Summer bods gardens are built in the winter.
I don’t know about you, but i’m finally starting to see some light at the end of the Winter tunnel. The days are getting longer, the spring bulbs are starting to bloom… and while the temperatures are less than comfortable, I have HOPE that the beautiful summer days of blooming abundance are just around the corner.
Suddenly every garden centre is overflowing with colour and the promise of summer produce and it’s easy to get carried away! Filling the boot with flowers, herbs, and veggie seedlings with all the enthusiasm in the world.
And then they all died… But Why?!
But here’s the truth: a little planning, preparation, and patience now can save you a lot of disappointment later.
Whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard in Canterbury or a sunny balcony in Auckland, these five beginner-friendly tips will help you avoid the mistakes I made, and set you up for a thriving and productive garden this season.
1. Know Your Climate | Just because you can buy it doesn’t mean it’s time to plant.
Here’s the thing: New Zealand may be small, but our climate zones vary a lot.
- North Island: Spring tends to arrive early, and frost risk drops away sooner. This means you can often get your warm-season plants into the ground earlier.
- South Island: Patience is key! Late frosts can sneak in well into October (or even November in alpine areas). While you might feel like you’re behind schedule, it’s a better idea to delay planting out anything that is frost tender.
Beginner mistake: Planting frost-sensitive crops flowers (like, Zinnias, Dahlias, Tomatoes, Zuchinni) the first warm weekend, only to have them wiped out by a cold snap. (and cry like a baby while blaming your husband for mowing the lawns and making the garden colder…)
Lesson learned: Check your estimated last frost date before planting. You can use frost cloths to protect early plantings, but sometimes it’s better to wait a couple of weeks for the soil to warm properly. Your plants will thank you by growing stronger, faster.
2. Is your Soil somewhere that plants WANT to live?
Healthy soil (dirt, not potting mix) is the foundation of every great garden. Without it, you’re basically asking your plants to run a marathon on an empty stomach.
“if you don’t cover the soil, nature will do it for you” - weeds everywhere.
Healthy plants rely on complex interactions between fungi, beneficial organisms (nematodes, worms etc) good bacteria and organic matter to create the perfect environment for plants to thrive. If that sounds scary and complicated - just think “i need to feed my dirt with plenty of water and a plant based diet”
- Loosen compacted soil by lightly lifting with a fork.
- Add compost, green mulch (grass clippings, leaves, pea straw) or well-rotted manure to top dress and let the bugs do the work mixing it in.
Beginner mistake: Skipping soil prep and planting straight into chalky, tired dirt. The result? Plants that look fine at first, then stall, yellow, and sulk. Organic matter is neccessary to help it hold on to moisture and nutrients.
Lesson learned: Treat your soil like the secret ingredient in a recipe. It might not be glamorous, but it makes all the difference.