Friday 11th March, 2016
The nights are getting longer so it must be Autumn
Hi
Autumns.... Natures Planting time !!@!!
Nearly half way through March, almost dark at 7 am and Easter looming... where does time go to....... According to those, that set the seasons, its officially Autumn and in my book the best planting season of the year. Having said that, plastic bags and pots revolutionised the nursery industry as it meant that a plant could be kept in a container and therefore potentially available at any time of the year. This said, plants also then would come with their own root ball and be able to be planted year around, though your care may need to vary with the seasons.
But what makes the Autumn such a great planting season ?....... well its all to do with less heat which is gentler on plants, more rainfall which keeps the soil moist rather than soggy and wet. Also the ground temps cool more slowly than the air temps which means that the roots grow faster in that lovely warm and moist soil environment. Having said this, some types of plants are still better planted in different seasons, for example perennials and lavender may prefer being planted into the growing season of spring, even some roses may do well planted in Spring Summer and Autumn, though new seasons stock will always be available in the Winter.
However all manner of trees and shrubs like being planted in the Autumn as rain and warm growing conditions are conducive to plant growth.
Don't take any of this as gospel because as we are dealing with a living plant, nothing is ever black and white but rather shades of grey. I remember from way back when I was learning my trade that you must constantly observe your surroundings and its a lesson that I have never forgotten from a previous employer. Every time that I walk through the nursery I'm looking, as to what everything needs or requires to be done, so much so, it has become habit that I can't lose.
When you are looking at your garden the secret is to observe so that you notice any small changes. Look to see if the plant needs water or watch for symptoms of pest and disease. It always amazes me that the time that most notice that a plant has perhaps died is when its totally dead and not seen the symptoms along the way and there usually are some signals.
The growers also have set seasons that they work to for producing a product range and this can also dictate the planting time. From now on the different ornamental plants will come on board and we start the Autumn with the
Camellia family followed by Citrus, then the Winter with
roses,
ornamental and
fruit trees and Spring sees in, perennials, lavender and perhaps half hardy shrubs.
Living walls, Hedges - create rooms, screening or shelter.
Autumn is the perfect time to plant hedges for all the reasons that this time is one of the great planting seasons. Now I am a tad biased and just loving my living green walls for many reasons. They create rooms, provide shelter, or just screen out unsightly views and for many are quite an affordable option compared to a timber or brick alternative.
If you are thinking of planting a hedge then it always a good idea to prep the space properly. I suggest that you make the space by setting out a string line and creating a bed approx 70 to 100 wide. I would spray this area off or skim of the grass or lawn. Usually when out with Tony I would cut the ground with my spade along the string line and the lower the soil level on the hedge side so that when I finish the job with mulch it falls just below the lawn level. I then would then run a string through the centre of the space created and mark the planting spaces, usually 70 to 100 cm apart for a hedge that is going to grow 100 to 200 cm high though you can plant closer if you are using a small grade.
The correct way to plant a plant, is to remove the top cm of soil from the top of the container and then plant back to where the soil was. If you intend to mulch then it could be acceptable to plant the plant higher and then return the mulch to the plant so that it ends up as it was in the container. Its not OK to bury a plant deeper that it was in its container.
Once your hedge line is planted then it should look like a perfect garden bed.... perfectly in line, all central to the area and mulched so that it looks fab from day one.
Now more advice but the secret to an awesome hedge is to keep tipping or trimming from the beginning so that it bushes up nice and dense and then to trim it slightly higher once its thickens and then raise its height. Always imagine a straight line above and on the sides and trim everything off outside this space so that all the growth goes into hedge development. Maintain the weeds within the hedge by spot spraying carefully with round up or careful hand weeding and if you have mulched the area, then this will reduce weeds.
Once established your hedge should only need two trims a year, once after the spring flush and then again after the Autumn one (unless we have a wet summer and needs a third trim). Finally always keep the base slightly wider than the top so that the light reaches all of the hedge. Don't forget that all plants ( this includes hedges) need feeding so the application of organic matter and also ferts will keep good healthy growth coming.
Many get their tongues tied around the name
sasanqua and especially if I mention a sasanqua called setsugekka but
sasanquas are a group of Camellias that flower in the Autumn, have smaller leaves and smaller flowers than others and traditonally used for hedging. There are many sasanquas and generally they all make for awesome hedges and I have to say they make some of the best subjects to use. Why! well they are really long lived as a plant, are usually very hardy tolerating regular trimming or if they get out of hand, well a really hard cut back and they will regenerate.
Recently arrived have been some really stunning grades of the
evergreen Magnolia such handsome evergreen trees that have such glossy leaves with felted undersides and white scented flowers.. Choose from
Ferruginea, Blanchard and Little Gem
Opening Hours
Easter weekend is coming up fast so we will be shut Good Friday the 25th of March but will be open all normal hours for the rest of the long weekend...... Open 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Mail orders. Two short weeks so dispatch will be limited to two days as we need two working days to get mail orders throughout the country.
Kahikatea Homestead Suitable for short term accommodation.. great for a family or friends travelling in a group. Ideal as a base in the Waikato for day trips. get in touch if you have require a price for week or longer stays.
Dont forget that current seasons roses are all still 25% off
Selected Lace cap type hydrangeas with the outer row of flowers that almost look like butterflies whirling.
Be in quick as when they are gone then they are gone. If they are going out on mail order then we will need to cut them back as they are quite large plants.
Get into those gardening projects as the Autumn is such a great season for being out there and doing it...... we are certainly getting into ours and making changes. The display garden is now 25 years old and light levels have changed and some plants have out grown the space.
what ever you are up to have have a great weekend, have fun and take care!!!
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even
GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag
