When is the right time to harvest? Picking too early or too late can result in underdeveloped or overly ripe fruit. Check out the information below to help you determine when your fruit is ready to be picked. Signs of Ripeness Colour Apples, pears, nectarines – full colour has developed for the variety. Peaches, plums, apricots … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Plant of the Month Acers, commonly known as Japanese Maples are a fantastic addition to any garden for their beauty, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. One of their main attractions is the stunning foliage, … Read More
Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury As I write, the rain is falling – much-needed to give Spring a proper top-up of moisture in the soil before the demands of Summer arrive. Labour Weekend is the traditional time when the soil and daytime temperatures are warm enough to plant and sow all the plants that need … Read More
Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury This Spring is following a typical weather pattern with warm westerlies and brief cold southerlies, which have not yet provided enough rain to meet the annual average. The cold North-Easterlies typical of Christchurch Spring have not been prevalent so far, which may indicate a milder season. Now is the time … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Plant of the Month Who likes nothing better than to pick and taste their home-grown tomatoes? Full of flavour and so many varieties to choose from. From cherry tomatoes to beef steak; from … Read More
Spring Gardening Tips in Canterbury Has Spring arrived? It certainly seems so, with some of my fruit trees already in bloom (perhaps a bit early for some), daffodils in full flower, and the grass growing steadily. All the signs point to an early start to Spring, but as we know, the weather is fickle and … Read More
Winter gardening Tips in Canterbury This month we will notice that the days are getting longer, so we hope that the weather will also begin to get warmer. July has been a month with many dull and cold days, with single-digit temperatures, so I have spent very few hours in the garden or greenhouse. I … Read More
This year, Winter has arrived earlier than usual with frosty days and snow in May. Although we haven’t had the usual amount of rain, it remains to be seen what the rest of the Winter will bring. I’ve prepared my chrysanthemums, begonias, and dahlias for Winter by either lifting them or moving their pots into … Read More
May is the cleanup month in the garden, as the leaves are nearing the end of falling and most of the summer-flowering perennials have finished. Spring bulbs need to be finished being planted, and dahlias and tuberous begonias can now be lifted for the Winter. Lawns are still growing, and good weed and moss control … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Citrus (lemons, oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, limes, and kumquats) are ideal for growing at home in the garden or in pots. They do best in a warm, sunny position sheltered from the wind and frost. … Read More