The vege patch with Jonesy
Gardening is a planning thing; knowing when and what to plant is most important.
We often think about planting our veges only when it is time to start eating them!
In autumn, it’s time to think about a winter garden. Already planted should be leeks, carrots, silver beet, and parsnips. It’s not too late to plant broccoli, silver beet and cabbage plants, with best results if planted four days each side of a full moon.
As you plant the plot, remember to leave room between each plant for growth. Broad beans can get huge! Sow them from March on and choose the green variety. We sow ours around June; the later the beans are sown the less likely they are to get fungus rust. It saves having to use a spray to treat and the harvest is only about two weeks later.
Plant garlic on the shortest day, around 22 June. Tip: you can’t plant garlic cloves bought at the supermarket as these have been treated especially not to germinate. Harvest on the longest day in mid December.
Strawberries can be planted now. Put in new plants or snip off and plant the baby plants from this season’s plants. Put pine needles around them to keep them snug for the winter as straw can get soggy.
This winter I am going to try Borecole, a Scottish kale, ideal for soup or as a vege. It is a champion at withstanding frosts.
If you haven’t had a vegetable garden before now, it is a great time to make a start. Dig a plot away from cold shade. Layer over manure (horse, pig, sheep) with old sawdust and straw. Pea straw is great if you can get it. Let it all lie for the winter and there will be a garden ready to plant in spring. A raised bed, maximum height 200mm, makes the plot a bit warmer so it can be planted earlier. Too high and it will be dry and use a lot of water.
Don’t let the garden become a hard task; a little work once a week with the kids involved makes it fun and rewarding.
Let the kids sow and plant what they like to eat and the rest will follow.
Write to me at the magazine address if you have questions.
Alan Jones (Jonesy) is the 2010 New Zealand Gardener of the Year. He looks after Leeston Consolidated School’s veggie gardens and keeps school parents up-to-date with tips for home gardens.
