'Tis the season to spring into action

September planting guide. Pictures supplied by Awapuni Nurseries

Spring is in the air! The weather is slightly warmer, the sun rising earlier. Early blooming magnolias and rhododendrons are putting on a wonderful display. It's a very exciting time for gardeners and for us here at the nurseries. This is the season when more plant varieties become available.

Spring clean — weeding is in. Mulch helps to suppress weed growth.

Get your checklist ready. This is handy for succession planting.

Feed your strawberry patch.

Get your tomato beds ready.

Turn over your compost, do it monthly.

Consider rotation planting.

Many gardeners are preparing their tomato beds at this time, especially those in the warmer regions of New Zealand. Tomato seedlings are now available from Awapuni Nurseries. At the moment, the varieties to consider are: Moneymaker, Beefsteak, Acid-Free, Dwarf, Cherry and the very popular Heirloom Mix.

It's important to consider rotation planting for tomatoes. Planting tomatoes in the same spot each year drains the nutrients from the soil and this often leads to pests and diseases. Lettuce, beetroot, spring onions, and basil grow well with tomatoes.

It's now also time to plant your Great Lakes lettuce! Usually when this variety is out, it's a signal for a change of season. Plan out planting your favourite lettuce varieties in succession to ensure consistent harvest throughout spring.

Get your checklist ready. Search for the vegetables or flowers that you want to try this season and add your name to the notifications list. This way, you'll be notified as soon as it's available.

Many garden enthusiasts take advantage of spring to promote gardening initiatives. Awapuni Nurseries is now accepting fundraising collaborations with schools and non-profits for the September-December period. Gardening is a productive life skill and a great learning opportunity for kids.

If you are after quick bloomers to bring in some spring cheer, you may want to consider English daisies, stock, pansies and violas. Spring is the start of the blooming season and we are excited to offer more varieties like gazania, hollyhock, sweet peas, cornflower, geraniums and more.

Quick tip for flowering plants: Place them in a sunny spot and well-drained soil.

Sweet peas and stock flowers are fragrant, a real treat for the senses.

Get creative with your flower baskets! Mixing curled parsley, pansies and cascading lobelias might give your patio a different look.

Herbs to consider are coriander, rocket and sage. Sage repels bugs. Planting them in spring enables them to be established before summer, ready to repel unwanted insects as the weather gets warmer.

It's a good time to plant your native seedlings — akeake, pittosporum, kowhai, cabbage tree, flaxes and carex ornamental grasses. Seedlings at least 15-20cm tall can be planted directly into the ground; now available in bulk bundles of 10 from Awapuni Nurseries.

If you are looking to plant out swampy areas, riverbanks and waterways, you may want to consider the native Apodasmia Similis, locally known as Oioi or wire rush.