Your Garden Coach

18/04/2025

🌿 Let's Chat Gardens Over a Cup of Kawakawa Tea! 🌿

Join us for another exciting episode where we’re sipping on a fragrant Kawakawa tea blend.

Episode Highlights:

Bulbs, Bulbs, Bulbs: Time to choose your spring colour scheme and plant them for a stunning display.

Other Flower Seeds: We’ll share which flower seeds to sow right now for that vibrant garden you've been dreaming of for next Spring.

Garlic Talk: Why we grow our own garlic—this might shock you!

Leaf Collection: Don't forget to collect nature’s gift of leaves—perfect for composting and soil health.

Happy gardening,

15/04/2025

🌱✨ Meet Dot and her brilliant bucket wicking system for growing veggies! 🪣🥬

Dot’s been experimenting in her garden and has found a super clever way to grow vegetables with less water, less stress, and great results — perfect for dry summers or forgetful waterers (we’ve all been there, right? 😉).

So, what is wicking?

Wicking systems work a bit like a sponge — water is stored in a reservoir at the bottom of the container and is wicked up into the soil as the plant needs it. That means: 💧 Efficient watering
🌿 Consistent moisture
🌞 Happy, healthy plants!

Dot’s setup uses recycled buckets, a wicking column, and a little bit of know-how. She’s proof that you don’t need fancy gear to grow smart!

Keen to learn more? Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing how you can make your own DIY wicking bucket garden at home! 🌻💚

15/04/2025

🎧 New Episode Out Now!

Sorry we’re a little late this week, but we’re back with another jam-packed episode of the podcast! 🙌

This week we’re talking all about: Cultivating and sowing root crops during the full moon phase
The importance of sowing cover crops + why keeping your soil covered year-round is a game-changer for your garden
A little chat on late autumn rose care to keep those beauties blooming strong next season.
Leaf Curl!! A few tips for dealing with this disease.

PLUS!
A reminder to enter the draw for the Kings Seeds Autumn Hamper
And go in the draw to win Peter Langlands’ stunning new book ‘Foraging’ – a must-have for nature lovers!

Have a listen wherever you get your podcasts – and let us know what you're sowing this week, we love your feedback.

15/04/2025

To every gardener who’s had a few flops this season… you're not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.

Every patch of powdery mildew, every seed that didn’t sprout, every crop the birds beat you to—it’s all part of the learning. So give yourself a pat on the muddy back

This is your sign to: Flip back through your garden diary
Celebrate what did grow
Learn from what didn’t
Use winter to dream and plan

Here are a few ideas to get those planning juices flowing:

Create a crop rotation plan

Sketch out your garden beds for better layout next year

Organise and label your seeds

Make a wish list of new varieties to try (maybe more garlic or heritage tomatoes?)

Research companion planting or pest prevention strategies

Start building up compost for spring

Take a break, read a good garden book, and recharge

You’re doing great. A failed crop doesn't make you a failed gardener.

12/04/2025

🍁 Autumn Phenology Observations
The leaves have started falling, the days are getting shorter, and cosy evenings are upon us. Here are a few of my Autumn observations.
🌳 Trees & Plants
Leaves changing colour – golds, reds, oranges, especially in deciduous trees like maples, birch, and liquidambar.

Leaf fall beginning or peaking.

Slower growth in perennials and vegetables.

Bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and garlic being planted.

Seed pods forming or drying (e.g., kowhai, harakeke/flax).

Late flowers on hardy plants like dahlias, salvias, chrysanthemums.

Fruit ripening – feijoas, apples, pears, persimmons.

🐦 Birds
Tūī feeding more on late blooms or fruiting trees.

Birds forming small flocks (e.g., silvereyes, starlings).

Less frequent dawn chorus as breeding season ends.

Birds beginning to migrate (species dependent).

🐛 Insects
Fewer butterflies and bees as temperatures drop.

Monarch chrysalides in sheltered spots.

Praying mantises visible and active on warm afternoons.

Weta seeking shelter under bark or logs.

Last of the hoverflies and ladybirds on autumn flowers.

🌾 Garden Changes
Compost heaps warming up with added leaf litter.

Soil holding moisture longer after rains.

Fungus and mushrooms appearing, especially in mulched or shaded areas.

Earthworms and slaters more visible under plant pots and logs.

🌙 Seasonal Cues
Shortening daylight hours.

Dew-heavy mornings and cooler evenings.

More frequent fog or mist in valleys and low-lying areas.

First frosts in colder regions by late autumn.

11/04/2025

🌱🎙️ Podcast Delay Alert – But Not for Long!

Hey lovely listeners! Just popping in to let you know that this week’s episode is unavoidably delayed 😅 — but don’t worry, all going well, we’ll be back in your ears by Monday afternoon!

