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ANZAC

Lest we forget. Continue reading ANZAC

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Sarah the GardenerApril 25, 20146 Comments

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Sarah the Gardener

My books. Click on the picture to find out how to get one.

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Sarah the Gardener

1 week ago

When can you start summer seeds? Not now!🫘There are seeds that can be started now - things that like it cold – peas, carrots, onions and lettuce – depending on variety and where you live. Remember it is the middle of winter!🫘It is tempting to ‘go early’ or want to ‘get a jump on the season’. This is pointless. Nature has her own sense of timing and for summer crops – that is not now!🫘Most seedlings like to be about 10cm tall when planted into the garden and for most plants it takes 6 – 8 weeks to get that big.🫘The ideal constant soil temperature for planting is 18°C – give or take, which happens around about Labour weekend in Oct in the North and Canterbury Show Day in Nov in the South. This is when all the planting excitement coincides with a long weekend.🫘So, work back 8 weeks from that date and you will have your seed starting day. This is generally late Aug/Early Sept in the North and Mid Sep in the South.🫘This isn’t the only time – it’s the starting point – most summer crops can be started all the way through to Dec.🫘If you go too soon, you end up caring for large, stressed plants, desperate to get outside in conditions not suitable for them. Plants started at the right time will catch up quickly and be happier and healthier.🫘There are exceptions – some plants don’t mind a head start – Peppers take an age to get going but need 22°C to germinate, so need a heat mat or warm spot. Early Aug is early enough. Take time to learn about the ideal growing temperatures for your plants.🫘Also, if your microclimate is frost free and warm enough early enough you can go early. It took me a long time to trust that I could and I keep a thermometer in my soil to prove it. 🫘Relax now - There is no hurry - spring will be here soon enough and then all the fun can start. : o) ... See MoreSee Less

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Sarah the Gardener

1 week ago

Of all the pre-spring things that are beginning to show their faces, the promise of blueberries is super exciting! 🫐 ... See MoreSee Less

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Sarah the Gardener

2 weeks ago

This is how I protect my tender young seedlings from all the marauding creatures that want to eat them, dig them up or lie on them! 💚Step 1: Take some plastic garden trellis mesh - with the smaller grid. Mine comes in a 90cm width and I cut it into 60cm strips.💚Step 2: Grab some wire - I've found the thicker the better but this time I'm using 2.5mm 12 gauge wire cut into 3 x 90cm lengths.💚Step 3: Cable tie the wire to the trellis mesh at regular intervals on the short ends and across the middle, with a 15cm wire overlap on each end.💚Step 4: Bend into a tunnel shape and cut squares from the trellis mesh for blocking the ends and a couple of bamboo poles per end to hold the ends in place in the garden.💚Step 5: Position the tunnel over your plants and use the bamboo poles to secure the ends. I hope this helps someone. : o) ... See MoreSee Less

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Sarah the Gardener

2 weeks ago

As a 'start from seed' gardener there is absolutely no shame in picking up a few sneaky seedlings to help get you through the up coming hungry gap. : o) ... See MoreSee Less

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Sarah the Gardener

2 weeks ago

I've been keeping a secret!I am super proud to announce I have a new book! Growing Vegetables is step by step guide to having a vegetable garden. This is just a sneaky peek for this 10 year anniversary update. It will be available in all good bookstores from the 13th August 2026 - just in time for a spring start to your new garden! I'll tell you more about it as we approach the launch date, but for now I'm going to pop a celebratory bottle of bubbly and admire the amazing work done by the aUpstart Presst Upstart Press and soak up that new book smell! : o) ... See MoreSee Less

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