vegetable gardening courses and workshops, edible gardening tips and seasonal recipes for home-grown produce..
My parsnips didn't germinate first time so by the time I had resown them it was March and they've taken this long to grow. They've yet to go to seed so I'm making the most of them as I need the space they're in for some squash. I served this puree warm as part of a quartet of dips, The four made a stunning visual contrast with creamy parsnip puree, … [Read more...]
There's always something new to try in a gardening exploit. This year I've tried growing lovage even though I've never eaten it. I took pity on a couple of sad lavender plants in the supermarket and I love lemongrass so thought I should try it in the tunnel house. I'm also trying bergamot (because I love Earl Grey tea), perilla or shiso (having not … [Read more...]
Some days it's summer, others it's winter. That's Wellington for you. No watering required outside yet but plants will benefit from wind protection until they're really established. Blackbirds are busy feeding themselves and their young so will scratch out any seedling they find in search of a worm or two. I've supported cucumbers and tomatoes with … [Read more...]
Real peppermint tea, tarragon eggs, rosemary foccacia, rocket pesto, minted rhubarb sorbet and lavender shortbread. You can easily grow most of the herbs you'll need to make these and many more delicious culinary delights. Come to the edible herb workshop next Wednesday evening to get recipes, growing tips and enthusiasm. Sample some of the results … [Read more...]
Sow some carrot seeds in a polystyrene crate by your kitchen door this weekend and you too can have carrots by Christmas. You can take home seeds with which to fill it from a Spring seed sowing session. Stock up on the best chocolate yet from Whittaker's. And it is pink. Purple sprouting broccoli is just ready for picking. Even better than … [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...]
The 'hungry gap' was traditionally the time of year when you'd run out of stores from the summer, used up all the winter produce and the spring vegetables hadn't yet started producing. In Wellington at least it's less of a problem as we don't get a prolonged freeze. I picked rhubarb, leeks, spring onions, turnips, fennel, lettuce, parsley, carrots, … [Read more...]
Here's Betty enjoying some rocket that had gone to seed. The chooks get to free range in the afternoon but I like to remind them that laying at home is what they're here to do, so keeping them somewhat contained in the morning helps in that regard. I give them any treats I have to hand to enjoy whilst at home in their run. I took the idea of … [Read more...]
My tomato plants are outside now, tucked into bottomless-pots to keep off the worst of the wind and to stop the birds scratching out the plants. I'll take the pots off when I put up strings to support them once the plants are established. I've put up bamboo canes onto which I'll tie the strings. Here are some more ideas on how to get the best from … [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...]
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.
