garden

Hardy plants that tolerate salt spray, wind and dry weather provide a leafy retreat at a coastal holiday house

No matter how small your outdoor area is, there are plenty of low-cost hacks to help you stamp your green thumb on it

Kate gives back through flowers, food and connection.

We chat to Once Were Gardeners host Kara Rickard

Olympian Mohan (Mo) and Niru Patel have nurtured this garden over two decades

Sunny days are on the horizon, so its time to give your outdoor spaces some love and attention.

Leading wellness expert Dr Libby totally digs good nutrition – and her own garden shows just how much she values it

Looking for a low-maintenance way to add colour, texture, movement and structure to a garden?

Let's be honest, we all judge a house by its cover.

Meet the Gill of all trades

Meet gardening content creator and Tui ambassador Poppy Prendergast

The humble garden shed is a necessity in every Kiwi backyard.

You can enjoy your own bounty of homegrown vegetables by following this easy garden guide for what to harvest, plant and sow in March

Block planting their small, sloping section is the key to creating a garden brimming with perennials, vegetables, fruit trees and succulents.

Biophilic design principles have been applied to a new garden at North Shore Hospital and can be applied to your own home too, says Ryan McQuerry

Your late summer gardening is a great time to plant seeds for the months ahead, as it's traditionally the hottest time of the year.

Barren spot? Hideous shed? Steep slope? Our expert Carol Bucknell diagnoses common garden problems and offers fast, easy cures.

Growing herbs is one of the easiest and most rewarding types of gardening, especially for beginners.

Fragrant lavender is easy to care for, as long as you avoid a few common mistakes.

As the days become warmer take the time to prepare your garden beds if you want to ensure a bumper growing season. Here are the top tasks to add to your September gardening list Your September gardening to-do list The weather mightn’t be markedly different, nor does the garden suddenly spring into life, but there […]

Spring is knocking on winter’s door so it’s time to do a bit of soil prep, pruning and veggie planting in anticipation of the warmer months Chores to consider for August gardening The last month of winter is often the most brutal but it is also when the new season is tantalisingly within our sights. […]

It may be cold and frosty in your neck of the woods but there’s still plenty to harvest, sow, prune, mulch and plant July gardening chores Above, Matariki has arisen, and all is well in the skies. Below, there might not be many signs of activity above the ground, but rest assured it is happening. […]

It’s time to plant new fruit trees, pop in some leafy green seedlings and plan spring crops Chores for your early winter gardening Winter has come. Activity in the garden is slowing. In cooler parts of the country, growth has all but stopped. With the plants needing less attention, more time can be paid to […]

Creating a child-friendly garden was a priority for this Auckland couple

Get arty and turn your green space into an outdoor gallery with the use of fun garden sculptures We’re spending more and more time in our gardens, and it’s not necessarily gardening. Now, as an extension of our living spaces, gardens are increasingly becoming home to art. Embracing many forms, from the highbrow to DIY, […]

As summer flowers and veggies fade, and even though there’s still much to harvest, it’s time to prep your garden for autumn Red rowan berries are often too bitter for people to eat raw, but they make a beautiful Rowan berry jam.  Chores to prepare your garden for autumn And just like that, autumn is […]

While there may be little new under the sun, there are new ways – or ways new to us – to use many of our common plantsDahlias are not only a statement piece in a summer garden, but also a delightful flavour in tea. Dahlia tubers for tea When peak dahlia has been reached and […]

Poor soil conditions don’t necessarily mean a poor garden. Turn your wasteland of rubble into a pretty paradise Photo via Getty Images Gardeners are constantly exhorted to improve their soil conditions, to add lime, well-rotted compost and manure, to water in the evening, to do this, do that… all to give their plants their best […]

Spring is slowly creeping in and the change in seasons is giving us a lot to do in the garden. Here’s a handy checklist of vegetables to harvest, sow and plant, with a bonus seedling care guide.  What to harvest this September + Broad beans are a favourite winter crop. They cope with cold, wind […]

From the experts at Kings Plant Barn

10 ways to vamp up the fabulosity of your garden, relatively quickly 1 Floral pick-me-up One of the prettiest ways to lift the mood of a garden is with flowers. Too many, mind, may overpower the greenery – a rule of thumb for a winning ratio of flowers to foliage is one to five. The […]

