Garden Tips for November
The October rains…
have created a wonderful medium for spring growth, in fact, it is the greenist I have ever seen the hill sides around Canterbury. Take time to enjoy your garden and follow the tips below to Read moreGarden Tips – September
Time to plant your Edibles….. Apples, Pears, Lemons, Strawberries, Potatoes, Asparagus, Blueberries, Garlic and so the list could go on. Come and have a look at the wide variety of producing plants/seeds we Read more
SAVE $$$ on your Grocery Bill
GST is up and so is the price of vegetables (by 20%). This makes fantastic sense to grow your own vegetables and fruit. If you are new to gardening, why not visit our Garden Centre and see our range of kitset planter boxes and fruit trees.
With Labour Weekend come and gone, it is safe to plant the frost sensitive plants outside (like tomatoes and cucumber) Check the Bar-B-Q is clean and gas bottle is filled!
Edible Garden
- Continue to plant lettuce, new seasons tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes, beans, carrots and corn
- Keep planting potatoes so you have new potatoes continuously over summer
- Plant and fertilise Strawberry plants
- Sow silverbeet and parsley seeds for winter
- Frost sensitive herbs can be planted outside now
- Companion planting – Plant garlic and marigolds in between crops– also brightens up the vegetable garden
Trees/shrubs
- Late November latest time for planting out shrubs and new trees unless on a good watering system.
- Prune buxus hedges, topiary etc at the end of November when growth is mature – Tip: Do this on a dull day to avoid sunburn
Lawns
- To keep lawns healthy – Fertiliser can be applied and water this in well after application
Roses
- Dead head flowers and keep roots damp
- Keep an eye out for black spot and aphids – Soapy water over leaves deters the pest
Flowers
- Annuals should be planted out now – Alyssum, Begonias, Lobellia, Marigolds, Pansies, Stock
- Evergreen Garden Centre has an everyday low price of $3.90/six pack
- Instant colour by your front door or bar-b-que area looks great too
October – Asparagus with Orange/Ginger Sauce
With spring well on it’s way, we are enjoying the warmer days and not so many shakes in the Christchurch region.
Make the most of the asparagus in your garden with this recipe or just add it raw into salads, quiche or try roasting them too. Have you planted your fruit trees yet? Mention our OCTOBER SPECIAL and get 15% off your fruit trees
Asparagus with Orange Ginger Sauce
Ingredients
- 500gm Asparagus washed and trimmed
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp fresh lemon or lime juice Read more
August – Winter Curried Vegetables
Rain, Rain, Rain….
I know we are tired of the wet miserable days – but the rain has been great for the garden, and when it dries up a little we can go out and enjoy planting for the spring, as the soil is so soft and workable. Use the pea straw to keep in the moisture and smother the weeds
Why not harvest some of the vegetables out of your garden to make this delicious warming vegetable dish. Use to accompany any other dinner dish, or even have on it’s own.
Winter Curried Vegetables
2 tsp Olive Oil
1 tsp each of Mustard Seed, ground cumin and ground corriander
1 tsp ground turmeric
Dash of fish oil (or 1 tsp salt)
3 cups chopped vegetables e.g. carrots, pumpkin, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower
1/4 cup water
