One of my Dutch irises - a white one - is out today. 😃 Also, two more new additions to my garden. 😃
Photo 1: My white Dutch iris, the first one open this season. 😃
Photo 2: My two newest additions to my garden - two blueberry plants of two different varieties, both of the Rabbiteye type. It's a small bush, which grows to 1m x 1.5m at the largest - so is the easiest to keep in a tub/barrel, like I have them both in here. 😃
Photo 3: Blueberry Tasty Blue variety - of the Rabbiteye type. 😃
Photo 4: Blueberry Blue Dawn variety - also of the Rabbiteye type. 😃 Rabbiteye type plants ARE self-fertile, but you will need at least two different varieties of the Rabbiteye type to cross-pollinate and increase crop yield and fruit size, so I've bought two compatible types from Mitre 10. Check the labels on the plants when choosing which varieties to buy, so that you know which varieties will go with which. Plant them at least 1.5 metres apart if planting them in the ground, as this is how big these plants will grow, and position them no further than 20 metres apart, so that the bees can find them and share the pollen between them so that they will cross-pollinate.
Blueberries like acidic soil to grow in (so that they will produce fruit), so that's why you're best to plant them in tubs or wooden (or other material) barrels like I have (that, and they're awesomest to plant that way!!! 😃). I put Tui compost in the bottom, Tui strawberry mix/potting mix at the top, mixed with Hauraki Gold peat moss and sheep pellets. I watered it in well with Yates Thrive liquid seaweed citrus food & Seasol seaweed solution, diluted with water in a watering can. Blueberry plants take a while to fruit, so by the third year, when they get big enough, you should have fruit. 😃
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.3% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.1% Hmm, maybe?
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11.6% Yes!
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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