LILA'S  O R G A N I C   K I T C H E N    G A R D E N                                     SUSTAINABLE    EARTH    LIVING.   New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.© 2007 
                         
                         

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    Cucumbers Annual Plant in Summer      
 MY GARDEN CALENDAR   Sow your seed early November. If you have a well established organic garden you will find that cucumbers, pumpkins, tomatoes, melons will all germinate in your soil from your previous years garden scraps, from those seedlings you will have a true indication of when Nature wants you to plant, my seedlings have all come up in the last 6 weeks and now it is December and the cucumbers are established, an organic garden is full of plants that just pop up out of the ground, cucumbers are one of those plants that will not take off until nature has warmed the ground enough, just like zucchini, you can hot house things all you like however plants growing according to natures timetable are stronger, and healthier. Cucumbers love to run along the ground, I force mine to climb on a wire trellis and the cucumbers hang down, either way, whether its telegraph long green or round apple cucumbers the rewards are great growing them, I have flowers growing amongst my plants so that bees are attracted to germinate the plants, cucumbers like lots of water, and a rich organic soil, pick as soon as they are ready or the fruit will be bitter, Regular picking encourages more fruit to grow. Gherkins:  Are a small cucumber used for pickling they are grown in exactly the same method above.      
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A-Z LIST OF VEGETABLES AND HERBS, WHEN AND HOW TO GROW THEM.    
   
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  Dill HERB Annual Plant in Spring, Summer & Autumn  
    Dill grows to about 1 metre in height, can fall over easily and be messy, so it is better to grow in a sunny corner, or at least somewhere that gives the plant support, don't over water dill, plant seeds straight into the soil, prick out so that there is only one or two, and ensure the soil is well fed before planting, great for salads and fish, collect seeds when ripe, dill seeds are actually stronger tasting than the leaves.  
     
     
     
     
     
                             
    Endive Annual Plant Spring, Summer, Autumn  
    Great summer salad plant, do not use if it is too old as it becomes bitter, so fresh young endive are best.  Sow seeds straight into the soil 1 cm deep, keep soil moist and they germinate in about 6 days, space of at least 20cm is needed between plants,   ensure the soil is composted well and in full sun, Endive if left to go to seed will germinate all over your garden very quickly, they come up in the cracks of footpaths, meters away from the garden - grow exactly the same as lettuce.  
     
     
     
     
                             
    Garlic Annual Plant  in May harvest in February  
   
  1. Prepare ground well with compost and food in full sun position
  2. Plant in latter half of May -  single cloves upright about 9cm apart and 5cm deep
  3. Keep weed free and watered up until early January, put fresh compost around the plants in October.
  4. Lift the plants at the end of February or 1st week of March by loosening roots with a fork and then finish pulling out by the tops, roots are trimmed back and garlic is left in sun to dry for 3 weeks, do not expose to rain, if worried about rain, a concrete floor of an airy garage or garden shed will suffice, but ensure that they do go out into the sun as much as  possible.
  5. After 3 weeks trim the tops when dry to about 15cm's and tie in bunches and hang until drying is finished.
  6. NOTE: what is important?  good compost fed soil, well prepared ground, dates, how to dry, and don't over water after January. Good luck!.
      
         
         
         
     
     
     
     
     
     
         
         
         
         
         
                             
         

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website created by  Lila Smith ©  DECEMBER 2007   New Plymouth,  Taranaki New Zealand