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PLANTING
For best results, plant directly into vegetable mix. Dig
a hole approx. twice the width of the root ball. Gently
place the plant in, top up with more mix, press lightly
and water well (and gently). If sowing seeds direct into
the garden i.e. beans, beetroots, carrots then add a layer
of Seed Raising Mix where you want to plant. Sow the
seeds according to packet directions. The general rule
of thumb is twice the depth as the size of the seed.
For small seeds like carrots you can mix the seeds with
radish seeds before sowing – the radishes will grow
through quicker helping to break the ground for the
carrots so they grow nice and straight and will also help
to thin them out. It also makes it much easier to sow
less of the tiny seeds. Cover seeds with a light layer of
Seed Raising Mix and water gently. Keep seeds moist
until properly germinated. Don’t over water or they can
succumb to rot and fungal diseases.
FERTILISING
Vegetable crops are quick growers and therefore need
more food. There are specialty fertilisers for heavy
feeding crops – like tomatoes and strawberries – that
are high in potassium. These promote better fruiting
and flowering and therefore better, tastier more prolific
crops. Green leafy crops like lettuce, spinach and
silverbeet will benefit from fertilisers high in nitrogen
which is responsible for healthy green foliage growth.
Root crops such as potatoes like fertilisers with higher
levels of phosphorous which promotes healthy root
development and tuber growth in potatoes. Plant
tonics like Seasol are also highly effective in your vege
garden as they keep your plants healthy, strong, and
more disease tolerant.
MAINTENANCE
Pest protection
Slugs and snails can destroy a garden bed of fresh
seedlings virtually overnight. Protect your crop with
slug bait. Quash is the only slug bait that is safe for use
around pets, children, and wildlife. There are also other
alternatives like egg shells around your plants. Late
Summer, when harvests are bountiful, so are the bugs
and diseases. White butterfly and green caterpillars
can destroy brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage).
You can use bird netting around strawberries to protect
your crop.
Fungal diseases
In late Summer, particularly in humid climates, some
crops can also be affected by fungal diseases like
powdery mildew. Regular spraying with a fungicide
will help keep this at bay but often you need to start
before you see it. Curcubits (courgettes, cucumbers etc)
and tomatoes are often the worst affected crops. Spray
regularly. If you are concerned about chemicals on your
food crops then products like Tui Eco-Fungicide are ideal
as they are organic, safe to use on edible crops, and
have no withholding period. Any diseased crops/waste
material from pruning should be disposed of rather than
being added to your compost bin.
HOW TO GROW
SEASONAL
VEGES
Mitre 10 Safety Hints:
• Mulch, compost and garden mixes contain
micro-organisms. Avoid breathing dusts or
mists. Keep the product moist, wear gloves
and wash hands immediately after use.
There are detailed warnings on all bags.
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Remember how good fresh veges
taste Really fresh, home-grown veges
straight from your own garden You
will when you get your own vege
garden in, and growing them is easy
as because they pretty much grow
themselves. This Easy As guide will
show you how to help them along.
PREPPING YOUR
GARDEN
The basic good-gardening rules apply. Start by getting
the foundation right. Make sure you have good drainage.
If you’re unsure you can put a layer of scoria down first.
Ensure good healthy soil by preparing the bed with
compost, sheep pellets and blood and bone. To use
a no-dig method, build up the material in layers i.e.
compost, pea straw, sheep pellets, blood and bone,
and repeat – just like making a lasagne. Finish off with
a layer of vegetable mix. The layers will decompose/
compost down over time providing more nutrients for
your plants as they grow.
WHAT TO PLANT
WHEN TO PLANT
There’s no end of great vegetable options. It all comes
down to taste and timing. You plant different veges for
different seasons and with so much choice, it’s a good
idea to take a little time deciding. Start by taking a look
through the following list of seasonal veges then come
into store for more help and advice. Browse through
the info on the different seed packs, talk to staff about
local vege favourites, ask about the sort of conditions
different veges like – sun, shade, sheltered etc – to help
decide where to put your garden. Also think about
whether you want to grow from seeds or seedlings.
Both will give you great vegetables but with seeds you’ll
need to allow a little more time before they’re ready for
eating.
Spring: peas, beetroot, carrot, tomatoes, courgettes,
radish, lettuce, early potatoes, spinach, silverbeet,
broccoli, cucumber, beans, eggplant (late spring) and
capsicum (late spring)
Summer: cucumbers, eggplant, capsicum, chillies,
courgettes, corn and potatoes.
Autumn: sow seeds for peas, carrots, turnips, parsnips,
radish, beetroot straight into the garden. Plant seedlings
of broccoli, brussel sprouts (early autumn), cauliflower,
spinach, winter lettuce, silver beet and broad beans.
Winter: cauliflower, celery, winter lettuce, silverbeet (in
warm areas) and broad beans.
Mitre 10 Handy Hints:
• Adding a layer of mulch helps protect
your vegetable plants from extremes in
temperature and keeps your garden looking
tidy. Tui Pelletised Pea Straw mulch is great
for keeping fruit and vegetables off the soil
(lettuces, strawberries, cucumbers etc), plus,
it breaks down over time and adds valuable
organic matter to the soil. Worms love it too.
Limitation of Liability
This project planner has been produced to provide basic information
and our experienced staff are available to answer any questions you
may have. Because this planner is general in nature, neither your Mitre
10 supplier nor their staff are responsible for the application of these
design principles in any particular case, as the contents of this brochure
may need to be modified for the particular site and circumstances.
Mitre 10 is not responsible for the quality of work carried out on the
goods by the consumer and is not responsible for the design or
construction of any structure in which the goods are incorporated.
Where applicable consumers should ensure that they comply with The
New Zealand Building Code and/or Local Body Bylaws in respect of any
such structures.
Consumers are advised to call a qualified tradesman such as a builder,
electrician or plumber where expert services are required.
Mitre 10 will not be liable for any consequential loss howsoever arising
from the use of goods sold, nor for any loss caused by defective or
inadequate structures in which goods are incorporated.
For more Easy As Guides visit mitre10.co.nz