Growing Guide

Quick Start Checklist

Plan Your Beds

Choose 3–4 crops your whānau eats every week.
Pair each bed with one pollinator or herb for support.
Sketch a 2×1 m layout using the planner template.

Feed Living Soil

Layer 5 cm of compost or rotted manure before planting.
Add straw or leaves to lock in moisture and feed microbes.
Water deeply once a week instead of light daily sprinkles.

Weekly Rhythm

Monday: check moisture, pinch off yellow leaves.
Wednesday: sow quick growers & top-up mulch.
Weekend: harvest, tidy beds, update the plan.

Cover Concepts

Three directions for the cover artwork. Each option keeps the title front and centre while shifting the tone from earthy to modern.

Let's Grow Home Growing Guide Seasonal Playbooks & Checklists

Concept A — Forest Gradient

Deep greens echo the garden beds and existing site palette.
Soft light leaks brighten the title while keeping it legible.
Edition badge anchors launch year / future updates.

Let's Grow Home Growing Guide Kitchen-to-Garden Playbook grow • share • nourish

Concept B — Sunrise Layers

Warm dawn tones signal optimism and fresh starts.
Layered gradients add movement without needing photography.
Tagline bar reinforces the guide's purpose at a glance.

Let's Grow Home Growing Guide A calm seasonal companion for confident home growers. LGH

Concept C — Minimal Blocks

Airy neutral palette suits print exports and presentation decks.
Structured layout highlights "Growing Guide" with maximum clarity.
Monogram accent keeps the brand present without clutter.

Pick the concept that resonates and we'll finalise artwork for the published guide and PDF downloads.

Visual Playbooks

Screenshots you can copy at a glance. Tap into the playbook that matches what you are working on this week.

Screenshot of a companion planting garden layout

Planting Layout

Map Beds in Minutes

Use companion combos like tomato + basil + marigold.
Leave a 40 cm airflow lane between tall crops.
Rotate heavy feeders each season to rest the soil.

Download the worksheet

Screenshot showing layered compost ingredients

Compost Corner

Build a Healthy Pile

Alternate 2 parts brown (dry leaves) with 1 part green (scraps).
Keep it as damp as a wrung-out sponge and cover tight.
Flip monthly; ready compost looks dark, fluffy, and sweet.

See the compost recipe

Screenshot of inspecting leaves for pests in the garden

Pest Patrol

Spot Issues Early

Check leaf undersides weekly for eggs and chew marks.
Knock off aphids with a soap spray, then rinse with water.
Invite allies: calendula, dill, and fennel feed ladybirds.

Troubleshooting flowchart

Seasonal Rhythm

Use these touch points as your living calendar. Each card is a screenshot in progress—tick them off digitally or print them for the shed.

Prep & Sow

Check soil temp (aim for 12 °C before corn or beans).
Sow leafy greens every 2 weeks for continuous salads.
Install hoops or cloches for surprise cold snaps.

Feed & Train

Side-dress tomatoes and peppers with worm castings monthly.
Use soft ties to lift vines; prune for airflow on still days.
Mulch paths with woodchips to keep moisture and weeds down.

Protect & Enjoy

Release beneficial insects at dusk for best coverage.
Harvest in the morning, store produce in damp tea towels.
Record wins & lessons in the worksheet for next season.

Downloads & Extras

Keep these handy for planning sessions, school garden clubs, or quick refreshers before you head outside.

Full Growing Guide (PDF)

58 pages of step-by-step spring growing advice, moon planting tips, pest ID, and recipes.

Download PDF

Garden Planning Worksheet

Printable planner with blank beds, crop rotation tracker, and seasonal task list.

Download Worksheet

Interactive Garden Planner

Drag-and-drop layout to test crop spacing before you get your hands dirty.

Open Planner

Choose Your Guide

Garden Planner