Hurray hurray the first of May
Outdoor planting starts today. At this time of year, some of the most frequently asked questions at the Ōmokoroa Community Gardens are: what to plant, where to plant, and when to plant.
As autumn winds up and winter beckons, it is time for my favourites from the BFG: broad beans, fennel and garlic. It is also good to plant out peas, sweet peas, kale, brassicas, spring onions, onion seedlings, carrots and spinach.
With broad beans, the dwarf varieties are only dwarves in height as the bean pods are just as productive. When planting, it’s good to put in a few stakes or canes for later in winter when they will need support against the westerlies that tend to knock them over when they are heavily laden with pods.
Garlic is traditionally planted on the shortest day (around Matariki) and harvested on the longest day (around Christmas). But with the changing climate, it’s possible to plant the cloves much earlier, in well-composted and manured soil, just below the surface. The trick is to weed and hoe frequently.
If you aren’t sure what to put on your vegetable beds, try lupins, mustard or oats, or the mixed bags of all three which will produce pretty ground cover and a tasty mustard green in late winter. Cut down to ground level, and you will have revitalised soil for the spring fever of planting.
Ōmokoroa Community Gardens is located on Hamurana Road at the southern end of Point School grounds. Volunteers are welcome every Thursday and Saturday morning to fossick, chatter and connect.