Q&A Spring - Summer

Spring and summer in the garden usually means warm weather, flourishing vege patches and beautiful blooms.

However, things don’t always go to plan, so we’ve put together answers to common questions for garden success over the warmer seasons.

Q. Why have the leaves on my rose suddenly got black spots and fallen off?

A. This is black spot, which is spread by irrigation or rain splash. Collect up fallen infected leaves to stop the spread and spray with a suitable fungicide. Keep your rose well-watered, fertilised and actively growing through spring, summer and autumn with Tui Rose Food and Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic. Mulch around the rose to help conserve soil moisture.

Q. Why does my passionfruit have yellow leaves and little new growth?

A. Passionfruit need at least 18 monthsto two years to establish. Yellowing could be caused by too much or not enough fertiliser. Regularly apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic every 7 days at a rate of 70mls per 9 litre watering can. Once you see it pick up then cut the seaweed back to every two weeks. Feed in spring with a nitrogen rich fertiliser like Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser during the leafy growth phase until it starts to flower. Passionfruit are a short-lived vine, fruiting for 5-7 years, then it is a good idea to replant a new vine.

Q. How do I treat blossom end rot on my tomatoes and courgettes?

A. Blossom end rot commonly affects tomatoes, capsicums and courgettes. It’s a physiological disorder and can’t be spread from plant to plant or from fruit to fruit. Often it is caused by a lack of calcium and magnesium. It can also be caused by irregular watering – the plant drying out and then being heavily watered. Improve air circulation around the plants, make sure watering is consistent and feed with a balanced fertiliser like Tui Tomato Food to correct any calcium and magnesium deficiencies.

Q. Why does my lemon tree have plenty of fruit but no leaves?

A. Citrus are evergreen but do drop leaves, usually when they are stressed. This could be due to too much fertiliser, or not enough fertiliser, if there’s frost, or it’s too wet. We would suggest removing the fruit, and feeding the tree with Tui Citrus Food. Mulch around the tree and keep it well-watered. Regular doses of
Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic would also be beneficial.

Q. How do I stop my herbs going to seed?

A. Herbs should be regularly trimmed or harvested to maintain fresh bushy growth. They will bolt and go to seed in the summer if the soil dries out too much, so they need a regular watering regime to avoid going to seed early. Soft herbs like chervil, coriander and dill are not long-lived plants, 2-3 months is about all you can expect to get out of them and over a hot summer, it can be even less. Feed herbs regularly with Tui Vege & Herb Liquid Superfood. If herbs go to seed, save the seed to sow new crops!

Discover more answers to frequently asked garden questions here >