Autumn Scoop 2024

WHAT’S HAPPENING At Kings

After a warm summer, autumn is all too quickly upon us. Fortunately, in the gardening world, autumn is one of the most exciting times of the year! With moist soil and cooler, sunny days, plants are at their happiest. By putting in a little effort now, we can ensure our gardens not only thrive this autumn but also for the year ahead.

Beating those winter blues is easy when you have a beautiful garden to enjoy. Planting now means you'll have an outdoor oasis to brighten up those grey winter days.

And what pairs well with plants?

Food, of course. We are so excited to officially announce our collaboration with one of Auckland’s favourite bakeries, Daily Bread. From early March, you can visit Daily Bread at four of our branches: Remuera, Takapuna, Botany, and Stonefields. This collaboration marks an exciting step in Kings' mission to provide you with high-quality plants, service, and food that truly nourishes the soul.

So, get out there in the garden this autumn and try something new -

it really is nature's best planting time. With help from our expert staff, we know your gardens will thrive this year. We can't wait to help you grow well.

- The Kings team

CELEBRATING YOUR SUCCESS

Gardeners’ Mail

Beautiful Begonia

This is the view from my kitchen window. For the last three years my begonia have brought me much joy. They flower beautifully throughout the summer, die off in winter, then spring up again as the weather warms. I bought a new variegated variety this year to add to the display. Great value and easy to look after.

Thank you Kings!

Nga mihi nui

- Lynn

Cycad Comeback

About 2 years ago a house 3 doors up the road was being demolished. I asked the demolition guys if I could have the cycad which was about 1.5m high and had been there for about 30 years – no problem.

Two days later the cycad was lying on the outside berm. Great, up the road I go to get it, little did I know that it would weigh about a tonne. My husband and I couldn’t lift it into a barrow so out came the chainsaw. We cut off the bottom rooted section and the top frond section in to 250mm blocks and wheeled these home and planted them into two large pots.

They stayed dormant in a shaded area for about 18 months and then I noticed “pups” forming around the edges of the bottom section. In January of this year I noticed a soft mound in the middle of the top section. It was growing new fronds, and look at it now, beautiful. Moral of the story, have a go at restoring a plant even though, YouTube and word of mouth say it can’t be done – the result is incredible.

- Adrienne

ASK OUR Plant Doctors

Your local questions, our expert answers.

PLANT D OCTOR

Hi Plant Doctor, I have macadamia, and feijoas that all have holes with tiny bugs in them! How do I stop them from attacking the harvest next season?

- Rowan, Bombay

Hi Rowan,

It sounds like you have Guava Moth. The tiny adult moths lay their eggs on fruit such as guava, plum, peach, nectarine, macadamia and feijoa fruit, and then the larvae eat the fruits flesh, causing the holes you mention. To treat, we would recommend using a guava moth trap to capture male moths. If you trap more than five moths in two-weeks, further treatment measures will need to be taken. Spray the fruit with GroSafe BioNeem twice a week, until there are no more moths in your traps. Spray in the evening to avoid harm to beneficial insects, and remove infected fruit and dispose of them offsite.

AUTUMN PLANTS We’re Loving

With autumn comes stunning foliage and beautiful blooms. Although the weather starts to cool down during the season, we have so many wonderful plants arriving into our stores. Here are some of our favourites this autumn.

Cyclamen

With masses of colourful blooms from early autumn through spring, it’s no surprise that cyclamen are one of our favourite autumn plants. Available in a range of vibrant colours, cyclamen are a fantastic lowmaintenance option.

Gardenia

Gardenias are a timeless classic for your garden. With their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance, what’s not to love about these elegant flowers? These plants bloom for months on end, and look stunning in both pots and garden beds.

Grevillea

Nicknamed the ‘spider flower’, grevillea are popular for their vibrant, colourful blooms. They are drought tolerant, easy to care for, and provide food for both bees and nectar-feeding birds.

Chrysanthemum

Ideal for creating a spectacular display, this easy-care plant is one of our favourites for the season.

Chrysanthemums have striking bright blooms, adding a pop of colour to your outdoor space in late autumn.

