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Friday 13th December, 2013

Only 12 Days to Christmas

Hi

Stolen Peaches

They are not even ripe was the comment from Harry on his return from our orchard area and with many samples of partially eaten peaches in his hands. Do you think that its a possom he asks as I look at the gnawed fruit thinking, What else could it be. Well if you know Harry at all, revenge was happening and down went the possum trap to sort the issues of the peaches from being stolen with an apple as bait.
The next morn when he went down to check the trap, he discovered that the peaches on the tree were obviously a tastier feed than the apple in the trap. This only just steps up his resolve to save the precious peaches and the number of traps down the orchard increased by 300 % and the bait changed to one of the peaches. Not one to leave anything to chance, mesh went around the trunk of the tree to stop the possum climbing to get the tasty fruit.

          

The next morn off he went to check out the situation and to his delight the culprit was caught and the remaining peaches were saved. I must say they do quite a lot of damage to the trees as they break all the branches reaching out to feed.. I think that he should keep the vigil up as the next on the harvest list will be the plums and there is a whole heap there steadily getting closer to being ripe with the Luisa plum tree being just laden. Obviously the possoms taste buds prefer the fruit  on the greener side.

Now on a good note we did get to eat some of the peaches and I have to say that there is nothing like eating fruit straight from the tree, fresh peaches are just gorgeous. Now if you have a hanker to grow your own peaches then we still have plenty to choose from including the new release one Coconut Ice and Scarlet O'hara and even the trendy new Flattos that will pack handily into a lunch box LOL. Check all the fruits out here

The Nitty Gritty on Planting a Plant

There is probably so much that I just take for granted and planting plants is just one of them. It never ceases to amaze me that so many get it so wrong and the result is the plant just dies. Take no offence if you know what to do and hopefully the following will be of help to those that are unsure. Rule of thumb is that all and I mean all plants get planted to the same depth that they are in their container. This will mean the removal of the top cm of potting mix from the pot so that the soil or mulch can be returned to the same level. Now I know and I m sure that other out there know but some plants can actually be planted deeper but if you don't know first hand, then stick to the rules.

Planting a plant too deep can result in the tissue around the stem being softened and causing a collar rot and the plant will die. Budded plants like roses are usually safe to plant to just below the bud union and the same can be said for most trees except perhaps if they have been potted higher for a long time then I would stick the rule.

I often get asked about planting this time of year and yes you can plant anytime of year provided you can water. The beauty of containerised plants is that they can be safely transplanted any time of year. There are a few tips for this time of year though and my first is to make sure that the root ball is completely wet. Put the plant, container, and all in a bucket of water and wait for the bubbles to stop, then haul out and let drain, this will  ensure that the root ball is completely wet. Plant the plant correctly and water it in well, once.

Additional compost in the soil will help hold and retain moisture and compost on top is good too as its stops the soil surface from drying out.  I don't usually advise additional compost in the winter as it can do the reverse and hold too much moisture. Be able to water once a week, once a fortnight depending on the weather but just do one decent water. I hear all these stories of those that water every day and sometimes they will be just overdoing it. Plants can cope with the seasons just like us.

On that note its important to use common sense and if the plant or tree is quite root bound and older, then its water requirement will be high and sometimes it will use its root ball water and dry out and its important that when you water such a situation, to get the water into the root ball. Gosh that was a big  lecture and hope that its of some help. Usually summer time is the only time of year that I get to make changes in my own garden.

Orders for next year

This is the time of year that I have to have organised the new stock for next year, If there is a particular plant that you may be after, from now on is the time to let us know so that I can order it in, if its available. This is the case with fruit trees, ornamental trees and roses. You should be able to order online but email us directly if you can't see the plant that you want there or have any problems.


