For fabulous big broccoli heads, put a bit of effort into preparing your beds. They’re hungry and need a beautiful, humus rich soil. This bed was in Broadbeans – a nitrogen fixer before a brassica is always a smart move. I’ve chopped them off at soil level, leaving the roots behind for strength. Yes they’ll […]
In Love With Leaky Hose (And How To Water)
By | LastUpdated January 28, 2020
I feel cheeky suggesting you need watering lessons. You’ve raised a family, built a house; you drive a car and may even run a small country…. but, clever as you are, do you know how to water? Because understanding how and when to water makes an enormous difference to the health and productivity of your […]
Growing Great Citrus on the Fringes
By | LastUpdated April 5, 2022
A fringe (also called a marginal growing area), refers to an area outside of ideal. Living at the base of the Tararua’s sets us firmly on the fringe for citrus. Head 12km west to Levin and it’s a whole other story – oranges flourish. Fringe areas for citrus are either colder, wetter, heavier, windier or […]
Taking your soil’s temperature
By | LastUpdated August 30, 2014
Oh joy, the greenhouse soil has hit 15 degrees. This means she’s ready to germinate beans (there’ll be green beans for christmas!) For such a cheap and simple tool a soil thermometer makes a major difference. In order to sprout, seeds all have a sweet spot for a particular degree of warmth. For example beans […]