Hebe

Hebes are striking native plants, bringing a fresh vibe to any garden space. With lush foliage of various colours like greens, greys and purples, and stunning flowers in whites, purples and pinks, hebes are a great low maintenance option to your garden.

Heuchera

Also known as ‘coral bells’, heuchera are popular for their striking foliage and dainty bell-like blooms. With foliage in a vast colour palette, from deep purples, rich greens and silvery hues, heuchera will bring yearround colour to your garden when planted in a sheltered spot.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with new releases and what we’re loving.

KingsPlantBarnNZ

KingsPlantBarn

ADD PRIVACY & PERSONALITY WITH Hedging

If you’ve been thinking about adding a hedge to your garden, now is the best time to get planting. Planting in autumn allows your hedging to get fully settled in before the cold of winter.

Position

When planting your hedging, consider how quickly you would like to see results. By planting closer together, you will achieve an established hedge more quickly, whereas planting them further apart means it’ll take a little more time.

The best spot for your hedge will depend on which type of hedging you choose, so make sure to check out the specific growing preferences of your hedging variety before planting.

Soil

Before planting, enrich your soil with nutrients by adding Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets. If your soil is clay-based, we would recommend adding Claybreaker Gypsum to give your hedge the best start.

If you are working with larger plants, be sure to stake them while their roots get established.

Plant

Consider how the plant is already growing before planting. Place your plant so the bushier side is facing towards the next plant, as this will help your hedge to fill in more quickly. Once you’re finished planting, give your hedge a deep watering to help them settle in.

Our Top Varieties

Here are some of our favourite hedging options this season, all ready to thrive in your Auckland garden.

Ficus Tuffi

A popular, fast-growing species of hedging, ficus tuffi has bright emerald green foliage that darkens with age. Space no closer than 50cm apart to ensure your hedge forms quickly and heathily.

Griselinia

A hardy and adaptable New Zealand native that is great for providing privacy. With glossy, evergreen foliage, this specimen will look great in any garden style. Space 75cm apart.

Corokia

This New Zealand native hedging plant is available in a variety of colours, including bright greens, silver, and even chocolate foliage. Space 3050cm depending on the variety.

Pittosporum

With so many different varieties to choose from, these native plants are great for screening. From small and rounded to ones with crinkled foliage, there’s a pittosporum to suit any garden. Space 75cm apart.

Kings Top Tip

If you’re not a huge fan of traditional hedging, try growing a hedgerow made up of multiple different species. This can help bring more personality to your property!

Grow well with

HEDGING ESSENTIALS

Gypsum ClayBreaker

A great means to break up clay-based soil over time, helping plants thrive.

Kings 24 Plus Slow Release Fertiliser

A fantastic slow-release fertiliser to use at planting time. This will feed your hedging plants for the next two years.

Kings Compost

Mix into your original garden soil for organic nutrients, as well as helping to improve drainage.

AN AUTUMN MUST-HAVE Camellias

Stunning as a lush hedge, or a feature plant, camellias are an autumn garden must-have.

Most camellias grow well in a partly shaded spot, in dappled shade under trees, or on the southwest side of your home. They can handle a little sun, especially the sasanqua varieties, just be sure to protect them from strong rays and harsh winds.

Our Top Varieties

Camellias perform the best in the ground when planted with well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Add nutrients by mixing in Kings Compost, Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Food at planting time.

Some of our favourite camellias varieties for this season.

Setsugekka

A classic and popular sasanqua cultivar with masses of white flowers. Great for hedging.

Grows 2.5m x 2m

Cinnamon Cindy

This hybrid variety produces dainty clusters of white blooms, with hints of pink.

Grows 2.5m x 2m

High Fragrance

A hybrid variety with blush pink blooms, and a divine fragrance, living up to its name.

Grows 3m x 4m

Desire

A vigorous grower, this japonica has white to blush pink intricate blooms, edged with a deeper pink.

Grows 3m x 2m

GROWING YOUR BEST GARDEN WITH LIVING EARTH

If you want a natural superfood that gives your plants a turbo boost and helps build a healthier soil long term, try out the Organic Living Earth range for your autumn planting. Ask about our Living Earth range in-store today.

