Gardening

Maximise every inch of your garden with astute storage and inventive use of spare spaces. Get your garden decluttered and organised with these tips 10 stylish ways to organise your outdoor garden area There’s no getting around the fact that our gardens are getting smaller. Unfortunately, the amount of stuff we need to keep outdoors […]

Whether you have a small patio or large backyard, these nine ideas make it easy to transform your garden from overlooked eyesore to open-air living space 1. Get outside more If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space, no matter how petite, make it your aim to use it more this year. Do whatever […]

The retro charm of dahlias make them the perfect way to add a spiky burst of colour to your home. Here’s why these low-maintenance flowers are our pick for February Dahlias: Everything you need to know about our favourite retro flower Why are dahlias such a favourite in the late-summer garden? Could it be because they […]

Your dream of owning a pool may not be as unattainable as you think. We round up the pros, cons and costs of various pool types to get you on the road to summer bliss 1. In-ground pool In-ground pools are one of the most common pool types and are available in a multitude of […]

Tend to your vegetable garden like an expert with these easy to follow tips on what to harvest, plant and sow this February.

Synonymous with New Zealand summer, hydrangeas are an easy way to make a fun, floral statement. Here’s how to care for these beautiful blooms Hydrangeas: Everything you need to know about these bouncy blooms The blooming of big, blowsy hydrangeas is one of summer’s true pleasures. Most hydrangeas grown in New Zealand are varieties of […]

Enjoy bounties from your kitchen garden this year by using our easy planting guide. Discover the best veges to harvest, plant and sow this January What vegetables you should plant in your garden this January + If capsicum seedlings are starting to produce flowers, they can be planted out into the garden. Position in a […]

Don’t let the heat and holidays be the end of your garden this summer. We round up some simple tricks to help you care for your plants this summer How to make sure your garden survives hot January weather + To help revitalise plants after their spring growth spurt and keep them looking fabulous through […]

Step inside this cool, Moroccan-influenced patio room and glean some valuable styling tips that you can use in your own outdoor space How Moroccan inspired style took this plain patio to the next level Built for privacy, this 32-square-metre covered patio features full-height white curtains and a built-in, upholstered seat that brings a soft element. […]

A heritage garden is updated and enhanced with the addition of vintage and salvaged finds Secondhand finds add rustic appeal to this seaside garden This 1928 home boasts a fabulous view of water, trees, houses and boats and this seaside feel is reflected in its weathered, lived-in outdoor spaces. The garden retains its heritage character […]

Amber Armitage arrived home from her recent trip to Marrakech full of inspiration on how Kiwis can inject a little Moroccan mystery into their outdoor living spaces How Moroccan style gardens can inspire our outdoor spaces On a recent trip to Marrakech in western Morocco, I had the true pleasure of staying in a boutique […]

This Auckland garden feels like a secret holiday resort in the centre of town thanks to tropical planting and the liberal use of cedar screens Mature tropical planting makes this Grey Lynn garden feel like an oasis Instant impact is relatively easy to achieve when designing a blank-canvas garden, but adding the wow factor to […]

This inner-city garden was transformed into a leafy yet low-maintenance courtyard perfect for flexible outdoor entertaining This inner-city garden has the ultimate low-maintenance style This neglected urban garden took six weeks to transform into a chic, contemporary sanctuary. A hodge-podge of boundary structures was painted dark grey to create a sense of unity and the […]

Plants may not grow as quickly as we’d like, but the world of garden products and technology is blooming. We ask the landscape designers who use these items every day for their latest updates and tips Outdoor lighting  Restraint is key these days, says Auckland-based designer Kirsten McCarthy of Kirsten Sach Landscape Design. “There’s a […]

This coastal jungle garden feels lush and mysterious thanks to an upcycled, improvised approach How a subtropical planting gave this garden a lush oasis feel An ad hoc gardening approach that worked with the land’s natural shape has led to this laidback, verdant garden. With its recycled vibe and air of mystery, it invites you […]

Kings of the floral world, proteas are dramatic, textural flowers that bring bold style to any arrangement. Here’s how to grow and care for them Why proteas are the most stylish way to make a floral statement These woody stemmed blooms are the sculptural stars of the floral world. Here we have used pink king […]

Despite being exposed to the salty winds of the coast, this family garden boasts a productive, easy-care vegetable patch This coastal garden features a raised vegetable patch with impressive style This 1200-square-metre garden is close to the beach so it has been planted with vegetation that likes coastal conditions. A big vege garden was started […]

