Weed
Busting!
Want to deal to your worst Weeds?
We all know Wellington’s windy climate
is responsible for the seeding of many unsightly
weeds that are growing at a rate of knots
in this fine weather..........
But –
Your most tenacious weeds are those which
hide in our clay soils and establish themselves
where more desirable plants are having trouble
growing.
Here are our ‘tried and true’
recipes for dealing with the top three nasties:
Agapanthus & Arum Lilies:
Mix together 10ml Round-up, 30ml Hydrocotyl
Killer & 10ml Penetrant to 1 litre of
water. Spray the offending plants, taking
care that this solution only touches the offending
plants.
Convolvulus: Mix up a solution
of Woody Weedkiller and spray or paint the
leaves of this vine. A good treatment is to
dip the ends of the curling tendrils as well.
(Do ensure this solution does not drip onto
other desirable plants that are hosting the
convolvulus). The systemic nature of this
particular herbicide means it will enter the
system of the plant and travel back to the
root area – killing it off, so that
it will not re-sprout. Several applications
may be necessary through the growing season.
Wandering Willy: Mix up
Hydrocotyl Killer at the rate of 30ml/litre
and spray it over the foliage (taking care
not to spray desirable plants).
IMPORTANT NOTES WHEN USING HERBICIDES:
1 All care must be taken with these chemicals
so as not to damage desirable plants.
2 Make up only the amount of chemical you
need.
3 PLEASE READ THE MANUFACTURER'S LABEL.
Hot Shopping
List
- Parasene Weed Burner –
a quick and effective way to deal with weeds
in pavers, pathways and small areas. (No
mixing up of chemicals).
- ARS Hedge Shears –
go on spoil yourself......... Anne &
Heather won’t use anything else! They’re
incredibly light, cut through stems like
butter and the small blades make topiary
trimming a precise art!
- Bulbs arriving weekly
- now is the time to get the best choice
and variety. Our bulbs are big, top quality
specimens!
- Burnet’s Gold –
A range of top quality slow-release fertilisers
for top-dressing pots and garden beds: choose
from Rose, Citrus & Fruit, Rhododendron
& Camellia and the all-purpose Grow
More.
- Osmocote for Native Plants –
specifically formulated for our New Zealand
and other phosphorous sensitive plants.
Hot tip!....
Anne & Heather’s Recipe
for the BEST Lemon Tree:
1. Plant it out of the wind. (Moving out of
Wellington to do this might be a bit drastic)!
2. When planting, dig plenty of compost through
the soil and add a few Gro-tabs in the planting
hole
3. Regularly feed your lemon tree especially
in the first 5 years. From August to May alternate
every six weeks between Burnet’s Gold
Fruit & Citrus Fertiliser and sheep pellets.
Apply around the drip-line and water thoroughly.
4. Don’t plant under your lemon tree:
the roots are close to the surface and dislike
disturbance or competition.
5. Water regularly. The biggest cause of fruit
drop prior to ripening is irregular watering.
6. Protection. Keep an eye out for insect
attack and the scabby appearance of lemon
verrucosis. Cover on frosty evenings if it
is in an open position.
See you soon at the Garden Centre!
Anne