A DASH OF COLOUR WITH Spring Bulbs

Add vibrant pops of colour and fragrance to your garden with spring bulbs. As autumn sets in, now is the best time to get planting to enjoy stunning blooms come spring. Planting spring bulbs is a breeze, so here’s our guide for everything you need to know.

Planting Tips

When planting directly into the ground, ensure your soil is well-draining, and rich in organic matter. Alternatively, you can plant in a specialised bulb mix such as Tui Bulb Mix. For an extra boost, mix in Kings Compost, pumice sand and gypsum at planting time. If the garden tends to get a bit soggy, plant your bulbs into a slight mound.

When planting in pots and containers, be sure to choose a pot that’s large enough for the bulbs to be planted at their ideal depth and spacing. We recommend planting into a bulb mix, such as Tui Bulb Mix, and ensure that your pots are welldraining.

Plant your spring bulbs in shadier locations for longer stems, which make beautiful cut flowers!

Kings

Top Tip

Our Top Varieties

Freesia

While freesias are getting established, they also grow little extra bulbs, which will take over the following year. Freesias will bring colour and fragrance to your garden year after year, just remember to plant with the pointy part of the bulb facing upwards!

Available from: early February

Plant: Feb–April

Position: full sun

Depth: 5–6cm

Spacing: 8–10cm

Hyacinth

Fragrant and colourful, hyacinth are the ultimate addition to your garden. Chill them in the fridge for four to six weeks before planting, as this will prevent malformed flowers. Once they have finished flowering and the foliage has died back, lift the bulbs and store in a paper bag, in a cool, dry area to replant next season.

Available From: late January

Plant: March–April

Position: full sun

Depth: 5–10cm

Spacing: 8–10cm

Anemone

For pops of vibrant colour year after year, anemones are the perfect choice for your garden. They are easy to grow, and look stunning in cut flower arrangements. For a longer vase life, pick them a couple of days before their flowers open.

Available from: late January

Plant: Feb–March

Position: part shade

Depth: 3–4cm

Spacing: 6–8cm

Daffodil

These fast-establishing spring bulbs will fill your garden with their vibrant colour in no time. They are easy to grow, and with so many varieties to choose from, what’s not to love? Be sure to protect them from slugs and snails with Tui Quash during the winter months, to keep them looking beautiful throughout their flowering season.

Available from: early January

Plant: Feb–April

Position: full sun

Depth: 8–10cm

Spacing: 10–12cm

Ranunculus

With elegant, ornate style, ranunculus will bring a unique vibe to your outdoor space. Before planting, soak corms in water for a couple of hours to break their dormancy. For longer stems that will suit cut flower arrangements, choose a shady spot.

Available from: late January

Plant: Jan–April

Position: full sun

Depth: 3–4cm

Spacing: 6–8cm

Tulip

Tulips are great for adding a splash of colour and simple elegance to your outdoor space. Arriving in stores from late March, tulips need a little chill time in the fridge before being ready to plant in late May. This cold spell will ensure beautiful blooms and healthy growth once spring comes.

Available from: late March

Plant: March–April

Position: full sun

Depth: 5–8cm

Spacing: 8–10cm

Helping nature take flight

PLANTING FOR Birds

Aotearoa is home to many unique native birds. Whether it’s waking up to a beautiful tūĪ song, or watching a large kererū fly by, we love the presence of birds in our gardens.

Our Top Bird-Friendly Trees

Metrosideros

Also known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas tree, this beautiful tree makes a striking focal point in the garden. It is a great choice for gardeners wanting to bring tūī and bellbirds to their garden.

Kōwhai

Popular with tūī, kererū, bellbird and waxeye, this stunning native tree makes a great addition to a bird friendly garden. With a profusion of vibrant yellow flowers in spring, it's no wonder kōwhai are loved by birds and gardeners.

Our Top Bird Friendly Products

Nectar Feeder

Ideal for smaller outdoor areas and gardens that don’t have enough space for large trees. Bird feeders are super easy to install, just add nectar and you’ll welcome birds to your garden in no time.

