Tag: vegetables

Sow seeds for fruits, flowers and seeds before 15th August

Sow seeds for fruits, flowers and seeds before 15th August

In Auckland, even though the days are getting longer,  the ground is cold and there is little we sow in the open now. Even putting seedlings into cold ground is not very successful as they are not happy to grow in the cold ground.

This is a time to sow under shelter, in hot-houses, tunnel-houses, conservatories, or inside somewhere with good light and warmth. A heat-pad [often sold at pet stores to keep pets warm] gives bottom heat needed by some seeds to germinate.

It’s time to sow seeds for fruits and flowers this week – best on

  • Monday 12th August and Tuesday 13th August 2019 [here in New Zealand]

Before the full moon on Thursday 15th August 2019. 

 

So, what could we plant this week?

Start tomato seeds, and capsicum, eggplant [aubergine], chilies – from the amazing solanaceae family – if you can continue their growth in warmth until November when seedlings could be planted outside and the ground has warmed up. Pots in a hot house or under a plastic bag in a sheltered spot on a patio/deck?

 

 

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at  http://gardenate.com

 

PPS

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING [even just sprouts on the window-sill], plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

—

Leafy greens time after 1st August

Leafy greens time after 1st August

In our garden in Auckland NZ, the open ground is too cold for much success sowing seeds and planting there. It’s a good time to put a plastic tunnel over a piece of ground to warm it up for sowing leafy seeds soon.

Sow seeds for leafy greens now if you have

  • a hot-house,
  • tunnel-house,
  • conservatory or
  • warm, bright window

7-100_7144

Best times for planting seeds of greens?

After the new moon on Thursday 1st August 2019 [which always gives the possibility of a new beginning] is the best week to plant for lush leafy greens.

The best days are Monday 5th through to Wednesday 7th August 2019 [here in New Zealand].

 

In Auckland the weather is cold and the ground is cold and wet.

If you already have leafy greens growing, do keep in mind that snails and slugs love tender greens! Check your growing crops and protect them from these beasties which can devastate tender plants.

We surround seedlings with a protective barrier where possible. These ones have been reused over and over so I am happy with them. We also use an assortment of cut-down plastic containers to surround seedlings.

20171021_120356

 

They also do better when protected from too much rain – a plastic house or cover really helps.

20180709_115243

20171010_172138

 

20171010_172131

[And – why do self-seeded ones prefer to grow in the path rather than the garden bed! ]

20180423_171705

 

May you and your garden flourish!
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at  http://gardenate.com

 

PPS

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING, plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

—

Take time out from sowing seeds until after the 1st August

Take time out from sowing seeds until after the 1st August

Take time out from sowing seeds from Thursday 25th July until after the dark of the moon on Thursday 1st August 2019. 

As the moon nears its smallest visible ‘dark of the moon’ phase, this time is associated with spindly, weak growth – wait a week or so [and when the ground is warm!].

Maybe give some protection to anything still growing which likes some shelter from frost, or wind and rain.

Also,

  • Maybe give some protection to anything which likes shelter from frost, wind or rain. Some bamboo canes, poly-pipe, plastic sheet and bird-netting to hold it all together in strong winds works well. We peg the netting down to the ground with weed-mat wire pegs or loop it round nails in raised bed edges.
  • read up on this next season and seed types to plant for success – they all have their favorite times.
  • prepare beds to grow GREAT crops of your favorite veg or fruit when the time is right.
  • Plan your next seed sowing, your garden layout, or crop rotation to minimize pest and diseases.

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at http://gardenate.com

PPS:

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING, plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

 —

Sow seeds for fruits and flowers before 17th July

Sow seeds for fruits and flowers before 17th July

It’s time to sow seeds for fruits and flowers this week – if you have a warm place!

Especially good days include Wednesday 10th July through to Friday 12th, then again from Monday 15th through Tuesday 16th July 2019. 

Until the full moon on Wednesday 17th July 2019. [here in New Zealand]

Here in New Zealand, the weather is cool/cold. The ground is cold. This is a time to plan more and sow less until the ground warms up. Or sow under shelter, in hot-houses, tunnel-houses, conservatories, or inside somewhere light. A heat-pad [often sold at pet stores to keep pets warm] gives bottom heat needed by some seeds to germinate.

 

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at  http://gardenate.com

 

PPS

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING [even just sprouts on the window-sill], plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

—

Leafy greens time after 3rd July

Leafy greens time after 3rd July

In our garden in Auckland NZ, the open ground is too cold for much success sowing seeds and planting there.

Sow seeds for leafy greens if you have

  • a hot-house,
  • tunnel-house,
  • conservatory or
  • warm, bright window

7-100_7144

Best times for planting seeds of greens?

After the new moon on Wednesday 3rd July 2019 [which always gives the possibility of a new beginning] is the best week to plant for lush leafy greens.

The best days are very few: Thursday 4th just until 2.20 pm , then again on the morning of Tuesday 9th July 2019 only! [here in New Zealand].

 

In Auckland the weather is cold and the ground is cold and wet.

