Winter Scoop 2024

Blooming Beauties LOVING ROSES

WHAT’S HAPPENING At Kings

After a relatively warm and dry autumn, winter has now arrived. Although the days may be cooler, there's still much to look forward to in the garden. Winter flowers and foliage will brighten up the dark days, and our veggie gardens will produce delicious winter harvests. If we're lucky, some of our early spring bulbs may even start flowering later in the season, plus it's never too early to start spring planning and preparation.

This edition of Winter Scoop brings you the usual favourites! Check out our article on indoor plants, monthly garden checklists, and Plant Doctor tips. We've also included one of our

favourite winter recipes and a fun activity for your Little Growers. Our seasonal exclusives cover everything from growing from seed, caring for deciduous fruit trees, roses and more. Plus, we share our top picks for adding beautiful winter colour to your garden.

Whether you're new to gardening, or a seasoned pro, our Kings team is here to help you every step of the way. Visit your local garden experts at our eight Auckland stores, or send us a message online - our friendly team are here to keep you growing well.

- The Kings team

CELEBRATING YOUR SUCCESS Gardeners’ Mail

Wonderful Water Lilies

My water lily bowls bring me such joy!

Over the years, I have purchased so many plants from Kings, but my water lily bowls are some of my favourites. I love seeing the local cats and other wildlife enjoying a drink from the bowls.

The beautiful flowers open and close throughout the day which is wonderful to watch.

It's amazing how something as simple as a small water feature can create such a peaceful atmosphere to my garden.

- Charlotte, Hobsonville Point

Spectacular Snail Vine

A few years ago I was lucky enough to find a Snail Vine plant at my local Kings.

The photo of the flowers looked interesting, but I wasn’t prepared for how heavenly the scent is when they are flowering over summer.

These days I have it growing by the front door so that I can enjoy the scent and beautiful flowers every day!

- Daniel, Kaukapakapa

ASK THE Plant Doctor

Got a tricky plant question? Ask instore or try our online Plant Doctor at plantdoctor.co.nz

Hello Plant Doc!

Hi Plant Doctor,

Something looks like it is eating my mint. Do you have any advice?

- Thanks, Julie

Hi Julie,

This is slug or snail damage. You can add Tui Quash pellets around the base of the plant. Mint is a very fast grower so prune the plant back, feed with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster and you will see new growth in no time.

I have found these brown spots under the leaves on my Fiddle Leaf Fig. What is this and how can I fix it?

- Thanks, Jason

Hi Jason,

It looks like it could be edema. This happens when the plant takes up too much water, bursting the cells in the leaves and causing a scar.

We recommend keeping the affected plant on the ‘dry side’ of watering, and feeding every four to six weeks with Kings House Plant Liquid Food.

Watering is crucial to prevent Edema. Allow the soil in potted plants to dry out by half before applying more water. Never allow them to sit in water.

WINTER PLANTS We’re Loving

Bring your garden to life during the cooler season with our winter favourites. With vibrant colour, intoxicating fragrance and delicious taste, there are so many wonderful options instore this winter.

Protea

If you're in search of a unique and exotic plant to add to your garden, look no further than protea. We love their striking architectural flowers in bold colours. They are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and grow well in sunny spots.

Flowering Cherries

Popular for their delicate pink and white blossoms, plant now and prunus will bring a stunning burst of colour to your garden through spring. They are easy-care and versatile, looking beautiful as both a feature tree, or in a mixed border.

Grevillea

Grevillea are popular for their bright, colourful flowers that feed both bees and nectar-feeding birds! They are drought-tolerant, easy to care for and are perfect for areas of the garden that don't get a lot of maintenance.

Daphne

Daphne are popular for their intoxicating fragrance and beautiful winter blooms. Whether planted in your garden or in pots, they will add a touch of beauty to any space. Their sweet scent will fill your garden from late winter to early spring.

Magnolia

With their aromatic and exquisite blooms, few trees make as much of a statement in late winter as magnolias. We love the versatility of magnolias, and with both deciduous and evergreen varieties available in a range of sizes, there’s one to suit any garden.

