These are frantic months for growth in the garden. The days and nights are warmer, flowers and fruit trees are blooming. This is the time to get summer crops in the garden and growing.
Ripe for the picking
Asparagus, broad beans, cabbage, carrots leeks and peas are ready to pick.
In the vege garden
Cool spells can be expected but the hottest months of summer are fast approaching. Expect perhaps in the central north island and the south island all threat of frosts has passed. Outdoor soil temperatures will have risen to that magic number of sixteen. This is the temperature in Celsius which summer seeds require to germinate readily. Labour weekend is generally seen as the weekend to plant tomatoes and other summer plants such as eggplant, sweet corn, and French beans. The lawn will be going berserk with its growth rate. If you have dandelions and clover on your lawn take a step back and let these flower for a time as they are such important food sources for honey bees. When you can't stand looking at a 'paddock' any longer ensure you place the grass clippings as mulch in and around your vegetables beds.
Why not try growing some globe artichokes this summer. These stately grey arching leaves and large purple thistle light flowers these plants make a real statement in any garden. As these plants grow quite large I don't grow them in the vegetable garden but rather dot them amongst my other plants in my ornamental garden. They would make a real statement in any modern minimalist garden or planted on both sides of an entrance way. They are tough as old boots and require sunny well drained conditions. The artichokes can be harvested and bottled in summer and enjoyed year round. When they are flowering they are covered in butterflies, bees and other beneficial pollinators. Globe artichokes are a much better choice for tough sun drenched banks and mass planting instead of the outlawed agapanthus.
