Due to the serious lack of gardening because of the ‘incident’ and weather that couldn’t make up its mind from one moment to the next, my gardening regime has taken a dent in productivity. It was the most frustrating week, so to take my mind off it all, we took a road trip to Rotorua, our most geothermal region in this young active county. They don’t … Continue reading Road trip… come with me
After the slight mishap the other day with the rusty trellis my gardening has been quite limited, which has been a little frustrating because we have had the most incredible blue sky days. The kind of day were you could almost believe it was a different season. Almost… the sub-zero temperatures that start the day and the fact the sun loses strength around mid-afternoon and … Continue reading The down side of winter is it gets a little cold
I have tried to take my crop rotation seriously, but it is so confusing! I think I have ironed it out and use signs that I rotate to the next bed each year. A simple solution that means I don’t need to think about it again. But then every now and again something pops up that makes me wonder. I haven’t even explored companion planting yet … Continue reading Crop Rotation Conundrum
Today is the shortest day and I guess you could say it is technically the first day of the new season as it is the day for the first crops that will be harvested this year to go in. Fortunately the sun was shining weakly on this cold winter day which made a nice change from the previous day where it was raining so desperately … Continue reading Think I’m going to run out of room
The first sunny day in ages and what happens – I have an appointment in the city. I cast a disappointed glance over my shoulder and witnessed the sun stretch out over the garden, highlighting the green against the clear blue sky. It was one of ‘those’ days. A rare magnificent blue sky day, even the chilly start wouldn’t have deterred this gardener. A day … Continue reading I didn’t mean to do that
I’ve been a little busy lately and it is has kept me from my dirty little love – the garden. I kind of feel I need to say “hello my name is Sarah the Gardener and I haven’t gardened in two weeks.” The only real saving grace is, it is winter so there isn’t a lot to be done. Having said that, there are … Continue reading Tomatoes in Winter
I was at the garden centre the other day and noticed the craziest thing. There were loads and loads of seed potatoes on sale. Now I’m pretty sure this isn’t the season for potatoes, but I had my judgement questioned. I mean come late summer when I want to put in a sneaky crop to harvest before the frost, there is hardly any to be … Continue reading I’m growing spuds…. in winter!
To be completely honest, it hasn’t been all bad. The last couple of days have been ok. Monday was one of those amazing blue sky days and today the fog. When it eventually lifted it gave us a nice-ish day with only one heavy shower late in the day, just to ensure the ground that had begun to dry out on Monday stayed on the … Continue reading Bear with me while I moan about the weather.
I don’t get out much. I tend to spend most of my time in my garden or writing about it and I can go days and sometimes, shockingly, weeks without going anywhere. Except for the odd foray to search for bread and milk and other essentials necessary to keep growing boys growing, and making sure there is always the raw materials available to ensure Hubby … Continue reading And lives were saved…
But that’s not going to stop me trying. Last week I harvested my Yams (Oxalis tuberosa) and Kumara (sweet potato) and made a video about it. I knew from experience they weren’t going to be huge. The problem with the sweet potato is it is in a container. Containers are very similar to pot plants. I don’t do well with pot plants. Actually to be … Continue reading It would seem you can’t grow it all.
