Summer is a time of abundance, and November is the best month to prepare. The plants of late winter and early spring are ready to harvest and now it's time to think about planting heat-loving vegetables that thrive in the long days of the classic Kiwi summer.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE SEASON
Water-Based Veggies (Cucurbits)
Squash, zucchini, watermelon, cucumber - these are the classic, watery, summer fruits that can be grown in the Pod across New Zealand. You can even give melons a try too, just be sure your Vegepod is a large and you don’t plant too many seeds - a maximum of four to five seeds per hill.
Solanaceous Veggies
Also known as the nightshade family, many members of this class of veggies are highly toxic, however, the common tomato and capsicums are also part of this family, and they can be grown in the Vegepod! For tomatoes, because they grow on the vine, you can plant them even in a small Vegepod. Just make sure you snake the tommies along with the Vegepod garden cover. We love seeing baby tomato varieties pressed up against the sides of the protective canopy! Capsicums, however, do their best in deep, warm and well-drained soil.
Herbs
Summer is an abundant time for herbs such as basil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, mint, parsley, sage...the list goes on. However, if you’re considering planting herbs in the Vegepod - do it soon! The seeds need time to germinate before the harsher, hotter months. Parsley, sage, and thyme will do particularly well if they’re planted before the high heats hit.
Beans, Beans, Beans
Beans truly are the universal vegetable. You can plant any number of varieties at any time of year, however, for summer, we recommend the hardier varieties such as snap beans (a.k.a string beans). The same principle applies to beans as it does for tomatoes. Snake the climbing varieties along the Vegepod garden cover or you can choose a self-supporting bush - there are many dwarf versions for this.
Good luck and happy planting! Extra tip: plant the beans, capsicum and thyme next to each other for a happy party in your Vegepod. Don’t forget to send in photos of your summer harvest when the fruits finally arrive. We love the vibrant images of summertime fruits and vegetables grown in our customers Vegepods!