Thanks so much for your patience and good vibes. We promise it’ll be worth the wait – we’ve got some great garden goodies lined up for you! 🌿💚

In the meantime, why not pop outside, pull a w**d or two, and enjoy a cuppa in the sunshine? ☕🌸

Happy gardening – and see you Monday!

09/04/2025

We’re looking for the next custodians of our beautiful property. If you know anyone who fits the bill please share the video. Thank you.

Discover Your Dream Lifestyle Property - 1025 Lake Hawea-Albert Town, Lake Hawea NZ 93 - House For Sale

09/04/2025

🍂 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🍂

We’re celebrating the season with an Autumn Hamper Giveaway thanks to our friends at Kings Seeds NZ

Want to be in to win? It’s super easy:
🎧 Listen to Episode 24 of the podcast for entry details
📧 Send your entry to [email protected]
🗓 Entries close end of April — winner announced in Episode 28!

✨ Open to NZ residents only — so get your gumboots on and jump in!

08/04/2025

Wanaka / Lake Hawea / Upper Clutha Locals
Diana and I have been invited to support this community event.
Do pop along and see what you can achieve in your Autumn Garden.
Looking forward to meeting you

04/04/2025

🎧 New Podcast Episode Out Now! 🌱
It's sowing and planting time, and we've got you covered with inspiration for your winter food garden

Vegetable of the Week: Spaghetti Squash – a versatile, fun-to-grow staple for colder months!

PLUS: We’re launching a brand new competition with our friends at Kings Seeds – tune in to find out how to enter!

So pop your headphones on, head outside, and give your health a boost while listening to NZ’s No.1 gardening podcast

29/03/2025

Win a Copy of Peter Langlands' Book! 📖✨

Peter Langlands is a passionate forager who has spent a lifetime exploring New Zealand’s wild landscapes, uncovering nature’s hidden pantry. From alpine regions to the coast, he sources wild ingredients for top restaurants. Peter shares his knowledge through workshops and social media.

For Peter, foraging is more than just finding food—it’s about celebrating nature’s generosity. 🌿🍄

Want to learn from the best? Enter our competition for a chance to win a copy of his book! For entry details listen to Episode 23 of our Podcast Your Garden Coach NZ on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Then email us at [email protected] with your answer.

27/03/2025

🌿🎙️ This Week’s Podcast! 🎙️🌿

Sowing & Planting Phase – It’s time to get Leafy Greens, Brassicas, Legumes, Lettuce, and Mizuna in the ground!

Special Guest: Peter Langlands – Foraging guru & author of the new book Foraging! He joins us to chat about wild food and what you can forage in your area.

20/03/2025

🌿🎙️ Today's Podcast Episode! 🎙️🌿

Jen's verdict on today's cuppa? Not a fan! 😆 Chilli & Rosemary tea might not be making it into her regular brew!

We're in the Barron phase until March 23rd – perfect for w**ding, mulching, pruning, and garden maintenance. 🧑‍🌾✨ Then, get ready to plant root crops on the 24th & 25th! 🥕🧄

🌳 Plus, we’re diving into seasonal tasks for the Food Forest – what to do now to keep it thriving! 🌱

Tune in now! 🎧

14/03/2025

🌿🎙️ New Podcast Episode – Season 2, Episode 21! 🎙️🌿

Let’s prep the soil for the Root Crop Sowing Phase on 17th & 18th March! 🥕🌱

✔️ Cut back your Artichoke – Almost to ground level, then mulch well ✂️
✔️ Cucumber season is wrapping up – What a fabulous harvest! We chat about how cucumbers benefit your health 🥒💚 (We bet you'll plant even more next year!)

Keep up the great work in your garden—it’s great for your health and your soul! 🌿✨
Check out our website - www.yourgardencoach.nz/podcast

14/03/2025

This week on Your Garden Coach NZ Podcast - Nature’s Electrolyte Booster! Cucumbers are packed with potassium, magnesium & sodium to keep you hydrated and energized. Plus, they’re rich in vitamin C for glowing skin & B vitamins for an energy boost!
Tune in for more information.
💧 Very easy snack ideas:
✔️ Cucumber & mint water
✔️ Chilled slices with sea salt
✔️ Tzatziki dip
✔️ Green cucumber smoothie

🌱 Growing tip: Keep soil consistently moist for crisp, juicy cucumbers!

13/03/2025

It's time to cover up your baby plants, the nights can cool off pretty quickly from now on, don't be fooled by a lovely warm Autumn day. Get creative with your cloche making, bent rebar holding corrugate in place works really well.

08/03/2025

Have you watched this programme yet?