Page 55 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)
P. 55
with a design to give you a good idea. Raise that blade. I have a tendency to buy happens that you lose
outdoor spaces that will It’ll help to conserve moisture something I like and plant motivation before the hole
function well and look in the soil and insulate against it regardless of the season. is big enough, and then bash
good. The entertaining the summer heat, and the To be fair, it’s usually not fatal, soil and root matter off the
area shouldn’t just end up grass will likely stay greener. but the plant is always much plant to make it fit. Naughty.
somewhere because there BAD WATERING slower to get going – and Dig a hole that is close to
happened to be enough The watering mistake I make we’re not just talking about twice as wide as the root ball
space. A plan will consider repeatedly is to avoid spending its first season. It might take of the plant. Shaking soil off
all the elements, including money on an irrigation system. a couple of years to catch up. the root ball or trimming it to
position, space, aspect, But I’m going to do it, honest. FAILING TO PLOT fit is not allowed, although you
access and viewpoints. In the meantime, I water I suspect real vegetable may loosen the roots a little.
It will also give you for the benefit of the plants gardeners have permanent There has to be enough
something to refer to a year and the environment by vege plots. Dabblers like me flat area in the bottom of the
or three down the track when shunning sprinklers in favour make a vege garden wherever hole for the root ball to sit flat
you’ve lost the plot about what of a watering can or hose. there’s a space in any one on the soil. Loosen up the soil
you were trying to achieve. The hose ensures that about season, or plonk a raised bin with a fork. Mix in some organic
IGNORING THE LABEL 90% of the water gets to down somewhere where it matter, such as compost or
Labels on garden centre plants the plant. Sprinklers? Only won’t be in the way. If you’re sheep pellets. Lower your plant
aren’t that detailed, but one 40-50% efficiency. Even a serious about growing your into the hole and make sure
thing they almost always include watering can is better. own vegetables on a long-term it will sit comfortably on the
is the likely height of the item If you like standing around basis, find the right spot, with bottom, and that the level
at maturity. I’ve often chosen doing nothing much (as I do), good sun, shelter and soil. of the soil when it was in its
to ignore this, or shrugged it you can make a personal water Create a vegetable plot that container will be the same once
off with a misguided, “Oh, we delivery via the hose to the root is the right size for your family. it’s planted. Fill the hole with
can keep it trimmed.” Don’t zone of each plant. If you get If it’s too large, it’ll be more planting mix and some soil from
be like me. If you want a shrub bored or need a cup of tea, work. And if you have a fluffy the excavation, tamp it down
or small tree that grows to 3m, turn the hose down a bit and brain, try to locate the vege gently, and wish it luck.
buy one that grows to 3m. It sit it on the root zone. It’ll glug garden fairly close to the house Job done!
will look better than a specimen water slowly in while you do and in clear view.
that’s constantly being hacked, something else for a wee while. Then you’ll Plant your vegetable garden
and it will save you lots of work. Keep up a good watering remember it’s close to the house where you can
SCALPING THE LAWN schedule and make sure you there, and that it see it and you’re more likely to
remember to weed and water.
The Partner and I frequently mulch your garden beds. It needs weeding,
argue about how short to makes a huge difference to feeding and
cut the lawn, but I win in the weeds, moisture retention watering regularly.
summer because it’s textbook and appearance. BIG PLANT,
stuff to leave the grass a bit PLANTING OUT OF SMALL HOLE
longer. Some people scalp SEASON OR TOO EARLY This so doesn’t
their lawns so they don’t have Here’s a mistake I make every work, but if you’re
to mow as often, but that’s not year. With shrubs and trees, in a hurry or the
soil is hard, it often
A watering can is more Long and lush is the lawn rule for
efficient at putting the hotter months, so raise your
water where it’s needed mower blade, protect grass from
than a sprinkler. heat and conserve moisture.
New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 55
