Don’t forget…. next month is our ANNUAL SALE, more news coming.  We  have had a busy month of harvesting potatoes, beans, peas, carrots raspberries, black currents etc.  There is the usual story with the courgettes/zuchinni, if you miss one on the plant, it rapidly grows into a marrow.  Here is a yummy recipe using courgettes, for you to enjoy.

Stir Fried Courgettes with Feta

• 2 large onions cut into wedges
• 6 – 8 small courgettes cut into strips
• 2 red capsicum de seeded and cut into strips lengthways
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
• 175gm Feta Cheese, cubed
• 2 Tablespoons Chopped Basil

Instructions:

• Stir fry onions for 2 minutes in olive oil, add courgettes and capsicum until just tender.  Remove from pan into warmed serving dish, add remaining ingredients, mix together and serve.

Edible Garden

• Dig up/dry out and bag up potatoes (store in a dark place), garlic and onions
• February is the perfect time for sowing winter vegetables – beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leeks, cabbages, cauli, silverbeet plus winter lettuce
• Prepare gardens for winter planting, dig in compost/pea straw
• With the season being later than usual, you may just be starting to harvest your tomatoes, remove diseased fruit
• Harvest apples, pears, plums and peaches.
  
• Maintain a regular fruit tree spray programme
• Apply citrus fertiliser to Lemons, Grapefruit, Mandarins and water in
• Remove water shoots from grape vines and protect fruit from birds

Flower Garden

• Keep dead heading flowers/roses to keep them looking their best
• Cut down/back perennials

Lawns

• Be on the look out for grass grub problems deal to with Soil Insect Killer or Diazanon for treatment/prevention of grass grubs
• Fertilise lawns to keep green – ‘Osmocote Lawn Builder’
• Lawn weed problems?  Apply Turfix for flat weeds

Trees/shrubs

• Fertilise camellias, rhodos, azaleas, Daphne, buxus hedging to encourage good root growth
• Prune stone fruit trees once fruit is harvested and seal cuts with Bacseal Pruning Paint
• Any potted plants – indoor/outdoor fertilise for autumn flush of growth
• Trim hedges/topiary to allow new growth to harden off before winter – Wait for an overcast day or prune early or late in the day
• Now is the time to prune Pittosporum, Wisteria, smoke bushes (Cotinus family) or Maples Tip – Never prune these in winter.

Roses

• Mildew or insect problems?  Spray with ‘No Fungus Super Sulpher’

Mulch and Water – This is probably the most important activitiesfor your garden during the hot summer months with high temperatures and NW winds.

WEB SPECIAL: 1/2 Wine Barrels only $59.00 ea – Why not fill one with a living gift for Christmas – Remember to mention this to get the special..

Edible Garden

• For those who protected their potatoes and other vegetables from the late frosts – start digging up and eating (once flowers start to die off on the potatoes)
• Keep planting lettuce, spring onions and radish
• Pick beans every 2 – 3 days, keep watered
• Once your pumpkin (or melon) vine have 2 – 3 fruit, nip the ends so the growing energy goes into the fruit
• Tomatoes and corn will be ready late January in a good season or warm site
• Strawberries, raspberries and cherries are ripening so cover with bird netting to protect.  If you are making jam to get the BEST results use the freshest berries and do in small batches (1 -2kg)
• Sow sprouting broccoli and cauliflower etc. mid December for planting out in late January – Beware grey aphid and white butterfly
• Stop harvesting asparagus in mid December to allow for root reserves for next season – support with stakes and twine

Prepare Garden For Christmas

• Give flowers from your garden to friends and family
• Enjoy the fruit of your labour on Christmas day – Potatoes, peas (sown mid September), beans, lettuce, carrots, spring onions.
• Enjoy the raspberries, strawberries, black currents for desserts and juice or make jam to give as a gift
• Christmas Gift Ideas for the keen gardener: Pruners, sprinklers, trowel, weeder, stainless steel spade or fork

Irrigation

• Watering systems should be installed to conserve water
• Trickle irrigation is the most economical
• Time clocks will avoid over watering
• If you have automatic irrigation set for early morning e.g. 5am or late evening e.g. after 9pm