Peaches

Beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests - there's so much to love about peach trees. Their delicate blooms will fill your garden with a sweet fragrance come spring. Peach trees are relatively easy to care for, growing well in a sunny position with at least six hours of sunlight each day.

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

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KingsPlantBarn

STARTING FROM SEED Sow and Grow

Watching a tiny seed transform into a thriving plant is such a rewarding aspect of gardening. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a budding enthusiast, growing from seed is easy with a few simple steps.

When growing from seed, you have two options: sowing in seed trays or sowing directly into the ground. Both methods have their advantages, and here are some tips to help you grow well.

Growing in a seed tray will give you more control over the growing conditions for your seeds, and they can get a good head start before being transplanted outdoors. Fill your seed tray with a seed-raising mix such as Yates Black Magic, and use a mister to moisten the soil. Each seed will have different planting

requirements, so follow the specific planting instructions on the back of your seed packet. Once your seeds have been planted, lightly cover with mix, and press down gently ensuring contact between the seed and the soil. Your seeds will grow well when the seed tray is positioned in a warm, well-lit position indoors, or in a sheltered, sunny position when growing outside.

Sowing seeds directly into the ground is also a great option as you avoid the transplanting step and no additional equipment is

required. Before planting into the ground, it’s important to prepare your garden beds by mixing in Kings Garden Mix, and then raking to form a fine seedbed. Follow the instructions on the back of your seed packet - spacing is important, so be sure to give each seed space to grow. Rake over them with a light layer of soil, and water in gently once planted. When sowing seeds such as beans and peas, try adding a trellis to give them something to climb up.

Kings

Top Tip

Gradually acclimatise seedlings to outdoor conditions by "hardening off". Slowly increase their time spent outside to help them adjust to the new climate.

Grow well with Care

Watering

Your seeds need regular watering throughout their growth. It's important to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out. When growing in a seed tray, use a hand sprayer to moisten the mix. In the garden, opt for the sprinkle setting on your hose, reducing water pressure and aiming the nozzle upwards to avoid disrupting seeds and seedlings.

Transplanting

If you have started the growing process in a seed tray, your seedlings will need to be transplanted into the ground once they have at least two pairs of true leaves. To avoid

damaging the stem and root system, lift the seedlings by their leaves and gently tease them apart. Plant into individually prepared holes, slightly deeper than their original level. Press the soil gently around the seedlings and water in carefully.

Feeding

Once transplanted, start fertilising your seedlings. For young plants, use Kings Liquid Fast Food Fertiliser or Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster at half strength.

SEED RAISING ESSENTIALS

Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix

The ideal seed raising mix, specially formulated for trouble-free seed raising and propagation of cuttings.

Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster

An all-purpose natural and organic fertiliser that feeds plants, helps increase and promote healthy soil biology, and creates healthy soils.

Kings Fast Food Liquid Fertiliser

Kings Fast Food Liquid Fertiliser is a complete feed which provides the nutrients your plants need to produce healthy growth.

Winter tidy up with FlexiBin

Ideal for big or small garden and landscaping projects. FlexiBin has your winter tidy up covered.

Available in two convenient sizes, 1m3 & 2m3

Flexible. Practical. Convenient.

ELEVATE YOUR GARDEN WITH

Winter Colour

While the winter months may be a little dull and grey, your garden can still be filled with vibrant colour. Add some of our winter favourites to your outdoor space and enjoy stunning displays of colour all winter long.

Our Top Picks

Hellebores

Also known as 'winter roses', Hellebores bring vibrant colour to your garden throughout the cooler months. They are a food source for bees during winter and look spectacular when planted under deciduous trees.

Nandina

Often referred to as ‘heavenly bamboo’, Nandina are ideal for brightening up your garden. These evergreen shrubs are hardy, low maintenance, and many varieties darken in colour to a deep red as the temperature drops!