The lush Nīkau palm is the only palm that is native to Aotearoa. These slow-growing palms will eventually reach 10 metres high, and their fruit serve as a taste treat for kererū.

Bird Seed Feeder

Fill your bird seed feeder with wild bird seed, and hang in a tree. This will provide the birds with a safe spot to enjoy their food. Wild bird seed will attract a range of birds, from finches to sparrows!

Coconut Feeder

These reusable coconut shells are filled with peanut flavoured energy food for the birds, which are filled with essential nutrients. Hang it in a safe spot and watch a range of birds flock to your garden.

N Ī kau

Little Growers Corner

MAKE YOUR OWN Autumn Lantern Win!

Email a photo of your finished autumn lantern to scoop@kings.co.nz before 31st May 2024 and go in the draw to win a $50 Little Growers prize pack!*

Materials Needed:

• Clean mason jar

• PVA glue

• Sponge or brush

• Dried autumn leaves

• Tea light candle

1

Choose the leaves you want to use for your lantern.

2

Apply glue on the jar where you want to put the leaves.

3 4

Carefully stick the leaves to the jar, ensuring all parts of the leaf are attached.

Add a candle to the jar, allowing the glue to dry before an adult helps light the candle.

MANICURING THE PERFECT Lawn

Embrace the kiwi dream, and get your lawn looking lush this autumn. All it takes is a little planning and care, and you’ll have a beautiful lawn year round. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to spruce up your existing lawn, now is the time to get started!

Preparation

When it comes to sowing a new lawn, preparation is key. Get rid of weeds by spraying a broadspectrum herbicide such as Yates Zero. Smooth out any uneven spots, remove rocks and break up any lumps of dirt. Finally, adding a layer of Living Earth Lawn Mix will create the perfect bed for your lawn seed.

Dual action formula to kill weeds and provide nutrients for a lush green lawn at the same time in a ready-to-use form.

Sowing Seed

Choose a lawn seed that will suit your garden, and then it’s time to get sowing! Each lawn seed will have different instructions on the packet, so be sure to follow this carefully. To ensure an evenly covered lawn, divide your seed into two, spreading one half moving from north to south, and the other from east to west.

Living Earth Lawn Mix

Crafted with everything you need for successful lawns. Great for sowing into, and sprinkling on bare spots that need quick patch-ups.

After sowing your lawn seed, add another light layer of Living Earth Lawn Mix, or gently rake to cover the seed.

A high nitrogen fertiliser promoting fast and sustained growth in lawns. Also assists in fighting moss.

Burnet's Lawn 2-in-1

Kings Lawn Fertiliser

Lawn Care

Established Lawns

For established lawns, care is dependent on weather conditions.

When it’s warm and dry, be sure to water deeply once a week, and water thoroughly before using a fertiliser, or chemical. Also consider how much you are mowing, and don’t mow too low!

When the conditions are more wet and humid, watch out for fungal issues and spray if needed.

If you notice any spots that are looking particularly wet, focus on improving the drainage before next season. Try adding gypsum to the soil before rainy periods, as this will help with drainage.

If you notice bare spots in your lawn, this is an easy fix. Loosen the soil with a fork and clear any weeds, before adding a thin layer of lawn mix, and an application of Burnet’s EzyStart Lawn Starter. Sow seed, and there you have itno more bare spots!

New Lawns

The key to a lush lawn is caring for it correctly. For the first three months after sowing, feed with a fertiliser that is specifically designed for young grass such as Tui Lawnforce New Lawns, and water well. When mowing, allow the grass to grow 4-5cm tall and only take off a small amount the first few times.

For optimal results, be sure to remove any weeds quickly to prevent them from competing with the young grass for space and nutrients.

If you notice weeds in your lawn, try mowing on a higher setting or removing the weeds by hand. This will ensure your lawn stays lush and strong.

Kings

Top Tip

INDOOR PLANT Autumn Styling

As the daylight hours get shorter and we ease into autumn, it’s time to make a few tweaks to your indoor plant care routine. The change in season is the ideal opportunity to consider adding some new houseplants to your collection, and try out some new styling techniques.

