Gardening
Has lockdown given you a new appreciation of gardening?
Experiencing lockdown has reminded us all the importance of home gardens — not only as a sanctuary of safety, but also a source of fresh fruit and vegetables.
No doubt there are some very well cared for gardens around the country right now.
Vegetable gardens
It’s the month for planting out seedlings of cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and silverbeet.
If seedlings are not available, purchase seeds and raise seedlings indoors to plant out later. Seeds that can be sown directly into the garden include broad beans, onions, peas, radish and spinach.
May is the traditional time for planting garlic, dividing existing garlic cloves or purchasing new garlic cloves. Do not plant them too deeply — just 30-40mm below the soil surface is enough and about 60-70mm apart.
Always enrich your soil with fresh compost before planting a new row of vegetables.
Fruit trees
Now that pip and stonefruit have dropped their leaves, pruning can commence.
Reduce the height of trees, especially plums, to allow easier harvesting and maintenance.
Remove all weak and inwardgrowing branches and remove others where there will be excessive crowding of foliage (leaves). Spray with a copper compound afterwards to prevent reinfection of fungal diseases in spring.
Strawberries
May is the beginning of planting time for new strawberry plants.
Prepare the soil by adding compost to the existing soil. Create mounds 200mm apart. Plant several different varieties to extend the harvesting season.
A minimum of 20 plants is required to provide plentiful amounts of strawberries next summer.
Roses
Dormant roses can now be pruned. Garden hygiene is important so remove all old leaves around the plant that can harbour overwintering fungal diseases. Add compost around plants as a soil conditioner and mulch.
Paths
Paths around the house and garden become more important over winter months when surrounding areas become very wet.
Water blast slippery driveways and paths to make passage safer. It may be time to consider additional paths to make winter access easier.
Visit www.daltons.co.nz for free gardening guides or information on the wide range of Daltons products.