Episode Playlist
Green Crop Questions Answered( 0:11:26)
Episode Information
Green crops, what are they, when do I plant them, what jolly good are they and isn't this just a living mulch? Glad you asked, because Kath Irvine is here to answer those questions and more.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 13/05/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Living Mulch - do plants compete for nutrients and water?( 0:11:26)
Episode Information
Confusion over living mulch is rampant, just like nature. Speaking of, does nature plant herself out in neat little rows? Does she get out a ruler and measure where another plant may grow? Is she like a great Police song singing "don't stand so close to me?". No, none of those things. But why? Because nature knows best. Listen in here about how great a living mulch is and how and why it's a great thing to do. And some great advice on soil. Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 6/05/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Raised beds in the garden - yay or nay?( 0:16:5)
Episode Information
Controversial episode this one. To raise ones bed or not to raise ones bed. We are still talking about gardening here, not our sleeply slumber rooms. Some advice on what or what not to do, why some beds do WAY more harm than good, and how you can raise your own beds with some natural timbers (NEVER TREATED PLEASE). Best thing ever is to just pile soil up high to allow heat to get into the soil quicker. A super packed load of info on this super interesting subject. Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 29/04/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Green Crop planting - what when how( 0:13:41)
Episode Information
Green Crop Planting - Find out why planting a variety of green crops will have you frolicking around the garden like an escaped pet rabbit. The key is different families of plants to feed soil microbes - not loads of compost. No No No. Plant a bit of legumes, tap root veggies, brassicas, borage, oat seeds all mixed together and thrown into the garden with not a care in the world. Find out more in this episode why we are being so willy nilly with the seed throwing. Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 22/04/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Kumara Harvesting( 0:11:51)
Episode Information
Kumara it turns out has it's own preferred way of being harvested, AND it can make a great indoor plant AND you can eat the leaves! AND more info in this episode of how to harvest this glorious sweet kiwi veggie. SWEEEEET... Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 15/04/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Peas - plant enough for everyone!( 0:10:41)
Episode Information
PEAS! The most grown veggie BUT the least seen in the house. Why? Because they are so darn good they get eaten before they make it out of the garden. How do we ensure our cup overfloweth? Our cup is full to foison, our cup runneth over? Well, listen in here and find out from our resident gardening guru Kath Irvine. Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 8/04/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Fruit Tree Planning( 0:9:13)
Episode Information
Fruit Trees - love a proper spot to hang out in your garden and give you wonderful gifts each year, but they will only be happy with some simple planning. Kath Irvine has GREAT tips for how to plan for these trees that will give you delight rather than dejection. Stake them out first - yes, do nothing but put a bit of wood in the ground and look up, look down, put your left foot in and shake it all about. Ok not quite like that, so listen in and find out more. Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 1/04/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Composting and Blood & Bone ( 0:11:20)
Episode Information
Compost - how to tell when it is ready and is Blood & Bone good to use. Hmmn, an interesting insight into the use of this fertiliser, and while it may be good for the garden, it may not be so good for you. We may just save you some dollars and a plastic bag or 2 in this episode.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 25/03/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Tomato Blight - what can you do about it?( 0:11:40)
Episode Information
Blighty tommies? What can be done? Well, simple things really - listen in and find out what you can do to help your crop this year, but better still, what can you do so next year is a bumper crop.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz
Published: 18/03/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Winter Crops, it's time to plant 'em( 0:12:39)
Episode Information
Winter crops already, yes, indeed. It is time to get these slow mo growing greens into the garden. Kath Irvine gives us hints on what to plant and how to plant them, even if you still want to plant them in rows. And if you have bare ground - do not despair, you can plant crops alongside and around your winter veggies and also have a go at creating a picking path while you are at it. All great stuff to get us ready for when the soil slows down because of cooler soil temperature.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 11/03/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Tis the Season to Eat Apples, fa la la la la, la la la la( 0:10:28)
Episode Information
Apples, OK nothing to do with Christmas Carols but at least we got your attention... so - apples - when are the jolly things ready, how do you pick them and how do you protect them from birds? Some super handy hints from Kath Irvine on all things home grown apples. And there is no singing.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 4/03/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Bucket Worm Farms( 0:14:4)
Episode Information
Bucket worm farms and the brilliance of vermicastings. How to really simply and effectively bring in hundreds of hungry food eating rascals to give you amazing vermicastings to use with your planting and to automatically feed the garden. Note - have an old food processor you don't really want anymore? Keep it and whiz up a menu for your new wormy friends and you will be repaid in the garden with extraordinary results.
