December is the start of summer, and it’s “all go” in the garden! In December, harvesting of fruit, vegetables and flowers begins in earnest. With warmer weather, there is also a lot of weeding, watering, feeding and harvesting in the vegetable garden. The hard yards put in over spring should now be paying dividends with the lawn lush and green, veggie patch producing tasty fresh crops, fruit trees showing evidence of luscious fruits ahead and the flower garden bursting with colour.
GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
BORDER PERENNIALS, EARLY LILIES, HIBISCUS, AND POHUTUKAWAS.
ORNAMENTAL GARDEN
Plant
Sow direct – ageratum, candytuft, china aster, cosmos, mignonette and strawflower. Finish planting dahlias and chrysanthemums. Put in anemone corns by mid-month. Plant freesia corms or seed. Plant any sub-tropical shrubs, such as hibiscus, lantana and bougainvillea.
Fertilise
Give liquid feeds to any border plants that are developing flowering buds.
Prune
All spring-flowering shrubs not done last month, cutting to strong bud below each inflorescence. After flowering, cut oldest canes of rambler roses to the ground. Remove unwanted stems from wisteria and shorten all side shoots. Snap off old heads from rhododendrons, being careful of new shoots. Trim formal hedges and photinia bushes.
Watch for
Aphids, thrips, mites, caterpillars, black spot, rust and powdery mildew.
EDIBLE GARDEN
Plant
Beans (dwaff and pole), beets (silver and red), broccoli (mid-season), cabbage (mid-season, ballhead and savoy), carrots, cauliflower (5 month), celery (plants), lettuce, parsnips, radishes, spring onions, swedes and tomatoes.
Prune
On berryfruits, remove canes that have fruited. Control grapevines by pinching bearing shoots four leaves beyond each bunch and cut unwanted shoots.
Fertilise
Prepare with plenty of compost for new plantings of veges, adding dolomite lime for brassicas. Give liquid feed to any flagging crops.
Watch for
Aphids, caterpillars (including codling moth), green vegetable bug, black spot, blight, brown rot, powdery mildew and rust.
Things to do
To retain moisture and control weeds, maintain a deep mulch on all vegetable beds, drarf fruit trees, bush and cane fruits and citrus trees. If soil is below mulch and starts to feel dry, water generously. Shade new plantings with row covers. Harvest early potatoes if the weather allows. Earth up main crop varieties. Once tops fall over, lift autumn-planted onions and dry before storing. Towards the end of the month begin harvesting garlic and shallots. Pick berries and early stone fruits.
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
Watering
May be necessary in dry areas, conserve supplies by deep mulching and apply water seldom but thoroughly.
Rose Care
Deadhead regularly, water as necessary and treat any pests or diseases. After first flush of bloom apply a light dressing of fertiliser.
Lawn Care
Do not cut very close. Water occasionally in the driest areas.
Things to do
Every third year lift flag irised and replant young rhizomes with plenty of compost and some lime. Feed established beds with ground phosphate rock. Lift and divide any crowded clumps of early lilies as soon as flowering finishes, giving plenty of compost. Lift tulips growing in warm sites and store bulbs in cool conditions. Pinch chrysanthemums for the last time. Cut back spent violas.
Need assistance
Please get in touch with the team at Lawn King.