Holiday Care for your Garden

• If going on holiday give the garden a good soak before you take off, or make sure the irrigation system is working well and not leaking, or have sprinklers on a timer system and ask neighbours to turn the timer around  if summer is particularly dry
• Mulch is great for keeping the moisture in
• Place potted plants in  cool shade behind the house
• A good idea to have lawns mown by family/neighbours – makes the property look lived in.
• If you have a full vegetable/fruit garden, invite friends etc to enjoy rather than waste

Trees/shrubs

• Ensure any newly planted trees/shrubs have sufficient water to help get them established
• Fruit trees need to be sprayed with Bravo to prevent fungal infections

Lawns

• Water just enough to keep green, browntop and fescue are fairly drought resistant and survive even if browned off
• Do not cut lawns too short to keep them from drying out too quickly and keeps the roots cooler

Roses

• Prune to 5 leaf after flowering, watering will encourage flowering
• Water early in the morning is better for the plant
• Fertilise roses with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser to encourage new growth for  second flowering

Flowers

• Plant your summer annuals now and enjoy the bright colours this brings to your garden
• Dead head/cut down and fertilise to encourage more flowering
• Provide support for Dahlias and Christmas lilies
• Lavender:  After flowering, cut back about 1/3, but make sure not to cut back to hard mature wood with no re growth potential.

Edible Garden

• Continue to plant lettuce, new seasons tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes, beans, carrots and corn
• Continue plantings of gourmet lettuce packs.  You may even try a few radish and spring onions – thin spring onions – use in salads
• Harvest Asparagus
• Plant and fertilise Strawberry plants
• Sow silverbeet and parsley seeds for winter
• Frost sensitive herbs can be planted outside now
• Companion planting – Plant garlic and marigolds in between vegetable crops– also brightens up the vegetable garden

Trees/shrubs

• Late November latest time for planting out shrubs and new trees unless on a good watering system.
• Prune buxus hedges, topiary etc at the end of November when growth is mature –  Tip: Do this on a dull day to avoid sunburn

Lawns

• To keep lawns healthy – Fertiliser can be applied and water this in well after application

Roses

• Dead head flowers and keep roots damp
• Keep an eye out for black spot and aphids – Soapy water over leaves deters the pest

Flowers

• Annuals should be planted out now – Alyssum, Begonias, Lobellia, Marigolds, Pansies, Stock
• Evergreen Garden Centre has an everyday low price of $3.90/six pack
• Instant colour by your front door or bar-b-que area looks great too

Time to plant your Edibles….. Apples, Pears, Lemons, Strawberries, Potatoes, Asparagus, Blueberries, Garlic and so the list could go on.  Come and have a look at the wide variety of producing plants/seeds we have available and begin to create your self sufficient garden

Edible Garden

• Sprout/plant potatoes any time from now if not done already
• Purchase Spring vegetable seedlings e.g. broccoli, lettuce, green peas etc and plant in newly prepared soil
• Plant new strawberries it is good to replace your strawberry plants every two years
• Asparagus bulbs can be planted now and remember to fertilise and mulch
• Continue to plant Garlic and remember this works as a fantastic companion plant in your vegetable garden to keep away the unwanted pests.
• Sow fresh herbs now for the summer bar-b-ques and salads – Have a half wine barrel near the bar-b-que/outdoor entertaining area filled with your favorite herbs for easy access.

Garden Clean up

• Spread last seasons compost over garden – dig in
• Dig in winter crop if not done already
• Spray fruit trees to prevent leaf curl, use Champion DP, Copper fungicide

Trees/shrubs

• Best time for planting trees and shrubs this should be done before summer hot temperatures Plant flowering cherry trees now to enjoy the new blossom
• Flowering foliage looking good so purchase now: Deciduous magnolias, Daphne, Flowering cherry trees, Camellias

Lawns

• Fertilise/feed lawns with Lawn Builder or Growplus Professional Lawn Food and any humps and hallows topdress with fresh grass seed
• If you have a spongy old lawn it may be a good idea to dethatch and scarify the lawn area

Roses

• New roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating Evergreen Rose Fertiliser around roots.
• Fertilise roses from around base to about 200 – 300mm from main stem with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser (slow release)
• Last chance to prune your roses.
• Ensure roses are staked and supported for new growth

Flowers

• Pull winter annuals out if not done yet
• Protect early Azaleas and primroses from late frosts
• You can still divide Hostas, Astibes, Peonies and Bergenia
• Prepare flower beds for new seasons annuals wait until frosts have finished before planting annuals

POTATOES ARE IN – Get yours now!

