FRUITS of your labours
Many gardens are thriving in thenewyear— the positive result of the time and energy thatwas transferred to thehomegarden during themore difficult times of 2020.
January is an extremely rewarding monthin the garden, with crops abound from the veggie garden, raspberry patch and delicious summerpip and stone fruit.
Fruit trees
The first ofsummerpip and stone fruit ripen this month.
Apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums are all ready for harvest.
With fruit trees that were planted in winter 2020, ensure they are adequately watered to encourage strong, healthy growth.
Mulching also helpswith water retention and suppresses weeds.
Strawberries
Traditionally strawberries finish around Christmas time.
Howevernewvarieties have extended harvest timewell into January. Mulch the plants with crushed bark or pea straw and water regularly to help maintain healthy growth.
Plants will start growing runners in January, these are your next seasons plants. Where there are excessive runners, cut and remove them.
Roses
The easy months of rose cultivation are unfortunately over. As temperatures and humidity rise, the care of roses becomesmuchmore challenging.
If pests or diseases do appear, apply a good-quality horticultural oil at 3-4 weekly intervals until the end of the season (aroundapril).
Youalso need to reapply after
rainfall as protection will be washed off— this canmeanspraying several days apart.
To help reduce black spot and rust, maintain your roses in good physical condition throughout thesummer months with regular watering and mulching.
Avoid fertilising plants during summerwhen rose plants are heat stressed.
Deadhead (removal of finished blooms) your roses once aweek to encourage continued flowering.
Alightsummerprune, especially on vigorous growing varieties is beneficial and is often rewarded with displays of blooms inlate-summer/ early autumn.
For more gardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products, visit
www.daltons.co.nz