Spruce up your outdoor space with a budget-friendly living wall with these pointers from passionate vertical gardener Leigh Nicholson An expert’s guide to planting your own green living wall Leigh Nicholson of Hanging Gardens, a company which specialises in creating green walls, is helping to bring greenery back into cities, workplaces and homes with her […]

Whether you’re breakfasting al fresco, relaxing by the pool or dining under the stars, there is a style of outdoor furniture to suit your needs. Here’s what you should consider and where you can shop the style 11 questions you need to ask yourself when choosing outdoor furniture It’s safe to say we Kiwis are […]

As the weather warms, November is a great time to start a kitchen garden. Use this simple beginner’s guide to help you plant and harvest veges The best vegetables to plant in your garden in November + Planting garlic chives in your vege patch will deter pesky insects. Marigolds are also great at repelling nematodes, whitefly and […]

Whether you live in an apartment or a palace, cultivating a variety of plants that stimulate all five senses can improve your health and wellbeing 10 ways you can use plants to improve your well-being Having a connection with nature is essential for human beings to thrive, particularly children. In fact many experts agree that […]

A formal planting scheme and crisp, groomed lawns frame some jaw-dropping ocean views at Tapuae Country Estate in Taranaki This sprawling clifftop section in Taranaki has an impeccable formal garden Some people imagine sea views and coastal walks for their dream lifestyle property. Others prefer green farmland with bush trails and inland waterways. Brent and […]

Wildflowers will easily bloom anywhere making them the perfect, low-effort way to add a burst of colour to your home. Here are some tips on how to grow and arrange them How to grow and arrange your own wildflowers You don’t need a big country garden to grow wildflowers – they’ll blossom happily in a small courtyard […]

NZ Flower and Garden Show 2017 exhibitors share their expert tips on how to create the perfect outdoor kitchen for summer A beginner’s guide to creating your own outdoor kitchen Nothing says summertime quite like cooking outside and dining al fresco. Firing up the barbie on a warm summer night is somewhat of a Kiwi […]

Bring your backyard into balance with our top tips for environmentally conscious gardening  Your beginner’s guide to eco-friendly gardening at home Less than 100 years ago, the way people gardened was very much in tune with nature, and composting, companion planting and growing your own food were the norm. Modern gardening brought harmful chemicals and […]

Spring is the perfect time to get that kitchen garden going. Use this quick and easy guide to discover what to harvest plant and sow in October What to harvest in October + Harvest cabbages when heads are firm and not too big or risk plants running to seed (flowering). + When picking broccoli make sure the […]

There’s a reason why the roses have stood the test of time and remain a classic choice. Here are some tips for arranging and growing your own Roses: Why these classic flowers will always be on trend Flower trends come and go but cut roses are always a classic choice. Here we have featured ‘Wedding […]

Discover how this young couple sculpted their steep coastal section into a beautifully designed terraced garden with an envy-inducing outdoor living area A steep coastal site near Nelson transforms into the ultimate outdoor room Nestled at the heart of Tasman Bay is the Waimea Inlet, a large, semi-enclosed estuary that is home to migratory birds […]

October is all about beautiful blooms so we’ve rounded up some simple hacks to help you make the most of this wonderful time of year October gardening tips: Your guide to successful spring planting + Few hearts can fail to be moved by the sight of trees covered in spring blossom. For bird lovers they’re […]

We’re celebrating spring by filling a vase or two with our flower of the month – the delicate Anemone. Here are some quick tips for care and styling Anemone: Everything you need to know about these trendy flowers Dark and velvety anemones are beautifully textural flowers. Their straight stems are quite weak, so arrange them […]

Create the ideal low-maintenance outdoor area so you can spend less time weeding and more time smelling the roses 10 easy steps to creating a low-maintenance garden Unless your thumbs are the deepest of forest greens, not many of us like to spend hours weeding and maintaining our gardens. Yet we all know how good […]

September is officially the beginning of spring and as our gardens kick into action, so must we. Here are some easy tips to help you get started Easy spring gardening tips and tricks for beginners + Start with an easy task such as planting up pots, troughs or hanging baskets with pretty flowering annuals. It’s […]

A bit of thoughtful design and clever planting can do wonders to a small garden. Horticulturalist Helen Young shows us how Small garden ideas to help you make the most of your space Having limited space does not mean your small garden ideas need to be boring. It does however present some unique landscaping challenges […]

