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...]
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...]
There are now two dates available for the fresh food garden course - Sunday 7th December 2008 or Saturday 17th January 2009. The Ohariu Valley Garden tour had a glorious sunny day and proved a popular outing. It was lovely to meet so many people enjoying the gardens. I've been sowing more seeds this week - brocolli, cabbage, pak choi, lettuce … [Read more...]
Nobody ever says they've got a strawberry glut. Runner beans, zucchinis but never strawberries. They do well in Wellington as they tolerate acid soil. Now's a good time to plant some (more) strawberries. Mulching them with pine needles keeps them moist, improves the soil and deters slugs and snails. If you don't want all your crop to go to the … [Read more...]
If you don't want the blackbirds to eat your strawberries, keep them well covered. I plant strawberries 30cm apart in each direction, mulch well with pine needles to keep the fruit clean and to deter slugs and snails then cover with bird mesh. Nails in the side of the raised beds keep the mesh in place. These carrots were sown in mid-June, … [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.