From the experts at Kings Plant Barn How often should I water my vegetable garden? With summer in full swing, you will have to increase the amount and frequency of water application. It is better to water less often but more deeply so that the water sinks down to the roots where it is needed […]

From the experts at Kings Plant Barn My lemon tree has small white flies on it. What do I do control this pest? At this time of year white fly can be prolific and need regular spraying to keep the infestations under control. As soon as you see signs of white fly, start spraying with […]

Christmas is a time when all the family get together to celebrate the festive season. Here’s what to plant, sow and grow before the masses descend Your checklist for getting the garden in shape for the festive season: Step-up deadheading of flowers. This removal of fading blooms means the energy that the plants would have […]

It’s time to plant some summer-loving crops as the days become warmer and there are more hours to spend in the garden To do November is a busy month in the garden. Spring is in full fury. At no other time of year are the greens so bright and the flowers so fresh. Amongst all […]

Set up a seedling exchange, what to plant this month for a good harvest, shade-loving edibles and cool water tanks Sow and swap October means one thing to New Zealand’s edible gardeners – tomatoes. Their seeds may be sown under cover now. For variety, and to extend production, why not get together with like-minded friends, […]

As the price of getting your five-plus a day sky rockets, it pays to know size isn’t everything when it comes to growing your own incredible edibles On balconies, storeys off the ground, in pocket-sized townhouse courtyards, in narrow strips along suburban drives or slender window ledges, vegetables are being grown. This is a pastime […]

From the experts at Kings Plant Barn How often should the soil be replaced in pots? If a plant is going to be kept in a pot long term, the soil won’t need replenishing unless the plant is going to be repotted. But the nutrients should be replenished regularly with a slow-release fertiliser, such as […]

Our homes aren’t the only things that need a spring clean. Spring is a great time to start a vegetable garden, establish new garden beds, plant just about anything, establish a new lawn, spruce up neglected area and give the gardens its once-a-year feed of fertiliser. One of the most rewarding jobs to do right […]

An architecturally designed and sustainable garden centre, complete with cafe and homewares, is a brilliant day out If you’re interested in gardening, the country’s most sustainable garden centre is a must-visit. Even if you’re not and just like going to a decent cafe with a good selection of gifts and homewares, you’ll still find plenty […]

Take some cold comfort this month by doing a little ground work Garden work If the ground is not too wet and the soil free draining, early snap and sugar peas, both cool-weather crops, may be sown in all but frost-prone zones, in which case sowing should be delayed until spring. An arrangement of twigs […]

Not too many plants flower in winter, so it makes the cheer and hope they offer on bleak days all the more special. We’ve chosen 10 of the best, to suit a host of conditions and aesthetics 1. Light my fire Aloe aborescens hails from south-east Africa, where it grows from the coast to the […]

Planting native trees is a no-brainer. Leading landscape designer Michael Mansvelt shares his all-time favourites

In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of rainbows and like its romantic namesake, these tall, elegant blooms come in a multitude of colours I would like to say that all irises are beautiful, but they are not. Given the genus contains up to 300 species, that is hardly surprising. Despite often being called the […]

What does your astrological sign say about the way you should tend your garden? Plenty! Aries MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19 You natural-born leaders, fearless trendsetters and slightly self-absorbed souls love unusual, bold and striking plants. Your garden has the hottest plant before it becomes hot; the coolest designs before they become cool. None dare […]

There is so much more to paths than just perfunctory straight lines. With long-distance travel out, it’s a great opportunity to go on a journey without leaving your garden Useful as they are for getting from A to B, from the back door to the washing line or the front door to the gate, paths […]

If you’ve got a gardener in your life – beginner or experienced – that you’re struggling to buy for, consider one of these ideas for Christmas gifts Clockwise from top left: Cavallini vegetable garden tea towel, $55, from Father Rabbit. Gardening knife, $55, from Paper Plane. Bird silo in terracotta, $135, from Everyday Needs. Garden […]

Is your garden a bleak vista inhabited by a few straggly citrus trees on the lawn, or do you live in a house where the outside areas feel disconnected from the inside? From creating a good first impression to planting for the future, our expert landscape designer has some sage advice Like anything worthwhile, the […]

The enduring love affair we have with roses is strong. From the best smelling to the thornless, here’s our top 21 picks of the bunch Fossil evidence shows the rose to be an ancient flower – about 35 million years old, in fact. From Central Asia it spread throughout the northern hemisphere – America, Europe, […]

