it's funny how attached you get to veges aye lol, i was so angry when the birds got my lettuces. I keep telling our dog to go guard the garden from the birds but she is too busy sleeping lol.
wandering_sloth,
Nov 19, 3:39am
I'll touch wood after posting this. BUT my $10 bag of crushed shell from Mitre 10 is really keeping the snails away, get the occasional nibble but that's ok, i can share as long they're not too greedy lol
hezwez,
Nov 19, 3:44am
3) rows make it easier to identify which are weeds and which vegies, when they're little. 4) I let some seed anywhere, but let the strongest most vigorous plant go to seed so the offspring are best.
jencreative,
Nov 19, 3:45am
I've just planted my first raised bed 2. Would prefer a DIY Herb Garden in the ground but Chch beach soil is too dry. Have raised seeds indoor for the first time: mesculan salads, cos lettuces, normal lettuces, red onions, spring onions, beetroot, bok choy (growing really well), and bought some peas and corn plants which I will plant this weekend. I used organic vegie soil mix. Think I should probably find some worms to add to the soil. I water morning and night. They are covered with plastic to keep in heat and keep birds and cats out. Am wondering about 'liquid fertiliser.' Wondering what that is exactly! Or what the organic version would be! Also wondering how to attract ladybirds (so they can eat aphids as they are beginning to set up home in my herb garden and ruin my basil.)
pentax1,
Nov 19, 3:58am
use a wee bit of washing up liquid mixed with water in a spray bottle to get rid of aphids, no idea how to attract ladybirds though lol.
jencreative,
Nov 19, 3:59am
good tip thanks!
pentax1,
Nov 19, 4:00am
our local kindy gives away what they call worm wee lol comes out of the worm farm and you water it down and pour on the garden, it is meant to be just like using liquid fertiliser.
tjs641,
Nov 19, 6:22am
5. Only heirloom seeds can really be used to dry and replant.If it is a hybrid (has F1 in the name)it will not come true to type.Which basically means the plant you get probably won't be like the original one you planted.Also some seeds need special treatment.One I can think of it tomato seeds whichI think have to be fermented (left to go mouldy in water) before you clean and dry them.
tjs641,
Nov 19, 6:24am
6.While technically you can grow an apple tree from a cutting - its not the best idea as it lacks the advantages of having a proper rootstock.Normally grafted plants have a rootstock which controls many things about the tree like size.A cutting will not have any size control so will likely be a really large tree.Also some trees don't do very well on their own roots as the roots might be brittle or not vigorous enough etc etc.
tarn146,
Nov 19, 12:44pm
Hello people. I am also a newish gardener. This year we are growing veges in a tunnel house.so much fun. I have 2 tips that I have just learnt. 1. A good fertilizer, that is cheap and easy.get a bucket of stinging nettle and cover with water.let it sit for a few weeks. I have bottled mine and just pop it around my plants every few weeks. PS.It stinks! lol 2. Have read a lot about companion planting.Marigolds are great for keeping bugs and pests away!
soc_butterfly,
Nov 19, 5:41pm
join nzgardener.co.nz if you haven't already. they had some plants to attract ladybirds in the latest issue too.
I've seen the gurus on here say that most 'foods' are just general fertilisers with a bit of something that the particular plant likes.I'd be more likely to buy a general slow release one and put it over everything, it'll work fine.
soc_butterfly,
Nov 19, 6:35pm
Yeah I agree, I've used activote slow release this year and it seems to be doing things fine so far.I also buy up '3 for.' deals with composts and garden mix and add the occasional handful of sheep pellets.
I don't think you can really go wrong unless you add too much compost or strong stuff like that which can burn plants.I usually stick to about a 25% or less compost mix and just follow directions on the slow release fertiliser packets.I have found the activote to be a LOT less expensive than osmocote and the likes.possibly an inferior one!I dunno but it's working ok for now.
earsd,
Nov 19, 7:40pm
well those bags of horse poo for 50c that you see on the side of the road will get you heaps of liquid fert and stick it in a drum of water for a few weeks like tarn146 suggests with nettles, dont forget to water it down as it can be strong. cant get cheaper than that!
soc_butterfly,
Nov 19, 8:43pm
desprte, if you're on a limited budget it pays to suck it up and get anything free you can lay your hands on.