Fragrant, long lasting and oh so chic, stock flowers are trendy little blooms you need in your home. Check out our quick tips on how to grow and care for them Stock flowers: Everything you need to know about this sweet little bloom The sweet, spicy scent of stock is unmistakable. Stock is an annual plant that […]

Designing a successful family garden is all about planning for change. Check out these 9 future-proof ideas that you and your children will love How to create a child friendly garden that will grow as your family does Gardens were once adult-oriented places where Mum and Dad would tend garden beds, mow the lawn and […]

Landscape designer Chris Paul knew there was no better place to display his talents than in his own steep New Plymouth garden A landscape designer expertly tackles his own steep New Plymouth garden After living in old villas and character homes for many years, Taranaki-based landscape designer Chris Paul and his partner, Kevin Wensor, decided […]

There’s nothing like a little garden work-out for vanquishing winter doldrums. Here’s your guide to August gardening with bonus tips for daffodil care Your August gardening checklist and daffodil care guide + Top up mulches (to 10cm) and pull out or hoe weeds in garden beds, shell paths and bark areas. Leave them too long and […]

What to harvest in the garden  + Don’t leave your citrus fruit on the ground too long or it will rot. If you can’t eat all the fruit produced by your lemon and other citrus trees, donations are always welcome at food banks and shelters. Another option is to turn them into yummy lemon curd or […]

From harvesting citrus and tamarillo to sowing beans and planting onion seedlings, there’s lots to keep you busy in the garden this July. Here’s your gardening guide What to harvest in the garden in July + Citrus trees are abundant with ripening fruit at this time of year. Fruit is ready to pick if it’s a good […]

All it took to get this garden from sloping and sad to modern and fab was careful planning, a digger… and 25 years  A steep garden is an entertainer’s dream thanks to clever landscaping A quarter-century ago, when Paresh and Naina Patel bought their 370-square-metre property in the up-and-coming suburb of Grey Lynn, they were […]

Our winter gardening guide was so popular we decided to create an extra one! Consider this your checklist for what to harvest, plant and sow in June  What to harvest in the garden + Pumpkin is not only dead easy to grow, it also stores well, so you can keep pumping out the soup all […]

You loved our June gardening guide so much we’ve created a bonus one! Here’s how to care for your garden in the colder months and how to tend to new roses Your bonus guide to gardening and rose care in June + Don’t forget about the bees. Although they hibernate in colder areas, bees will […]

Going up instead of out makes sense as space becomes scarcer. Outside In horticulturalist Ryan McQuerry explains why living walls are the perfect way to bring the outside in Everything you need to know about living walls As cities grow and open space becomes scarce, many cities are going green by either positioning nature on […]

This clifftop garden found its full potential thanks to some traditional Asian inspired landscaping that complements its wild native bush setting An Asian inspired design transforms a steep site in the Waitakere Ranges A steep site covered with invasive weeds and heavy clay soil is not an ideal place to make a garden. Fortunately Auckland landscape […]

Spectacular and striking, Banksia are the perfect flower for your winter floral arrangements. Here we show you how to grow and style this impressive flower All about June’s flower of the month: Banksia Banksia are typically found during the colder months in New Zealand. Stems can last for a long time when dried, and stay […]

Autumn is the ideal time to plant trees and roses, deal to falling foliage, and get your lawn winter-ready. Here’s a round-up of things to tick off your June gardening to-do list 1. Get planting Get those spades out and plant a tree or two. June is also a good month to move existing trees and shrubs, […]

Consider this your winter planting guide! Here’s what to harvest, plant and sow in the garden during the month of June What to harvest in the garden in June + Brussels sprouts are ready to harvest when they’re about the size of a golf ball. Pick them off the stem and leave plant to produce more […]

Whether you have a postage-stamp garden, a small deck or a teensy balcony, here are 10 smart ideas for turning it into your own little slice of heaven 1. Install a vertical garden Install a purpose-built vertical garden and fill it with lush and leafy plants, or make your own by re-purposing a hanging canvas storage […]

Even though the weather’s getting cooler there’s still lots to keep you busy in the garden in May. We’ve rounded up our top picks to harvest, plant and sow What to harvest in the garden Jerusalem artichokes can be dug up when flowering is finished. Puréed, roasted, boiled or added to soups, these are a […]

Battling an awkward site and a tight budget, this fledgling landscape designer has achieved the ultimate urban retreat An overgrown East Auckland garden is now an oasis filled with birds and bees When Dee McQuillan first moved into her townhouse in Auckland’s eastern suburbs she was a solo mother with two young boys. At first, […]

