Central's Tips June 2022
The fruit and vegetable garden
Lift strawberry runners and trim away from the parent plant – these can be planted in fresh Garden Mix to produce delicious strawberries in the summer season. Spread sheep pellets around the new plants.
Stake or build supports around broad bean crops as they grow, because single plants can reach 1.5 – 1.7m high.
Frost coming to the garden? Make shelters for young citrus, tamarillo plants and passionfruit vines. Frost cloth from the local garden centre is also a cheap and easy option, as is newspaper if you’re caught short one evening.
Lift and trim the roots of mint plants, replanting with compost. Mint roots tend to take over garden beds and limit the growth of other plants and herbs. Mint can be planted in an open-ended pot buried in the soil, away from other desirables.
Cover worm farms for the winter as worms are sensitive to cold. Old carpet, blankets etc can add that extra layer of warmth.
Time to clean out summer crops in the glasshouse and replace the soil.
Frost cover for exposed plants: renga renga lilies, coastal astelias, citrus trees and subtropicals.
Small but rewarding: the dwarf Kowhai ‘Dragon’s Gold’ flowers now. It’s easily clipped as a shrub, hedge or topiary and it adds colour in winter. Similarly, the pacific Metrosideros ‘Tahiti’ is a shrub to 1.5m and its red flowers are spectacular.
Showy winter red shades include red stemmed dogwoods and the coral bark maple. Early flowering Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ is a stunner and Camellia ‘Takanini’ has a long flowering period. At ground level plum coloured hellebore flowers and Azalea ‘Ward’s Ruby’ are stunning.
In Auckland it’s not too late to plant any winter bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Our warm climate means the soil is only just beginning to cool down now. If growing them in pots, plant in Garden Mix.
Rake fallen leaves off the lawn. Leaving them kills off grass creating muddy areas.
Project for June
Deal to the mud!
Get rid of muddy driveways and paths before winter really hits. Using our NZ made Jakmat, create a beautiful pebbled area around the house. NZ made Jakmat is strong and durable and provides the perfect solution for parking the boat or campervan.
Download our tips for June