Kumeu Strawberries: Sweetness of the Season at Vineyard Cottages
If there’s one scent that signals summer in Kumeu, it’s strawberries—sun-warmed, ruby-red, and bursting with juicy sweetness. At Vineyard Cottages,…
August is one of our favourite months in the garden – a time of quiet excitement, muddy boots, and muddy dogs (let’s be honest). The days are still brisk, but there’s a shift in the air – longer light, the odd brave blossom, and the promise of spring just around the corner.
At Vineyard Cottages, we’re already dreaming of what will be on the table in a few months’ time. That means seed trays are filling up fast, the greenhouse is getting steamy (in a good way), and we’re gently coaxing the first signs of life from some of our favourite veggies and herbs.
From globe artichokes and eggplants to sweet marjoram and strawberries, there’s a real mix of cool-season stalwarts and summer stars getting their start this month. Some go straight into the soil, others need a cosy start under cover – but all of them are part of the delicious plans we have for our kitchen and your plate.
So pop the kettle on, pull on your gumboots, and have a scroll through what we’re planting this August. And if you’re staying with us soon, keep an eye out – you might just spot the first green shoots poking up in the garden beds!
| Vegetable/Herb/Fruit | Planting Instructions |
|---|---|
| Artichokes (Globe) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks. Bring on in pots |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns. Frost tender |
| Beetroot (also Beets) | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Broccoli | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Burdock (also Gobo) | Sow seed |
| Cabbage | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Cape Gooseberry | Sow seed |
| Capsicum (Bell/Sweet peppers) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks. Sow in pots |
| Carrot | Sow seed |
| Cauliflower | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Celeriac | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Celery | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Chilli peppers (Hot peppers) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks. Sow in pots |
| Chives | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Collards | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Cucumber | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Daikon (Japanese radish) | Sow seed |
| Dill | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Eggplant (Aubergine) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Endive | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Fennel (Bronze fennel) | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Florence Fennel (Finocchio) | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Kale | Sow seed |
| Kohlrabi | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings |
| Leeks | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Lemon Balm | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Lettuce | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Luffa (Loofah) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Mint | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Onion | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Parsley | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Parsnip | Sow seed |
| Peas | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Potato | Plant seed potatoes |
| Pumpkin | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Radish | Sow seed |
| Rocket (Arugula/Rucola) | Sow seed |
| Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings |
| Snow Peas | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Spinach | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings or sow seed |
| Spring Onions | Start in seed trays or plant out (transplant) seedlings |
| Squash (Summer squash) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Strawberries (from seed) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Strawberry Plants | Plant out (transplant) seedlings |
| Sweet Marjoram | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Thyme | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
| Turnip | Sow seed |
| Watermelon | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks. Frost tender |
| Zucchini (Courgette/Marrow) | Begin in seed trays indoors and move plants outside in 4–6 weeks |
Happy Planting!