Come in to choose your potatoes from our wide selection.  Mention our ‘WEB SPECIAL’ and get one FREE bag of potatoes for every two bags you purchase

The days are lengthening – Now we have had the big dumping of snow we can start preparing our spring garden….you can head start your HERBS by keeping them in a warm sunny spot indoors until the temperature warms up outside for planting.   See below for more gardening advice.

Edible Garden

• Purchase new seasons potatoes – place in warm spot inside to encourage sprouting of tubers – Try a different variety like Purple Heart – higher in antioxidants and delicious too.  Don’t forget to mention our ‘Web Special’
• Prepare ground for new vegetables – Plant new potatoes in frost free area
• Ideal time to plant fruit trees e.g. cherry trees, plums, apricots, apples, pears etc.
• Plant new strawberries – cover with wire mesh /bird netting to prevent birds having a feed
• Fertilise asparagus, place mulch to prevent weeds – do not plant asparagus in colder areas until October

Garden Clean up

• Prune fruit trees
• Spray raspberries for caterpillars
• Spread last seasons compost over garden – dig in
• Dig in winter crop if not done already
• Spray roses and fruit trees for final clean up in garden

Trees/shrubs

• Best time for planting trees and shrubs this should be done before summer hot temperatures Plant flowering cherry trees now to enjoy the new blossom
• Camellias are coming out in particular prune the Sasanquas now until October – the other camellias should be pruned once they have finished flowering.
• NEW PLANT: Interested in the latest boardering plant?  Libertia ‘grasshopper’ is an evergreen plant, dark green, strongly upright foliage with prolific white flowers abounding in early summer. Ideal for mass planting.  Height 30 cm

Roses

• New roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating Evergreen Rose Fertiliser around roots.
• Fertilise roses from around base to about 200 – 300mm from main stem with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser (slow release)
• Still time to prune roses if not done yet

Flowers

• Pull winter annuals out
• You can still divide Hostas, Astibes, Peonies and Bergenia

This has to be the warmest May we can remember, sunny NW days definitely are a brightner to the continuing shakes over our city. June is the month of the Daphne plant.  We have some lovely specimens in bud NOW.  Perfect as a pathway plant or plant close to the front door as a welcoming fragrance.

Edible Garden

• Plant your strawberries now for Christmas crops and also berry fruit e.g. raspberries, gooseberries and currents
• Dig in green crops (usually around 8 weeks after planting) Tip: 2 weeks later re-dig the soil before planting vegetable plants
• Traditionally, the shortest day is the day to plant your GARLIC, remember, this is also a fantastic plant for companion planting and keeps away unwanted pests from your vegetable garden

Lilies/Bulbs

• Plant Christmas lilies and Oriental bulbs or lift and divide your lilies from last season
• Still time to plant bulbs.  We have a wide selection so come and choose some colours to brighten your spring garden up

Fruit Trees

• Catch the trend and grow your own orchard – Always tastes better from your garden.  New seasons stock arriving  in our garden centre this month
• Try double or triple graft apples/pears if space in the garden is a problem
• Disease resistant varieties means less spraying and maintenance e.g. Initial (Apple), Peasgood nunsuch (Apple)

Garden Clean up

• Spray fruit trees, roses, hydrangeas,  with Champion Copper and Conqueror Oil to prevent pests and diseases
• Prune fruit trees now (apples, pears and plums), endeavor to keep fruiting branches to the outside of tree.  Tip: Don’t prune apricots, peach or cherry trees – these need to be pruned when their leaves are on to prevent infection.
• Prune Grapevines, kiwifruit
• Trim/tidy Wisteria, lightly shape/trim hedges
• Pea straw/mulching – Replenish gardens with pea straw to discourage weeds
• Weeds may still be a problem due to warm weather – Tip: Keep on top of the weeds to prevent self seeding of weeds

