Time for planting Plot twist
The cooler temperatures of autumn have arrived, and so too has the beautiful colourful display of leaves on deciduous trees. It’s another busy month in the garden as we prepare our gardens for the colder winter months.
Planting winter veggie seedlings
April is the favoured month for planting winter vegetable seedlings. Add fresh compost to the veggie plot before planting broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, peas, radish, spinach, swedes and turnips. It’s a good idea to stagger your plantings (called succession planting) every two to three weeks so you have a continuous harvest throughout winter.
If temperatures are dropping at night, put jars or plastic bottles over seedlings to protect them against early frosts — this also helps keep snails and slugs at bay! Remember to remove any covers in the morning.
Planting flowering winter annuals
Summer flowering annuals are just about finished. Remove old plants into the compost bin and if you haven’t already, prepare beds for planting with fresh compost.
Winter annuals to plant in this month include; alyssum, aquilegia, calendulas, cineraria, cornflower, lobelia, lupins, nemesia, pansies, primulas, snapdragons, status, stock, sweet pea, sweet william and violas.
Plant up pots and containers for colourful displays on decks and balconies — they will provide a real lift over the dreary, cold winter months.
Preparing the strawberry patch
May is the preferred time for planting strawberries so use this month to prepare your strawberry patch for planting.
Prepare the soil and mound areas for planting above the existing ground level, adding fresh compost and compacting the soil.
Remove “runners” from last season’s strawberry plants and keep them in a large container filled with fresh potting mix until they are planted next month.
Last month for lawn care
A great month for tackling major work renovating existing lawns or laying a new one. It may sound a bit repetitive, but preparation really is the key to success in growing a healthy lawn. With new lawns (or even lawn repair), only import clean, top quality topsoil or lawn soil. Always seek advice about the best lawn type for your property. For existing lawns, apply lawn fertiliser in early April to encourage strong, even growth.
For more gardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products visit www.daltons. co.nz.