovember and plants require minimal care somoretime for eating them! Cover strawberry beds with bed netting nowassomehowbirds alwaysseem to find strawberry patches!

Roses

Another rewarding monthfor rose growers in thehomegarden. Many varieties are at their best in November! Continue dead-heading finished flowers and apply rose fertiliser every 4-6 weeks until mid-december. Spread compost around roses to encourage healthy root growth.

Hedges

Novemberis the perfect time for the firstnewseason’s trim of hedges.

A‘little and often’ technique is recommendedfor maintaining adense, bushy hedge. This is especially important with newly planted hedges. Water deeply and fertilise regularly to encourage vigorous growth.

Fruit Trees

All fruit trees are in full growthmodein Novemberso continue to apply side dressings of fruit tree fertiliser to all trees, especially newly planted specimens. Irrigate deeply, mulch to reduce water loss and suppress weeds. As mulch breaksdownit will eventually improve the soil around the fruit trees as well.

Formore gardening advice or information onthe wide range of Daltons products visitwww. daltons.co.nz.

Ornamental Treesand Shrubs

Prune young trees to encourage the development of a strong framework that will later support mature growth. Fertilise all plants regularly with general garden fertiliser. Mulch to prevent water loss over thehot summermonths and help keep weeds at bay. Formoregardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz.