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Day: June 21, 2024

Winter Solstice 2024
All Post, GARDENING, Uncategorized

Waiting for the sun

Waiting for the sun Today is the winter solstice.  At 8:50am the sun was as far away from us as it could possibly be, and I was there for it.  Like a crazy person!  The sunrise was set for 7:35am but we’re on the back side of a hill away from the rising sun so I knew it would emerge a tad later than that … Continue reading Waiting for the sun

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Sarah the GardenerJune 21, 2024July 1, 20242 Comments

WHO AM I?

Sarah the Gardener
Sarah the Gardener

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  • Garden list for October
  • Latest Post: What I did in the garden this week.
  • Garden list for September
  • Latest Post: All the signs have changed.
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Sarah the Gardener with Yates NZ

1 day ago

Sarah the Gardener
How to prepare soil for a vegetable garden:As an empty nester, I’m supposed to be downsizing the garden but I’m using a spare garden bed to grow a full set of the Small Gardens range of seeds given to me by the good people at Yates NZ.The seeds were started later than I normally would, but are growing nicely and there is still plenty of time. The next step was to get their garden bed ready:🌱 I slowly and carefully removed the weeds, removing every last trace.🌱 Then I replenished the nutrients that will feed the plants during the growing season.My favourite additions are Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food and Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed and a generous layer of compost. 💚 These are great slow-release fertilisers that improve the soil structure and moisture retention. 💚 They also support the earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms that convert the amendments to nutrients the plants can use.Less is more, so always follow the directions on the packet. It is harder to fix an over fertilised garden, than an under fertilised one.In the winter, I would have left it on the top and let the worms mix it in. At this stage, I lightly tickle the surface to give them a hand drawing it deeper into the soil.All I have to do now is wait for my seedlings to get a little bigger.I’ll keep you posted. : o)#Sponsored #Gifted #SmallGardens ...

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Sarah the Gardener

2 days ago

Sarah the Gardener
I love it when my garden surprises me.🍇 I have struggled for years in an epic battle with the possums over my grapevine that is supposed to climb the archway over the stairs leading into The Palace Garden. 🍇 But the possums like to sit up there and so my poor grapevine gets trimmed within an inch of its life each night. 🍇 I have a plastic netting trellis around the pole and I extend it as the vine grows and it is safe so long as it stays within the netting - but it tends to have an independent streak and often slips the net and gets chomped.🍇 Well this time - I have not one, but two of the teeny tiniest bunches inside the net and I shall lavish them with all the attention they need to become harvestable grapes.I couldn't be more excited! : o) ...

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Sarah the Gardener

6 days ago

Sarah the Gardener
My garden has given me the loveliest birthday surprise.I certainly wasn't excepting to see tomatoes yet. These are from the Chocolate Sprinkles variety, from seeds sown on the 8 August and planted out on the 8th of Oct once my soil temperature reliably and consistently reached 15C.Other than a quick look over the garden, I've just taken it easy today and enjoyed the lovely weather! : o) ...

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Sarah the Gardener

1 week ago

Sarah the Gardener
Today I have been testing my irrigation system, cleaning out blocked sprayers, fixing misbehaving drippers and making quick repairs with my motley collection of extra bits and bobs. I do see a trip to the garden centre in the immediate future as a garden fork had gone through a hose and I thought I had what I needed to fix it and confidently cut the bad bit out, only to find I didn't. I've popped some bright green painters tape over the hose ends so nothing crawls in and so I don't forget to fix it.It does feel good to have most of the irrigation system that hasn't been touched since last season up and running again. With that super El Nino coming I can worry a tad less about keeping my plants hydrated. : o) ...

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Sarah the Gardener

1 week ago

Sarah the Gardener
The first bean from the seeds I sowed 9 days ago has popped up.It is always such a relief with the seeds direct sown out in the wild as there is so much more that can go wrong.All I have to do is wait for the rest of them to pop up and then try to keep them alive and well and safe from harm until they finish giving me something to eat! : o) ...

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To CONTACT me about a speaking engagement, promotion or public appearance, call me 021 145 8526 or email me at sarah@sarahthegardener.co.nz
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