Kings Fruit & Flower Booster

Sulphate of Potash gives your plants the boost of potassium they need to produce new flowers with stronger colour and fragrance.

Cyclamen

With their easy-care nature and beautiful blooms from early autumn through spring, Cyclamen will fill your garden and patio with stunning shades of red, white, pink and purple.

Heuchera

Commonly known as ‘coral bells’, Heuchera are evergreen perennials with stunning foliage and dainty bell-like flowers. Foliage ranges from deep purples and rich greens to silvery hues.

Kings Garden Mix

Ideal for flowers and a wide variety of plants. 100% weed-free, and includes blood & bone and slow-release fertiliser for healthy growth.

Leucadendron

If you're looking for easy-care winter colour, Leucadendrons are an excellent choice. With colourful foliage and blooms in pinks, reds, oranges and yellow, Leucadendron add a striking and unique vibe to your garden.

Brown Boronia

Arriving in stores in August, Brown Boronias are small, evergreen shrubs with yellow and brown bellshaped blooms. They will fill your garden with delightful fragrance and stunning blooms from late winter to early spring.

Kings Sheep Pellets

A great organic fertiliser for all of your plants, trees and shrubs. Apply a handful into your dug hole, or sprinkle around drip-lines.

BLOOMING BEAUTIES Loving Roses

From bud to bloom, growing roses is such a rewarding experience. With a little love and care, your garden will be filled with delightful fragrance and beautiful blooms for years to come.

Iceberg

Popular for its disease resistance and robust growth, Iceberg is a best seller in New Zealand. This repeat-flowering beauty graces gardens with clusters of stunning pure white blooms, a timeless addition to any garden space.

A Gardener's Dream

With clusters of apricot blooms, A Gardener's Dream is a popular floribunda rose, loved for its repeat flowering and easy-care nature. Its ruffled blooms have a delightful fragrance.

Margaret Merrill

Ideal for smaller gardens, Margaret Merrill is a highly fragrant rose boasting beautiful white blooms blushed with a pink sheen. Its compact growth habit makes it a classic choice for garden beds and borders.

My Grandma

Adorned with stunning lilacpink blooms and an intoxicating fragrance, My Grandma is a floribunda bush rose. This repeat flowering variety has multi-petal blooms, and is great for picking.

Pink Ribbon

With cupped blooms in a soft shade of pink, this floribunda rose is perfect for growing in a pot or landscaping. This compact, bushy variety was named in support of Breast Cancer awareness, serving as a reminder to support the cause.

Emily Brontë

A striking rose with distinctive soft peach flowers and a flat, tightly petaled form. This David Austin variety has a strong fragrance with hints of lemon, and a bushy, upright growth habit.

Care Tips

Position

The first step for a successful rose is finding the perfect spot. Choose a spot with full sun and welldraining soil that is rich in organic matter, as well as good airflow to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Planting

Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot, dig a hole at least twice the depth and width of the pot the rose came in. Backfill the hole with your original soil, mixed with Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets. Alternatively, you can use Kings Garden Mix. Place your rose in the hole and backfill, ensuring the soil is pressed down and firm. Mulch to finish, keeping it a few centimetres away from the trunk.

Care

Once your rose is flowering, feed with Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings Slow Release Rose Food,

Pruning

or Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster if you prefer an organic option. Water regularly, and opt for a slow, deep watering a couple of times a week rather than a light daily watering. Add mulch to suppress weeds and improve water retention in the soil. Keep on top of deadheading, cutting back to a point where the stem is strong enough to support the next shoot.

After leaf fall in winter, spray with Grosafe Enspray 99 Oil to clear up any overwintering spores and insects. Spray with Yates Super Shield over winter, and again at bud burst in spring.

Late July is traditionally the time to prune established roses as they are in a dormant state. To prune, cut back to an outwardfacing bud at a 45-degree angle and remove any dead, damaged or diseased shoots, thin twigs, and crossing branches. Seal with pruning paste if the cut is larger than 15mm. Check for suckers at the base of the plant, usually below the graft point, and remove any unwanted ones.

