KG494 Print Combined

IMAGE Clockwise from top Stanislav Ostranitsa/Getty Images, Olga_Kruglova/Getty Images, ronstik/Getty Images, tirc83/Getty Images Opposite from top Westend61/Getty Images, OlgaMiltsova/Getty Images
Above clockwise from top Silver beet
will welcome a seaweed tonic at this
time of year; Garlic should be planted
well beneath the surface; It’s a great
time to grow microgreens; Shallots
require a bit of a cold snap to get them
growing.
Opposite from top If you have chives,
now’s the time to share them around;
Plan for more parsley now.
Silver beet
This is such a grunty green and if it were likened to
a rugby player, it would be in the front row. It is a
reliable, slow campaigner that produces a staple
green all year round.
Seeds can be sown indoors now or in
rows directly in the garden. From sowing to
transplanting allow four to six weeks at this time
of year. Seedlings are readily available from all
the shops. In the garden, allow 50cm between
plants, but if room is tight, squash them into patio
planters and tubs at closer spacings.
Silver beet thrives on a regular liquid plant food
regime. This time of year, seaweed tonics work a
treat. Harvest the leaves whenever you choose.
The smaller leaves are wonderful fresh in tossed
salads. As the leaves mature, they
cook up a treat in numerous vegetables and
savoury dishes.
Garlic & shallots
Cold ground is what is required to kick garlic and
shallots into action. Make time now to plant these
out. Garlic needs to be planted well below the
soil surface, like finger length deep (10cm), and
shallots prefer to be nestled in the soil
close to the surface. Good drainage is essential
for both crops. Be patient it will take a number
of weeks for the green growth to pop through
the soil.
Microgreens
Put your windowsill to work by growing
microgreens. Little equipment or space is
required.
Find a sunny spot on a windowsill or ledge.
Next hunt out a shallow dish or container, like
takeaway containers or yoghurt pottles for
example, and poke some drainage holes into
them and you are in business. Then all that is
required is some seed and potting mix/seedraising
mix. Seed blends are available in the shops
and in all the online catalogues, or you can make
your own. Simply blend any seeds of leafy greens
and fast-growing herbs together to make your
own blend. Lettuce, mizuna, kale, broccoli, pak
choi, parsley and coriander are all good options.
Sow seed thickly in trays, water to moisten the
potting mix and leave to germinate. Shoots will
appear within a week or so. Harvest when the
leaves are finger-length or smaller. Expect to get
two to three cuts off each container.
58 kiwigardener gardener.kiwi