December is here, bringing the heat and the harvest to our Wairarapa gardens. We’re moving from a focus on planting to nurturing, watering, and reaping the rewards of spring’s labour.
The kitchen garden is buzzing. It’s time to lift and cure your garlic once the leaves yellow and dig up those first delicious new potatoes. Your peas, strawberries, and broad beans are in full production – keep picking them to encourage more growth!
To ensure a continuous supply, practice succession planting. Sow more beans, sweetcorn, beetroot, and salad greens directly into the warm soil. For your established tomatoes and courgettes, the focus is on support and feeding. Keep them tied up and treat them to a liquid fertiliser every two weeks for
strong growth.
The greatest challenge now is managing the dry Wairarapa conditions. The short burst of rains we have been having are not enough to counteract the long hot days. If you haven’t yet, lay down a thick, generous layer of mulch – this is essential for water conservation and stable soil temperatures. Forget quick, daily sprays. Commit to deep, infrequent watering in the early morning or late evening to encourage deep root systems and minimise evaporation. For holiday peace of mind, consider a simple drip irrigation system.
In the ornamental garden, give your roses a good deadheading to ensure a beautiful second flush of blooms. This is also the correct time for light, summer pruning of your stone fruit trees once they finish fruiting to maintain health. Check your apples and pears and thin any fruit that has set too thickly; the remaining fruit will grow larger and healthier.
Finally, stay vigilant against pests. Watch for aphids and other critters on tender new growth. Often, a strong jet of water is all you need, but be ready with a gentle spray if necessary, a quick homemade spray is one litre of water to two teaspoons of liquid soap!
Enjoy the sunshine and the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labour. Happy gardening!
