Things I want to achieve in July 2025
It is never too late to have a fresh start. The first week of July was spent doing a bit of travel and spending time with family. Arriving back to the garden seems like the perfect time to do a seasonal reset. I’ve had my break and now it is time to throw myself into the garden to get ready for the new growing season. It will be here before we know it.
The garden doesn’t look too bad considering June was treated a touch casually because, in spite of everything I know about winter being a short season, that first month when things grow slowly and it feels like every other day has inclement weather I tend to slow down myself. The realisation that the first seeds get started in a few short weeks, spurs me into action rain or shine – that is what raincoats are for right?! The saving grace from last season was the motivation of sorting it out so it looked nice for our Matariki guests.
Things were still crossed off the list and progress has been made, but I do need to lift my game and treat the garden with a sense of urgency. The wish list is long, and spring won’t wait.
GARDEN GARDENING
- Weekly weeding of all sectors.
- Continue with bricks in paths.
- Clear sand along fence line.
- Trap possums.
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
Sector 1
- Cut down cover crops as they start to flower.
- Remove spent crops.
Sector 2
- Clear out remaining beds once finished.
- Enrich empty beds.
Sector 3
- Tidy up beside the shed.
- Cut asparagus fronds down.
- Clear out remaining beds once finished.
Sector 4
- Remove spent flowers.
- Sort out container plants.
- Greenhouse maintenance.
- Repair rhubarb windbreak.
- Weed behind shed.
- Set up irrigation through this area.
- Wash pots.
Sector 5
- Refresh strawberry bed.
- Prune Raspberries
- Finish irrigation system.
- Build a blueberry cage.
- Buy currants and maybe some blackberries.
- There is a garden bed on my garden plan that is listed as “weeds.” This needs to change.
THE PALACE:
Room 1
- Renovate bench.
- Add brackets to stairs.
Room 2
- Install edging.
- Refresh the bark mulch.
- Fill gaps with plants.
- Fix and repaint gates.
- Continue pinning back Muehlenbeckia.
- Get plaque for time capsule.
Room 3
- Weed regularly.
- Protect roses from possums.
- Learn maintenance needs.
BEYOND THE GARDEN
- Weedeat swingseat path.
- Weedeat along fence line.
- Paint swingseat.
- Tidy office.
- Plan for the new growing season and order seeds.
- Spray lawn for Onehunga prickles.
OTHER PROJECTS – for when I have time.
- Landscape around the swing seat.
- Weed around trees on windbreak hill.
- Plant more trees on windbreak hill.
- Office building maintenance.
- Weed Waterfall.
- Clothesline project.
- Investigate ‘hill art’ project.
- Frames around irrigation hubs.
- Build plants in pots station.
- Paint sheds.
- Makeover chicken coup.
KITCHEN GARDENING
- Something from the garden in every meal.
- Check stored crops for rot.
- Do a stocktake of stored crops and meal plan.