I'll be running the final fresh food garden course of the season on Saturday 6 March 2010 12 noon to 5.30pm. Just nine places so please book early. The next courses will be in early October 2010. Although it's very suitable for beginners, some of the people who've enjoyed the course the most have been experienced gardeners. There's a mixture of … [Read more...]
no peas like snow peas
I picked what I thought were snow peas yesterday. When I got to the end of the row I thought I'd check when I'd sowed them and discovered they were shelling peas 'progress' and I'd just picked them before they'd developed. Another reason to label things well. We have a broad bean feast (commonly known as a glut) so I enjoyed a broad bean and feta … [Read more...]
birds and bees
Here's one of my honey bees busy on the red kale that's gone to seed. It's been the coldest and wettest October for years so there's no honey in the hive and the girls are making the most of every fine day to gather provisions. Bees and native birds both benefit from plants that provide pollen and nectar. They also need a constant source of easily … [Read more...]
Ohariu Valley Garden Ramble
This Sunday 1 November 2009 10-4pm is the Ohariu Valley Garden Ramble. Visit special gardens in the country but less than half an hour from Wellington. Refreshments available. Native plants and fresh produce for sale. $20 per person. Now is the perfect time to sow seeds in Wellington. Once it stops snowing. Either outside or in pots. Beans, … [Read more...]
need more space?
You might want to try these five ideas for making more space in your vegetable garden. We'll cover all these in the fresh food garden course. I have tomato plants available. Please have a look at the varieties and email me with what you'd like. I'll supply as long as stocks last. Keep sowing a few seeds each week - the lettuce I sowed on … [Read more...]
FAQ’s about the fresh food garden course
We had two very successful fresh food garden courses over the weekend. There's a big difference between doing a course and just reading a book or a magazine. Reading's great, but because of the way our brains are wired, you can't beat some social support and inspiration. If you have friends and family who might be interested in this course, … [Read more...]
carrot thief
I was going to post a picture of carrots I'd grown in a polystyrene crate. Sown in March I dug them yesterday to eat for dinner. I left them on the front step and when I returned there was nothing but the tops remaining. Tess had enjoyed them for her dinner instead. A few were a bit bent at the end where they'd reached the crate but not a bad crop … [Read more...]
the best thing about a roast is…
... the leftovers. Apart from the first meal, there's enough meat to make lots of individual pies. Then there's stock from the bones to make lurid green watercress soup or spicy winter leek and potato soup. Here's Rodriguez, the Rhode Island red rooster, and his wives. Mabel (the one black hen), as ever aloof, still sleeps up in a tree rather … [Read more...]
do things at the wrong time
You'll get more done by doing things at the wrong time, than you get done by not doing things at all. I'm refering to gardening but the same could be applied to saving for retirement or changing jobs. There are lots of rules about when you should do what. Sometimes doing things later or earlier means they turn out better, or at least, not much … [Read more...]
fresh food garden courses
Fresh food garden is a half-day organic vegetable gardening course for beginners. A course will get you started and give you the confidence and enthusiasm that a book can't. If you're not a beginner, it will still give you lots of ideas and new inspiration for your vegetable gardening. Next dates for fresh food garden are Saturday 3rd October 2009 … [Read more...]
