Spring has finally arrived albeit about 10 days late. We are still behind on rainfall and the risk of frosts is still with us so we need to approach the season with some caution and patience. October is one of the very busy times in the garden as much of what we do now determines … Read More
The end of Winter and the start of Spring is the beginning of the growing season and when work in the garden really determines results for the coming growing season. The old saying, “well begun is half done” can be applied to the garden, so start the season off properly by doing the right tasks … Read More
Plant of the month has to be the fruit and nut tree selection which are arriving in Oderings stores daily. This selection includes almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, nashi, figs, nectarine, peaches, pears, plums, plumcot, prune plums and quince. When selecting a fruit tree my advice is to get something a little different. Why you ask? … Read More
July is one of the coldest months of the year and there is not much plant growth (weeds seem to be the exception) so much of the activity in the garden involves pruning, general clean up and maintenance. There are pruning demonstrations to be held on Saturday 4 and 11 July which will help to … Read More
As Winter approaches work in the garden slows down. With shorter and colder days it is better to choose the days that are fine and sunny to do the work as much that needs to be done is not as urgent as in the Spring and Summer. So far the weather has been quite mild … Read More
May is the start of many tasks around the garden to prepare for the coming Winter. With shorter days gardening time is reduced but do remember to keep your Winter garden safe. Treat paths and decks for moss and keep leaves off drives and paths where they may become a hazard, especially when wet. Cut … Read More
Michael Coulter’s Top Tasks April is a busy month in the garden with the start of Autumn and cooler nights mean that we must get ready for the coming Winter. The Summer annuals are at the end of their flowering season so they need to be removed and the ground worked over and rested before … Read More
How do you espalier fruit trees?
Smart planting for healthy bees Why Are Bees Important? Imagine a world without strawberries, kiwifruit, apples, nuts, coffee, chocolate or even denim jeans! And that’s only the beginning. One mouthful in three and nearly ¾ of the diversity of our daily food is directly attributed to Bee pollination. Billions of dollars in NZ export earnings depend … Read More
Michael Coulter’s Top Tasks February is one of the busy months of the gardeners’ year, during this time we are harvesting fruit and vegetables, weeding, watering, Summer pruning fruit trees, dead heading flowers and roses and getting the garden ready for the coming Winter. Tree ripened fruit is for me the real highlight at this … Read More