Natalie’s garden blog August 2025
- Natalie Quirke
- Aug 24
- 4 min read
Readying your garden soil
‘In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer’ – Albert Camus
Winter may feel like it’s outstaying its welcome, but change is stirring in the garden. There are glimpses of spring in our re-awakening gardens. The first daffodils in bloom, fragrant flowering daphne, the cup-shaped flowers of the winter rose (hellebore), early flowering magnolia, tree buds swelling and more and more outbursts of birdsong.
On a frosty, but stunning blue sky morning a thrush sitting at the very top of our ten metre cherry tree regaled the neighbourhood with its beautiful, clear, melodic birdsong. It was so joyous and very committed, it sang solidly for a good five minutes!
Readying your garden soil for spring and summer — soil pH and nutrients
We’re itching with the promise of spring to get our hands dirty again out in the garden. First of all we need to pay some attention to the garden’s soil in readiness for a magnificent spring and summer display of flowers, strong plant growth, and a plentiful supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. You will be rewarded if your garden soil is healthy and teeming with life – insects, fungi and microorganisms.
Kapiti’s soil is predominantly sandy. and in places it can be quite stony. Unsurprisingly sandy soils drain quickly, don’t hold moisture for long, and have poor nutrient retention. It can be helpful to know the pH of your soil. Is it more acidic than alkaline? Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. However some plants like azaleas, berries including blueberries, many vegetables, camellias, cyclamens, begonias, blue hydrangeas and magnolia prefer more acidic soils. Lavender, some hydrangeas, forsythia, strawberry tree, deutzia, lilac and viburnum prefer a more alkaline soil. If your soil is too acidic you may need to add lime, or alternatively sulphur if your soil is too alkaline.
I find observing plants and their health during the spring and summer months is a very effective way of identifying if your soil is lacking key nutrients. Plants with yellowing, or few leaves, or weak growth are some telltale signs of soil nutrient deficiency. If you need reassurance when it comes to both soil pH and nutrient health, kits are readily available from garden centres and hardware stores.
Compost, manure, worm castings, leaf litter and bark are good at releasing nutrients and encouraging good soil. Fertilisers can also be very useful but be careful not to overuse them – they can deplete soil health. Look for slow-release fertilisers or choose balanced fertilisers with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). Using organic matter first, and then fertilisers next (if you need to) is the best approach.
Try as much as possible not to dig too much in your garden. Repeatedly walking on, or digging your soil can lead to soil compaction and soil erosion, especially with our re-known spring and early summer winds.
Tips for improving soil structures
add organic matter: compost, manure or green manure
use cover crops particularly over the winter like mustard or lupin to reduce erosion and improve soil health
limit digging
use mulch to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve the temperature of your soil
The joy of reading for garden inspiration
We still have some wintry spells of weather ahead of us. There’s no better time to snuggle down, get comfortable and settle into a book for some garden inspiration. There’s a huge variety of informative and beautiful garden books for us to read. Our libraries and bookshops are havens for hidden treasures on the joy of gardening. My bookshelves are full of gardening books but there are a handful that I consider to be my best friends:
Eagle’s Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand by Audrey Eagle
Audrey’s botanical illustrations of New Zealand’s botanical heritage are truly exceptional
Hillier’s Manual of Trees & Shrubs
extensive coverage of over 10,500 plants
New Zealand Gardening Encyclopedia published by David Bateman
reference book on plants best suited to, and most popular in NZ
The Gardener’s Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Native Plants by Yvonne Cave & Valda Paddison
Over 2000 species, hybrids and cultivars in a highly illustrated, user-friendly volume
The Art of Gardening by Colin Hutchinson
A very comprehensive NZ guide to plants and landscaping
Wardle’s Native Trees of New Zealand and their story by John Wardle
Published by the NZ Farm Forestry Association
The Native Trees of New Zealand by JT Salmon
More than 220 species of indigenous trees and 1,500 colour photographs
The extensive number of native and exotic trees and shrubs that thrive in New Zealand is what makes our gardens so unique. Many of our native trees and shrubs have been widely adopted overseas and for good reason. Enjoy reading and continue to be inspired.
Flowers in my garden
There are three standout blooms this month. Each distinct but equally captivating and deserving of a place in the garden.
This month’s gardening gems:
Plant Gladioli bulbs from now through to December for summer flowering
Plant Cineraria and Polyanthus seedlings for vibrant colour
Encourage birds into your garden with a bird feeder, and fill it with wild bird seed mix
Plant a Boronia for the most divine scent
Start planning for planting out summer bulbs
Watch out for flower seedlings when you weed!
Thanks for reading August’s garden blog which is all about readying your garden’s soil for the productive seasons ahead. Take joy in the early signs of spring and don’t forget to keep an eye on the health of your soil. Don’t forget Daffodil Day is coming up on Friday 29 August!
Natalie Quirke
Dip Hort, Dip Hort Mgt, NDH
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