This is a time I grow micro-greens or sprouts instead now.

Red clover sprouts a few days old 20161102
Alfalfa sprouts in jar 20170520
Sprouts from top left to right – soybeans x2, lentils, mung beans; then below are more lentils [I use different varieties] and alfalfa

For more about our experiments with sprouts and micro-greens, go here.

 

If you already have leafy greens growing, do keep in mind that snails and slugs love tender greens! Check your growing crops and protect them from these beasties which can devastate tender plants.

We surround seedlings with a protective barrier where possible. These ones have been reused over and over so I am happy with them. We also use an assortment of cut-down plastic containers to surround seedlings.

20171021_120356

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at  http://gardenate.com

 

PPS

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING, plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

—

Take time out from sowing seeds until after the 3rd July

Take time out from sowing seeds until after the 3rd July

Take time out from sowing seeds until after the dark of the moon on Wednesday 3rd July 2019. As the moon nears its smallest visible ‘dark of the moon’ phase, this time is associated with spindly, weak growth – wait a week or so.

Do other things instead.

  • Have a big ‘clean-up’ time! Build a new compost bin – this is a time when lots of annual plants die and are ready to be composted – a great mix with the carbon from leaves fallen to the ground and some grass clippings or manure.
Rotating compost bin – our favorite
  • Renovate garden beds ready for their next plantings and give them a covering of leaves over some compost and other nutrients. Stops weeds growing and soil washing away in heavy rain as well as giving the worms and other soil life protection from the cold winter weather.
  • Make some lovely leaf mold from any fallen leaves still around -great for potting mixes in spring.
  • A-n-d – to save seeds of your best plants when the seeds are fully formed and brown/black or otherwise matured so they will keep well. Dry thoroughly and I find winter is a great time to sort the good from the rest, package, label and store them for next season. They are a promise that vibrant, lush growth can happen even when I see cold winter surrounds with dead-looking leafless trees and bushes.

Happy gardening everyone!

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at Tui Planting calendar or at http://gardenate.com    [although I disagree with some of the recommendations as Auckland really is more temperate than sub-tropical we have found]

PPS:

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING, plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

 —

Below-ground crops after 17th June; and celebrate the solstice

Below-ground crops after 17th June; and celebrate the solstice

Plant garlic now!

It’s getting late to put in any seeds as the ground is getting colder so germination is slow. Then the seeds are likely to be eaten rather than grow for us. Or just sit and shiver and do nothing. If you really want to sow seeds, find a warm place. Instead, plant bulbs [including garlic] instead! And other onion-family bulbs such as leeks, chives, garlic chives, onions, etc.

If you have a warm, sunny spot, recommended best days for sowing seeds to grow great root crops are

Tuesday 18th June to Thursday morning 20th, then again on Sunday 23rd to Tueasday morning 25th June 2019. 

Often planting charts talk generally of sowing these seeds during the week after the full moon – which will be on Monday 17th June 2019.

 

Garlic

Garlic can be planted from now with good results. We’ll prepare some areas and start putting the crop in from now onward until the shortest day.

Some years we’ve had great success with this crop – to read how we grew great garlic, go here.

20161207_171407

We’ll choose the biggest bulbs, with the biggest cloves to replant first. The bigger the seed clove, the bigger the food store for the new seedling so it has the best start to grow big and strong.

Then we’ll save the large cloves from smaller bulbs to also plant. [And eat the smaller cloves]

–   –  –  –  –  –  –  –

Solstice!

Friday 21st June 2019 at 11:55 pm – just before midnight. 

The shortest day, and the longest night.

Such an important turning point in the cycle of the year – when we are at the minimum day length [or maximum depending on which hemisphere of our wonderful planet we are in].

A-n-d for us in the southern hemisphere, from now onward, each day has a little bit more light. Woo hoo!

After the shortest day it is so nice to find more and more light coming back to warm and nourish our gardens and us. When there is not enough hours of sunlight, plants can’t create what they need to grow. So they sit. Light is so important to them.

Now, even though the ground is cold, it is time to look towards the new season and work out what to plant where in spring. Planning time rather than ‘doing’ time still – and can’t it be hard to wait! I so want to see new growth and the promise of lush, vibrant gardens again.

 

May you and your garden flourish
Heather

 

PS

For more ideas about what to sow and when in NZ, have a look at http://gardenate.com

PPS

For more about planting by the  moon phases,

If you like experiments about when to plant for best results, a great one is to plant the same seeds in rows right beside each other [so all other conditions are identical], and label the rows with the date of planting. Then sow seeds from 1 packet at weekly intervals, each week in a new row.

This way you can see how the recommendations for best/worst seed sowing outcomes from moon-planting guides work for you. Maybe they do, and maybe they don’t.

I enjoy experimenting with such ideas – and if only I can rescue the rows from the snails and black-birds, I might even get some results to share!

Here’s a post I wrote about planting by the moon phases if you like more information and reflections on it.

Moon planting guides remind me to plant SOMETHING, plan a little, and help me have a continuous supply!

—