Get em Planted !!

Hi

 Planted by an expert.....

What a wintry couple of weeks it's been, wet squally showers, frosts, nice days and now a couple of spectacular fogs.  Well we always get at least a few days in the Waikato where we never see the sky for almost the entire day.  So we should be well used to it LOL. It hasn't been the best fortnight to get in there and do some pruning or gardening but this weekend is looking pretty good if it stays fine.  I am just busting to get into our garden to get the pruning done and make some changes which also means some new plantings.

Now the truth is, the best range of Trees, Roses and Camellias are available at this time of year and it's a pretty good time to plant them too. Now while you can really plant all year round, anything that you purchase in a container, trees planted at this time of year make good root growth before the summer.  Now I probably need to clear a few things up about planting trees and shrubs. Rule of thumb, you need to plant to the same depth that the plant is in the container and that means removing the top cm of soil and then you can plant back to the same depth.

New seasons trees may just fall out of the bag as they haven't made any roots to hold all the soil together or they may have just started to make some new fine feeder roots. It's important to treat the new roots carefully as they are fragile and once out of the bag, need to be planted immediately so as not to let dry out. If you look at your new tree you should see a change of colour where the plant used to be in the soil and that's where you will replant it to.
Some ask, should they add compost and this should depend on how well rotted the compost is and how sandy or wet your soil is. Heavy soil and  or too much heavy compost can get a little wet in the winter for those new developing roots, If unsure then add the compost to the top after planting but remember not to build up around the stem or trunk. The finished height in the bag must be the finished height regardless. I hope that this doesn't sound too basic for all those out there but believe it or not I have had clients that have planted their trees or shrubs still in the container.

Sometimes a tree will be balled and this means that its roots come wrapped in hessian and these ones you can just plant as they are with the hessian still on. It's a traditional way of selling a tree for sale and I will tell you that it's a tricky skill to learn to wrap them so neatly containing the soil and roots in a hessian nappy for the want of a better expression.

NEW IN THIS WEEK , Now that's quite a hard task as there is just so much new seasons stock just in

Nectarines and Peaches,  Just the best range!

Plums Double grafted and the sought after Luisa plums have just arrived.

Table grapes, who can resist these and so good to eat your own home grown....

 Fruits all  incl Pears, Quinces,  Apricots, Figs, Apples, Cherries   Its nearly all in and here now.

Asparagus. One of my fav veg and now you can grow your own. Now you have to remember that Asparagus is a true perennial and so needs its own spot in the garden. I reckon that if you have the space make a dedicated Asparagus patch.  Plant the crowns now to get well establishe before the summer. As with most perennials the crown will get bigger yielding more spears as the years go past. They love lots of food so feed them well.

Secateurs,  ARS brand and before we go any further Chris reckons that its stands for Always Really Sharp, Now we have bandied a few nicknames around  and I bet you can guess what they are but I have have to agree with Chris. They are always really sharp.  I got given a pair by the supplier and have now used them for an entire year and am I ever impressed! I just love the lock catch too! Simply squeeze the secateurs and they open and the catch never gets in the way either. These are just perfect for rose pruning which should be happening from now on, not that I have done mine. We have a bit of a deal going on with these as well so a good time to get a professional pair. Also take a look at the ARS pruning saw and shears as they are damn good too! Click here for Tools.

   

RASPBERRIES.  Still have some of these bare root canes left!  If you have a hankering to plant some of these, then now is the time to get in on a good deal and to get them in the ground. Bare root plants for $3.00 a cane, will make an order to suit, though minimum of 10 canes.

Choose from Heritage, Skeena, Willamette or Nookta but email me with what quantities you require and we will make up the order but you have to email me by return as its not an on line order. Again minimum of 10 plants. Collection or get us to courier them. On another note, I used the remainder of last years frozen raspberries in the slice below. Click the link for the recipes.

Raspberry Muffins and Coconut Raspberry slice, 

    

Harry has been scoring deals again.......

Golden Totaras, 3 metre plants and Totaras make for awesome hedges, Pick up only
Griselinia Ardmore emerald Huge balled plants only $25
Corokias Bronze King,  metre high plants that would make for good hedging only $7.99
Lemon Meyer, bushy plants  $19.99

Rose Pruning Again Sat 14th July at 3pm

Afternoon tea with a demonstration and questions and answers. Please register your interest by return email so that we have an indication of numbers.

Its gonna be fine for the weekend so make the most of it. For those that are lucky enough to be on school holidays. Enjoy.

Cheers, Lloyd and Harry and the team