Down to Earth: Raised bed gardening
With all this rain we're having you will notice how well your garden beds drain. The result of wet feet can be rotted potatoes and other root diseases. Having well-draining garden soil is essential in Golden Bay's climate. The intensive raised bed system may well be for you. Here's how it works:
Mark out garden beds that are 1.2 to 1.5 metres wide (ideal width for easy access) and ideally run north to south.
Prepare ground by double digging: working down the bed, dig a trench one spade wide and two deep (putting that soil in wheelbarrow for last trench), flip the next strip into the first trench, and so on. Once compost, manure, etc are added this will create twice the topsoil and deep raised beds. This need only be done once with ongoing minimal tilling when preparing soil for future crops. Those on heavy clay or sand will have to import soil or build a lasagne garden. Still loosen soil with a fork first.
Make paths between beds wide enough for a wheelbarrow.
Plant using a staggered pattern (like 5 sided dice) with crops still at desired spacings. Interplant with quick growing crops, also in a staggered fashion. Before crop harvest, plant the next crop in between, following the same pattern.
This system has many beneficial effects:
higher yields from less space;
wastes less time and energy (as less area needs to be worked);
less work (once prepared) to maintain;
earlier cropping (can be prepared earlier in spring compared to mechanical cultivation, and being raised heat up quicker);
Use less water (as deep well-prepared soil holds more water);
better drainage;
less weeding (close planting reduces weeds).
The extra effort at the beginning sure pays off in the end, so why not give it a go? For more information read How To Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons.
Fruit care:
Protect young subtropicals from wind.
Prune citrus at harvest.
Summer prune trees.
Tip grapes to two leaves past fruit. Tip passionfruit runners too.
Thin fruits.
Mulch fruit trees and berries.
Tie up and net berryfruits.
Pheromone traps in orchards.
Remove diseased fruit and burn.
Preventative sprays of seaweed on fruits.
Herb Care:
Weed and mulch.
Clip back perennials to encourage fresh growth. Dry and store for winter use.
Sow annual herbs. Direct sow dill, parsley, coriander for best results.
Vegetable Care:
Plant winter crops now eg leeks, Brussels, kale, cabbage.
Ongoing bed preparation.
Liquid fertilise weekly.
Weed and mulch.
Stay observant of pests and diseases, removing affected parts/plants to avoid spread.
For caterpillar pests on brassicas spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 2-3 days.
Delateral tomatoes and cucumbers and tie/train up stakes.
Set up stakes or frames for climbing crops.
Mound potatoes, celery and carrots (after thinning).
Mulch asparagus.
Hothouse: Keep ventilated. No mist watering. Hang yellow sticky cards and remove pests with garlic and pyrethrum or soap sprays.
Harvest early potatoes, garlic, onions and shallots (when tops flop). Briefly sun dry alliums and hang dry.
Sow for transplanting: All seeds 9th January. Leafy greens (summer spinach, lettuce, endive, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, silverbeet/rainbow chard and celery) and late leeks (also 12th Jan). Broccoli, early cauliflowers (also 10th Jan). Late sweetcorn and zucchini. Herbs: basil, parsley etc. Flowers.
Sow direct: All seeds 9th January. Radish, parsnip, carrots, beetroot (also 15-16th Jan). Spring onions, leeks, salads, silverbeet/chard (also 12th Jan). French/butter and late climbing beans, sweet corn, late pumpkin, squash, cucumber and zucchini (also 13-14th Jan).
Plant: Between 31st Dec- 8th Jan. Salad greens, spinach, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, silverbeet/rainbow chard, beetroot, leeks and Florence fennel. Potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini. Annual herbs. Flowers, eg candytuft.
General Garden Care:
Collect rainwater.
Check irrigation systems.
Mow lawns and mulch clippings.
Prune back flowering plants.
Shred prunings.
Weed and mulch ornamental areas.
Make and turn composts.
Sol Morgan, GroWise Consultancy. Ph 525 9110.
