March in Martinborough is a seasonal tightrope walk. We are still catching those golden Wairarapa afternoons, but the mornings
now carry a crisp, tell-tale bite. It is the month of the “Great Pivot,” where we must balance the tail-end of the summer harvest with the urgent need to prepare our plots for the coming winter.
Success this month requires being a bit ruthless with tired summer crops. Pull out any yellowing tomato vines and leave your pumpkins to cure until their stems turn woody. As you clear these beds, avoid leaving the soil bare; sowing a “green manure” like mustard or lupin now will act as a nutrient-rich blanket for the earth once the frosts arrive.
As you clear these beds, avoid leaving the soil bare; sowing a “green manure” like mustard or lupin now will act as a nutrient-rich blanket for the earth once the frosts arrive.
This is also the ideal window for “shoulder season” vegetables. The soil remains warm enough for quick germination of spinach, kale, and silverbeet, while root crops like beetroot and radishes will thrive in the cooling air. If you are planting out broccoli or cabbage, remember to use netting to protect them from the last of the white butterflies. For a classic spring display, aim to get your sweet peas in the ground by St. Patrick’s Day.
While the peak heat has passed, Martinborough’s north-westerlies can still parch the soil in hours. Give your garden a deep soak in the early evening when the temperature sits between 18°C and 22°C to ensure moisture reaches the roots. Keep a close eye on citrus trees in particular, as they need consistent water now to prevent them from dropping their developing fruit. Happy gardening, Martinborough – let’s make the most of this golden month.
