Summer is approaching, so sowing and planting out bedding can begin in most parts of New Zealand. The lawn will be in full growth, and you can sow new lawns or repair existing lawns with confidence in good seed strike. Bulbs will be fading but borders will be growing at full pace.

Plant Vegetables

Artichoke, Climbing Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chilli, Eggplant, Fennel, Gherkin, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Okra, Onion, Pak Choi, Pea, Pumpkin, Radish, Rock Melon, Silver Beet, Snow Pea, Squash, Swede, Sweet Corn, Tomato, Turnip, Watermelon, Zucchini

Plant Herbs

Basil, Chamomile Lawn, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Mint, Mustard Greens, Parsley, Rocket, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, Watercress.

Plant Flowers

Alyssum, Aquilegia, Calendula, Cineraria, Cornflower, Cosmos, Dahlia, Delphinium, Gypsophilia, Livingstone Daisy, Lobelia, Lupin, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phacelia, Poppy, Sunflower, Swan Plant, Sweet Pea, Zinnia

Create a water-wise garden

• Before you water, stick your finger a few centimetres into the soil to check the moisture content. Sometimes soil looks dry on top, but it’s moist a few centimetres below or you can use the McGregors Moisture, Light and pH Meter to keep an eye on all levels below.
• Water less frequently, but more deeply. This will encourage your plants to develop deeper root systems, which are more drought-resistant (the temperature can be up to 5°C cooler just 10cm below the soil).
• Use a fine nozzle to water new seedlings using an adjustable hose nozzle.
• Water established beds by flooding: place the tip of the hose pipe right into the garden bed, so that minimal water is lost to evaporation.
• Water indoor plants regularly, but not too much - a small watering can help control over watering
• Avoid watering on windy days, as the wind accelerates evaporation. It’s also best to water before 9am in the morning or after 5pm in the evening, rather than during the heat of the day.

Feed and grow

November is one of the most important months for feeding your garden. 80% of the total annual growth of plants happens between September and December every year, so it’s essential to feed your plants during this period. December can often be too warm to feed plants (and lawns), so November is your chance to really boost your garden in preparation for a beautiful summer display.

• Make sure to feed your tomatoes and keep them well watered - feed them with McGregor's Fruit and Flower Fertiliser and water regularly to reduce the chance to blight.
• Remove laterals from your tomato plants to encourage larger growth using 200mm Garden Snips.
• Make sure tomatoes have adequate support and protection from birds by using stakes and netting. See the McGregor's full range of stakes and ties here.
• Cucumbers require fertile soil - keep an eye on your pH levels and adjust with more/less fertiliser accordingly.
  
• Fertilise roses with a good quality rose food such as PlantMax
• Make sure you are regularly planting salad greens so they will be ready for Summer Salads.

Other fresh ideas

Space out planting of lettuce and salad greens to every 7 days so that you can harvest regularly rather than all once