Your Garden Coach NZ

Supporting Soil Microbiology: Are You Feeding What You Can't See?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 48:04

Season 3 Episode 2100:00 Intro00:20 Podcast Update01:57 Tea of the Week Raspberry, Peppermint, and Lemon03:27 Moon Phase - Sowing and Planting until 4th March08:07 Tasks of the Week12:27 Phenology15:25 Tip of the Week - Perennial Vegetables19:41 Herb of the Week - Feverfew25:58 Main Topic - Why we leave roots in the soil 36:50 Dishes With Del - Zucchini/Courgette recipe46:00 Book of the Week - The Secrets of Great Botanists by Matthew Biggs46:41 Glossary - Cultivar - Cultivated Variety47:27 OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Planting a Tea Garden: Are You Growing What You'll Actually Use?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 31:20

Season 3 Episode 20 00:00 Intro 02:24 Tea of the week: Peppermint and Ginger 03:59 Moon Phase: 14th and 15th root crops, then cutivate until 19th 06:04 Tasks of the Week 09:02 Tip of the Week 09:59 Veg of the Week: Kale 15:16 Dishes with Del: Kale recipes 19:40 Main Topic: Planting a Tea Garden 30:21 Book of the Week: Wild Tea by Nick Moyle and Richard Hood 30:35 Glossary Word: Infusion 30:50 Outro Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Winter Tunnel House: Are You Preparing Now or Catching Up Later?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2026 45:26

Season 3 Episode 19 00:00- Intro 01:08 - Tea of the Week Lemon Bee Balm03:58 - Moon Phase Root Crops 7th & 8th then Barron Phase to 13th Feb05:00 - Task for the Week06:46 - Phenology07:49 - Tip of the Week - Lettuce09:44 - Veg of the Week Sweet corn19:00 - Dishes With Del - Sweet Corn recipes24:36 - Main Topic - Preparing Your Winter Tunnel House43:49 - Garden Journalling Workshop44:58 - OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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The Summer Harvest: Are You Picking, Pruning, and Using It All?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2026 31:46

Season 3 Episode 1900:00- Intro 00:36- Tea of the Week: Sage 02:51- Moon Phase: Sowing and Planting until 2nd February then cultivate 03:45- Planting guide for February 10:07- Dr Compost teaser 11:18- The Summer Harvest: picking, pruning and preventing waste 18:58- Veg of the week: Cucumber 21:52- Dishes with Del: Cucumber recipes 28:53- Book of the week: The Abundant Gardener by Niva & Yotam Kay30:32- Outro Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Leafy Greens – Why Every Garden Needs a Steady Crop Like This

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2026 29:18

Season 3, Episode 1700:00 – Intro01:10 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Apple & Lemon Balm02:54 – Moon Phase: Sowing and Planting03:15 – Garden Tasks03:58 – Powdery Mildew09:29 – Phenology10:23 – Microclimate10:50 – Main Topic: Leafy Greens20:39 – Vegetable of the Week: Beetroot22:20 – Dishes with Del: Beetroot Recipe25:48 – Book of the Week: Your Own Garden Diary27:20 – Glossary Word: Veriditas28:54 – OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Garlic - A Slow Crop With Big Rewards

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026 36:40

Season 3 Episode 16 00:00 – Intro01:23 – Herbal Tea of the Week: German Chamomile & Lavender03:34 – Introducing Maura10:11 – Moon Phase: Cultivate until 20 January, then Sowing and Planting10:36 – Garden Tasks13:15 – Phenology13:56 – Microclimate15:01 – Guest: Vera Yakzhik from Alpine Blooms Flower Farm 16:26 – Tip of the Week: Soft Pruning 17:26 – Vegetable of the Week: Scallopini 19:04 – Dishes with Del: Scallopini Recipes 25:29 – Main Topic: Garlic 32:11 – Book of the Week: Horticurious 32:44 – Glossary Word: Permaculture 33:14 – OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Strawberries – What Keeps Them Happy All Summer Long?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 46:24

Season 3 Episode 15 00:00 – Intro01:24 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Mullien03:41 – Interview with Vera Yakzhik from Alpine Blooms Flower Farm20:48 – Moon Phase: Barren until the 14th, then 15th–16th for Root Crops21:28 – Garden Tasks22:38 – Phenology23:14 – Microclimate24:22 – Tip of the Week: Stress + Fertiliser = Problems25:53 – Main Topic: Strawberries34:22 – Vegetable of the Week: Eggplant (Aubergine)35:57 – Dishes with Del: Eggplant Recipes40:29 – Book of the Week: Future Steading by Jade Miles 41:02 – Glossary Word: Future Steading41:25 – OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Heat-Proofing Your Summer Garden – What Helps Plants Cope When the Heat Arrives?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2026 45:25

