April in New Zealand is a great month for gardening enthusiasts. Autumn has set in and the cooler weather brings with it the perfect conditions for planting and growing a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Home gardening is a great way to stay active and healthy, and it also helps you save on groceries by growing your own produce. Here are a few tips that will help to ensure your garden stays in shape for the coming months.
1. Prepare your soil: Before planting anything, it’s important to prepare your soil for the growing season. Turn over the soil using a garden fork or spade, remove any weeds, and add our organic humate with – if available – well-rotted manure to make it rich in nutrients.
2. Plant winter vegetables: April is the perfect time to plant a variety of winter vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and spinach. These vegetables thrive in cooler weather and will provide you with a fresh and healthy harvest throughout the winter.
3. Sow root vegetables: Root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and turnips can be sown in April. These vegetables take longer to mature, so the earlier you plant them, the better they will grow. Don’t forget to use a small handful of or organic humate mixed in with the topsoil to greatly improve the growth.
4. Plant garlic: Garlic can be planted in April for a harvest in early summer. Garlic prefers a sunny location with well-draining soil.
5. Prune fruit trees: April is a great time to prune fruit trees such as apples, pears, and plums. This helps to promote healthy growth and prevents the tree from becoming too bushy.
6. Prepare your lawn: Autumn is also the perfect time to give your lawn some TLC. Remove any dead leaves or debris and give your lawn a good mow to keep it neat and tidy. This is also a great time to fertilize and reseed any thin or bare patches.
7. Plant spring bulbs: If you want to ensure a beautiful garden in spring, plant bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths in April. These bulbs need time to grow and mature before they bloom in spring. To maximise the blooms try soaking the bulbs in our liquid humate. Make up a solution in a bucket and let soak for an hour or so and then plant – the difference in growth will amaze you!
Our humate products are now available in Bunnings so hop along there and grab a bag or two for your autumn gardening – I am sure you will be delighted that you did!
Happy gardening folks😊