For bush and standard roses, create an open vase shape by shortening the remaining branches by at least one-third, trimming back to an outward-facing bud.

ROSE ESSENTIALS

For climbers, open the rose up to increase airflow, then trim back by up to a third. Grow

A clean, sharp cut when pruning is extremely beneficial to the health and well-being of your roses.

Use our fantastic fertiliser when planting your roses to help promote lush growth and stunning blooms.

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

Fiskars Secateurs

Kings Slow Release Rose Food

Kings Compost

WINTER PLANTING For Butterflies

Spotting a beautiful butterfly in your garden is one of nature's many charms. During the cool winter months, butterflies are looking for places to shelter and will emerge on warm wintery days to replenish their nectar reserves.

Callistemon

Commonly known as ‘Bottlebrushes’, Callistemon add vibrance to any garden. With their uniquely shaped, brush-like blooms, they provide nectar for butterflies and other pollinators. Lowmaintenance and hardy, these shrubs are a great choice for butterflies, bees and gardeners!

Corokia

These New Zealand natives are tough, versatile and will thrive in most garden spaces. They have a distinctive, wiry form and small, star-shaped yellow blooms. Their blooms are ideal for bringing butterflies to your garden in the winter months, and they are followed by berries which attract birds.

Hoheria

With their unique peeling bark and abundant white blooms, Hoheria, commonly known as Lacebark trees are a versatile addition to your outdoor space. These New Zealand natives thrive in most conditions, and provide a valuable food source for both native birds and bees.

Leptospermum

Leptospermum, commonly known as Manuka, are popular for their colourful flowers throughout the winter and spring months. These hardy plants have stunning blooms in pink, white or red, and will attract butterflies and bees to your garden with their abundance of nectar.

Hebe

Hebes are versatile, easy-care natives that thrive in a range of conditions. These evergreen shrubs have beautiful, spiked flowers that are great for attracting butterflies and bees to your garden. With a huge range of varieties available, there’s a hebe to suit any garden style.

Muehlenbeckia

Muehlenbeckia are easy to grow and will thrive in most conditions. With their intricate vines and small, round leaves, they will add visual interest to your garden. Muehlenbeckia produce creamy white blooms that are perfect for attracting Copper butterflies.

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 winter planting.

WINTER CARE & STYLE

Indoor Plants

Bring nature indoors this winter by curating a styled indoor plant collection. Although the days are cool and dark, your indoor space can still be lush and vibrant. Here are some styling tips, plus everything you need to know for happy houseplants this winter.

Winter Care Tips

Temperature

Keeping your indoor plants warm in winter is essential, especially since they're mostly tropical or sub-tropical. It is important to maintain a room temperature of at least 18°C to prevent cold damage and dieback, and avoid placing them near draughts, heaters, or heat pumps.

Create Focal Points

Light

With winter comes shorter days and lower light levels. Your indoor plants may need a new home for the winter months with brighter indirect light. Clean your windows to increase the natural light in your indoor space, and wipe your plants' leaves with a damp cloth to clean off dust and help with light absorption.

Adding a large statement plant as a focal point will elevate any interior plant display. To maximise their impact, choose a prominent position such as a corner, entryway or beside furniture. Some of our favourite statement plants are Fiddle Leaf Fig and Bird of Paradise.

Adding Height

Utilise plant stands and shelving to create height with your indoor plants. This not only maximises space, but also draws the eye upwards, making the room feel larger and adding a different dimension to your styling. Trailing plants work well on those higher shelves, and statement plants such as ZZs look fantastic in plant stands.

Watering

Maintaining a proper watering schedule is crucial to keep your indoor plants growing well. During winter, reduce watering to a third of what your plants get in summer, to avoid the risk of root rot from overwatering. However, ferns and carnivorous plants need a different routine, and require consistent watering year-round.

