Dramatic seasonal start to November growing

What a dramatic season for gardening we had in November — late frosts, heavy rain, cold temperatures.

My hairdresser who lives in Taupo¯ lost her entire vegetable garden to frost in the last two weeks of last month and had to start all over again.

My well established beans were taken by Mr Frost. Fortunately I hadn’t planted tomatoes or any of the other tender crops. December will be warmer more consistent, we have to think positive.

I was reading a old gardening book yesterday. It spoke of weeding with a long-handled hoe in one hand and a glass of festive bubbles in the other — the joys of gardening!

I’m a big fan of beans of any sort. Sorting through my seeds, I came across a few half packets of seeds past their use-by date so I soaked them overnight and put them between a few sheets of damp newspaper. After a few days, some put out shoots. These I’ve planted and they’ve taken off, so it pays not to throw any old stock away.

If you have children visiting, show them your vegetable garden, where food comes from and how it grows, show them how to harvest, prepare and cook. They are more likely to take an interest in healthy food.

If you are going away for Christmas and have potted plants, collect them all into one spot which makes life easier for your neighbour to water. Tell them to help themselves to lettuce, peas etc. It’s good for the plants — the more you pick, the more they will produce, and not go to seed.