A tiny front garden is landscaped to suit the house, not the street, in this lush makeover that uses natives and subtropical plants to full effect Renovations to her Grey Lynn bungalow left Nathalie Morris at a loss as to how to deal with a small but important patch in the front garden. The area […]

A new-build next to a mangrove-fringed estuary south of Auckland called for a garden that utilised native planting and textures to blend into the landscape A new-build uses native planting to blend into its mangrove surroundings Finding a spot to build a home on is tough in Auckland, so when a site with views of […]

Autumn may be creeping in but there’s lots to do in the garden! Here’s your guide for what to harvest, plant and sow in April with bonus lawn care tips What to harvest in the garden If the foliage is completely dead on your late-season potatoes, they should be dug up now. Don’t leave any […]

No garden? No problem. Use Carol Bucknell’s ideas for indoor plants Small-space gardens: Hanging garden Use several pots containing the same species, such as these maiden hair ferns, to create a focal point with wow factor. Ensure there’s a ceiling stud from which to hang several pots; materials, such as the terracotta pots, are quite […]

Exotic, lively and wonderful when paired with big tropical leaves, water lillies add a statement to any room. Here’s your guide to our flower of the month All about April’s flower of the month: Water Lillies Water lilies are from the Heliotropic family, where the head of the flower ‘looks to the sun’. They typically […]

Discover the best spot to plant spring bulbs, how to prep your soil for winter and keep those pesky pests at bay with this April gardening guide Your April gardening to-do list + Autumn is the best time to clean up gardens in preparation for winter. This isn’t as essential in warmer climates, but wherever […]

A bare piece of land outside of Gisborne is now the ultimate spot for family living and entertaining thanks to years of determination and hard work  This family worked incredibly hard to transform their rural garden A bare paddock and a vision for the future are at the heart of many a good Kiwi tale […]

Formal or natural? Classic or contemporary? Discover your outdoor identity with these 5 popular styles and use it to design your dream garden What’s your garden style? 5 outdoor designs to inspire you If it’s true that a person’s house says a lot about their personality, what do our gardens reveal about who we are? […]

Years of planning and hard work has transformed this farmland just out of Gisborne into a slice of paradise where native trees and exotics live in harmony A bare paddock and a vision for the future are at the heart of many a good Kiwi tale and that was definitely the case for Jo and […]

Behind the walls of this city-fringe garden, an Auckland family have created their own courtyard oasis  The secret garden The courtyard garden has been around for thousands of years, its basic enclosed form adapted through the centuries to suit the lifestyles of different generations. So it is with this contemporary courtyard garden that Claire and […]

A garden shed isn’t the only way to keep your outdoor spaces clutter-free. Here are 10 tips for a beautiful and better functioning garden 10 practical solutions for a clutter-free outdoor space When planning our gardens, we often think about the pretty stuff such as plants, lawns, arbours or water features. Practical issues such as […]

Greening the walls and adding a soft screen of slender trees will transform a nondescript corner into a delightful paved courtyard A problem courtyard gets a stylish and fragrant garden plan Dear Carol, We have a problem area which we are keen to see turned into a stylish courtyard. The site faces east and only […]

As we approach the last of the summer there’s still plenty of prep to do before the colder weather sets in. Here’s your gardening guide for March Your March gardening to-do list + As we head towards the end of summer, many plants are looking a little jaded. It’s time to refresh with seedlings of […]

Gladioli are a bulb flower and their distinctive height, plus the variety of vibrant colours available, makes them perfect for use in floral arrangements All about March’s flower of the month: Gladioli Fill a tall vase at least half way to the top with water. Position the gladioli in the vase, with shorter flowers or […]

March is the perfect time to harvest your bounty and plan for the cooler months. Here’s your guide for what to harvest, plant and sow What to harvest in the garden Pick beans every 3-5 days so plants will keep producing more flowers. Cook the same day for the best taste (although they’ll still be […]

An immaculate lawn – the pride and joy of many a Kiwi home– requires a solid foundation, patience and regular upkeep How to maintain an immaculate lawn What could be simpler, you ask? Just scatter some seed and you’ve got grass, right? Not quite. Growing the perfect lawn is a little like painting your house […]

With many gardens becoming smaller, outdoor areas are being repurposed as multi-use zones. Wildflower meadows, outdoor baths and beehives are all on the list for trendsetting gardeners this year There’s no denying gardens have changed a lot in the last few decades, morphing into multifunctional spaces where we eat, cook, work out, bathe, as well […]