Lush Grouping

Cluster indoor plants in groups of three or more for a styled look. Try out different combinations with height and colour to achieve your desired result. We recommend grouping in odd numbers, and adding complementary planters for the ultimate cohesive vibe. One of our favourite houseplant trios is Maidenhair Fern, Birdsnest Asplenium and Blue Star Fern.

YOUR KITCHEN GARDEN Deciduous Fruit

Looking to elevate your kitchen garden? From juicy peaches and nectarines to sweet plums and pears, there's a fruit tree to suit any outdoor space. Arriving instore from mid-June, deciduous fruit trees are best planted in winter, giving them a chance to get settled and prepare for spring growth.

Winter is the best time to plant deciduous fruit trees as they are dormant and have shed their leaves for the season. Deciduous fruit trees grow well when planted in a sunny spot with at least six hours of sunlight each day, and soil that is both well-draining and rich in organic matter.

Deciduous fruit trees can be grown both in a container or in the ground depending on their size. While planting in a container offers more convenience and mobility, most fruit trees will eventually outgrow their containers and

will need to be relocated to the ground. We love ballerina apples, dwarf peaches and dwarf nectarines for growing in pots.

When planting in containers, choose a large pot to give your plant room to grow. Plant into Kings Container Mix as it contains a wetting agent to help maintain moisture in the soil.

When planting in the ground, break up the existing soil and add Kings Compost at a 50:50 ratio. Mix in Kings Sheep Pellets, Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser

and SaturAid, and water in well. If you have heavier clay soil, sprinkle Gypsum ClayBreaker at the bottom of the planting hole to improve the soil condition.

After planting, insert hardwood stakes on either side of the tree and secure with jute tie to provide support and stability as your fruit tree grows.

Our Top Varieties

With so many different varieties to choose from, there’s a deciduous fruit tree to suit every preference. Each variety has its own strengths, flavours, and culinary purposes, so here are a few of our favourites that will be hitting our stores this winter.

Plums

Luisa

This popular self-fertile variety produces sweet, firm and juicy fruit. It is a heavy and reliable cropper, with a striking elongated heart shape.

Santa Rosa

Known as the queen of all plums, Santa Rosa is one of the besttasting plums in the world! It is a self-fertile variety, making it perfect for small properties that have room for only one fruit tree.

Apples

Pacific Rose

With sweet, crisp and juicy flesh, this mid-season variety is a cross between the Gala and Splendour apples.

Lady in Red

This renowned pink-blushed apple has white flesh with a tart, sweet flavour.

Peaches

Golden Queen

A classic peach that originated in New Zealand. With firm, deep golden flesh, this variety ripens later in the season and is perfect for bottling.

Bonanza (Dwarf)

A dwarf peach with large, sweet fruit and a compact growing habit. It is self-fertile, making it a great choice for smaller outdoor spaces.

Nectarines

Garden Delight (Dwarf)

This early-season variety produces delicious, large fruit with juicy, yellow flesh. Its large blooms are a striking shade of pink.

Red Gold

Red Gold is popular for its sweet flavour almost like a peach. This late-season variety is a favourite amongst all who grow it.

Pears

Beurre Bosc

With juicy sweet flesh and russet skin, these large, brown pears are vigorous mid-season fruiters. Plant another pear variety for crosspollination and bountiful harvests

Garden Belle® (Dwarf)

The first true dwarf pear variety in New Zealand, this early-harvesting pear is self-fertile, and perfect for small gardens. Its sweet and juicy flesh tastes best when eaten straight from the tree.

Persimmons

Fuyu

Popular for its smooth, creamy flesh with a slightly tangy-sweet flavour. Fuyu is non astringent so you can enjoy it crunchy like an apple or let it soften to your liking.

Care

Watering

Watering fruit trees is essential, especially in the first year after planting. This allows the roots to get well established, and ensures stronger, healthier plants. Water slowly so the water can sink down into the roots, rather than running off the top of the soil surface.

Feeding

Monthly feeds with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster are essential from spring through autumn to encourage root growth and increased microbial activity in the soil. When planted in the ground, regular applications of Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser from spring through autumn will help with soil conditioning. When planted in containers, Kings Slow Release Citrus Food can be applied every three months to encourage strong roots and a healthy immune system.

