Feeding & Watering

Watering

Native plants are just like any other plant in terms of their requirements for healthy growth. To reduce the need for regular watering after planting, plant in the winter months. This will ensure the plant’s root system is well established before the drier summer months. Younger plants will require more water than those already established. 

Because summers are becoming hotter and drier, additional watering may be necessary during the first season after planting, but with correct plant selection, the amount required should be minimal.

Fertilising

Natives will respond to applications of Garden Time™ Complete Garden Fertiliser or Big Value Blood & Bone in spring/early summer, especially in the first few years after planting.

Remember to regularly fertilise natives growing in containers as eventually the nutrients in the mix are completely absorbed by the plants.

Pests and Diseases

Because our native plants have evolved over many years, they are well adapted to our growing conditions. However, introduced pests and diseases can be problematic for some species, for example, Kākābeak’s are decimated by the white butterfly caterpillar. If you have selected the best plants for the physical conditions of your garden, there should be few pest and disease problems.

If a pest or disease does continually impact the growth of a particular plant, discontinue growing this species and replace it with another that is more appropriate for the given site in the garden.