A LITTLE PIECE OF ‘THYME OUT’ FOR YOU

Bi-Monthly Newsletter – March to April 2010

Well, that was a hectic start to 2010 – I missed Jan-Feb.’s newsletters!!

Jobs to do in your garden during March include:

• Food first with me – prepare your vege garden for winter crops – lots of   compost, fertiliser and mix in well.
• Get the derris dust out or squash those blasted white butterflies!
• Plant beetroot, silverbeet, cabbage/broc/cauli seedlings.
• Lift and store your spuds, onions and kumara.
• Plant a green crop in any vege garden that’s not being used eg lupins, mustard or oats.
• Fertilise citrus and spray with Mavrik/Copper and Conqueror oil.
• I bet those who have mulched are enjoying the results!
• Plant spring flowering bulbs – daffodil, freesias etc.
• Keep deadheading flowers– you may get another flush!
• Plan your rose orders for delivery in June.
• Finish preparing your lawn for re-sowing.

Jobs to do in your garden during April include:

• Get the snail bait or coffee grinds out for those pesky snails and slugs.
• Get the remaining pumpkins, spuds and onions harvested and store in a cool dry place.
• Keep sowing winter vege seeds and seedlings.
• Plant parsley.
• Get your fruit trees ready for winter with a spray of copper and get ready to prune soon.
• Tidy up any annuals/ perennials that have given up the ghost.
• For a shot of colour plant pansies, penstemon and hollyhocks.
• Aquilegia, lobelia, sweetpea and viola seeds can be sown.
• Plant and fertilise new trees and shrubs while the ground is still warm.
• Same with the lawn – get any new seed laid now – catch the warmth while it is still here!
• Again – if you haven’t mulched – do it now!  Look at topping up if needed, you’ll reap the rewards later on.

Did you know:

• There is a great little informative gardening programme on Channel 4 (Prime) on Sunday at 7pm called Get Growing with New Zealand Gardener.  I’ve been watching it and have enjoyed it and been frustrated at the same time!  If only the family would listen to their guidance!

Especially for you:

• I’ve met a lovely lady – Carol Jackson who runs her business ‘Connections’.  She’s located in Upper Hutt and has fixed my aches and ailments through Bowen.  A gentle and relaxing way to get your body back to how it should be.  She also does relaxation, therapeutic and Indian Head massage – very talented!  Contact Carol on (04) 971 7380 or 0274 467745 – highly recommended!  Try it!
• Get out and enjoy the sunshine whilst it’s still here!  Remember to put sunscreen, hat and sunnies on and try to avoid the hottest part of the day – I’m even hunting for shade in the gardens lately!
• Plateau School are having their annual school gala on Friday March 12^th from 5.30pm – a must for hunting through lots of bargains, trying lots of different food, buying plants, letting the kids burn off some energy while you don’t have to – he he.  A great fundraiser for the school that gets better every year – mark it in your calendar for something different to pop along to.
• Get yourself a foot spa if you haven’t one already.  I find they are brilliant to relax you and I always have a peaceful sleep afterwards.  Friday night is my night to spoil my feet – they deserve it when you think about how long and how often you are on them every day.  Nutrimetics have wonderful products that you can add to aid in the relaxation whilst looking after your feet.
• When you are out and about, slow down and take a look around you, you’ll appreciate how lucky we are.

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