Moving to a property with four glasshouses prior to last year’s lockdown turned out to be a blessing for Michael Mansvelt

Leading landscape architect Di Lucas’ creative and sustainable influence can be seen in many of the country’s big projects, so it’s no surprise her own outdoor space works in peaceful harmony with its environment A well-considered garden design references not only the architecture of the building it surrounds, but also the wider landscape including its […]

From ceramic to terracotta to concrete, here’s how to match your planter to your interior style and arrange your pots like a pro Pots come in many shapes and sizes, in materials such as ceramic, terracotta, aluminium, fibreglass, stone, concrete and plastic. Plants can be planted into any number of containers – you are only […]

A stroke of luck brought Pip and Shane McNeil to this lush Whangārei section. Now, with chickens, fruit trees and space aplenty, they can’t imagine themselves anywhere else As the McNeil kids race around their acre (4000sqm) section, weaving in and out of trees and shrubs and delightedly hunting for chicken eggs, it’s clear to […]

Getting in the garden and using your hands is a great way to soothe your mind and keep busy. Here are some practical and creative tasks you can do while you’re self-isolating It is well known that plants can improve your health and wellbeing. By sparking a connection with nature and breathing in the fresh […]

Bring a plant parent can be hard, luckily you can use these five simple signposts to make sure you’re keeping them happy and healthy The average size of a section has shrunk by about a third over the past 30 years, signalling the end of the Kiwi quarter-acre dream. But having only a small patch, […]

Buying and storing food can generate a lot of unnecessary waste. Eleanor Ozich shares how to minimise waste and keep your fridge looking good Not so long ago, creating a waste-free fridge might have seemed a daunting task. But more recently eco-friendly living and beautiful design trends have collided, giving us all kinds of lovely […]

Once lacking life and vibrancy, this inner-city Auckland garden has been turned into a subtropical sanctuary with a subtle Asian sensibility Among the many beautiful architecturally designed homes and gardens that line the streets around Auckland’s inner-city, there’s a special set of trees that grab the attention of passers-by. The graceful trunks and cloud-pruned foliage […]

Ready to get planting but don’t know where to begin? Use this easy guide for all the best plant combinations to try in your pots Match your plant to the location Almost any type of plant can be grown in a pot, and there are so many different effects you can achieve. Select plants based […]

Flora fanatic Dylan Norfield has transformed a gorse-covered Blueskin Bay site into a wonderland of rare and interesting plants Like many gardeners, Dylan Norfield has an addiction – an addiction to plants, that is. It’s hardly surprising, considering his parents ran a nursery and his job is managing the plant collections at Dunedin Botanic Garden. […]

No more mud, no more mowing. A total backyard redesign has given this family exactly what they wanted – a garden that almost takes care of itself.

This nurse-turned-designer wanted a garden that offered privacy and poolside fun for her family as well as biodiversity for birds and bees Meet + greet Louise Hanlon, (landscape designer), her husband Nick, Maxim, 18, Scarlett, 14, plus Monty the dog. Nursing and landscape design may seem like two very different professions but for Auckland-based designer […]

It’s not too late to sow courgettes for summer, plus now’s the time to plant your annual herbs – a kitchen staple. See more garden tasks below Harvest Salad greens: For the freshest salads, pick rocket, lettuce, radicchio and mesclun in the morning when leaves are fully hydrated. Do the same for leafy greens such as […]

These essential gardening tools will have every gardener planting, potting pruning and picking in no time (green thumbs not included) Gardening can be confusing for beginners. From pruning and making compost, to tying up broad beans and deadheading roses, there’s a seemingly endless list of things to do at different times of year. Some newbie […]

A little digger and some clever ideas have produced a magical tropical garden with year-round colour and the cutest morning coffee spot When the scale of a landscaping project is too big to handle, it makes sense to call in the professionals. That’s what Helen Dewsnap and Geoff Watson did when they decided to revamp […]

Ten years of hard work by this green-fingered gardener and her handy husband have transformed an empty Marlborough paddock into an abundant and blooming garden fit for a king – and hordes of garden-loving visitors It’s considered a great honour to have your garden selected for Garden Marlborough, a renowned garden tour that has taken […]

Garden editor, Carol Bucknell, tells us about her own garden and shares her top five plants every beginner gardener should consider YH&G gardens editor Carol Bucknell has been with us since 1994, when ruched blinds, bullnose benchtops and coloured windows were all the rage. We asked her how she became a gardening guru and how […]

