February – the last of the Summer months, but by no means the coolest. This can be the hottest month of all so keep up those watering routines. Continue to harvest the fruit and vegetables in your garden and de-head any flowers so they flower for longer. Weeding, mulching and feeding are important at this time too. Planning of your Autumn/Winter garden can start now.

Your February Gardening Guide

Keep on top of your watering through this month. Water deep and often to keep your garden hydrated and colours bright. Using water timers and soaker hoses can aid in your watering routine, especially if you are back into your work and not home as much to water.

Kiwicare Plant health Natural Insect Hit – this will control a wide range of insects on roses, ornamentals, trees and shrubs.

Kiwicare Plant Health Spectrum Plus – triple action, controls insects and diseases, plus boosts growth and greens leaves with added fertilisers.

Kiwicare Organic super spraying oil – protects your plants from a range of insect pests.

Kiwicare Insect control – controls a wide range of insects on fruit, vegetables, roses and ornamental plants.

Kiwicare (Certified BioGro) Organic Caterpillar Bio Control – controls caterpillars on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals.

Kiwicare (Certified BioGro) Organic Insect Control – controls a wide range of insects on fruit, vegetables, roses and ornamental plants.

Watering

Insects and PestsThese guys are still prevalent at this time of year, so keep an eye on your plants and treat accordingly. There are some great organic options around that will not affect your plants or surrounding areas. Try our Kiwicare range:

Shop Kiwicare Range ...

It is time to start sowing seeds for your winter vegetables. Use seeds for Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Spinach, Leeks, Carrots, Silverbeet and Brussel Sprouts. We have a good range of Mr. Fothergill seeds in store. Flowers to sow now for winter would include – pansies, violas, polyanthas, poppies, snapdragons, calendula and cineraria. Use a seed raising mix to give you seeds the best possible start.

Seed Raising Mix ...

It is that time of year where the wind is at its most powerful. Protecting your garden from the wind constantly whipping your plants can be overwhelming, so give these ideas a try;

plan your garden so that your plants are fit for where and how the wind blows through. You’ll have more success in a windy area with varieties that stay nearer to the ground. Bush beans and bush tomatoes rather than taller pole beans and vining tomatoes. You can keep tall crops like tomatoes, broad beans and runner beans short by pinching out the tops when they get as high as you want them to grow. Corn is tall, but some varieties are taller than others.

Wind increases the transpiration from plants, particularly seedlings, which stresses them. You’ll need to water more in a windy area and might find your plants need more shade to survive. Plant them out in the evening if you can so they can establish themselves overnight when it’s cool.

Put shade cloth shelters over newly planted seedlings if it’s windy. You can secure some plants to bamboo canes, wooden stakes and steel waratahs. This reduces ‘wind rock’ when the wind literally tears the plant out from the ground. Use a soft, expandable tie to secure the plant to its support. Strips cut from old T-shirts or pantyhose can work well. Try cutting the bottom out of large flower pots or 10 litre plastic buckets using strong scissors, a serrated knife (an old bread knife is ideal) or a hack saw. Push them well into the ground around each plant.

Wind

Tomatoes are in abundance; they are very economical in the supermarket and market gardens. Try this simple and delicious recipe for Taco Tomatoes, delish at any time of the day.

Fun Facts about Tomatoes:1. There are over 10,000 varieties of

tomatoes.

2. Because the tomato has seeds and grows from a flowering plant it is classed as a fruit, not a vegetable.

3. China is the largest producer of tomatoes, accounting for approximately one quarter of the world’s tomatoes.

4. Most tomato varieties are red in colour, but, you can also get green, orange, yellow, pink, black, brown, white and purple.

5. The heaviest tomato ever grown was in 2013, in the USA and was 3.51 kg (7lb 12oz).

As this is the best time in the garden for all sorts of wonderful produce, try experimenting with some different combinations to make smoothies. First you need the milk, just use whatever you would normally drink, then add whatever you have in your garden e.g strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, spinach, cauliflower etc. try mixing up some different versions and see what you like best. You can also add some yogurt, honey, cereal, seeds and cinnamon. Smoothies are so easy to make, so tasty and so good for you too – win win! Try serving them in a fun way, in glasses with sprinkles on top, with umbrellas or glittery straws (or both)

Dig your garden

Kids in the garden

Taco Tomato Recipe ...

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Christchurch

We now do our popular All Purpose Potting Mix in a handy 20L bag. This is great for freshening up a pot, renewing your indoor plant mixes or potting something that doesn’t need the larger size bag.

Safe gardening is important, here are some tips to keep yourself safe when you are out in the garden.

https://intelligro.co.nz/legionnaires

Vegebags! A new addition to the amazing Vegepod range. This bag has a collapsible design for easy access and storage, self-watering reservoirs, handles for easy movement and the mesh outer for protecting from pests and creating that great microclimate for growing your produce! All for just $89!

What’s new? Safety in the garden