Kings

Spraying

A regular spray program will help prevent pests and diseases, and keep your deciduous fruit trees growing well all year long. We recommend spraying with Grosafe FreeFlo Copper in winter and again prior to bud burst when the buds are swelling up, as a preventative measure for fungal diseases. During winter, spray with Grosafe Enspray 99 Oil to kill overwintering insects and prevent any future eggs from hatching.

Pruning

Mid-winter is the best time to prune your deciduous fruit trees, pruning up to a third of the total growth each year. Prune your trees on a fine day, removing all diseased and damaged wood, and any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. To create an open vase shape, remove branches that are growing

back into the centre of the tree, and use small cuts at an angle about 15mm above outward-facing buds. This will promote growth away from the centre of the tree. If there are cuts above 15mm in thickness, seal with a pruning paste such as Grosafe Organic Pruning Paste.

Dwarf fruit trees provide maximum flavour while taking up minimal space in your garden. Due to their dwarfing rootstock, many dwarf deciduous fruit trees will stay below 2 metres in height, making them perfect for small gardens and even pots!

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

A certified organic spraying oil for the control of scale, aphids, mites and more on citrus and fruit trees.

Broad spectrum copper spray that controls a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases.

Top Tip

Kings Fruit Tree Fertiliser

Grosafe EnSpray 99 Oil

Grosafe FreeFlo Copper

Only the best plants graduate from our nursery.

GROW

At Kings, we lovingly grow a selection of plants in our own local nurseries. We hand-pick the best varieties for success in Auckland gardens, all backed with our sure to grow guarantee to help you grow well.

Little Growers Corner

Materials needed:

• Empty toilet paper or paper towel roll

• Peanut Butter or Honey

• Bird Seed

• String or ribbon

1

Begin by generously spreading peanut butter or honey all over the outside of an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll.

2

Once your roll is fully coated in peanut butter or honey, roll in bird seed. Make sure all sides are evenly covered.

3

Thread a string or ribbon through the center of the roll and tie a knot at the top to create a hanger.

4

Choose

location to hang the bird feeder, such as a sturdy tree branch or fence.

GARDEN TO PLATE Recipe

Pear & Apple Crumble

Warm up your winter with this delicious pear and apple crumble. Juicy pears and crisp apples form the perfect combination for this tasty dessert.

What You’ll Need

∙ 2 ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced

∙ 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

∙ 1 tablespoon brown sugar

∙ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

∙ 2 cups flour

∙ 1 cup butter

∙ 1 cup caster sugar

∙ Pinch of salt

∙ Vanilla ice cream or custard, to serve (optional)

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C.

In a large bowl, combine the sliced pears, apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss gently until the fruits are evenly coated.

In another bowl, mix the flour, butter and a pinch of salt. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add caster sugar to create the crumble topping.

Pour the fruit mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit, covering it completely. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

Once baked, remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

We recommend serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or custard.

When it's time to harvest, cradle each apple in your hand and twist it slightly while lifting upwards. If the apple is ripe, it should come off easily. Avoid pulling or tugging, as this can damage the fruit and the tree. Kings

Top Tip

Pin me to the wall!

With winter officially here, the days are shorter and the deciduous trees are looking a little bare. It may be cold outside, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden to keep it healthy and thriving through the season.

Flowers And Perennials

Keep your garden looking tidy by deadheading spent blooms and trimming back shrubs and perennials. For colourful winter displays, plant hellebores under trees and shrubs. Brighten up your garden with winter annuals like cineraria, pansies, viola, polyanthus, primula, asters, and hardy mini cyclamen. If your cyclamen are in small pots, water from the saucer to avoid soggy roots.

