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SELWYN TIMES Tuesday <strong>October</strong> <strong>25</strong> <strong>2016</strong> 29<br />
Get your veges growing for summer eating<br />
A FAVOURITE time of year<br />
for many gardeners, the end of<br />
<strong>October</strong> is the traditional period<br />
for planting out a full range of<br />
summer vegetables (and flowers)<br />
into a prepared garden, whether<br />
it’s in the ground or raised beds.<br />
But don’t panic if you haven’t<br />
prepared your soil for planting<br />
yet. Mix in plenty of compost into<br />
your existing soil now to a depth<br />
of 1-1.5 spade depth before you<br />
plant out.<br />
Delicious summer veggies to<br />
plant out are beans, beetroot,<br />
carrots, celery, corn, cucumber,<br />
lettuce, onions, peas, pumpkin,<br />
radish, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes<br />
and zucchini.<br />
For plants that climb or need<br />
support like peas, beans or tomatoes,<br />
always put in your support<br />
structure before you plant your<br />
seedling so as not to disturb the<br />
roots later on.<br />
A good tip is to make sure you<br />
water regularly and to a plant’s<br />
requirements, for example, more<br />
water for leafy crops such as lettuce<br />
or fruiting varieties such as<br />
tomato and strawberries. During<br />
the early summer growing<br />
months (through to early December)<br />
side dress with fertiliser at<br />
3-4 weekly intervals. Ensure you<br />
water it in well.<br />
If you have limited space but<br />
still want to grow your own, then<br />
SUPPLY: Raised beds are useful for growing summer veges get the seedlings in the ground now.<br />
start a container garden instead.<br />
You can grow many vegetables<br />
successfully in pots or containers,<br />
especially with the different<br />
types of dwarf or mini-varieties<br />
now available. Growing in pots<br />
is also a great way to get children<br />
involved in gardening. There are a<br />
couple of things you need to do to<br />
ensure a bumper crop.<br />
Choosing the right sized container<br />
is important; people tend to<br />
select smaller pots, but make sure<br />
you choose a decent size. What<br />
you plant your veges in is crucial,<br />
so use good quality potting or<br />
container mixes as they contain<br />
well balanced, slow release nutrients<br />
and have moisture retaining<br />
qualities.<br />
It’s a good idea to change the<br />
soil every time you want to grow<br />
a new crop, as nutrients and<br />
water holding capabilities can get<br />
depleted. Position your pot or<br />
container in a warm sunny, north<br />
facing position, away from strong<br />
winds.<br />
Do small succession plantings<br />
of fast growing summer vegetables<br />
so you do not have them all<br />
cropping at once.<br />
SUPPORT:<br />
Put in your<br />
structure<br />
before you<br />
plant runner<br />
beans so<br />
as not to<br />
disturb the<br />
roots later<br />
on.<br />
ANNUAL<br />
PLANT<br />
SALE<br />
Save up to 60% on thousands of selected plants! Visit www.southernwoods.co.nz/sale for details<br />
Includes Natives, Hedging, Grasses, Specimen Trees, Perennials, Forestry & Fruit<br />
Begins Labour Weekend - Sat 22 to Sun 30 <strong>October</strong> 9AM-5PM Open every day from EVERY 9am to 5pm, DAY with plenty of helpful staff! Deals instore only.<br />
FINISHES<br />
5PM<br />
SUNDAY 30<br />
1133 Main South Road - Between Templeton & Rolleston Phone 0800 800 352 www.southernwoods.co.nz
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