Winter warmers

FEED THE SOIL
A healthy soil, rich in organic matter contains billions of active microorganisms which make nutrients available for plants and can even reduce pest and disease problems.
Organic matter is added in the form of compost, bulky manures and organic mulch.
Where space is available grow a ‘green crop’ to incorporated into the soiling spring. Effective cover crops include lupin (good for nitrogen fixing), mustard, wheat, barley and oats. As well as providing bulk nitrogen, a green crop will help bring deep minerals to the surface. Over winter it protects the soil from weather extremes while the roots growth helps keep the soil aerated.

TIP: As you trim herbs and shrubs, lay the clippings on the soil as mulch.

BUILD RAISED BEDS
Lifting a garden above ground level benefits for both the gardener and their plants.
Choose the sunniest part of the garden. The ideal bed width is 1 to 1.5m for easy access from each side without stepping on the soil. A depth of 30cm is plenty for most vege crops, but higher garden beds make gardening even easier.

GROW CROPS IN POTS
It’s no fun digging when the soil is heavy and wet, and it’s bad for the soil too, so growing veges in containers is a great option in winter. Vegetable plants grow faster in warmer well-drained potting soil than they do in cold soggy ground and pots can be located to catch the winter sun. A cloche or frost cloth gives extra protection when the need arises. Top quality container mix is key, as is the need to keep up with feeding. Apply controlled release fertiliser at planting time and follow up with regular liquid feeding as crops grow. Liquid fertilisers should be applied little and often, in step with plant growth rates and to avoid waste.

TIP: Veges grown in containers need regular feeding.

GET COMPOSTING
Turning kitchen waste into healthy soil is one the most fascinating aspects of gardening.  Devise a system that works for your household. A worm farm is a worthwhile addition to your recycling system, in addition to a compost heap. It is the ideal way to recycle kitchen scraps, and the worm castings are a valuable source of nutrients and soil humus that can be used either on the garden soil or added to container mixes.

PLANT STRAWBERRIES
Strawberries planted now in pots or garden beds will be ready to harvest over spring and summer. Feed plants generously and be sure to water during dry spells.

TIP: Use pea straw as mulch around strawberry plants to keep the fruit clean and dry.

PLANT POTATOES
Sprout seed potatoes ready for planting in early spring. In warmer North island climates, early spuds can be planted in mid-winter. Potatoes are easy and rewarding to grow in large pot or a bag.

PLANT A ‘FOOD FOREST’
Growing food extends to plants that produce year after year without needing replanting. Edible landscaping is about creating an attractive garden that substitutes purely ornamental plants with those that produce something edible. Fruiting plants can double as screen trees, sun shades, hedges, and wall decoration. Perennial herbs make attractive ground cover plants and can fill a garden with colour when they flower.

GET READY TO PLANT ASPARAGUS
Asparagus plants are perennial which means they crop year after year without needing to be replanted, so it’s well worth investing time preparing a bed of well-drained, compost-rich soil in advance of planting. Choose a sunny location. Raised beds are ideal if your soil is heavy or wet. Asparagus crowns are available in garden centres from mid winter.

SOW PEAS
Peas grow best when seed is sown directly where plants are to grow, either a garden bed or a large pot with a teepee for support. Always buy fresh seed to avoid disappointment.  Snow peas are an efficient use of space as you can eat them pod and all.

PLANT GARLIC
Purchase fresh clean, locally grown garlic bulbs and separate them into cloves, discarding any damaged ones. Plant cloves pointy side up in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil.

TIP: For big fat healthy garlic bulbs, be sure to keep up with watering in spring and early summer.