September in New Zealand marks the arrival of spring (even if it doesn't feel like it), a time when the garden awakens from winter dormancy and begins to burst into life. It’s an exciting period for gardeners as they prepare for the growing season ahead. With temperatures rising and daylight hours increasing, now is the perfect time to tackle a variety of essential garden tasks. Here’s a guide to the key jobs to focus on in your Kiwi garden this September.
Prepare Your Soil
As the soil starts to warm up, it’s an excellent time to prepare it for planting. Begin by:
Clearing Debris: Remove any remaining winter debris, such as dead leaves and branches. This will help prevent diseases and pests from overwintering in your garden.
Testing Soil: Consider testing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. This will help you determine if you need to amend the soil with wool pellets, lime, compost, or other nutrients.
Tilling and Composting: Lightly till the soil to improve aeration and drainage. Incorporate, wool pellets, compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil with organic matter. This will create a fertile environment for your plants. If you are a no-dig gardener then you can just add organic matterial on top of the garden and skip the tilling.
Start Planting
September is about the earliest you can start getting new seedlings planted out, but be careful for late frosts! Have covers at the ready, or wait a few weeks if you are in a frost prone area.
Vegetables: Start sowing cool-season vegetables like carrots, beetroot, radishes, and spinach directly into the garden. You can also begin planting early crops such as lettuce and peas. In the warmer regions, consider starting crops like tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini indoors or in a protected area.
Flowers: Sow seeds for hardy annuals like marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers. You can also plant bulbs that bloom in summer, such as lilies and dahlias.
Herbs: Now is a great time to plant herbs like basil, parsley, and chives. Herbs can be grown in garden beds or pots, making them versatile for any garden space.
Prune and Maintain
Spring is an ideal time for pruning and maintenance tasks:
Prune Shrubs and Trees: Prune back any dead or damaged wood from trees and shrubs. This will encourage healthy growth and improve the plant’s shape. For flowering shrubs, ensure you prune after they have finished blooming.
Deadheading: Remove spent flowers from perennials and annuals to encourage more blooms. Deadheading also helps prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
Manage Pests and Diseases
As plants start to grow, they may attract pests and diseases:
Monitor and Control: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, slugs, and caterpillars. Use organic pest control methods such as wool pellets to protect seedlings, neem oil, insecticidal soap, or hand-picking to manage infestations.
Disease Prevention: Ensure good air circulation around your plants to prevent fungal diseases. Water plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease.
Feed, Mulch and Water,
Feeding and watering are crucial as plants begin their active growth phase:
Mulch + Fertilize: Apply wool pellets around your new plants to support vigorous growth, retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and help deter slugs and snails. Wool pellets are suited to most plants and soil types, making them a no brainer in your garden.
Watering: Depending on where in the country you are you may need to start a regular watering routine, especially for newly planted seeds and seedlings. Water deeply and consistently, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Using wool pellets will help retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.
September is a pivotal month in the New Zealand gardening calendar, offering a wealth of opportunities to prepare, plant, and maintain your outdoor space. By focusing on soil preparation, planting, pruning, pest management, and consistent care, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant and productive growing season.
Embrace the arrival of spring with these essential garden tasks, and find the joy in your garden again.