This simple guide for what to sow, harvest and plant in the garden this September will have you well on track for a bountiful crop Harvest If you’re lucky enough to have an avocado tree in your garden you’ll most likely be picking its fruit by now. Remember you can leave them on the tree […]

Wanting to test whether your thumbs are truly green? These tools from online hardware store Snappy are what you’ll need to get you started 1. Gloves The first thing every beginning gardener should have in his or her gardening belt is a sturdy pair of gardening gloves. Not just for keeping hands clean, but also […]

This mid-century home’s garden was overdue for a modern update. Landscape designer Ben Shearer found inspiration in the geometric shapes and concrete elements of the original house – as well as the needs of two adventurous kids How to create a garden that would meet the needs of a young family without compromising the elegant, clean […]

Longing for an outdoor space that reminded him of Mauritius, this Auckland man found the perfect collaborator in fellow Mauritian Arnaud Daurat, who designed a garden with its heart in the Indian Ocean and its roots in the Pacific When Michel Adolphe wanted to revamp the outdoor living areas of his Castor Bay home on […]

For this seasoned Blenheim gardener, a brand-new patch was an opportunity to create a potager garden that nourishes the body and delights the eye.

Here’s what you need to be planting, harvesting and sowing in your garden this month Plant Now is a good time to plant deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and nectarines if the ground is not too wet in your area. Check if the variety is self-pollinating as some fruit trees need […]

By using plants instead of fences to define their property, this couple ended up with lush green spaces and a sense of privacy – all on a small section in urban Auckland Borrowing views of the surrounding landscape is an age-old design trick traditionally used in Japanese gardens that is now a feature of many […]

It’s time to harvest your beetroot, sow some bok choy and plant your strawberries. These are your garden tasks for May What to harvest: When harvesting beetroots, don’t throw away the leaves, which are great in salads and stir-fries. I often leave a few beetroots in the ground after harvest for a good supply of […]

Carved out of a blustery, salt-licked site by a couple and their obliging teenagers, this lush garden is still drawing the clan together years later – along with hordes of admirers They say gardening is a great way to connect with family. This is certainly true in the case of Jenny and Guy Oakley whose […]

The season is changing, so here’s your complete guide to what you should be harvesting, planting and sowing in the garden this April The best vegetables to harvest  Kūmara harvesting begins this month. You’ll know when yours are ready if most of the plant has turned yellow. If frosts are likely in your area, dig […]

From roses and perennials to lawns and hedges, here’s some expert advice on what you need to do to your garden this April for optimal results Use this garden checklist this April to keep your plants happy and healthy + Some experts advise leaving a few flowers on rose plants at this time of year […]

This U-shaped courtyard home in a densely packed part of Wellington has been blessed with a natural-looking garden that carefully edits the view Building their own home was always a dream for Wellingtonians Jess and Kris Sowersby. When the young couple found a flat, sunny section on Miramar Peninsula, in the capital’s southeast, their dream […]

It’s time to harvest the last of the summer produce and start preparing for Autumn by planting and sowing new vegetables Best vegetables to harvest When harvesting summer vegetables, don’t discard those with the odd mark or two. Perfect shapes and unblemished leaves do not make your crops taste any better. Pick globe artichoke before […]

Creating a new garden doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. It’s better for the budget and the planet to work with what you have to give your garden a facelift 1. Survey your site Begin by assessing the garden thoroughly. When making over an existing garden (or, indeed, starting with bare earth), knowing your […]

A series of terraces, lush planting and enhanced outdoor bathing options have lifted this steep inner-city site to subtropical superstar status Dealing with an “incredibly challenging” steep site, a swimming pool in disrepair and major privacy issues is not an easy ask for any landscape professional. Fortunately, talented designer Kirsten Sach was more than up […]

You might already be the proud owner of a vertical garden, an indoor jungle or bee-pleasing plants. But what new, planet-friendly trends are on the horizon in 2019? Garden goals It’s natural to make a few well-meaning resolutions when a new year dawns. Exercise more, eat better, be kinder to our loved ones, enjoy the outdoors […]

A spacious living area beneath soaring white beams has been the runaway hit of this beautifully reimagined garden in Auckland’s Grey Lynn Under the pergola Most people start with the house first when doing up a property. Not Dianne Ensor and Geoff Cawthorn. Dianne, who is co-owner of The Makeup School and the Makeup Collective […]

