Organising your spring vege garden

To prepare your vege patch for fresh homegrown harvests to feed the whole family, now is the time to act. Whether your dream vege patch is full of salad greens for summer BBQs, or classics like carrots, broccoli and beetroot, it is satisfying to grow your own.

Prepare
Choose a sunny spot sheltered from the wind with easy access for harvesting and watering.

Before planting in your garden bed, replenish the soil by digging in Tui Blood & Bone and Tui Compost. Then add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix.

If starting fresh and building a raised garden bed, choose nontreated timber and fill with layers of sheep pellets, Tui Compost and Tui Vegetable Mix, creating a lasagne effect.

You can also easily grow your own with containers on the deck planted with salad greens and herbs. Fill your planter with Tui Vegetable Mix or Tui All Purpose Potting Mix.

Plant
Across New Zealand there are differences in climate and soils. Talk to the helpful team at your local PGG Wrightson store to learn what to plant each month, based on your region.

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Remember to water before and after planting.

Spring favourites
Popular spring crops include beans, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, celery, lettuce, radish, peas, potatoes, spinach, and spring onions.

When it warms up and the threat of late frosts have gone you can start planting tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, chillies and capsicums.

Don’t forget herbs like parsley, oregano, thyme, sage, coriander and mint to add flavour to your meals. When it warms, pop in some basil alongside your tomatoes.

Nourish
Just like us, plants need nutrients to thrive. Use a vegetable fertiliser to feed your plants once a month for continued growth. You can also top up gardens with sheep pellets or blood and bone over the season to replenish the soil.

Between feedings, apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic for healthy plant growth and to make plants more resilient to temperature changes, pests and diseases.

A well-watered, well-nourished vege garden will have the best chance of success. If you can, setting up soak hoses or a dripper irrigation system in garden beds offers an efficient watering option.

Final tips

• Protect plants with layers of mulch and weed regularly.
• Leafy crops like spinach and lettuce can be harvested a leaf at a time and will continue to grow.

For help planning your vege garden, visit your local PGG Wrightson store.

SUPPLIED BY TUI