Season 3 Episode 1400:00 – Intro01:00 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Lemon Verbena iced tea 03:20 – Moon Phase: Sowing and Planting, Cultivate & Root Crops04:48 – Garden Tasks07:04 – Phenology08:30 – Microclimate11:05 – Tip of the Week: Dry Soil Test12:29 – Vegetable of the Week: Beans18:47 – Dishes with Del: Beans23:13 – Main Topic: Heat-Proofing Your Summer Garden26:06 – Guest Interview: Jo Wakelin on her Dry Garden35:58 – Glossary Word: Xeriscaping36:25 – Book of the Week: Soil by Matthew Evans 38:51 – OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Mast Years: Are We Paying Attention to One of Nature's Most Powerful Cycles?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 33:12

Season 3 Episode 1300:00 – Intro01:16 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Echinacea03:33 – Moon Phase: Sowing and Planting04:18 – Garden Tasks06:39 – Phenology: Zone 308:15 – Microclimate: Zone 109:38 – Secret Gardens: Host Jo at Greenhills Paradise10:43 – Tip of the Week: Harvesting and Storing Chillies12:35 – Dishes with Del: Chillies15:34 – Vegetable of the Week: Chillies18:01 – Book of the Week: Red Hot Chilli Grower RHS 18:44 – Glossary Word: Scoville Scale (measures chilli heat) 20:02 – Main Topic: Mast YearSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Zucchini: Are You Growing More Than You Can Use?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2025 29:24

Season 3 Episode 1200:00 – Intro00:33 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Cherry01:58 – Interview with Costa Georgiadis09:17 – Moon Phase: Sowing and Planting10:41 – Garden Tasks11:30 – Phenology12:58 – Tip of the Week: Regional Sowing Guide14:31 – Vegetable of the Week: Zucchini17:53 – Dishes with Del: Baba Ganoush & Zucchini Salad21:38 – Book of the Week: The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben 25:19 – Glossary Word: MycorrhizaHappy Gardening! Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Bonus Episode: Farm My School - How a Regenerative School Farm Brings Community Back to Life

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 27:32

The background story of the Farm My School project which Ali had the pleasure of taking part in on her recent visit to Victoria, Australia.Farm My School is a not-for-profit organisation which collaborates with schools to transform their underutilised grounds into regenerative farms that nourish, educate and connect communities.Huge thanks to James McLennan for making time to share this incredible passion project with Your Garden Coach NZ.Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Tomatoes – Do You Know Whether Yours Are Determinate or Indeterminate?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 26:16

Season 3 Episode 11 00:41 – Herbal Tea of the Week02:05 – Plastic Tea Bags: What You Should Know?05:03 – James' Interview Introduction06:50 – Moon Phases09:05 – Tasks of the Week11:11 – Phenology12:00 – Coastal Microclimate12:50 – Maintaining Tomato Plants14:50 – Vegetable of the Week16:48 – Dishes with Del20:33 – Summer Foraging23:37 – Book of the Week: Foraging – Peter Langlands 24:12 – Glossary Word: Foraging Hook 24:57 – Wrap Up / OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Fruit Tree Pruning: Are You Helping or Hindering Your Orchard?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2025 36:02

Season 3 Episode 10 00:18 – Intro00:44 – Herbal Tea of the Week02:44 – Moon Phase04:44 – Garden Tasks07:02 – Phenology09:13 – Microclimate10:36 – Tip of the Week15:00 – Fruit of the Week22:26 – Jason Ross Interview29:32 – Book of the Week30:30 – Glossary Word: Spur31:25 – Del's Christmas Cake35:06 – Wrap Up / OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz and follow us on socials @yourgardencoachnz

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Dead Soil in Pots: Can You Bring It Back to Life?

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 31:18

Season 3 Episode 9 00:05 – Intro 00:42 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Yarrow Leaf Tea 02:22 – Glossary Word: Umbelliferous (umbrella-shaped flower head) 04:52 – Microclimate: Late-spring cues & what's flowering/fruiting 07:11 – Foraging Guide 10:33 – Moon Calendar 12:52 – Reviving Tired Potting Mix 20:26 – Dishes with Del: Oregano – chimichurri, salsa verde & walnut pesto 24:31 – Tip of the Week: Glasshouse vs outdoor zucchini 29:01 – Book of the Week: Your Asian Veggie Patch – Connie Cao 30:29 – OutroSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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Parsnips: Tough, Sweet and Slow to Germinate… But Worth the Wait?