Watering

With the cooler autumn temperatures, our houseplants don’t need as much attention as they do in spring and summer. Some indoor plants like peace lilies, monstera and ficus, can handle being without water for a little while, just be sure to water them once the soil has dried out. Houseplants such as ferns, fittonias, and carnivorous plants prefer to stay moist, so maintain a regular watering routine to keep them growing well.

Position

Light levels are lower during the autumn months, so some of your indoor plants may need to find a new home for the cooler seasons. Relocating your houseplants can present a fun opportunity to incorporate some fresh styling in your indoor space. Be sure to keep your plants warm by closing the windows at night, and keep an eye on any plants that are reaching for the light, rotating them by a quarter each week for balanced growth.

Feeding

Your houseplants will grow a little slower while the weather is colder, and many will go into a dormancy period. During this time, your indoor plants won’t need much feeding, so give them a break from fertilising until the spring growing season.

Perfect Plant Match

With so many beautiful varieties to choose from, deciding on your perfect plant matches can be a little daunting. Here are some of our easy-care favourites, so have a browse before you choose which one, two or twelve you’ll be adding to your collection!

Extremely easy-care

Whether you’re a beginner, or a busy plant parent, an extremely easy-care option might just be your perfect match. This houseplant duo will tolerate a bit of neglect, and have low light requirements, so there’s no need to stress if you forget about them every now and then.

Sansevieria

The ideal choice for a beginner, or if you're a serial plant killer… This houseplant is extremely tolerant of neglect, and seldom needs watering.

Style Match: Modern, sculptural homes.

ZZ Plant

Known as an ‘eternity plant’ due to its long life, ZZ Plants thrive even in spots with low light, and with little care from their plant parents.

Style Match: Simple, natural aesthetic or monochromatic home.

Easy-care

For the slightly more attentive plant parents, these easy-care houseplants are picky about their growing environments, but less about how you care for them. Keep them out of direct sunlight and they’ll reward you with lush foliage and pretty flowers.

Peace Lilies

Filling your home with lush green foliage and pure white blooms, peace lilies look great, plus they help remove toxins and oxygenate the air.

Style Match: Pair with pure white walls and warm wood accents.

Anthurium

With their large waxy flowers and glossy green foliage, anthuriums add a different vibe to your space.

Style Match: Add to spaces that need a pop of colour.

Challenge accepted

If you’re looking for a rewarding houseplant that requires a little more TLC, here are a couple of our favourites. Find the best spot and keep on top of watering and feeding, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of happy houseplants.

Calathea

Known for being a little dramatic, calatheas just need a little love to keep them growing well. Ensure they have well-draining soil that doesn’t get too dry or too soggy, and they’ll reward you with striking foliage.

Style Match: Pair with an elegant or artistic planter.

Moth Orchids

Popular for their stunning blooms, moth orchids are particular about their watering requirements.

Style Match: Simple, minimalist aesthetic

GROW YOUR OWN Citrus

Dive into the zesty world of citrus - a popular choice for many gardeners. Not only do citrus look great in your garden, but they also taste great in the kitchen. From the familiar lemons and limes, to the more unusual limequats and tangors, there are endless varieties of citrus that will suit every taste.

Planting

When planting your new citrus tree, it’s important to choose a warm, sunny spot with protection from the cool winds.

If you prefer planting in a container, plant directly into Kings Container Mix, as this high quality mix will keep the soil moist, and has plenty of nutrients to keep your citrus growing well.

When planting directly into the ground, ensure the soil is welldraining and rich in organic matter. To give your soil an extra boost of nutrients, mix in Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets.

Care

Watering your citrus tree is so important, especially in the first year after planting. Be sure to give your tree a deep, slow soak, allowing the water to reach the roots.

In spring and autumn, feed with Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser. To encourage root growth and improve microbial activity in the soil, feed monthly with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster from spring through autumn.

Mulching with Living Earth More

Than Mulch will help with moisture retention, and keep weeds at bay.