YOUR WINTER GARDEN TO-DO LIST June

Fruit

Keep an eye out for the arrival of deciduous fruit trees in mid-June. Pre-order your favourites now to ensure a fruitful season ahead. Plant strawberries now to ensure they get settled and produce a bountiful crop come summer. Cover the soil with strawberry straw to protect the fruit from fungal diseases and to encourage growth. On a dry, sunny day, prune back new growth on established fruit trees and apply pruning paste to all cuts. Spray deciduous fruit trees with Grosafe FreeFlo Copper to prevent leaf curl.

Veggies

It's time to get those seedlings in the ground! From lettuce and leek to broad beans and broccoli, give your garden a boost with these winter favourites.

Plant garlic and shallots now for a delicious harvest in summer.

Protect tender veggies from those pesky slugs and snails with Tui Quash. If your garden beds are getting waterlogged in the winter rain, improve your drainage by either planting in raised beds, mounds or adding Gypsum ClayBreaker into the soil. Harvest silverbeet, spring onions, leeks, lettuce, parsnip, asian greens, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Indoor Plants Adjust your watering schedule for indoor plants, watering less and keeping an eye on soil moisture levels to prevent overwatering. Keep indoor plants away from heaters and draughts to avoid dieback. Wipe dust off leaves and wash windows to help your indoor plants absorb more light.

Trees And Shrubs Plant trees, shrubs, hedging, and hardy climbers now. Add a touch of fragrance to your garden with daphne, ideal for partially shaded areas. Ensure stakes and ties are secure to provide proper support for your trees and shrubs. Remove lichen from deciduous trees once they have shed their leaves by spraying with Yates Lime Sulfur.

General Tasks

Build up your compost by adding layers of leaves, grass clippings, small branches and other organic matter. Sharpen and clean garden tools to help prevent the spread of disease. Improve soil condition with Gypsum ClayBreaker. Harvest veggies as they ripen to make room for new crops and maintain a productive garden. Rejuvenate bare areas in the veggie patch by sowing green crop seeds to enrich the soil for spring planting.

Lawns

Remove any lingering leaves to prevent parts of the lawn from dying off . Prevent moss with Kings Lawn Moss Control. Spot spray larger weeds in your lawn with Turfi x Gun.

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

Grow well with

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

Kings Lawn Moss Control Helps produce healthier grass while controlling moss in your lawn.

Gypsum ClayBreaker

thrive.

Pin me to the wall!

The middle of winter usually brings chilly days with lots of rain. The growing season is not far awayuse this time to plan your spring planting, and finish off your winter cleanup.

Flowers And Perennials

Deadhead any spent winter annuals, perennials and shrubs to encourage new growth. Continue adding winter annuals to your garden or containers for a splash of colour. Plant hellebores to provide food for bees through winter and early spring. Feed winter annuals with Kings Dried Blood for optimal health.

YOUR WINTER GARDEN TO-DO LIST

July

Fruit

Continue planting strawberries for a tasty spring crop.

Spray deciduous fruit trees with Grosafe FreeFlo

Copper and Grosafe Enspray 99 Oil to kill off overwintering pests and diseases. Mulch any deciduous trees that have been prone to leaf curl with Magic Moss. Prune fruit trees on a sunny day and seal cuts with pruning paste for optimal health.

Veggies

Continue protecting your veggies with frost cloth, and make sure your seedlings aren't getting too wet, or they may die from damping off.

Mulch your garden bed with pea straw to help suppress weeds. Use Tui Quash to keep slugs and snails at bay.

Store your seed potatoes in a cool, well-lit spot until they have 1-2cm shoots. Plant out new season asparagus crowns.

Indoor Plants

Cut back any dead, browning leaves. Yellow and curling leaves at this time of year can indicate cold damage, so increase the room temperature or move plants closer to an indirect light source.

Trees And Shrubs

Feed Daphnes and Camellias with acidic food such as Kings Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Fertiliser. Transplant any small trees or shrubs that need relocating, making sure their roots remain moist when replanting.

General Tasks

Choose a dry, sunny day in early July to prune roses, and apply pruning paste to seal cuts.

Turn compost and add layers of organic material such as leaf matter, cardboard and newspaper for rich soil.