Published: 25/02/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Passionvine Hoppers, what to do!( 0:15:0)
Episode Information
Passionvine Hoppers, aka fluffy bums, are the topic of this conversation with the fabulous Kath Irvine. These little pests get their cute name from the fluffy little backsides of the infants, that bloom into little brown flying bugs. Do not fret, Kath is here to tell us why they have showed up for a bit of a party in your garden and why not to panic, the best way to treat them (pause first please) and what it is telling you about your garden.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 18/02/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Seedling Planting in Hot and Windy Weather( 0:14:21)
Episode Information
Seedling transplanting can be treacherous during hot and windy conditions. But fear not. The experienced weather wise gardener Kath Irvine has some great tips to get your precious little seedlings into the ground and flourishing before you can say "oh this wind!". Ok maybe not that quick but good ideas just the same.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 11/02/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
How to Mulch, and what to use?( 0:11:11)
Episode Information
Mulching - what to use, where to get it from, can you make it yourself? Another great listener question answered today and it is all about Mulch. Where to best get your mulch from, what sort of mulch to use under trees versus what you use in the veggie garden and how live mulch is primo people! Super handy info again from Gardener Kath Irvine.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 4/02/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Letting the Garden Go?( 0:13:8)
Episode Information
Letting the garden go? What?? Like wild? Yes, that is something to consider. You don't need to join some hippy tribe or start smoking something fruity, just perhaps not be so rigid with the garden. Just let it be, let it grow, be a bit more chilled people is all we are suggesting here in this episode.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 28/01/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - Spraying! Do we, don't we?( 0:9:15)
Episode Information
To spray or not to spray? That is the question. To quote Hamlet here "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (ie have a bug on your fruit), or to take arms against a sea of troubles (spray the blighters), and by opposing end them? (and in turn end our beautiful environment”. There is no Shakespeare in this episode but that quote kind of fits. Do we really need to spray, is it doing what we think it is, what are we "ending" and is it actually upsetting the apple cart?
Published: 21/01/2026 12:00:00 p.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - Tomato Planting, driveway weeds and blackberry removal( 0:14:51)
Episode Information
Planting tomatoes, getting rid of driveway weeds and how to get rid of blackberry without the dangerous pesticides - these are some of the questions that have been sent in by listeners. Kath Irvine sits down in the live studio to talk about gardening, simply, and gives her advice on how best to plant those tomatoes to get the best out of them, how do you get rid of driveway weeds and how on earth do you tackle blackberry?
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 14/01/2026 10:00:00 a.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - Bugs and Pests( 0:13:20)
Episode Information
Are Bugs Pests? The answer is NO! Know your bugs in the garden - they could be eating the pests that have the munchies in your garden. So don't go spraying things around all aggressive like, because you could be killing off the bug warriors that are going to protect your precious plants. Listen in here for a fascinating conversation about creepy crawlies or flying thingamajigs - and why they are going to be your new besties.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 17/12/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - Easy Peasy Compost( 0:15:43)
Episode Information
Compost - the SOIL FOOD WEB - its so important, interesting and not as complicated as you think. Kath makes easy peasy compost and she talks to Catherine about how super and simple this can be.
Gardening made accessible with wonderful gardening teacher and author Kath Irvine. With her 20 years plus experience, Kath sits down in a live to air interview with Catherine and discusses all things gardening. Visit https://ediblebackyard.co.nz
Published: 10/12/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - The secret life of plants( 0:16:52)
Episode Information
Plants are more like us than we know. Think microbiome - plants love diversity too. Find out how and why in this episode with Kath Irvine. You can geek out quite a bit in this episode if you so wish - aim for 6 different families with your plantings.
Published: 3/12/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Simply Gardening with Kath Irvine - Soil health( 0:14:18)
Episode Information
It's all about soil. Connect with it, get familiar with it and work out what does your garden need. What is soil, can we fix it, what is in it and what makes a good soil you ask? We dig in to this first episode with gardening super star Kath Irvine (our words, not hers - she is far too humble). Catherine asks those pesky questions and Kath answers them beautifully.
Published: 26/11/2025 12:00:00 p.m.