Trees/shrubs

• Best time for planting trees and shrubs
• Perfect time to prune deciduous trees such as Robinia Mop Tops, Gledistia, Oak trees
• Apply slow Evergreen Slow Release fertiliser to shrubs in preparation for Spring growth
• Now is a good time for transplanting/removing deciduous trees
• Cover Citrus/frost sensitive plants with frost cloth
• As mentioned above…. Daphne is a wonderful shrub to have and we have also had a pallet load of Azaleas arrive this week too, all in bud and a lovely array of colours

Roses

• New roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating Evergreen Rose Fertiliser around roots.
• Now is the time for pruning roses
• Fertilise roses from around base to about 200 – 300mm from main stem with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser (slow release)
• Come in and check out our NEW SEASONS STOCK.  We have a very wide selection to choose from

Flowers

• Buy winter annuals to brighten your garden e.g. violets, poppies, polyanthus
• Great time to divide perennials
• Remember our SHADE HOUSE – We have a HUGE range of new seasons Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias.

It is a difficult time for us all here in Christchurch, but we wanted to pass on the March Garden Tips for those who are able to get out and into your garden and to take your mind off the hardships at the present time.  With the early autumn rains we have had, this reminds me, now is a perfect time for planting new trees or shrubs so why not visit our SALE 

Edible Garden

• Harvest the last of your mature vegetables Tip – leave a small stem on your pumpkins to help prolong shelf life
• March is the perfect time for planting winter seedlings (or seeds if it is done early in the Month) veges beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leeks, cabbages, cauli, silverbeet plus winter lettuces.  Protect young seedlings with Slug Bait and cotton strips (black cotton) to discourage birds
• Harvest apples, pears, plums and peaches.  Tip – Keep watered to encourage larger fruit
• Prune raspberry canes – remove dead canes and tie up the new ones, the fruit always appears on the 1 year old canes

Flower Garden

• Keep dead heading flowers/roses to keep them looking their best
• Start planting bulbs
• Cut down/back perennials
• Container planting of Pansies, Polys and Violas to brighten up your garden/entrance way over the winter months

Lawns

• Late March, with Autumn approaching now is a good time to prepare any new lawn areas for seeding – Pick up an info sheet from the Garden Centre
• Grass Grubs?  Deal to these with Diazanon
• Fertilise lawns to keep green – ‘Osmocote Lawn Builder’
• Lawn weed problems?  Apply Turfix for flat weeds

Trees/shrubs

• A good time to take cuttings of trees and shrubs
• Fertilise camellias, rhodos, azaleas, Daphne, buxus hedging and any potted plants (indoor and outdoor) if not done already
• Trim hedges/topiary to allow new growth to harden off before winter – Wait for an overcast day or prune early or late in the day
• If you have Pittosporum, Wisteria, smoke bushes (Cotinus family) or Maples for pruning, now is the time.  Tip – Never prune these in winter.

Harvesting is always such a pleasure to do.  We are featuring tomatoes this month with a                                 yummy hassle free recipe

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Great value Recipe So easy and so Tasty.  When buying from the store, this can be an expensive item, but not when you have tomatoes in your garde

• 400 gm Fresh Tomatoes                  
• 1 clove garlic chopped/crushed
• ½ Red or Green Capsicum
• ½ – 1 tsp minced chilli
• 1 ½ teaspoon (t) salt
• 2 t brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoon (T) lime or lemon juice                                                           
• 1 t ground cumin
• ¼ Cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 T Rice bran oil/or Olive oil
• 2 – 3 T chopped herbs (parsley, chives, coriander or basil)

Mix and whiz all together and chill.  Dip in your favorite crackers, corn chips, carrots, celery or bagel crisps

Option 2

Tomato and Zucchini Salsa – Just add in ½ Cup of chopped zucchini to the ingredients

Edible Garden

• Dig up/dry out and bag up potatoes (store in a dark place), garlic and onions
• February is the perfect time for sowing winter vegetables – beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leeks, cabbages, cauli, silverbeet plus winter lettuces
• Keep harvesting tomatoes and remove any diseased fruit
• Harvest apples, pears, plums and peaches.  Tip – Keep watered to encourage larger fruit
• Maintain a regular fruit tree spray programme
• Apply citrus fertiliser to Lemons, Grapefruit, Mandarins and water in

