Dr Compost - Bokashi Buckets - Wānaka Wastebusters

VEGE FILES

Dr Compost’s best tips, tricks and advice for growing common vegetables in our region.

The Vege files

Download below Dr Composts best tips, tricks and advice for growing common vegetables in our specific region. Each downloadable file goes into depth on they key nutrients, materials and conditions each vegetable needs to help them thrive as well as tips for success in our sometimes challenging climate straight from Dr Compost himself.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes in our fantastic five need the most care, but nothing beats a sun-ripened, garden-fresh tomato. They come in two types: determinate (bush) varieties, which produce all at once and need minimal support, and indeterminate varieties, which require staking and fruit throughout the season, often grown in tunnel/glass houses. Start seeds indoors early to ensure good-sized plants for the garden, and prep the soil with plenty of compost—big feeders mean big crops!

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LETTUCE

Lettuces are easy to grow. They are so delicious and sweet straight from the garden that your salads will taste better than ever, plus you can save a lot of money if you eat them regularly. There is a huge variety of lettuces and mesculin mixes, some of which do better at different times of year depending on light, heat and moisture levels. Lettuces can cope with light frosts so are ideal for early spring growing.

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BEANS

There are many types of beans to grow, from runners and dwarf beans to broad beans. Heritage varieties have fun names like Devil’s Defiance and Grandparent’s Takamatua Black. Sow beans directly into the ground in late October or start in pots earlier, except broad beans, traditionally sown on Anzac Day. Plant bush (dwarf) beans 30 cm apart and sow frequently as they crop all at once. Pole beans (runners/climbers) provide a continuous supply.

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carrots

Carrots prefer less-rich soil and often thrive after another crop without extra compost. Avoid hard, dry soil by forking in leaf mould or adding a light sprinkle of compost. Consider sowing green manure like lupins between rows—cut them back regularly to fix nitrogen, boost soil biology, and reduce water loss. Soil needs to be above 15°C, so in early spring, raised beds warm faster. Using a cloche for a week before sowing can help warm the soil.

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SILVER BEET

Silverbeet (also known as Swiss Chard) is the warrior of the garden plants. It’s easy to grow, almost impossible to kill and if it goes to seed, you’ll get hundreds of self-sown (free) seedlings to transplant. To harvest, cut off some of the bigger leaves at the base of the plant. Like magic it keeps growing more. This is a fantastic plant to feed your family some green goodness, especially during the winter when there’s nothing much else growing in the garden.

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COMPOSTING MADE EASY

Whether you are just starting on your composting journey or you want to improve your current composting set up, our Composting Guides will give you the knowledge to feel confident to take your composting to the next level and divert organic waste from landfill.

Cold Composting

Hot Composting

WORM FARMS

Kitchen scraps and garden waste make up a third of household waste. Putting them in the landfill can be harmful as organic waste releases methane, a climate change gas. The Dr Compost project helps people in the Queenstown Lakes district to reduce their waste and feed their soil by composting at home. Dr Compost is funded by Queenstown Lakes District Council and delivered by Wastebusters.