April 2023
AUTUMN IS HERE SO WELCOME TO OUR APRIL NEWSLETTER
Autumn is a great time for your garden and a time when we are lucky enough to enjoy some of the most settled weather of the year. The trees are beginning to change colour and we have now "fallen back" with day light saving. The Easter Bunny is also close by. Easter also brings a great opportunity to get into the garden. In Autumn the long warmish days with the crisp starts are a good time to get the jobs done after the summer heat. It is the time to plant bulbs, trees and shrubs plus get the winter veges sorted for the season ahead.
This months tips come from Ann Newton at'Hurunui Homestead'
Growing Irises - Irises have a place in almost every garden
Bearded Irises are some of the most beautiful flowers in the garden. With their large, colourful flowers and unique bearded blooms, they add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
Soil and sunlight – Bearded Irises require well drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They prefer full sun and will not thrive in shady areas. Make sure to plant your irises in a spot with good drainage and plenty of sunlight.
Planting – Bearded Irises can be planted December, February to May. The Iris “roots” of the rhizome should be covered to avoid any dehydration but rhizome sitting on top of the ground. Firm soil around the plant.
Watering – Bearded irises do not like to be overwatered, and their roots can easily rot if the soil is too moist. Water your plants deeply once a week during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between watering. During winter, reduce to only if necessary.
Fertilization – Bearded Irises require regular fertilization to keep them healthy and blooming. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring, just as new growth begins. Repeat the application after the plants have finished blooming.
Pruning – After your bearded irises have finished blooming, cut back the spent flower stalks to the base of the plant. This will encourage new growth and help prevent the spread of disease.
Division – Bearded Irises can become crowded over time and will benefit from division every three to four years. Divide the plants in late summer, after they have finished blooming. Dig up the entire clump and gently separate the rhizomes. Replant the healthiest rhizomes in a new location and discard any diseased or damaged ones.
Ann & Matthew Newton own Hurunui Homestead, 1296 Karaka Road. They look forward to showing you their beautiful garden which includes a lovely array of Bearded Irises during the Garden Festival this year.
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There are plenty of good reasons for being local right now. As a 100% NZ-owned mutual, we’ve always been proud to be local — and to act local.
That’s why we’re proud to get behind the Hurunui Garden Festival supporting those who support our local community. If that sounds like the kind of local insurer you’d like to deal with, ask around about us or better still, give us a call on 0800 366 466.
THE FESTIVAL DATES THURSDAY OCTOBER 26TH - SUNDAY 29TH, OPEN DAILY FROM 9AM - 5PM. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THEN!
We are very grateful to our sponsors. Without their support we would not be able to bring you this wonderful event. Our sponsors are listed below plus on our website.
The website will begin to be updated in May ready for this years festival.
If you want to contact the committee, or require any information contact us via our email address info@hurunuigardenfestival.com
If you haven’t ‘liked’ our Facebook or Instagram page yet, we recommend you do as we are often posting snippets of information and updates – more regularly than newsletters.
Check out our website www.hurunuigardenfestival.com which holds information about the gardens, places to go, see and do. This will be updated regularly as we lead up to the festival in October.