Flower Garden

• Keep dead heading flowers/roses to keep them looking their best
• Cut down/back perennials

Lawns

• Be on the look out for grass grub problems deal to with Soil Insect Killer or Diazanon for treatment/prevention of grass grubs
• Fertilise lawns to keep green – ‘Osmocote Lawn Builder’
• Lawn weed problems?  Apply Turfix for flat weeds

Trees/shrubs

• Fertilise camellias, rhodos, azaleas, Daphne, buxus hedging to encourage good root growth
• Prune fruit trees and seal cuts with Bacseal Pruning Paint
• Any potted plants – indoor/outdoor fertilise for autumn flush of growth
• Trim hedges/topiary to allow new growth to harden off before winter – Wait for an overcast day or prune early or late in the day
• Now is the time to prune Pittosporum, Wisteria, smoke bushes (Cotinus family) or Maples Tip – Never prune these in winter.

Roses

• Mildew or insect problems?  Spray with ‘No Fungus Super Sulpher’

A 1/2 wine barrel filled with plants/herbs/flowers is an excellent gift idea.  A garden cook book as a gift for the keen gardener means they can transfer what they have grown into delicious dishes or even gifts they can give away too.   See below for more Christmas gift ideas.  When you are really stuck, a Garden Gift Voucher is a great way to go.

Sometimes weeds are not weeds and STINGING NETTLE is one of those I have discovered that can be transformed into a delicious dip/spread for the summer bar-b-ques

Stinging Nettle Pesto

6 cups of fresh stinging nettle (suggest you use gloves to harvest this) – boiled in a little water for 2 minutes – drain and hold back the liquid (I use this to make a smooth paste if needed)

1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

2 x Garlic Cloves

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

1/3 Cup Pine nuts or Cashew Nuts

Salt/pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients into blender.  This is fabulous for pasta, with crackers and cheese, as a dip.  Refrigerate until ready to use or I usually make a double mixture and freeze in small containers.

Edible Garden

• For those who protected their potatoes and other vegetables from the late frosts – start digging up and eating (once flowers start to die off on the potatoes)
• Keep planting lettuce, spring onions and radish
• Pick beans every 2 – 3 days, keep watered
• Tomatoes and corn will be ready late January in a good season or warm site
• Sow sprouting broccoli and cauliflower etc. mid December for planting out in late January – Beware grey aphid and white butterfly
• Stop harvesting asparagus in mid December to allow for root reserves for next season – support with stakes and twine

Prepare Garden For Christmas

• Give flowers from your garden to friends and family
• Enjoy the fruit of your labour on Christmas day – Potatoes, peas (sown mid September), beans, lettuce, carrots, spring onions.
• Enjoy the raspberries, strawberries, black currents for desserts and juice
• Christmas Gift Ideas for the keen gardener: Gloves are a great stocking filler, Pruners, sprinklers, trowel, weeder, stainless steel spade or fork

Irrigation

• Watering systems should be installed to conserve water
• Trickle irrigation is the most economical,
• Time clocks will avoid over watering
• If you have automatic irrigation set for early morning e.g. 5am or late evening e.g. after 9pm

Holiday Care for your Garden

• If going on holiday give the garden a good soak before you take off, or make sure the irrigation system is working well and not leaking, or have sprinklers on a timer system and ask neighbours to turn the timer around  if summer is particularly dry
• Mulch is great for keeping the moisture in
• Place potted plants in  cool shade behind the house
• A good idea to have lawns mown by family/neighbours – makes the property look lived in.
• If you have a full vegetable/fruit garden, invite friends etc to enjoy rather than waste

Trees/shrubs

• Ensure any newly planted trees/shrubs have sufficient water to help get them established

Lawns

• Water just enough to keep green, browntop and fescue are fairly drought resistant and survive even if browned off

Roses

• Prune to 5 leaf after flowering, watering will encourage flowering
• Fertilise roses with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser to encourage new growth for  second flowering

Flowers

• Plant your summer annuals now and enjoy the bright colours this brings to your garden
• Dead head/cut down and fertilise to encourage flowering
• Provide support for Dahlias and Christmas lilies
• Lavender:  After flowering, cut back about 1/3, but make sure not to cut back to hard mature wood with no re growth potential.