GARDENING IN THE WAIMARINO

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 38, 13 March 1984, Page 4

GARDENING IN THE WAIMARINO

Garden Maintenance Now that the weather seems to have settled and provided you have kept up with watering and weeding, everything should be growing rapidly. Aphids and white butterfly are the most common pest to contend with, as well as botritis (rotting), mildew and blight in the disease line. Spray in the early morning and do not water for 24 hours to get the best effect. Point of interest, Fruit and garden spray which I have been recommending is costing me about $3.85 for 200gms. A leading petroleum company is also in the horticultural market and is selling an identical mix under another name at $3.80 for 1 50gms, so do not get caught. Sprays are expensive but by shopping around and comparing prices and quantities you will avoid paying as much as a third of the price again. Planning a Section Points in order of importance as I see them in establishing a section. 1. What sort of vegetation do you have to eliminate first? Cooch type grass,

convolvulus, blackberry, willows etcetera. 2. Size of section, position of house, drive, drains, power lines, clothes lines and not forgetting neighbouring properties. 3. Physical conditions of land. Steep, flat, facing north or south etc, wet, dry, clay, stoney or good soil. 4. Weather problems. Exposure to winds, flooding frosts. 5. Do you intend to have a vegetable plot and what size? 6. If you have a family what about a play area or barbecue? 7. If you have a house and established garden they were probably planned or just 'grew', so are you going to change it or live with it? It's a case of knowing when and how to shift shrubs and which are compatible. Having established a^^ starting point future gardening notes will cover ideal shrubs for this climate, their sizes and compatability with other plants and garden plots. Trevor Francis Raetihi Garden Club