Horticulturalist and director of Smart Garden Ryan McQuerry gives us his top tips for organising your garden and shed Helpful tips for keeping your garden in order  With Ryan McQuerry, horticulturalist and director of Smart Garden, mysmartgarden.co.nz. Prioritise work on highly visual areas, such as decks, the front door, your property entrance and outside the kitchen window. […]

February is one of the busiest times of year in the garden so we’ve created a bonus guide for what to harvest, plant and sow What to harvest in the garden in February Use the inner leaves and white stalks of lemongrass in Southeast Asian cooking and save some for rubbing onto your skin to […]

Creating an outdoor space you love is easier than you think! From starting your project to choosing material, here’s your guide to landscaping A beginner’s guide to landscaping your garden Us Kiwis love to spend time outside but the prospect of landscaping your garden can often seem a little daunting. Whether you have a quarter-acre […]

Eating al fresco is not just about summer barbecues. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen allows you to maximise your backyard all year round How to create your own outdoor kitchen Outdoor kitchens are definitely on the hot list for gardens right now. Whether you’re a pizza oven aficionado, barbecue nut or simply don’t have a […]

Dahlias are the national flower of Mexico and come in an array of vibrant colours. Discover how you can grow and enjoy these beautiful flowers at home All about February’s flower of the month: Dahlias For this arrangement, we have used different types, including cactus, waterlily and dinner plate dahlias. This is a simple but […]

With a busy summer ahead we find out the best way to give your barbecue some tender love and care so you can enjoy delicious meals for years to come The best way to care for your barbecue this summer The sounds and smells of delicious food sizzling on a hotplate capture the essence of […]

Consider this your summer planting guide! Gardens editor Carol Bucknell shares her tips for harvesting, planting and sowing in the month of February What to harvest in the garden in February Keep picking tomatoes and pinching out laterals (diagonal shoots that grow in the angle between branches), so the energy goes into fruit, not leaves. To beat […]

Keep your soil happy with your very own compost garden How to start your own compost garden at home There benefits of composting are endless! You can improve the structure, water retention and drainage of the soil in your garden, as well as increasing the retention of nutrients, resulting in happy and healthy plants. Here’s […]

This sprawling Waiheke Island garden is an entertainers dream with its outdoor kitchen complete with Italian-style pizza oven Life is sweet in this Waiheke garden that features a touch of Italian flair When Vicki and Marco Canestri decided to build an outdoor kitchen in their Waiheke Island garden, the biggest priority was a pizza oven. […]

Finding enough space to build a “small slice of Fiji” was a dream come true for this Auckland couple. Step inside their perfect city sanctuary An Auckland couple create a resort style garden in the city With inner city Auckland properties getting tinier by the minute, having enough space for a swimming pool is a […]

Known for their extravagant beauty, peonies are the favourite flower of many. Learn key care tips and check out the Your Home and Garden peony photo shoot Everything you need to know about peonies The extravagant beauty of peonies has enchanted gardeners all around the world for centuries since its cultivation in China as early […]

Is a swimming pool on the top of your wish list? Here are 9 things to consider before taking the plunge and building your own 9 things to consider before building a swimming pool If you have a swimming pool in the backyard, chances are your kids (and the neighbours’) will be spending hours in […]

From sweetcorn, beetroot and courgettes, this handy gardening guide will show you what to harvest, plant and sow in the month of January What to harvest in the garden in January  Who doesn’t love munching on freshly picked sweetcorn? The fresher the better with this crop as immediately after harvest the sucrose sugars start to convert to […]

A Wellington family have spent the last seven years turning a neglected backyard into a flourishing garden complete with an outdoor kitchen When Anastasia and Tom Hickey discovered a 620-square-metre property with a big backyard in the east Wellington suburb of Miramar, they were over the moon. “The large backyard was definitely a big drawcard when […]

Whether it’s Palm Springs glamour, a chilled-out festival vibe or nostalgic fun and games, take some time to relax and enjoy the sun Poolside in Palm Springs Make like Elvis and Priscilla in a backyard oasis inspired by the sophisticated, retro style of Palm Springs. Think tropical prints, lush-leaved plants and colourful inflatables, with cocktails and […]

Holidays and the hot sun are a deadly mix for your garden in January. Use this handy checklist to help keep your plants happy and healthy this summer  Your January checklist to help your garden through the hot summer months It’s holiday time for many people but plants have to work harder in midsummer as it’s their peak […]

A comfy outdoor nook gives you extra living space for whiling away afternoons in style. Alex Walls from The Block NZ shows us how to create her look Alex Walls from The Block NZ creates the perfect outdoor nook After being pregnant for a very long winter and then spending the past few months getting […]