I'd also advise starting your own compost.Doesn't have to be fancy, can just be a rubbish bag if you want to start with!Shove your kitchen vege stuff in it with some lawn clippings, put a few drain holes in the bottom and leave it to sit as you add to it.Shake it up every now and then and in a few months you'll have a lovely FREE compost to add to your garden!
tarn146,
Nov 19, 9:06pm
Dad just gave me his compost bin.i can't wait to use my own! Oh this new gardening thing is great! lol
skye7,
Nov 19, 9:16pm
This is a fantastic thread. I am a new gardener but loving the rewards of this not to mention the stress relief a day in garden provides.
I have a tunnel house (3m x 2m) which is working out fantastic alongside this I have two planter boxes (approx 1m x 1m) and another larger garden (3m x 3m). I have been amazed at the results from both seedlings and seeds. Alongside some mistakes am learning heaps and look forward to learning more both from experience and from this message board.
My favourite magazine is NZ Gardner (vastly different from my previous favourite "Thats Life"
I am very grateful for the Yates Garden Diary which was sent to me when I joined their gardening club.
Square Foot Gardening has provided heaps of tips and advice.
AND I now look forward to Saturday mornings listening to Radio Live which is dedicated to cooking and gardening.
I used to be a city kid and arguably still am, but relocating to a rural property with a large section has opened new experiences and challenges which I am loving.
skye7,
Nov 19, 9:37pm
Totally agree everyone has been very patient and given amazing practical advice
I have little peas! They look really cute! lol Am so excited! lol
tuitoa,
Nov 20, 2:34pm
Hi, a little tip that my Mum told me was to sprinkle crushed eggshells around your plants. This does a good job at keeping the snails and slugs out. They don't like to slide over the sharp edges, (makes sense I suppose). Our garden is starting to look really good now that the weather has finally started to warm up. I have peas on my plants and beans are flowering. I grow as much as I can from seeds as it works out a lot cheaper. I keep some of the pots you get seedlings in and grow them in those to start them off. Peas and beans are really easy to go from seed. I got a bit carried away with silverbeet seeds though and ended up with 15 plants.
skye7,
Nov 20, 2:46pm
We are in Southland (Antarctic Extension) and growing Corn, Onions, Leeks, Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Capsicum, Beetroot, Lettuce, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Karl, Peas, Beans, Broad Beans, Cauliflower, Strawberries, Spring Onions, Pumpkin, Silver beet, Spinach.
Currently we are enjoying fresh Strawberries, Lettuce, Silverbeet, and Spinach alongside fresh herbs. Everything else is growing well in a variety of places (Tunnel House, Planter Boxes, and Open Garden).
What I learnt quickly was staggering planting and also learning how big the plants would be once grown.
Experiment is the key and any failure is simply a learning opportunity
tarn146,
Nov 20, 3:00pm
I think I'd make boxing to sit it on and screw it down.that would also give you extra height.
skye7,
Nov 20, 4:41pm
Both. The greenhouse is flourishing and it is from this we are eating now. The outside garden (planter boxes and open garden) are slower and I had to use frost cloths every night as have not learnt how to "read" the weather yet.
I have made mistakes but have learnt heaps along the way. I am now keeping a gardening diaryand writing what is working and what is not.
My biggest lesson has been if a plant states plant 45cm apart this should be followed - I have some vegetables that are very close which I anticipate could reduce the final product.
I am a chch city girl completely but having made the move to Southland have found a part of NZ that is simply untouched paradise. The air is clear the vast land is amazing a fantastic lifestyle change.
skye7,
Nov 20, 5:25pm
Frost cloth brought from the Warehouse but some people on here use bubble warp and all sorts of other things - as a beginner when I saw something called "Frost Cloth" I trusted it would do the job which it has.
The Greenhouse is warmed by "sun" (when its hot here is quite hot its just not often). We are looking a purchasing a glasshouse and considering having heating in this. Our goal is year round production of food (not bad for two very city people).
The notebook is great and its funny to read back on mistakes made.
My daughter spends quite a bit of time in Dunedin due to being a student at Otago Uni. Dunedin is a beautiful city I love it every time I head up to visit her. What is bringing you south!
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