New season tomato plants are now becoming available from your garden centre and now is a good time to start off an early tomato plant or two. The best advise is to plant out, or pot up, a couple of tomato plants every month for the next six or seven months. By doing this you […]
Russell Fransham Subtropicals Say that in public and wait for the pursed lips, the little gasp of disapproval and the muted rumble of pearls being clutched all across the land. DOC and MAF have done their job well. But wait. Not all gingers are weeds. Many of them are quite benign in our gardens and […]
Weather-wise, there’s no doubt it is winter. But take a stroll in some gardens, you could be forgiven for thinking it was spring. In a garden that’s planted with winter colour in mind, these cold wet months are far from dull. If your winter outlook needs brightening, then a strategically placed flowering shrub or tree […]
Part 3 of a series on designing your garden By Nick Robinson www.nickrobinson.co.nz Autumn This week it seems timely to celebrate autumn and plan planting schemes for the winter. The summer recedes, but autumn can be one of the most beautiful and colourful seasons and the autumn leaf colours last an unusually long time in […]
Most people love the scenic beauty of trees in the landscape, what would be a landscape without them? They improve the quality of air we breathe and they beautify our homes, parks cities and landscapes. But, when you are planting them in your garden they can also block drains, cast shadows, hide important views, undermine […]
If you want to create a strong statement in your garden then succulents should take centre stage. Their bold architectural form and striking foliage provides year-round interest with the added bonus of vibrant flowers in winter. (Aloe polyphylla flowering) They come in a variety of dramatic shapes and sizes to suit any garden. Their tough, […]
Designing any garden can be challenging. Coming up with ideas for a small space might make you feel like you have limited options. However, just because your garden is small doesn’t mean you can’t have fun incorporating stylish accessories and features to great a stunning outdoor living area. Here are a few simple ideas to […]
