A LITTLE PIECE OF ‘THYME OUT’ FOR YOU

Bi-Monthly Newsletter – July to August 2009

Right, slippers on, hot drink in one hand and mouse/newsletter in the other?  Now we’re ready…

Jobs to do in your garden during July include:

• Keep up the spraying programme – look for fine weather pockets!
• Ensure you destroy diseased leaves that have fallen on the ground – don’t add them to your compost.
• Feed your bulbs as their flower heads start to show.
• Prune hydrangeas, fuschias and deciduous shrubs now you can see the branches!
• Sow aquilegia, forget-me-knot, pansy, primula, sweet pea and snapdragon seeds.
• Plant pansy, primula, sweet pea and dianthus seedlings.
• Protect young plants from frosts – keep an eye on the weather.  Do some ‘star gazing’; it’s peaceful and BRISK!
• Plant new fruit trees.
• Ensure you have mulched!

Jobs to do in your garden during August include:

• Late July/early Aug is rose pruning time – call me!
• Dig in loads of compost (and lime if necessary) into your ‘resting’ vege garden.
• Keep on top of those slugs and snails.
• Plant and feed strawberries.
• Keep spraying – vege, fruit, rose gardens etc.
• Plant or lift and divide rhubarb – yum.
• Brassicas can be planted.
• Fertilise fruit trees.
• Keep your garden looking colourful with pansies etc.
• Plant trees and shrubs (fertilise too) ready for spring growth – YAY!
• Plant gladioli, dahlia and begonia tubers.
• Evenly apply lawn fertiliser.
• If you have moss, apply Sulphate of Iron – it’ll make your lawn black, but will kill the moss.
• Gypsum can improve soil structure and drainage.
• Keep smiling – Spring is on the way!

Did you know?

Having your own vege garden need not be hard work.  It is very rewarding, fun and you reap the tasty rewards. Oh yeah, you save $ as well. I’ve been lucky enough to do some testing for a very interesting plant website that’s been recently developed for NZ by an Australian (yep, sorry about that) but you can enter details about your vege garden (or proposed vege garden) and go through and pick plants and it’ll tell you all about them – when to plant, their specifications and so on.  Very interesting and lots of information!  Have a look/play at www.cityfoodgrowers.co.nz

Especially for you:

• If you’re like me and procrastinate, take on Gaylene Hughes’ motto and ‘Just Do It’!  Once you start, you realise the task wasn’t that bad after all.  Gaylene is a business coach with ActionCoach, take a look at www.jdicoach.co.nz
• If you work from a diary/ timetable, ensure you pen in time for exercise whether it is a 30-minute stroll, walk or run it’ll rejuvenate you and release endorphins to give you a natural boost.  I’ll practice what I preach one day!
• School holidays are coming up quick.  Be pro-active and stock up on some ‘you’ time before the madness starts.
• Don’t forget to wrap up warm and look after yourselves.  You are all precious people!
• www.starlightrising.co.nz has a heart-warming story on how two wonderful people met.  Jacqui and John help people overcome whatever it is that is stopping them from being happy.  They offer natural therapies and have a wonderful crystal shop.  It is a fantastic experience.  No Internet?  Call them on (04) 526 8225 (10am to 8pm).

I realise that there are a lot more tasks to get done in your gardens other than what I have mentioned in this newsletter.  If you have a specific interest or query, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll do my utmost to help you out.

I’ve also attached a quick survey and would very much appreciate if you could please fill it out and either email or mail it back to me.  The time to improve is now!

Remember, do nothing and you’ll keep receiving my newsletters.  However, if you do not wish to receive them, please by all means let me know.

Take care and take Thyme Out.

Regards,

Jo