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 40:58

Season 3 Episode 8- Parsnips00:00 – Intro 00:52 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Lemonbalm04:30 – Phenology 06:55 – Moon Calendar: • Cultivate phase until 21st • 22nd onward: Sowing & planting13:09 – Vegetable of the Week: Parsnip23:38 – Perennial Pick: Chives26:38 – Dishes with Del: Homemade Boursin Cheese30:48 – Microclimate 34:30 – Tip of the Week: What to do if your compost tea smells sour35:58 – Book of the Week: Veg in One Bed - Huw Richards 39:58 – OutroIf you're growing with us each week- with the moon, with the seasons, and with intention. Grab your garden diary and settle in. Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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Rhubarb & Hugelkulture S3 Ep 7

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2025 32:36

Rhubarb, Hugelkultur & The Health of the EarthEpisode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:18 – Herbal Tea of the Week: Rhubarb Tea — tart, refreshing, and surprisingly versatile 03:48 – Dishes with Del: Poached Rhubarb (absolutely divine) 07:10 – Vegetable of the Week: Rhubarb — how to grow it well, myths busted, and why it's such a great perennial investment 16:30 – Moon Phases This Week: • Barren phase • 16th–17th: Root crop window • 18th–21st: Cultivate phase — get beds ready for sowing & transplanting 18:55 – Our Health, Her Health: how the health of the Earth mirrors our own 21:26 – Hugelkultur: Sepp Holzer's clever closed-loop design for building long-term soil fertility 31:25 – OutroIf you're growing with us each week — with the moon, with the seasons, and with intention — grab your garden diary and settle in. Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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S3 Ep 6

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 40:16

This Week on Your Garden Coach NZFrom mint in your teacup to pumpkins in your patch, Ali and Hannah guide you through what to plant, pick, and plan for this late-spring moon cycle.Time stamps0.00 Intro1.23 Mint Tea2.08 Mint History, uses, varieties, how to grow and store8.05 Dishes with Del- Mint Syrup, Mint Chutney.10.00 Vegetable of the Week – Pumpkin and Squash 25.00 Should we plant out at Labour Weekend?27.19 Garden Tasks this week – Late Spring – Moon Cycles31.20 More Garden tasks38.19 Tip of the WeekHappy gardening!Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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S3 Ep 5 Spinach

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2025 36:02

Thank you for your lovely feedback, and suggestions for content - it's so good to know what you'd like to learn, or refresh in your memory. 00:09 Intro00:35 Tea of the week: Nettle Tea05:22 Phenology07:43 Moon Phases08:18 What to plant08:59 Spring Rains10:37 Vegetable of the week: Spinach15:50 Spinach Dishes with Del Green Shakshuka & Sag Panneer - www.disheswithdel.com/blog/saag-halloumi-aka-saag-paneer-but-with-halloumi17:56 Annuals vs Bi-Annuals vs Bi-ennial18:52 Perennials26:50 Micro Climates29:24 Seed Saving30:57 Vandana Shiva - https://navdanyainternational.org/32:57 Tip of the Week: Harden off Seedlings33:29 Book of the Week: Hands in the Dirt Have a listen to our Podcast Season 1 Ep 10 for our chat with Leah34:25 Wrap Up.Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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S3 Ep 4 Potatoes

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 43:04

This week we talk to Del, from Dishes with Del, our super chef with a bubbly 'can do' attitude to using up a glut of produce. TimestampsWe begin with a nice cup of Sage leaf tea3.50 Dishes with Del6.33 Veg of the week - Potatoes11.35 Crop Rotation21.00 Phenology - Dandelion24.05 Garden Tasks - Frost reminder - Waning phase - Barren Period35.20 Food Forest guidelines38.52 Book of the Week - The Self-Sufficiency Garden - Huw Richards & Sam CooperSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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S3 Ep 3 Blueberries and Raspberries

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 53:42

Right Plant, Right Place – Root Crops & BerriesIn this episode, It's the October full-moon gardening phase — a perfect time to cultivate soil and sow root crops across all four NZ planting zones. You'll learn what to plant now, how to get the best results in your region, and why this phase of the moon is ideal for “spoiling your soil.”Our Fruit of the Week takes a closer look at blueberries and raspberries — where they came from, how they've adapted, and why their specific soil and climate needs truly reinforce our mantra: right plant, right place. Discover the fascinating history of these berries, from Roman gardens and North American forests to New Zealand's modern orchards — now spanning around 800 hectares and up to two million blueberry plants nationwide! This week's Tea of the Week is Dandelion Tea — the humble lawn weed that doubles as a spring cleanser — and we review two brilliant books:

