With Christmas just around the corner, everybody is counting down to the Marlborough summer holidays. If you’re looking for a home improvement project, we have just the thing!
We think planting a vegetable garden is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects; it ticks all the boxes! You get to enjoy the fresh air, and it’s fun for all the family. Plus, your final reward will be a bountiful harvest. Additionally, to the right buyer, a flourishing vegetable garden can add value to your home.
To help you get started with your summer holiday home improvement project we caught up with Robyn and Nicky from the Garden Department at Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough for some tips and advice.
Planting a Vegetable Garden – This Summer’s Home Improvement Project:
Q: How can I identify the perfect spot to build a veggie patch?
A: Vegetables need sunlight and water. They don’t like being too exposed to the elements. So, choose a north-facing sheltered spot with easy access to water.
Q: I don’t have a large yard or garden, can I still plant a veggie garden?
A: If you have a small area, use pots, containers, and hanging gardens to increase your available growing space. Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough has an ‘Easy As’ guide called How To Create A Pallet Garden. This guide outlines how to build and plant your very own garden by upcycling an old pallet. We also stock planters for hanging on fences and a vast range of pots and containers.
Q: How can Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough help me in my quest to build a veggie garden?
A: At Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough we stock all the supplies you need to build a vegetable garden. From various grades of potting mix and compost to kit set gardens or timber supplies. We also sell a massive range of pots, containers, plants, seeds, fertilisers and watering supplies. Our staff are all very experienced and eager to assist you with your summer holiday and home improvement plans.
Q: What are your top tips for building a raised veggie garden?
A: Fill your new raised vegetable garden in layers to ensure a well-drained, nutritious growing space for your veggies. The ‘Easy As’ Guide ‘How To Build A Raised Vege Garden’ gives excellent advice.
Q: What’s the best way to get the kids involved in planting a veggie garden?
A: Keep it simple for the kids. Start with Yates Red Rubin Radish Seed Tape. This is easy to sow, germinates quickly and reaches maturity in 4-6 weeks. Then move on to Manchester Table Carrot Seed Tape which will be ready in 16 to 20 weeks. This steady growth keeps the kids interested.
Q: What plants and seeds should I buy now if I want fresh veggies as soon as possible?
A: Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough has a huge selection of vegetable seedlings ready for planting now; these are arranged alphabetically for your convenience from Basil to Zucchini. There is also a selection of 30 fresh herb varieties.
Q: What plants and seeds are the easiest to tend for beginners?
A: Seed tape is the easiest to sow. Look for radish, carrot, beetroot, broccoli, spring onion and lettuce. These are all easy to tend varieties. Protect your seedlings with a snail and slug bait.
Q: What essential products should I invest in to help maintain my veggie garden?
Plants need to be fed, so a good fertiliser is a must. You’ll also need some protection from slugs, snails and birds. A regular watering regime will keep your garden happy. So, a good investment is a programmable timer.
The staff at Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough are very experienced and able to advise you on any aspect of building a vegetable garden and growing your own fresh, flavoursome vegetables. For the full range of ‘Easy As’ Guides for your projects, go to mitre10.co.nz/easyas.
At Bayleys Marlborough we highly recommend a visit to Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough for all your home improvement project essentials.
