Vegetable Growing Guide

Nothing beats the satisfaction of ‘growing your own’ and no matter what time of year it is there's always something you can add to your vege garden. Follow our guide to create a patch bursting with a variety of delicious veges.

If you don't have an existing vege garden, pick out a nice sunny, sheltered area of your garden to turn into your new vege patch! Define the area and clear off the grass or existing plants.

Prepare

Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil.

Then you can add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix, a high quality natural-based planting mix containing the right blend of nutrients to provide your veges with the best possible start and sustained growth throughout the season. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.

Plant

If you’re a first time gardener, it is generally easier to grow from seedlings, rather than seeds. Although seeds are a more economical option. For our Growing from Seed Guide click here.

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away.

For an early spring vege garden we recommend planting: kale, spring onions, cabbage, cavolo nero, beetroot, celery, broccoli, red & white cabbage and sugar snap peas (these love to climb so get some bamboo arches or trellis). For the best chance of success plant vegetables at the appropriate time of year – our planting calendar has a handy list detailing what to plant each month, based on your region.

Directions for planting in garden beds:

• Soak seedlings in a bucket of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic and allow to drain. This will help prevent transplant shock.
• Add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix to the planting area.
• Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole.
• Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well and continue to water regularly.

Directions for planting in pots and containers:

• Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
• Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container.
• Fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix up to 3cm from the top.
• Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plants well.

Nourish

Feed your veges and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your veges grow to their full potential. For vegetables planted in garden beds feed with Tui Vegetable Food every four weeks during key growth periods for repeat growth and a continuous supply. Tui Vegetable Food is a rich formulation of fertilisers including dolomite, blood and bone and sheep manure dust. It is designed to encourage healthy vegetable growth and microbial and earthworm activity in the soil.

If planting in pots and containers use Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. A fortnightly application of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic will help your veges flourish. It is important to keep your garden regularly watered too, as a well watered, well nourished vegetable garden will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.

Protect

The weather, weeds, pest insects and diseases can all impact on the success of your garden. Protect your plants from the elements with layers of Tui Pea Straw Mulch or Tui Mulch & Feed, to help keep their roots moist and to keep your garden weed free. Be vigilant and stop unwanted insects and diseases from ruining your plants.

Your veges are ready to harvest when they are about the size you see them in the supermarket.

Leafy crops like spinach can be harvested a leaf at a time – so you can pick as you need.

Click here for more vege growing guides