by Metropol | September 2, 2026 8:33 am
Cold rain, record frosts, Antarctic southerlies. Winter in Christchurch makes us wonder if we’ll ever feel like venturing out into the garden again. Yet three days of sunshine plus warmer, drier soil and our centuries-old inbuilt urge to plant kicks in. Now’s the time to get started.
Is gardening free therapy?
It’s more than just growing flowers and vegetables. There’s real therapy in gardening, taking time out, and the satisfaction of growing and nurturing is a real lifesaver in these unsettled times. Get stuck into a garden project and day-to-day problems are forgotten.
First things first. Make a list of what plants need moving, what gaps need filling, what needs feeding, and what needs trimming. Stick the list on the fridge, and tick off completed jobs – ticking lists is ever so satisfying! The better the preparation, the better the results, so resist the urge to plant immediately and spend time on soil preparation which is the key to success.
Start with the vegetable garden, which is vital as we see food prices still rising. Turn the soil over to a spade depth, and mix in sheep pellets, compost, and Real Blood & Bone (double the strength of the regular product). During the season, use a side dressing of a general plant food like Nitrophoska Blue, with an occasional dose of sheep pellets, which are a fertiliser/soil conditioner/worm-encouraging combination.
Your go-to easy vege guide
My next tip: only grow what you like eating. Strawberries and berry fruits are easy; potatoes can be sprouted now; broccoli is easy and quick; lettuce handles cooler conditions; beetroot is happy from September onwards; spinach and silverbeet are reliable standbys, and pak choi prefers the moderate spring and autumn temperatures.
Plant herbs now, but hold back on basil and tomatoes until the frosts subside – unless you have a warm, sheltered spot or a glasshouse. Smaller beds (preferably raised) rather than one big area makes access simple and maintenance easy.
Spring colour in the flower garden
Roses are unbeatable with their six months of colour, scent and long vase life. The key to their success is water, regular feeding, and a good spray regime. Summer perennials and annuals are the best way to reinforce garden colour schemes – think colour, think picking, think cheerful! We have a huge choice with cosmos, lavender, petunias, lobelia, dahlias and daisies in a range of colours. Plus hydrangeas, salvias, dianthus and delphiniums.
Summer’s coming so surround yourself with your own little sanctuary of sanity.
Visit Peter’s beloved institution on the corner of Wairakei Road and Roydvale Avenue, with all kinds of goodies for the house and garden, and the café next door inspired by seasonal ingredients and fresh flair.
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