PREPARE
Choose a spot that is sunny, sheltered from the wind and easy to access for harvesting and watering. Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. Soil is the backbone to any good garden, the better the soil, the more successful your garden will be.
Starting with an existing garden
- If you are starting with an existing garden bed replenish soil by digging in Tui Super Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost and then add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix.
Starting with a new garden
- If starting fresh and building a raised garden bed, choose non-treated timber and fill with layers of Tui Super Sheep Pellets, Tui Compost and Tui Vegetable Mix, creating a lasagne effect.
Planting in pots and containers
- If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.
PLANT
For first time gardeners, it is generally easier to grow from seedlings, rather than seeds. Across New Zealand there are differences in climate and soils, so some plants are planted at different times of the year depending on your region. Our planting calendar has a handy list detailing what to plant each month, based on your region.
Easy ‘beginner’ crops
- As a rule of thumb spinach, lettuce, radish, leeks, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, silverbeet, spinach, celery and spring onions are all good ‘beginner’ crops.
- When planting, allow at least two hand spaces apart for lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and silverbeet. The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away, and be sure to always water plants well before and after planting.
NOURISH
Plants need nutrients to grow. If you don’t feed your plants you can’t expect to reap the rewards.
- Continue to add a scattering of Tui Super Sheep Pellets around our plants, and use an all purpose fertiliser such as Tui NovaTec Premiumfertiliser to provide nutrients over a sustained period of time. You can also choose a fertiliser specially blended for your crop like Tui Vegetable Food.
- Once growing, fertilise your vegetables every four weeks during the growing season for repeat growth and a continuous supply. A well watered, well nourished vegetable garden will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.
PROTECT
- The weather, weeds, pest insects and diseases can all impact on the success of your garden. Protect your plants from the colder weather with layers of mulch like Tui Mulch & Feed. Keep your garden weed free.
- Be vigilant and stop unwanted insects and diseases from ruining your plants. Don’t put up the welcome sign to the munch bunch of slugs and snails. These pests love coming for dinner in autumn, apply Tui Quashslug & snail control every few weeks to protect your seedlings. The Tui Plant Protection range will also help you put a stop to any other problems that arise.