Grow your own in 2009 with NZ Gardener
 Make an early New Year’s resolution to get growing in 2009 – and keep a garden diary of your gardening trials and triumphs.
NZ Gardener magazine has published a new special edition, Garden Diary and Vegetable Growing Guide, to encourage Kiwis to grow their own fresh fruit and vegetables in 2009.
The garden diary was inspired by the magazine’s free weekly Get Growing e-newsletter, which has signed up more 13,000 keen vege gardeners since it was launched in January this year.
“Whether you want to save money at the supermarket or simply be sure that you’re feeding your family healthy, spray-free food, putting in a vegetable patch is the easiest way to get started,” says NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan.
Two years ago, Hallinan vowed to be self-sufficient in the city, growing all her own fresh fruit and vegetables and trading and bartering her excess crops to buy only meat and basic grocery items.
“Growing your own is all the rage,” says Hallinan. “Garden centres are reporting that seed sales are up by well over 25% this season, with seed potato sales doubling and seedling sales up by as much as 300% in some regions.”
“If you’re serious about growing food, it’s essential to keep a diary of what you’re sowing, growing and harvesting so you can learn as you go. Keep a diary in 2009 and, by the end of the year, you’ll be the proud author of the best gardening book you could ever ask for – one written purely for your own plot,” says Hallinan.
NZ Gardener’s Garden Diary has a weekly format with growing checklists, handy hints and more than 50 delicious seasonal recipes, plus plenty of space for writing notes.
The perfect Christmas gift for gardeners and cooks, NZ Gardener’s Garden Diary is available from 15 December at leading supermarkets and booksellers and retails for RRP $14.90.
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