Because not everyone has a green thumb
At Barclay mowing we love gardening all across East Auckland but know that not everyone loves it or has a green thumb. As an extra service to our customers and anyone else we thought we'd put together a quick list of gardening FAQ's
Gardening FAQ's
How do I improve heavy clay soils common in East Auckland?
Add plenty of compost, gypsum, and organic matter like sheep pellets or worm castings. Raised beds or imported topsoil work well for veges and flowers. Mulch annually to retain moisture and improve structure over time.
My veggie patch suffers from aphids, whitefly and slugs, what can I do?
Aphids, slugs/snails, whiteflies etc love what we humans hate - humidity. Spraying with neem and organic sprays helps as does planting nasturtium (which has the benefit of also being edible) as a companion plant also helps
I hate gardening what are some low maintenance plants suitable for the local east Auckland climate
If you really hate gardening natives are best. Flax usually does well. Pohutukawa, kowhai, hebes, cabbage trees etc will suit local soils and climate, attract native birds, and need less water and fertiliser once established
When should I add fertiliser to the lawn or garden beds?
Lawns benefit from slow-release fertiliser in early spring and autumn. Most plants appreciate feeding in spring as growth kicks in.
I want to create a worm farm, what can i feed them
Coffee, tea, bread, rice, cereals, biscuits and most fruit and veg scraps are all good food for worm farms. Even your left over pudding (is there such a thing?) will do
Worms also like paper and cardboard (avoid paper that has lots of ink on it though)
And what should I NOT give a worm farm
Garden waste and grass clippings can go on the compost heap. Spicy food and fats may attract flies so are best avoided. Soup onions and garlic are also a no no
What are the easiest vegetables to grow in East Auckland
The four almost no fail veggies to grow in the Howick Pakuranga region are tomatoes, silverbeet, lettuce and radishes. Courgettes and cucumber are also good croppers. You can usually grow lettuce year round. Cherry tomatoes in summer unless you have a green house. Radishes are great for kids to grow as they are the quickest to harvest
Should I plant veggies in planter boxes or direct in the soil
Raised garden beds and boxes are usually best. You can control the soil that goes into them, garden soil here can be heavy clay like soil, and may be better for your veggies mixed with other organic material. Or alternatively you can buy enriched soil from the garden centres and mix through