Judy's Garden Calendar September
‘I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden,’ wrote Ruth Stout, a twentieth century pioneer of no-dig gardening. And there’s no doubt that even non-gardeners get excited about the garden in spring.
Vegies to sow in September
Lettuces don’t like the heat so it’s best to start them early before the temperatures get too high. Yates Salad Mix, with its blend of lettuce varieties, is a favourite. And if you want to really impress your friends when entertaining, grow the Yates Mesclun Mix which will provide you with a gourmet-style array of salad ingredients.
Flowers to sow in September
Yates Cosmos Bright Eyes is always a focus seed packet in September. This cheery little summer annual grows enthusiastically through the warm weather, producing masses of orange or yellow flowers. And, most importantly, forty cents from the sale of each packet goes to Retina New Zealand, a little known charity that supports families affected by genetically-related eye diseases.
Feed in September
September could be renamed fertiliser month because just about everything appreciates a feed at this time of year. Feed spring-flowering plants as soon as they have finished blooming and summer-blooming varieties as they begin their new growth. Which fertiliser is best? There’s no easy answer to this question but Dynamic Lifter pellets are good for general shrubs and trees. Nitrosol Organic is a liquid organic food that boosts the soil activity as well as promoting healthy plant growth. Thrive Soluble, which is applied in liquid form, is best for fast-growing vegetables and flowers. Slow release Acticote or Nutricote are the choices for pots.
Prune in September
Prune summer-flowering shrubs and trim back evergreen hedges. As camellias finish blooming, do any cutting back that’s required to allow light to enter into the bush.
September pest watch
Spray peaches and nectarines as their buds begin to open with Champ DP or Yates Nature’s Way Fungus Spray. This will protect the new growth from leaf curl and other fungal diseases.
September job file
Sow seed or plant runners into bare patches in the lawn. Feed established lawns with Yates top quality Lawn Master – it will continue releasing its goodness for up to three months. Apply Yates Prickle Weed Killer to get rid of Onehunga weed before it gets to seeding stage and develops its sharp spines.
Plant of the Month
This frost tender annual, with its jewel-coloured daisy blooms, creates a wonderful garden show and will produce a stunning display in light shade as well as full sun. While they can’t be grown outdoors through winter in frosty climates, potted specimens can be kept in a glasshouse until they reach blooming stage and then brought indoors to be used as living bunches of flowers.