Kings Top Tip

Your citrus will have fruit ready to harvest a few years after planting. If you would prefer to enjoy fruit a little sooner, we would recommend opting for a larger grade plant.

Grow well with Our Top Varieties

There’s no such thing as a citrus collection that’s too big! With so many delicious citrus to choose from, here are some of our favourites.

Enjoy high yields of delicious, juicy fruit throughout most of the year. This hardy lemon tree is fastgrowing and properly sour, making it ideal for cocktails.

Mandarin Miho

A satsuma type mandarin with easy-peel skin and juicy fruit. These sweet varieties are ideal for lunchboxes!

This vigorous lime tree is popular for its flavoursome, zesty, and seedless fruit that ripens in spring. A must have for any citrus garden.

Orange Navelina

An early ripening, seedless orange variety that produces heavy crops of sweet fruit. This variety is perfect for home gardens.

Grapefruit Golden Special

These vigorous growers produce medium-sized fruit with goldenyellow skin. Sweet, tangy and juicy fruit, ideal for any grapefruit lover.

CITRUS ESSENTIALS

Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser

Improves taste, colour and size of citrus and fruit trees, while also promoting growth and healthy foliage.

Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster

Help your outdoor plants grow well with this allpurpose organic fertiliser.

In your plant’s first year of fruiting, we recommend removing all the fruit as this will help your young tree establish a strong root and branch structure.

Kings

Top Tip

Kings Sheep Pellets

A great organic fertiliser for all of your plants, trees and shrubs, helping to improve soil structure.

Lemon Yen Ben

Lime Bearss

Instore Now!

Persimmons

Packed with vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fibre, persimmons are a healthy and delicious addition to your diet. They can be enjoyed fresh, dried, and even cooked.

Persimmon boast a smooth, creamy flesh with a slightly tangysweet flavour that only richens as it ripens, with undertones of cinnamon.

Well-suited to growing in Auckland’s climate, you’ll have tasty persimmons at arm’s reach for years to come.

GARDEN TO PLATE Recipe

Harvest blueberries when they are fully ripe and have a deep blue colour, gently pulling them off the bush with your fingertips; afterwards, store them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet blueberries and tangy lemon. These Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars are truly irresistible, and will be a hit with friends and family!

What You’ll Need

Crust:

∙

1 1/2 cups of crushed biscuits

∙ 1 1/3 cup of melted butter

∙ 1/4 cup sugar

Cheesecake:

∙ 450g butter

∙ 1/2 cup sugar

∙ 2 eggs

∙ 450g cream cheese

∙ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

∙ Zest of 1 lemon

∙ 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Blueberry Swirl:

∙ 1 cup blueberries

∙ 1/4 cup sugar

∙ 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

Preheat oven to 165°C, and prepare baking pan.

To prepare the crust, combine biscuit crumbs, melted butter and sugar in a bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan, and bake for 10 minutes. Leave to cool.

To prepare the blueberry swirl, combine the blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the blueberries burst and the mixture starts to thicken slightly. Leave to cool.

To prepare the filling, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, and then mix with the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth.

Next, assemble the bars. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust, and then spoon the blueberry swirl over the top. To create a fancy marbled effect, use a knife to swirl the blueberry mixture into the cheesecake filling.

Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are set and the centre has a little jiggle.

Cool in the pan for around an hour, and refrigerate for around 4 hours before enjoying! Kings Top Tip

March signals the start of autumn, and while your plants are still soaking up those last rays of sunshine and fruits are at their juiciest, there’s still much to do in the garden.

Pin me to the wall!

YOUR AUTUMN GARDEN TO-DO LIST March

Lawns

Prepare to sow your lawn by raking up leaves to create a smooth and level surface for new seed.

Remove weeds by spraying weed killer such as Yates Zero Triple Strike, but avoid sowing new seed for at least three weeks after weed killer is applied.

Check your lawn for bare spots and patch them with Burnets Lawnseed Patch Pack. If your lawn is newly sown, water daily until the lawn seed has germinated.