What better way to start the New Year than creating your own kitchen garden. Here are the best vegetables to plant, harvest and sow this January Best vegetables to plant Buy sweetcorn seedlings rather than sow seed if summers are short in your region, as sweetcorn needs around 14 weeks from seed to harvest. There […]

By the time summer knocks on our door, we’re all going to want an outdoor living area worthy of welcoming it with open arms. Here’s how PlaceMakers can help make it happen 4 essential ways to give your outdoors a facelift for summer There’s nothing more Kiwi than firing up the barbie on a summer […]

After 15 years in the swimming pool business, this couple finally designed and built the pool area – and tropical garden – of their dreams This tropical inspired pool has the ultimate diving platform When you own a swimming pool maintenance and renovation business, it’s a no-brainer that your own pool should be something pretty […]

Contemporary gardens are all about comfort, style and clean, minimal finishes. Think a stylish pool for parties and playtime How to create a contemporary garden at your place Cabana cues Poolside fun in contemporary gardens is all about keeping things simple and organised. As their pool area is not on the same level as the […]

This picture-perfect farm north-west of Auckland provides a cornucopia of fruit, veges and produce for its owners A landscape architect and chef create the ultimate edible garden When a landscape architect and a chef join forces to create a garden, the edible component is bound to be something special. And so it is at Violet […]

Some overzealous tenants meant this green-fingered couple had to start their cottage garden from scratch, but the result is bloomin’ beautiful  Here’s how a florist and a builder created a blooming cottage garden  Creating a cottage garden to suit their old Tauranga homestead involved no brain strain at all for Meg and Brian Claxton. Meg […]

Gardens to see, how to give your garden a summer boost and the best flowers to find at garden centres this month. Check these garden tasks off in November  These are the garden tasks to complete this November Fed up with buying stuff for Christmas presents that will only end up as landfill within a […]

BBQ season is in full swing, so keep planting lettuces and mesculin for on-demand salads. Plus it’s time to start some home-grown prep for Christmas Here’s what to plant, harvest and sow in the garden this November + You’ll need plenty of salad greens now that barbecue season is in full swing. Keep planting lettuces and […]

Think meandering paths and curved flower beds, and allow plants to cascade over the edges of paths, walls and fences How to create a cute cottage garden brimming with flowers Originating three centuries ago in rural England, cottage gardens are typified by a profusion of flowers planted in an informal, uncontrived way. Think meandering paths and […]

With November weather being so unpredictable its important to prepare your garden for anything. Use our gardening tips and tricks to guide the way How to keep your garden looking great in November + November means unpredictable weather. One minute you’re trying to stop pots from drying out, the next you’re staking plants. The motto for […]

Planning and planting a verdant home garden in Tauranga has been both healing and enriching for this hands-on couple This couple found healing in creating a bountiful urban garden For Isaac Weston and Lara Bui, 2008 and 2009 were extremely challenging years. With two unsuccessful rounds of IVF and the passing of their beloved cat, […]

Urban gardens are typically small and underutilised. Here’s how, with a little savvy planning, you can create a number of different spaces, from outdoor dining to growing your own vegetables.  Here’s how to make the most of your small urban garden Shade  There’s a big difference in the quality of an open space like an […]

Improved for privacy and packed with family-friendly features, this modestly sized garden is big on rest and recreation To say that Leighton Bycroft’s garden is versatile would be an understatement. Despite its compact size, there’s a variety of features and spaces cleverly slotted into this outdoor space in Millwater, Silverdale, making it an ideal hang-out […]

Spring is the season for flowers, so make sure your blooms are getting the best possible treatment. Here’s your October gardening checklist Tick these garden tasks off your list this October + Feed your roses and check out new varieties in garden centres, or older types in your neighbour’s garden to add to your own garden […]

Pot plants are all the rage but getting lush results takes a little planning. Here’s how to create a perfect potted garden 7 tips to ensure your pot plants’ survival With outdoor space at such a premium these days, many of us are gardening in containers. And why not? Pot plants are perfect for those […]

Sansevieria, also known as snake plant, produces dramatic, sculptural foliage that works with any style, plus it's easy care

Spring is in the air and now is a great time to get busy in the garden for a bumper summer crop. Here are our top tips on what vegetables to harvest, plant and sow in your garden this September The best vegetables to plant + If the soil is well-drained and warm at your […]