Clean and sharpen garden tools for optimal performance. Once all deciduous leaves have fallen, clean out gutters to avoid blockages. Chop up and dig in any green crops before they fl ower and start preparing your beds for spring planting.

Defoliate roses that are still in leaf with Yates Lime Sulfur. This will also combat fungal spores. Take care when spraying as this product can stain fences and paving.

Lawns

Continue moss prevention with Kings Lawn Moss Control. Spot treat weeds in your lawn to keep it looking its best, and remove any larger weeds by hand. Remove fallen fl owers from your lawn and pop them in the compost. Adjust mower blade settings to avoid scalping wet lawns.

Kings Acidic Food A formulated plant food containing nutrients for healthy growth and prolifi c fl owering in acidloving plants.

Grosafe FreeFlo Copper A copper-based fungicide that is an all-round solution for fungus control in fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals.

Grow well with

Kings Dried

Blood Fast acting organic plant food that releases iron to promote winter fl owering, and nitrogen for leafy vegetable crops.

JULY ESSENTIALS

Pin me to the wall!

As August arrives, signs of the upcoming spring begin to appear in the garden. The longer and warmer days present the perfect opportunity to start getting the garden ready for spring.

Flowers And Perennials

For repeat flowering, deadhead old blooms as they fade. Early spring bulbs may now be floweringconsider cutting and gifting to a friend or family member. Start planting summer bulbs now. Feed pansies and polyanthus with Kings Dried Blood, and nourish the rest of your garden with Kings Blood & Bone.

YOUR WINTER GARDEN TO-DO LIST August

Fruit

Purchase your deciduous fruit trees now and enjoy fresh fruit straight from your own backyard. Protect your fruit trees from fungal diseases with a spray of Grosafe FreeFlo Copper before bud-burst. If you're planning to graft or espalier fruit trees, aim for late-August to mid-September for optimal results.

Veggies

Kickstart your veggies' spring growth with regular feedings of Kings Organic Vegetable Fertiliser.

Sow tomato, basil, and chilli seeds indoors, ready for transplanting outside in September. While it's too early for basil outdoors, plant parsley, coriander, thyme, and mint to add fresh herbs to your dishes. Sow spring seeds into seed-raising mix. Our favourites for planting now are peas, beans, lettuce, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower. Plant potatoes now to enjoy a bountiful harvest later in the year.

Indoor Plants

The end of August means it’s time to start repotting. Use Kings House Plant Mix to keep your indoor plants growing well. Rotate plants that have been stretching towards the light to ensure even growth. Start fertilising with Kings Liquid House Plant Food.

General Tasks

If space allows, consider making your own compost bin to recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. Tackle weeds before they take over your garden beds.

Put up wasp traps as queens emerge from hibernation to prevent unwanted visitors. Cut down green crops in early August and dig them into garden beds to enrich the soil for spring planting.

Trees And Shrubs Magnolias and fl owering cherries are in stores this monthplant them early to enjoy their beautiful blooms this spring. Protect tree roots and conserve moisture with Living Earth More Than Mulch. Give your entire garden a boost by feeding with Kings Garden Booster. Mulch roses generously and apply a fi nal spray of Grosafe FreeFlo Copper before bud-burst for disease prevention. Remove fallen camellia fl owers to avoid slipping hazards and add them to your compost.

Trim and shape early fl owering camellias once blooms have fi nished.

Lawns As temperatures rise, repair any lawn damage or sow new patches for a lush green lawn. Combat moss with Kings Lawn Moss Control, but take care around paving as it may stain.

Kings Organic Vegetable Fertiliser

An excellent organic plant food rich in nutrients to boost the vegetable garden naturally.

Kings House Plant Mix

Help your indoor plants grow well with this perfect blend promoting healthy growth and lush foliage.

Living Earth More Than Mulch Contains bark which creates a barrier between the sun and earth, keeping plants hydrated for longer.

Grow well with

AUGUST ESSENTIALS

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