We love the idea of getting out into the garden every day during January. Now there’s a resolution that we can get behind!
Veggies
Squeeze in the last of your summer veggie planting with mature tomato plants, large-grade chillies, eggplants, and okra. Large-grade chillies and peppers will be available this month – our stores will be filled with unusual, tasty and sometimes dangerously hot varieties! And don’t forget to feed those hungry leafy greens and tomatoes!
Indoor Plants
Continue to monitor watering – drooping leaves are a sure sign that your plant isn’t getting enough moisture. Always plant into pots with drainage holes. Rocks in the bottom of pots without drainage will cause problems later down the track. Prune back your ornamental tradescantia to encourage bushier new growth.
Fruit
Plant delicious subtropical fruit now, including feijoas, cherimoyas, pawpaws, and natal plums! Water blueberry plants deeply – they will drop fruit if they aren’t getting enough moisture. Collect rainwater or water from the shower if the season becomes increasingly dry. Mulch and deeply water fruit trees (especially those planted in the last year) to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
Garden Plants
Make sure that hedging is kept moist throughout summer. Pittosporums and griselinias are hardy but can succumb to dieback when thirsty and living in clay soil. Plant tropical hibiscus in your garden. Enjoy their summer blooms year after year.
General Garden Tasks
Mow your lawns once every ten days to two weeks. However, don’t mow them too low, as this can expose gaps and encourage weed seed to grow. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new flowers.
For more summer gardening tips, pop into your local Kings, or visit kings.co.nz.