Fruit

This month is the last opportunity to enjoy your pip and stonefruit harvests. Once your passionfruit vine has finished fruiting, prune back and feed with Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser for a nutrient boost, and spray with Grosafe FreeFlo

Copper to protect from scale and verrucosis. Improve yield of feijoa crops and extend the harvesting season by planting two different varieties that fruit at staggered times.

Veggies

Get your veggie beds prepared for new season crops by turning over the soil and adding Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets. Start planting your winter veggies now, such as beetroot, parsnip, broccoli and carrots! Staggering your planting ensures that you have a steady supply throughout winter, so try planting some now, and the rest over the course of the season. Sow seeds, such as leeks, spinach, silverbeet, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Once they have at least two sets of leaves on their stems, it is time to transplant them into the garden. If you are taking a season off veggie planting, replenish the nutrients in your soil in preparation for the next season. Plant lupins, mustard or oats for green manure.

Indoor Plants

Keep your houseplants growing well by giving them a seasonal liquid feed of Kings House Plant Food.

Make sure to repot any last indoor plants, before it gets too chilly.

Trees And Shrubs

Plant hedges now to get them established for next year. Some of our favourites for planting include eugenias, griselinias and corokias.

Add extra nutrients to your soil by carefully digging in any remaining summer mulch around the base of trees and shrubs.

General Tasks

Add a layer of mulch around the base of hedges and shrubs to keep those pesky weeds at bay. Keep a close eye on your plants, as early detection is key for preventing any nasty pests and diseases.

Prune back and shape established eugenia, griselinia, pittosporums, and corokia.

Flowers And Perennials

Refresh any pots and containers that are starting to look faded, with bright annual colour such as salvias, marigolds, petunias, violas and alyssum.

Prune back any perennials that are dying back. Replace with new season perennials including chrysanthemums, asters and mini cyclamen. Now is the best time to start planting spring bulbs. We have a huge range instore now, including freesias, ranunculus, anemone and daffodils. When planting, feed with Kings Slow Release Bulb Food.

Kings Slow Release Bulb Food

Fertilises plants for up to three months. It is specially formulated with an emphasis on flower and bulb development.

Kings Fast Food

The ideal liquid fertiliser for all indoor and outdoor plants including trees, shrubs, vegetables, and flowering plants.

Kings Sheep Pellets

A great organic fertiliser for all plants, trees and shrubs. Apply before planting and water into soil post-planting.

Grow well with these

MARCH ESSENTIALS

Make the most of the warmer days in April by getting out in the garden and preparing for winter. It’s the ideal time to refresh your garden beds and tidy up before the colder months settle in.

Pin me to the wall!

YOUR AUTUMN GARDEN TO-DO LIST April

Flowers And Perennials Bring vibrant colour to your autumn garden with flowers such as calendula, alyssum, poppies, viola and pansies. They look stunning when planted in pots and hanging baskets. Once your tulip and hyacinth bulbs have been chilled for 4 to 6 weeks, they are ready to be planted. Deadhead your roses once they have finished flowering. Replace any spent annual blooms with autumn and winter annuals, which can be found in our potted colour and seedling ranges.

Fruit Figs arrive instore this month. They grow well in pots and in the ground, but be sure to keep on top of watering, to ensure your fruit stays healthy and delicious. Give your fruit trees a boost of nutrients with Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser.

As your feijoas start to ripen, you can begin your harvest. Remove any fruits that are infected with guava moth, but don't dispose of these in your compost.

Veggies

Start planting your winter veggie garden now. Plant leek, spring onion, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and bean seedlings now for a delicious winter harvest. Collect heirloom seeds, and dry them on a sunny windowsill. Make sure to give them a proper label with their variety and date, so you don't lose track!

If your veggie beds are still producing, dig in a mix of Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets for a nutrient boost.

Indoor Plants

This is the last opportunity to take cuttings for propagation, as they are less likely to survive once the cooler weather sets in.

With cooler weather, your indoor plants won't need as much water. Adjust their watering schedule accordingly.

Trees And Shrubs

New season camellias are instore and ready to be planted now. They grow well in full sun to part shade, depending on the variety. Feed with Kings Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Fertiliser for happy and healthy plants.

