by Metropol | October 15, 2025 8:35 am
1. Pumpkins & squash
Tasty and versatile, pumpkins are easy to grow and can look the part in your garden when trained up a trellis. Plant your seeds point down in a sunny, large spot with nutrient-rich soil, and continuously feed every few weeks with vegetable food. Keep your pumpkin plants well-watered in warm weather.
Meal inspiration: aside from the beloved pumpkin and feta salads, take roasted pumpkin up a notch by drizzling a yoghurt sauce and pine nuts atop to serve as a side dish.
2. Capsicums
Capsicums brighten up any garden, and any summer salad or roast vegetable dish. Start by choosing your favourite variety, from Californian Wonder and Midas to Sweet Banana and Sweet Conical. Capsicums thrive in warm, sunny spots in soil mixed with organic matter and fertiliser. Aim to keep the roots cool and moist. Capsicums change colour and taste as they mature, so pick at different growth stages relative to your flavour preference.
Meal inspiration: utilise capsiscum in fresh salads, or level it up with a summer pasta salad.
3. Courgettes & marrows
A classic Kiwi summer staple, courgettes are delicious in salads, stir-fries, quiches, and roasted or barbecued. Plant seedlings around 50 to 80cm apart in a warm, sunny spot. Prepare soil with compost and sheep pellets, and plant into a layer of vegetable mix. Feed regularly with vegetable food and water for a bountiful harvest.
Meal inspiration: try a shaved courgette salad with stonefruit, or a simple grilled dish seasoned with garlic powder and olive oil.
4. Tomatoes
From cherry to heirloom, early girl to roma, tomatoes make up a key part of our summer diet. Tomatoes need a good period of warm weather to thrive, so don’t worry if you plant a little late. Plant into a specialty potting mix if possible, and utilise stakes to support and dictate growth. Water deeply and often.
Meal inspiration: tomato basil pasta is a favourite for many, and can be made with a range of pasta types. Or, if you’re hosting or bringing a plate, whip up a delicious Caprese salad. All you need is tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, and a sprinkling of pepper and drizzling of olive oil. Light, easy, vibrant.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/christmas-dinner-countdown/
Copyright ©2025 Metropol unless otherwise noted.