STOPPROCRASTINATING!

WHERE TO GROW?

This can depend on space available; whether you own your property or rent; how much time you want to put into it; how much money you want to spend, and what experience you have.

If you own your home, and plan to be there for awhile, then a patch in the back yard could be all you need. Raised gardens are another good option for a longer term solution. We sell macrocarpa raised gardens but if you’re after something catered more to your taste or size requirements then contact Liam, 027 3448158

Self Watering Wicking reservoirs keep your plants alive.

One Foot Soil Depth Deep growing medium.

With prices skyrocketing, and availability of certain crops looking unreliable, now is de nitely the time to start producing some food for yourself. But, don’t rush in too quickly, a bit of planning will make sure you don’t waste time and money, and give you a better chance of success.

Commercial Grade Canopy Stops all pests, weather and weeds.

Mist Spray Irrigator Inbuilt high volume sprays.

Accessories Available

Vegepods, Vegebags and containers are ideal for small spaces. These are also a good idea for those who need more of a ‘mobile garden’ solution, such as people in rental accommodation or even for kids away studying. Vegepods are self-watering, have a protective cover, are kind on knees and backs and are ideal for a low maintenance but productive garden.

Grow With Your Community

If growing from home doesn’t appeal to you, but you understand the importance of producing food, maybe joining a community garden group would be bene cial. These groups are a great way to learn, meet people & help the community.

Beverley Jack, from Wairarapa Community Centre said “We nd people participate in the community garden also do so because, they are tenants and landlords place restrictions on them digging up the lawn, and they can reduce the cost of growing food by being part of a community garden.”

Listed below are a few places you could try, but there are others. If you belong to a group you think could be helpful please email your details to: julie@gardenbarn.co.nz

If you are in Carterton, there are the delightfully arty community gardens behind the Police Station; follow the colourful footprints from Holloway Street past the rainbow angel wings, through the little gate and into the gardens.

R2R Youth Group and Wairarapa Herb Society do regular working bees there and current Good Living Wairarapa have a mini working bee there most Thursday afternoons starting at 4pm. Pop on by if you feel like joining in or even just to check the gardens out. There is an undercover pergola with a huge wooden slab table that is perfect to meet up with your friends for a takeaway coffee or picnic lunch.

Greenhouses allow longer growing seasons and provide the ideal environment for propagation and growing from seed. Plants grow bigger and faster because they’re protected from the elements (you will also be protected while you potter around), and they give protection from some pests & diseases.

Autopots are another space saving way to grow hydroponically and don’t require any electricity or running water. This system automatically waters and feeds your plants using gravity and is a good solution for growers who go away regularly, or for growing at a holiday house.

Prep Now For Success

The key to a successful garden is quality soil, regardless of what you’re growing.

If your summer garden has nished producing, and you’re going to use the space for new season veggies, take the time to clear the area well and replenish the soil by digging in a mixture of goodies to replace lost nutrients and to condition the soil. This should be done at least a few weeks before adding plants so the soil has time to settle. The same should be done for newly created gardens, the better the soil the better the plants.

We have a wonderful range of pots to suit different budgets and styles that would be perfect for growing food from home.

The generous size and rustic appeal of wine barrels make them a popular choice for container gardening. Get in quick, we have a limited number available for $180.

The Wairarapa Community Centres developed The GROW Project = Garden for Resilience and Optimum Wellbeing in 2022, when people were looking for a tranquil place to be reconnected to their community after covid lockdowns and wanted to learn how to grow their own food, due to increase of food prices. We want to give people the tools and the resources to be more self-suf cient and show them gardening can be simple, sustainable, and enjoyable.

The garden is situated at St Mathews Church on Park Ave, Masterton. We have working bees Wednesday mornings each week from 10-12 noon and 4th Saturday 10-12 each month. Anyone is welcome to participate in planting, weeding and harvesting the food and attending workshops.

Follow us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/wcct.co.nz or ring us on 0272809226.

The Wairarapa Herb Society was established in 1982 for the purpose of promoting and sharing knowledge of herbs, their cultivation and use.

Garden Lime

There are numerous bene ts to adding this to your garden.

Lime will:

 Improve soil structure

 Encourage decomposition of organic matter

 Increase worm activity

 Adjust pH levels naturally

 Boost plant growth

 Help plants absorb nutrients ican Real Blood & Bone & Organic Vege Food

$13.99 each or 2 for $22

Meetings of the Wairarapa Herb Society are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month from 1.30 – 3.00pm at the Old Courthouse in Holloway Street, Carterton.

Outings are normally organised on the rst Saturday of the month.

You can nd them on Facebook or email: waiherbs@gmail.com for more information.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

21 March, 1.30pm

Resilient future – a practical session to help us prepare for natural disasters –what to have in your herbal rst aid kit, pantry staples, grab and go bag etc. Please come along with your ideas.

18 April, 1.30pm

In ammation – presentation by Christine and Amanda.

16 May, 1.30pm

Little Farms – Alex Morrisey will talk to us about the produce business she started with her best friend and their lasagne-style, no dig garden.

UPCOMING OUTINGS

11 March, 1.30pm

Vagabond Vege 33 Monty’s Lane, Greytown

Come and hear their background and their story about Healthy soil – healthy produce – healthy people.

1 April, 1.30pm

La Dolce Vita garden visit Details to be advised.