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Season 3 Episode 2

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 31:05

Episode SummarySpring has to be one of the four best seasons - and we've packed this episode with ideas to get you motivated in the garden.Hannah, my new co-host, has learned the ropes quickly, and I'm so grateful for her company, editing skills, and lively garden conversations.Today's tea is Rosemary - known for its stimulating, energising qualities. In the Language of Flowers (Floriography), rosemary symbolises affectionate remembrance, memory, love, and friendship. Traditionally, it's been used as a token of remembrance at funerals and as a sign of love and loyalty at weddings. Students in ancient Greece even tucked sprigs behind their ears to sharpen memory during exams. Modern science now confirms that rosemary may gently boost memory and focus, thanks to its unique brain-protective compounds.TimestampsWe will update this asapLinks Mentioned in this EpisodeBeth Chatto – www.bethchatto.co.ukWe discuss Beth Chatto's Essex garden and nursery. Ali visited in May and was especially inspired by the Dry Garden, bringing home many tips to reinforce Beth's mantra: “Right plant, right place.”Book of the WeekThe Dry Garden by Beth ChattoAvailable to order at Next Chapter Bookshop, Wānaka. https://www.nextchapterwanaka.co.nz/Next EpisodeTesting the pH in your soil and how to amend it for different crops.Support the ShowContact us with your questions and topic requests: coach@yourgardencoach.nzFollow us on Instagram: @yourgardencoach_nzFacebook: Your Garden CoachExplore more gardening advice, book a personal consult, and browse podcast archives: www.yourgardencoach.nzSupport the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Seasonal listening tip: No matter where you are in the world, you can dip back into earlier episodes to match the season you're in right now. Just look at the titles (e.g. Spring Ep3) and choose the ones that line up with your own garden season — that way, the advice will always be spot-on and timely for you.

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Season 3 Ep 1 Spring Equinox and a New Beginning

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 30:34

Episode Summary: Season 3 kicks off with a heartfelt farewell to Jen and a warm welcome to Hannah as our new co-host. We jump into spring gardening with cucumbers, kawakawa tea, and homemade fertiliser hacks using weed, manure, and compost teas. Plus, we explore the history behind The Apothecaries' Garden at the Chelsea Physic Garden, highlight seed libraries, and reflect on the Spring Equinox. Timestamps: 00:10 - Introduction 00:37 - Farewell to Jen 02:10 – Introducing Hannah 04:55 - Tea of the Week: Kawakawa 07:44 - Sowing & Planting 10:55 - Seasonal Jobs 15:03 – Vegetable of the Week 15:38 – Plant History 16:50 – Book Review 22:03 – This Week's Garden Hacks 27:07 – September Round-Up 27:50 - Pumpkin Power Competition 29:06 – Wrap Up Links mentioned in this episode: In this episode, we discussed the Chelsea Physic Garden, London's oldest botanic garden - home to over 4,500 medicinal, edible, and useful plants www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Ali couldn't leave the gift shop until she'd bought a copy of: Sue Minter's Book – The Apothecaries' Garden A New History of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sue Minter examines its history and many notable achievements. Available to order at Next Chapter Bookshop, Wanaka Next Episode:.... Beth Chatto: Ali shares observations from her visit to this Essex, UK garden Support the show You can contact us with your questions and topic requests at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Follow us on Instagram @yourgardencoach_nz and Facebook, Your Garden Coach where we regularly upload interesting gardening tips and share our podcast community's successes And don't forget to head to our website www.yourgardencoach.nz for more in-depth gardening advice, to book a personal garden consult, and to search topics in the podcast archives. Happy Gardening! Support the showYou can contact us at coach@yourgardencoach.nz Please follow our Instagram page @yourgardencoach_nz where we regularly upload interesting gardening tips Our website is under construction, as you know good things take time.Keep a lookout for http://yourgardencoach.nz We hope you enjoy our podcast, designed for gardeners in the Central Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand - but not exclusively. Join us from wherever you happen to be and simply check the title of the podcast. e.g. Spring Ep1. to fit in with the season in your location.

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Summer Season 2 Episode 15

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 15:14

Send us a textThis week is all about getting ahead with your next round of crops! Preparing for the next round of succession sowing and planting. Yes, it's time to start thinking about those Winter crops—eek!