Summer has finally arrived, and the warm December days are upon us. While we know it’s a busy period, adding mindful gardening to your morning and evening routines is the perfect antidote to the Christmas craziness.
Veggies
Plant large-grade tomatoes, capsicums, chillies, and eggplants in pots and in the garden now for a delicious and productive harvest. Tomato plants LOVE their food. Feed with a potassium-rich liquid tomato feed every two weeks. Give your veggies a big drink in the mornings so they have time to soak up the moisture before the afternoon heat. Avoid wetting the foliage.
Indoor Plants
It’s propagating season! Grow cuttings of your favourite indoor plants either in water or in a sandy or pumice-rich potting mix that is kept moist. Your indoor plants need more water as temperatures rise. Test the soil’s moisture with your finger to see if it needs a deep drink or a light trickle.
Fruit
Plant citrus right through summer, making sure you keep them well watered. Add instant zest to your garden by planting a large-grade Meyer lemon that is already flowering. Sprinkle slow-release citrus food around the base of your potted fruit, including lemons, limes, mandarins, feijoas, figs, and olive trees.
Garden Plants
Plant hydrangeas into partly shaded areas in your garden, under trees or on the south side of a fence or structure. Looking to create a tropical garden? Choose a semi-shaded spot for bromeliads, ferns, palms, and gardenia.
General Garden Tasks
Create fresh floral bouquets for Christmas. We love using hydrangea, dahlia, sweet William, lavender, and lilies. Get those weeds before they seed and spread throughout the garden! Pull out small ones by hand, or spray with organic weed killer if they are still young.
Fruit
Plant citrus right through summer, making sure you keep them well watered. Add instant zest to your garden by planting a large-grade Meyer lemon that is already flowering. Sprinkle slow-release citrus food around the base of your potted fruit, including lemons, limes, mandarins, feijoas, figs, and olive trees.
For more summer gardening tips, pop into your local Kings, or visit kings.co.nz.
