vegetable gardening courses and workshops, edible gardening tips and seasonal recipes for home-grown produce..
My recipe for corn fritters is heavier than most on eggs and corn because that's what I have and that's the way I like'em. A mere variation on zucchini fritters and beetroot fritters. For lunch with a salad, to accompany pre-dinner drinks or barbecue fare, they're adaptable and appealing. Better made fresh, but you can chill them and reheat them in … [Read more...]
On the warm days it seems as if I'll never be ready for spring and on the cold days it seems as if spring will never be here. I started sowing some seeds outside in August but they'll germinate more quickly now. Here are some tips for sowing seeds outside. Or you can sow seeds indoors in pots. You'll get plenty more help with seed sowing from … [Read more...]
Peas need temperatures of at least 10 degrees C to germinate. There are lots of different varieties to try - tall and dwarf, snow peas and sugar snaps (round like a shelling-pea but with tender, edible pods). Here are some tips for success with peas. If you want more help and advice with vegetable garden, come on the fresh food garden course. … [Read more...]
It's the perfect time of year to select your seeds for next season. If you've stored last year's seeds well, many of them will be viable in the spring. They are of course, ineffective if left in their packets so you might want to book a spring seed sowing session if there's a risk you won't get around to ordering or sowing them. You can also enjoy … [Read more...]
I picked the first baby leaves of mesclun sown a month ago for a green salad this week. Dog inspected for freshness of course. I usually prefer choosing a single variety of salad but this experiment has worked well and I'll be picking the leaves for many weeks to come. You can grow mesclun for baby leaves in a pot or polystyrene crate for a 'back … [Read more...]
Some plants prefer to start life directly in the soil. Others are happy to be moved from being sown in pots. There are benefits and risks for both approaches. I start some beans and corn in pots over heat in September or October. When I transplant them into the garden, I plant them in a grid at about 30cm spacing in both directions. I sow some bean … [Read more...]
Even if you think you can sow seeds successfully, coming to a workshop makes sure you actually get it done. I provide all the equipment and give you a whole range of seeds to choose from that you otherwise wouldn't try. You also get an easy system that sets you up for a full edible garden the whole summer. $29 per person for a 90 minute practical … [Read more...]
The transformation of a seed to a plant is a true wonder of nature. The fresh food garden course includes more information about sowing seeds or you could try a Spring seed sowing session. Here are some tips if you want to start some seeds of your own in pots. Sowing in pots enables you to sow earlier in the season than outside. Some plants … [Read more...]
Some seeds need steady, warm temperatures to germinate quickly. Daytime things may be fine, but at night they'll suffer if it's too cold in a greenhouse, outside or even on a draughty windowsill. The King Seeds catalogue gives very good information about the temperature seeds need to germinate. Tomato seeds and corn will germinate in less than a … [Read more...]
The Kings Seeds catalogue is here. You can browse and order on line but there's nothing to beat planning the next season's garden from the comfort of your armchair. This year's catalogue includes some inspiring photography from Kings Seeds' customers, including this photo of sweet peas on the cover by Bridgit Anderson. If you've looked after your … [Read more...]
Get your winter fix of Kitchen Garden workshops at HANDMADE 2013
Plan your summer edible garden
Totally Totes
Spring workshops will start in October 2013 and will all be held at The Kitchen Garden in Ohariu Valley Wellington from 6-7.30pm. $29 per person. Get a group of six together and I'll tailor a workshop on a date and topic to suit you.
Planning your summer edible garden develop a plan to make the most of your garden time, space and energy.
Herbalicious growing and enjoying edible herbs for flavour and freshness from your garden to your plate.
Sow your winter edible garden to get your edible garden seeds sown for winter.
Composting for beginners
or for you if your composting isn't working well.
Soil Magic learn techniques to improve your soil and make your gardening easier - mulching, green manure, compost, aeration, double digging, soil testing and much, much more.