For 76 years Kiwi families have completed their Christmas with trees from Misa Christmas Tree Farm. See their tips for keeping your tree perky and fresh Misa Christmas Tree Farm gives us their top tips for tree care It was, and still is, a rite of passage for Misa children to work at the Misa Christmas […]

Choosing furniture and accessories for your outside space can be difficult, so we’ve made things easy with this handy guide to outdoor summer style 6 points to consider when choosing outdoor furniture this summer Whether you’re outdoors catching some sunshine, lounging by the pool, entertaining friends or having a quiet dinner with the family, it’s […]

Colin and Vicki Davis used global inspiration for their eclectic garden of themed ‘rooms’. Discover how they successfully reimagined the quarter acre dream This couple’s traditional Tauranga garden has a global twist There’s no need for a garden to feature a uniform theme throughout. Just ask Colin and Vicki Davis, whose Tauranga garden has been […]

Darcy, the vintage caravan bar, is a dream come true for this young family.

Planning your outdoor spaces as early as possible during the new-build process will help you achieve the ultimate in indoor-outdoor flow What to consider when planning your new-build garden There’s a lot to think about – and do, of course – when you’re building a new house. Landscaping is all too often left to the […]

From dry riverbed to palm lounge, see how this Tauranga garden has garnered global inspiration to create charming, themed ‘rooms’ There’s no need for a garden to feature a uniform theme throughout. Just ask Colin and Vicki Davis, whose Tauranga garden has been divided into different ‘rooms’. One area is English-themed, in another a Balinese […]

Miranda Brooks has redefined garden design with her rambling, romantic style. See her unique vision come to life in Anna Wintour’s garden and find out how you can achieve this look at home. Get to know world-renowned landscape designer Miranda Brooks It seems a bit strange to pay a lot of money to have a garden designed so that […]

A steep slope, weeds and thickets of bamboo couldn’t stop this inspired homeowner transforming her Auckland section into a Balinese-style paradise An unruly Meadowbank section became this tropical oasis Fiona Milde vividly recollects her first impressions of the property she bought four years ago in Kohimarama in Auckland’s Eastern Bays. “Ghastly. My father, who was […]

Darcy, the vintage caravan, has given his owners a new lease on life and outdoor living. See their top tips for creating your own special outdoor space. Meet and greet Stacey Bancroft (graphic designer), Mark Bancroft (draughtsperson), and Mabel, 6 months, plus Beau the black Labrador. Stacy’s outdoor styling tips – When styling a party outside […]

From your plant palette to subtle colour pops, these clever ideas are key to keeping your garden as stylish as your interior  Keep it monochrome Gardens with just one dominant colour are always intriguing. Legendary early 20th-century gardener Vita Sackville-West’s white (and silver) garden in Kent, England, is one of the most famous and thousands […]

A neutral colour palette of grey and white – with just a hint of wood – creates a soothing, minimal scheme for your outdoor space  Bring an urban courtyard-look to your outdoor space If you’re into minimal and low-maintenance, this urban courtyard look is easily achievable. The brick wall backdrop and concrete tile floor is simple […]

Why go on holiday when your garden – in busy old Auckland – is a Balinese retreat built to capture all-day sun? A lush Balinese-style garden hidden in an Auckland backyard Fiona Milde vividly recollects her first impressions of the property she bought four years ago in Kohimarama in Auckland’s Eastern Bays. “Ghastly. My father, […]

If space is at a premium in your courtyard, deck or veranda, a small seating nook might be just what you need. See how to create your own slice of paradise Create your own tropical seating nook If space is at a premium in your courtyard, deck or veranda, a small seating nook might be […]

November is the ideal time to stake your plants, step up your watering regime and tidy-up in preparation for summer. Here’s a round-up of things to tick off your spring to-do list Your November gardening to-do list Stake your plants November can be windy so make sure recently planted shrubs, trees and tall perennials are staked […]

From peas, kale and new potatoes, here’s what to harvest, plant and sow in the garden during the month of November What to harvest in the garden in November – Keep picking peas and beans to encourage plants to produce more pods. – Harvest kale, rocket and other leafy greens in the morning when leaves are full of […]

Living artworks are the latest way to invite the outside world into your home. Discover how you can incorporate moss in your house through moss bathmats, moss graffiti and more  Introducing moss – nature’s trendiest creation Moss is all the rage at the moment. And we’re not talking about Kate Moss – we’re referring to the […]