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Transplanting seedlings

Transplanting seedlings

by Kat | Aug 9, 2026 | Foundation, Grow, Spring—Kōanga

Set your seedlings up for success by applying some botanical fundamentals while planting out or moving them in your vegetable garden.

Does your vegetable garden feel overwhelming?

Does your vegetable garden feel overwhelming?

by Kat | Aug 2, 2026 | Autumn—Ngahuru, Gardening calendar, Grow, Learn, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati, Winter—Hōtoke

Mine too! Here’s how I’ve learned to feel the overwhelm and harvest food anyway. Get unstuck and make your vegetable garden grow again.

Choosing seed potatoes

Choosing seed potatoes

by Kat | Jul 19, 2026 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Winter—Hōtoke

Can you grow the potatoes sprouting in the pantry? How we choose our seed potatoes, buy the right amount, and prepare for planting season.

When to plant potatoes: a step-by-step guide

When to plant potatoes: a step-by-step guide

by Kat | Jul 18, 2026 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati, Top posts

Potato planting begins for most of New Zealand in September. Learn when’s best for your garden, and tips to get the best out of your plants.

Caring for garlic

Caring for garlic

by Kat | Jun 21, 2026 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Winter—Hōtoke

Avoiding rust, fertilising, mulching, and harvesting scapes. Everything you need to get your garlic through the season, to a good harvest.

Growing food from kitchen scraps

Growing food from kitchen scraps

by Kat | Apr 12, 2026 | Grow, Pandemic Gardening, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati

You don’t need to buy seeds to start growing food. Your weekly grocery shop is full of ways to get your garden pumping.

Māra kūmara

Māra kūmara

by Kat | Nov 23, 2025 | Grow, Life, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati

This year I’ve re-introduced kūmara into my garden.

Growing peanuts in New Zealand

Growing peanuts in New Zealand

by Kat | Aug 31, 2025 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati

What I’ve learned about growing peanuts over the last three seasons.

Planting comfrey under fruit trees

Planting comfrey under fruit trees

by Kat | Jul 16, 2023 | Autumn—Ngahuru, Grow, Spring—Kōanga

Organic farmers know comfrey as a ‘dynamic accumulator’ – bringing deeply buried nutrients to the surface to feed my fruit trees.

Make your own pruning sealer

Make your own pruning sealer

by Kat | Jul 2, 2023 | Autumn—Ngahuru, Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati, Winter—Hōtoke

Seal and protect fresh wounds on trees with this no-fuss pruning paste made from common household ingredients.

Vegetables that pay off

Vegetables that pay off

by Kat | Oct 23, 2022 | Autumn—Ngahuru, Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati

All things considered, what vegetables deliver the best returns on investment in the garden?

The dreaded garlic rust

The dreaded garlic rust

by Kat | Oct 3, 2021 | Grow, Life, Spring—Kōanga, Winter—Hōtoke

One of the worst things that could happen to a garlic grower has struck us this year: rust. So, what will I do?

Square foot gardening

Square foot gardening

by Kat | Aug 8, 2021 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati, Top posts

Low rainfall in summer each year means my garden always suffers. This year, I’m planning to share our water with one bed that really pumps… and grows everything.

How to grow ginger (Zingibar officiale)

How to grow ginger (Zingibar officiale)

by Kat | Aug 1, 2021 | Grow, Spring—Kōanga, Summer—Raumati

A surprisingly simple and satisfying little crop to grow. Find out how to take a small piece from the supermarket and turn it into a year’s supply of ginger!

Xeronema callistemon (Poor Knight’s Lily)

Xeronema callistemon (Poor Knight’s Lily)

by Kat | Jan 24, 2021 | Grow, Life, Spring—Kōanga, Top posts

How I fell in love with and acquired a new native plant for my collection.

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About Kat

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Kat is a gardener and purrveyor of Kat's Nip. Most Sundays she writes about her life on her lifestyle block in Te Hiku (Far North), New Zealand.

Latest posts

  • Transplanting seedlings
  • Does your vegetable garden feel overwhelming?
  • Maybe she’s born for it
  • Choosing seed potatoes
  • When to plant potatoes: a step-by-step guide

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