Michael Coulter shares his Summer gardening tips on everything to do in the busy month of December including fruit trees, flowers and lawns. December heralds the start of Summer and a wonderful time in garden with the ripening of berry fruit and stone fruit not far behind. We have just received a good fall of … Read More
Our Flagship Gardening Programme.
Held twice a month starting with the first Monday evening of the month
7pm-9pm followed by the Tuesday morning
9.45am – 11.45am
The Kiosk
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
CHS Members: $5, non-members: $10
Tea, coffee and biscuits included. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST PROGRAMME
Michael Coulter shares his Spring gardening tips on everything to do in the busy month of November. From what to plant and when to water. November is the month that our gardens move from Spring growth to Summer. Some of our early plantings will be almost ready for harvesting and the first of the strawberries … Read More
This month the ground will be starting to warm up and the plant growth will be more rapid. At the beginning of the month prepare the ground for the warmer loving plants which can be planted at the end of the month (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers etc.). Don’t forget the application of fertilisers, compost and lime … Read More
September is the real start of Spring, often accompanied by highly unpredictable weather! The 2022 Winter has been one of plenty of rain along with some hard frosts, leaving the ground wet and cold and making it difficult to ready the soil for planting. I think it will be advisable to wait until ground conditions … Read More
This month we notice longer days and the promise of Spring! However, the soil will be at its coldest and wettest so working it should wait until conditions improve. Winter pruning should be completed by the end of the month and if spraying, treatments done as the buds begin to swell to give the best … Read More
Welcome to July in the garden. Most of the work needed to be done at this time of the year involves pruning and maintenance around the property. Pruning Before you start pruning make sure you have good tools which are sharp and clean. Spray the plants to be pruned first to help stop the carry … Read More
Bay Leaves Bay leaves have become almost ubiquitous in the kitchen due to their ability to enhance a wide variety of dishes, but they are also surprisingly good for our health. The bay (Laurus nobilis) is an aromatic evergreen tree that belongs to the Lauraceae family. It has smooth green leaves that can be used … Read More
May is the time that the garden slows down ready for the colder winter months. Many of the month’s tasks involve preparing the plants for frosts and wet weather. Spring bulbs should now be planted and once the harder frosts have started, summer flowering bulbs and tubers should be lifted and dried off to be … Read More
Thyme Thyme, which has for many, many years been valued for its smell, flavour, and medicinal value, also happens to attract bees to the garden. Thyme is a versatile herb in the kitchen. It can be used fresh, or can be added to stocks, stuffing, and sauces. Thyme’s aroma works wonderfully in most savoury dishes: … Read More