General Tasks

Plant hedges while the soil is still workable. For medium to large hedging, try eugenia, griselinia and pittosporum, and for a smaller, well-maintained hedge, try corokia and buxus.

Your bird baths will have had plenty of use over the summer months, so take the opportunity to give it a little clean. If you have any flax or cabbage trees, remove the dead and damaged leaves to avoid them getting stuck in the lawn mower.

Lawns

Remove weeds from more established lawns by using Yates Weed 'n' Feed. After using this product, avoid sowing any new lawn seed for at least three weeks. Apply an even layer of Kings Lawn Fertiliser to existing lawns, and water in well. As the days begin to get shorter, reduce mowing frequency.

Yates Weed 'n' Feed

Grow well with these

Yates Weed 'n' Feed provides selective control of most broadleaf weeds in lawns with added fertiliser for healthy green lawns.

Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser

Adds the nutrients needed by citrus and all other fruit trees. Improves taste, colour and size while also promoting growth and healthy foliage.

Kings Compost

Mix into your original garden soil for organic nutrients, as well as helping to improve drainage.

APRIL ESSENTIALS

Pin me to the wall!

With the cooler weather starting to settle in, May presents the final opportunity to tackle those autumn tasks and prepare for winter. It may be getting colder outside, but the garden is still filled with life and colour.

YOUR AUTUMN GARDEN TO-DO LIST May

Flowers And Perennials

Refresh your garden beds with beautiful potted colour, such as alyssum, calendula, pansies, stock, primula, polyanthus, viola and sweet peas.

Brighten your winter garden with cyclamen. These hardy perennials grow well in shady areas, planted into a pot or directly into a flower bed.

Plant hellebores under trees for sweet blooms for years to come. Plant spring bulbs in well-draining soil. They look stunning when planted in pots or directly in the garden.

Fruit Plant out feijoas, avocados and citrus this month. Prepare your strawberry beds for the arrival of new plants come winter. Once all the leaves have fallen from your grape vines, give them a prune. Plan your urban orchard, as deciduous fruit trees will be arriving instore from mid-June. Consider which varieties you want to try this year, just make sure you have at least 4 metres of space between trees.

Veggies

Get your winter veggie seedlings planted now, such as broccoli, cauliflower, silverbeet, spinach and cabbage. Use frost cloth to protect your plants from the chilly weather. Find a spot with winter sunshine for planting your garlic and shallot bulbs. If your herbs are getting a little spindly, cut them back. If your parsley has gone to seed or bolted, replace with a fresh plant. Weed between your seedlings to keep them growing well. Use bug netting or Tui Quash to protect them from slugs and snails.

Indoor Plants

As the cooler temperatures set in, reduce the watering frequency of your houseplants.

To ensure the best light levels for your indoor plants, start planning where to move them once the shorter winter days arrive.

When temperature drops, aphids, mealy bug and scale are more likely to appear. Keep an eye on your indoor plants for signs of these pests, and treat them as quickly as possible. A regular spray program using Groventive or Aquaticus Bugtrol will help with prevention.

Trees And Shrubs

Tui Quash

Easy to apply slug and snail pellets which are safer to use around children, pets and wildlife than most other baits.

General Tasks

Add native and dry-tolerant plants to the more neglected areas of your garden. Plant with a mix of Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets to give them plenty of nutrients. Fill empty spaces with hebes, nandinas and coprosma for some warm autumn hues in the garden. Fertilise established trees with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, and mulch with Living Earth More Than Mulch. Sprinkle a scoop of Kings 24 Plus into the hole at planting time, to give new trees and shrubs the best start. Prune your hydrangeas back to about half their size.

The cold temperatures are just around the corner, so move your frost-tender plants to shelter, and cover larger plants with frost cloth.

GroVentive Garden

A two-way systemic spray that doesn’t affect bees. Deals with sap-sucking insects, including mealybug, aphids, scale and psyllids.

Living Earth More Than Mulch

Contains bark which creates a barrier between the sun and earth, keeping plants hydrated for longer.

Grow well with these

MAY ESSENTIALS

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