Xmas lilies  I just adore these lilies and as I write this email there is  a huge bunch of lilies on our table in a vase. They are so easily grown and always come to flower just in time for Christmas day. Plant them in a sunny position in the garden and over the years they will just multply until you have a huge display of them. We also have other Liliums in other colours and Black Out is looking particularly beautiful.

           

Gnomes ‘OMG  After our TV advert with the gnomes , a rep came around offering Gnomes and Harry couldn't resist. This cute photo was lined up by one of the team and the gnomes are here for sale so if you have a hankering to adorn your garden with a gnome or two  or know of someone who would like, we have these in the shop right now. I believe that there are some ceramic ladybirds there as well..  who can resist a sweet gnome for that special spot in the garden, I believe, if we looked hard enough, we would find at least one gnome somewhere in our garden......

Pots.  these cute pots in the wire baskets are just fab for a upmarket look, Just lend themselves to being planted with annuals mondo grass and the like and what a neat pressie.

Vouchers.  the easiest thing to give someone who is keen on their garden and the garden centre is still brim full of healthy well cared for plants.

Daylilies. Great summer colour and as tough a plant as you can get, Technically a sun plant and will grow quite hot sunny and dry positions are also particularly forgiving and will cope in some shade and even quite wet positions. Tjhey are just awesome for sommer colour along with Cannas which are making quite a come back at the moment

Peaches and apples, only $20 each.. We are steadily going through our stocks and need to clear some older stock, not online so you will have to come and check them out but have just added a whole selection of Apples that need to be planted out as well.

 

Mail order. Last week for mail order will be the week prior to the Christmas week and there will be no mail order again until the week of 20th of Jan 2014. The garden centre will only be closed Christmas Day otherwise open all days 8.30am to 5pm.

Its the count down for Christmas day now with only two weekends left before the big day and Im sure everyone is well busy. What ever you are doing take some time to relax and enjoy the weekend. 

Have fun!!!!

Take care and have a great weekend.

Cheers

Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team

Make it a Wairere weekend where even GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.

Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, RD 1, Hamilton
07 824 34 30
www.wairere.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2013 Newsletters...

New Year and Crepe Myrtles (8th February, 2013)

clivias and Roses (15th February, 2013)

Roses in the beginning (22nd February, 2013)

The Albas (1st March, 2013)

St Patricks day (9th March, 2013)

Cabbage Roses (15th March, 2013)

Hirsute Roses (22nd March, 2013)

Portland Roses (28th March, 2013)

Bourbon Roses (4th April, 2013)

Big boots to fill ... (11th April, 2013)

True Love and Large Hips (11th April, 2013)

Happy Birthday (10th May, 2013)

Tea Roses (17th May, 2013)

Hybrid Perpetuals (24th May, 2013)

Planting and caring for your new roses (29th May, 2013)

Polyanthas (31st May, 2013)

Hybrid Teas (8th June, 2013)

Floribundas (14th June, 2013)

Austin Roses =?utf-8?Q?e298bc?= (23rd June, 2013)

Different Coppers (29th June, 2013)

Pendula or weeping (5th July, 2013)

All in a days work (19th July, 2013)

Daphne (26th July, 2013)

Hydrangea Secrets (2nd August, 2013)

Maples high worked (9th August, 2013)

Magnificent Mags (16th August, 2013)

Mags Part two (23rd August, 2013)

Hedges (30th August, 2013)

The fluffy stuff (12th September, 2013)

Fluff and Stuff (12th September, 2013)

PC Irises (20th September, 2013)

Beardless Irises (27th September, 2013)

Lavender (4th October, 2013)

The Ilams (12th October, 2013)

Maples (17th October, 2013)

Maples (18th October, 2013)

Maples Part two (24th October, 2013)

Maples Part three (1st November, 2013)

It's Rained (8th November, 2013)

Busy week (15th November, 2013)

Hydrangeas (29th November, 2013)

Its rained some more (6th December, 2013)

..... Who's pinching my Peaches

Merry Xmas (24th December, 2013)

HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: