October in the Garden
Tasks for Spring
As spring unfolds in Christchurch, gardeners are experiencing a typical mix of warm and cold weather. With daytime highs ranging from 12-19°C and night-time lows between 4- 8°C, it's essential to stay adaptable and responsive to the changing conditions.
Soil and Planting
While the soil is warming up, it's advisable to wait until temperatures stabilise before planting tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. These plants thrive when night-time temperatures consistently stay above 10°C. In the meantime, focus on preparing your garden beds and sowing cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, and peas.
Lawn Care
Lawns are growing rapidly with the warmer temperatures. Mow regularly and avoid letting the grass grow too long to maintain a healthy, green lawn. This is also a good time to treat for broadleaf weeds and moss. After treatment, apply a balanced fertiliser to keep the grass strong and vibrant.
Mulching
As the weather warms, apply a layer of mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching is particularly beneficial as daytime temperatures increase and rainfall becomes less frequent.
Spring Bulbs and Perennials
Spring bulbs are in full bloom and will benefit from a fertiliser application to strengthen the bulb for next season. Remove spent flowers promptly to prevent energy loss. Summer perennials can still be divided and replanted. Many summer bulbs and corms are beginning to sprout; some shoots can be used to propagate new plants, such as dahlias and begonias.
Fruit and Vegetable Garden
In the fruit and vegetable garden, start monitoring for pests and diseases. Early intervention is key to preventing major issues later in the season. Most vegetable crops can be sown or planted now, but hold off on planting heat-loving varieties like tomatoes until the weather warms up.
Looking Ahead
Average daytime highs in October are around 16°C, with night-time lows near 6°C. Rainfall is expected to be moderate, with about 47 mm over the month, so plan your watering schedule accordingly. By staying attuned to the weather and adjusting your gardening practices, you can ensure a productive and enjoyable spring gardening season.
Potting up the Past
11 October to 27 October 10am to 4pm
Families and garden enthusiasts of all ages are invited to pot up and take home a tray of heirloom seeds during Heritage Festival.
No booking required — just come along to the Kiosk, get your hands dirty, and take home a little bit of the past to grow into the future! Gold coin koha. Seeds, generously supplied by Yates NZ.
Monthly Tips & Tasks from Julian Odering
Thanks to Julian Odering of Oderings Garden Centres for his seasonal insights last month at Garden Life. Julian returns 7 & 8 October so bring along your gnarly questions — Julian is here to help.
Remember: questions can be posted on HortTalk our online facebook group