Selwyn Times: June 13, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www. .kiwi
Tuesday June 13 2017 35
Gardening
Window dressing
No matter whether your garden is big or small, there’s
plenty more room to grow on the windowsill says
Rachel Vogan
TIMES CHANGE and so do gardens.
This winter sees me relocating to a new
abode; a barn conversion. I have had a
seismic shift of sorts, going from a large
established garden to nothing. I am back
to the start-from-scratch scenario, and it’s
both fun and challenging.
Therefore, my crops this winter have to
be portable, productive, tasty and easy to
grow.
As there is little room for much outside
just yet, all my edibles are growing on the
windowsills around the new dwelling. It’s
almost like living in an apartment.
1. ROCKET
Where, oh where, would I be without
rocket? I grow both the perennial and
annual types and through winter the
serrated peppery leaves of the come-again
variety are one of my go-to crops. Either
sow seeds now or treat yourself to some
seedlings. The trick to keep the leaves
coming is to pick and harvest on a regular
basis. Not a lot of root room is required
either, so a plant will readily grow in a
takeaway coffee cup, if the container starts
to get a bit ratty, slip a new one underneath
the original one. Too easy.
2. BASIL
Yes, crazy I know, but it will keep growing
as a cutting in a glass of water over winter if
your kitchen doesn’t drop below 10°C very
often. And, so far, mine is chugging away
with plenty of vigour, mostly due to the log
burner, which is constantly burning to keep
the temperatures from plummeting.
3. PARSLEY
What a campaigner this crop is. The curly
type is happy as, quietly hanging out on
the windowsill. I use a lot of it, so it never
gets too leggy. Pinch the stalks right back to
the base of the plant to keep the new flush
of flavour-filled leaves coming through
quicker and faster.
4. LETTUCE
The frilly lettuces are thriving. Whilst they
can get a bit leggy if I give them too much
water, or leave them too long between
harvest, they quickly re-grow new leaves
once I pluck them or give them a haircut
with the nail scissors. I rotate the pots
every few days so as the plants retain an
even shape.
5. MICROGREENS
These pint-sized seedlings are just the
ticket in winter. They are bigger than
sprouted seeds, but smaller than salad
leaves. Last year I grew them for the first
time and this year they are making an
appearance once again. I sow them into
those shallow takeaway containers with a
few holes poked into the bottom.
6. ARTHRITIS HERB – GOTU KOLA
(CENTELLA ASIATICA)
This wee gem is sensitive to frost, so
it needs to be tucked up inside. It will
cope with a spot away from direct light,
especially if the windowsill is getting a bit
full with other crops. I grow mine in the
bathroom.
I grow this purely for medicinal reasons;
it helps ease general aches and pains and
has definitely helped reduce my blood
pressure. Some people swear it eases
arthritic pain. Two leaves a day does the
trick, easily chopped finely into a salad
or thrown in with the greens for a
smoothie.
COMPACT: Little lettuce (left) and gotu
kola are easy to grow in tight spaces.
Use your outdoor living areas
all year round
• Warm & dry in winter
• UV protection for summer
• Stylish & permanent
• 5 year warranty
“AS SEEN ON TV”
Chris Thorndycroft
Phone 0800 27 24 46 | www.archgola.co.nz
15 months
INTEREST FREE
Normal lending criteria apply
gardening without guesswork
Question:
Answer:
What can I do to look after my garden in winter so it doesn’t
get damaged by the cold and the frosty nights?
As we head further into
winter, it is a good
idea to make sure that
your garden and plants are protected from the chilly
temperatures and the frosts and possible snow. Firstly,
if you haven’t added some Organic Compost in the last
year, add a layer of that now. This will add essential
organic matter, creating a great growing environment
for your plants, and keep your garden in good health.
Next, choose a bark mulch to add to the top. Bark
helps to keep the moisture in, keep weeds down, and
maintain a more even soil temperature. With the drop in
air temperature, you want to keep the soil temperature
as even as you can. Plants don’t like the big changes
between cold and hot, it can put them in distress.
Choosing a bark is mostly a personal preference,
depending on what look you are going for, and how much you want to spend. Super Scree is a
popular choice for an all-round general bark mulch. Our Black Beauty is the one for you if you
are looking for a stand out on the garden. We would recommend having a look on our website
at what we have to offer, or better yet, come into our yard and see it for yourself! We have a
great delivery service available, and trailers you can hire if you don’t have one of your own.
for more information, check out our website: www.intelligro.co.nz
or visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/igro.co.nz
Thanks to Bernie for her question.
WIN!
a $50
INTEllIgrO gIfT
VOuchEr!
Send us your
question and
BE IN
TO WIN!
Email to: info@igro.co.nz or post
your question on our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/igro.co.nz
New questions to be received
by Tuesday 20th June.
how much bark do I need?
Working out how much bark you need is fairly simple.
Measure the area that you are looking to cover (keeping the
units all the same) and then multiply the length, by the width,
by the depth. This will give you the number of cubic metres
required to cover the area. We would recommend a 10cm
layer to get all of the benefits.
E.g. 10m (length) x 5m (width) x .1m (depth)
= 5x10x.1 = 5 cubic metres of bark.
QualITy prOducTs frOm ThE WEB TO ThE shEd!