The first month of Autumn is upon us. Traditionally March is still a warm month, so

there’s still a lot to be done in the garden. Weeds will still be growing at a rapid rate, so

they will need to be kept on top of. Be sure to remove the ones that pop up around any

plants that are still growing and producing well. Lawns will be needing some attention

after those high temperatures of summer. It’s also nearly time for sowing new lawns or

patching existing ones. Early winter planting can begin in earnest and it’s time to get

those spring bulbs in.

Your March Gardening Guide

Time to tidy up the end of your Summer crops, produce like corn, tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, plums, apricots, apples, peaches and raspberries etc pick what you can and freeze, preserve or bottle any extra you have, or give to family, neighbours and friends. Dig out all plants that have come to the end of their growing life and with the room you have now for new plantings will appreciate a good mix of compost through it and even some sheep pellets to give it some nutrition before the next round of planting happens.

Harvesting

Cabbage, spinach, silverbeet, broccoli, celery, lettuce and leek seedlings can be planted out into the garden in cooler areas. Wait a month or so until there’s more moisture in the ground in hotter places. Protect young seedlings with frost cloth if weather turns frosty. Remember not to plant the same family of vegetable in the same place e.g if you had cabbages in a spot then plant something like onions next. If you would like a splash of colour in your vegetable bed (winter veges can be a bit on the green side) then try the multi coloured silverbeet, red cauliflowers, purple broccoli, or red cabbage.

Vegetable planting

Lawns

Spring/Summer bulbs

Autumn is the perfect time to sow new lawns. It takes 7-10 days for most seed to strike and the best time to do this is where there’s a chance of a cloudier day or rain. Treat your established lawns to some fertiliser, they will have been struggling to keep their condition over the hot months. Now that it’s cooled down and there’s even a chance of some rain, they will really appreciate being fed. Remember to water in thoroughly after spreading the fertiliser. Don’t fertilise young or new lawns as this may cause the roots to get burnt, leave it until the lawns have been mowed 3-4 times.

It is the perfect time to be shopping for your spring and summer bulbs. They will be out now in the nurseries, including all our favourites like Fresias, Hyacinth, Ranunculus, Iris, Gladiolus, Crocus and Tulips (which can be planted right now). It’s good to get your bulbs in to give them time to establish before the colder weather kicks in. If you stagger your planting times e.g 2 weeks apart, then you will have a continuous display throughout Spring and Summer. When choosing your bulbs look for ones without marks or damp spots on them. Most bulbs prefer to be planted in a sunny spot, with good draining soil as they don’t like wet feet. Dig some sand through your soil if it isn’t free draining. Don’t mix in fresh compost around the bulbs as they have a low need for Nitrogen, but they do like pot ash and phosphate fertilisers.

This month we are talking about courgettes. They are plentiful in the garden and in the supermarkets at the moment and are so versatile. They can be eaten both raw and cooked (you can freeze them too), you can even eat the flowers! This is one of our awesome employee Michelle’s favourite recipes for using up those extra courgettes in the garden.

“Dig” your Dinner

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share using courgettes?

Send it to Michelle at michelle@xtra.co.nz and we may publish it next month!

Fun Facts about Courgettes

• They are a member of the Squash family

• They are actually a fruit not a vegetable

• They are low in cholesterol

• They are 95% water

Click here for the recipe ...

What’s new?

We have 2 new Kiwicare products; Pump & Feed for your indoor pot plants and mist & feed for your Orchids.

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261 Manion Road, Weedons

Safety in the gardenRemember to use gloves and masks and open bags in open spaces, not in enclosed areas like sheds. Dampening down the mixes before use is also recommended. Wash your hands after every session in the garden. Garden safety is important and we strongly encourage you to read all labels and information provided.

Kids in the gardenWith Autumn upon us, these autumn leaf candles are just gorgeous and so easy to make.

Road UpdateThe new southbound off ramp is open to traffic to get onto Weedons and Weedons Ross Road! This makes it super easy to get to Intelligro when heading south. Take the exit marked West Melton & Rolleston. Take a left at the roundabout, head over the overpass and then right into Manion Road!

Click here for the instructions ...