Selwyn_Times: July 06, 2022

Don’t miss the chance to reap food in spring
• By Henri Ham
SOUTHERLIES don’t make it
easy to get out in the garden.
However, gardeners still have
much to do even in winter.
Here are some winter gardening
tips that hopefully will help
ensure continuous supply of fresh
produce.
General maintenance
1 Keep on top of weeding.
2 Add a layer of compost into
the vegetable garden and around
trees.
3 Prune fruit trees and roses
(mid-winter) to stimulate growth.
4 Make sure gardens are welldraining.
5 Start planning for spring.
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Wednesday July 6 2022 Selwyn Times
GARDENING 37
Edible garden
July is a good time to plant your
garlic, strawberries and onion
seedlings. Strawberries are hungry
feeders. They also like moist
soil. Strawberry food contains
the essential nutrients needed for
high-yielding plants.
You may either mulch around
strawberry plants or use polythene
for insulation and to keep
the soil moist.
Wintry weather inhibits growth
so many gardeners usually choose
to plant fast-growing salad
greens, silverbeet, rainbow beet
and spinach to ensure continuous
supply.
Pak Choy are fast-growing and
very giving. They also love the
cold. Like silverbeet, pak choy
seedlings and brassicas can be
planted all year round.
Many gardeners suggest soaking
the seedlings in seaweed tonic
solution before transplanting.
This process will give them extra
RIPENING: Strawberries are hungry feeders, give them the
essential nutrients they need to develop a healthy crop.
strength, help in root growth
and improve their resistance to
disease.
If you are thinking of planting
garlic this season, make sure you
use rich, well-draining soil. Plant
garlic seedlings in a sunny spot.
For colder areas prepare to mulch
around your garlic seedlings for
insulation.
Flower garden
There may be less sun but your
garden doesn’t have to look bleak.
Brighten up your garden with
antirrhinum and dianthus.
Sweet peas, pansies and polyanthus
can thrive in cold weather.
All these flowering varieties can
grow beautifully in pots as well.
Natives
Natives love the crispy, cool
weather so you may still want to
consider planting your hedges at
this time.
Garden
In the
with intelligro
Organic compost and a good layer of
mulch can be added to your garden
beds to protect them from the cold
winter conditions. If planting winter
veggies, make sure you use a quality
Veggie Mix and ensure you have
some frost cloth on hand!
Another great option
for winter growing
is a Vegepod.
Check these out on our website www.igro.nz
July is a great time
to tick off tasks
such as sharpening
tools, mower blades,
cleaning the garden
shed, and planning for
your spring planting.
Don’t forget
Mother’s Day
Sunday
May 8!
July Product Picks
Pine Firewood
Organic Compost
Veggie Garden Mix
Bark Mulch
Frost Cloth
Although the shortest day
has passed, there is still
time to plant garlic.
Head to our website for
a handy ‘How To’ guide
on planting garlic.
Vegetable seedlings
to plant this month
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce
• Spinach
May to July Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday: 9.00am – 4.00pm
261 Manion Road, Weedons 7677 | P: 03 347 9012 | E: info@igro.co.nz
www.igro.nz /igro.co.nz /intelligro_nz