Gardening

This family garden in Christchurch is a child-friendly place of creativity that embraces learning, growth and using your imagination

The award-winning nursery manager shares why plant producers are hort stuff

Smooth the transition from summer into autumn with prudent nips and tucks, and harvest and store the last of the summer bounty

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

We chat to Once Were Gardeners host Kara Rickard

Four years of hard mahi and a two-week reno transformed this former Bachelor NZ winner and her fiance’s lifestyle block

Hearty and delicious vegetables that are easy to grow.

Next time you enjoy a sweet and tasty feijoa, keep the seeds to ensure a never-ending supply for years to come.

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.

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.

Greytown independent book store owner Millie Blackwell, of Mrs Blackwell’s Village Bookshop fame, shares some gardening picks.

An excerpt from garden and interior designer Michael's long-awaited book Everyday Opulence.

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

A mandarin tree may not be a short-term project, but if you can put in the work and nurture it for the years required to grow strong, it'll be so rewarding

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 […]

Encourage your children to run, play and dig into the joy of being outside, then nurture a love of gardening.

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. […]

Green room or greenhouse? British comedy star Caroline Quentin says she’s happiest pottering around outside We know Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek star Caroline Quentin best as an actor, so you might be surprised to know her first book is about gardening – and she also did the illustrations. It all started during the […]

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. […]

Insta gardener and Garden Hacks author Filip Johansson shares a fast and fun way to grow some delicious edibles Garden Hacks: 70 Smart, Sustainable Tips for Gardeners by Filip Johansson, is available at Paper Plus Microgreens have become very trendy. The word may sound high-tech, but they’re nothing more than delicate seedlings of regular plants. […]

What’s growing on with Insta home gardener Annabel Sandison Christchurch nurse, wife and mum-of-two, Annabel Sandison shares what she’s growing with handy tips and hacks in her little slice of paradise on Instagram. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed in her neighbourhood either – her garden received a Christchurch Street and Community Pride Garden Award. […]

This May gardening to-do list is packed full of the best winter blooms, tips for Mother’s Day, and how to protect your plants in frosty temps Autumn bliss: The gardening chores to tackle in May There is a certain urgency in the air. As the last month of Autumn, May signals your last chance to […]

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 […]

Growing your fruit, vegetables and herbs at home is good for both your nutrition and your wallet. Try these options in your garden. Growing organic produce at home rather than buying it from a market or supermarket makes financial as well as nutritional sense. Where time and space are at a premium, concentrate on growing […]

From the experts at Kings Plant Barn What should I do after my moth orchid has finished flowering? Once the orchid has stopped blooming, trim the flower stem down to a healthy node. Nodes are small bumps along the stem. Look for the node closest to the lowest flower on the stem and make the […]

Whether you have $10, $100, $1000 or more to spend on your garden, consider this cash-savvy advice Be it a dispassionate assessment or wild fantasising over what could be, before the garden dons its spring glories an appraisal may be in order. Starting a garden from scratch or wanting to tart up an existing one, […]

Get your hands dirty over the long Easter weekend and turn your garden into an autumnal happy place Finale The last of summer’s flowers are putting on their final show, a glorious blast of colour. Stop and admire the blooms, which from hibiscus to helenium, from bougainvillea to rudbeckia are bathing in the light of […]

Get picking on the daily – it’s summer harvest time in the garden January is a traditional time for holidays in Aotearoa. That it coincides with peak harvest can be annoying if you’re planning on heading off for a sunny sojourn at the beach or river. Unless you get someone to come and pick them […]

Caroline Yelavic is getting her hands dirty with an ancient form of gardening Originally from sunny Sao Paulo in Brazil, Caroline Yelavic was exposed to Japanese culture from a young age, despite being thousand of miles away from the land of the rising sun. “My godmother was a Buddhist and enjoyed the practice of ikebana […]

Gardeners are easy to buy for. Make it something related to their passion and you’re home and hosed Tool time Practical is good when it comes to gifts for green thumbs Burgon & Ball mini snips, $24.99, from Shut the Front Door. Dewit Japanese left-handed hoe, $47.99, from Kings Plant Barn. Budding Gardener wooden trug, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Late winter isn’t the time to put away the gumboots and spade. Keep up with the gardening chores because spring is just round the corner Pot to pot Potato planting time is upon us, and with it the thrill and incomparable flavour of homegrown spuds in early summer. Often, when space is an issue, potatoes […]

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 […]

Bring the outdoors in this winter with these easy indoor gardening ideas. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you would know that indoor plants are one of the hottest trends in lifestyle and gardening right now. But how do you look after them when the weather turns cold? Self-confessed indoor plant lover, Narelle Van Reyk […]

The experts at Kings Plant Barn are here to help I’d like to put a plant in my bathroom. What can tolerate little light and steam? Tropical indoor plants or moisture-loving plants are the best choices for your bathroom. Consider a fern, calathea, monstera, orchid, philodendron or air plants. How do I prevent my pond […]

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 […]

Need help in the garden?  The team at Kings Plant Barn are here to help I want to grow my vegetables from seeds this year. What’s the best way to guarantee success? There is nothing like growing your own fruit and vegetables from seeds, but failure is easy if you don’t follow the simple rules […]

Need help in the garden?  The team at Kings Plant Barn are here to help I want to sow a lawn in a shady spot. Is there any way this can be done? It is not impossible, however you need to choose a shade-tolerant lawn seed. If the area is under a tree, prune away […]

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

The experts from Kings Plant Barn are here to help  Help! My fruit trees didn’t bear much fruit this summer. What can I do for next year? A little care goes a long way. Mulch your planted fruit trees with bark or compost, making sure it isn’t touching the trunk. This will help lock in […]

The experts from Kings Plant Barn are here to help  For those in drought-stricken areas, how can we offset the effects of not being able to soak the entire garden? Make sure you have water tanks installed to the downpipes of your roof (or garage roof) to catch any rainfall and use any extra water […]

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 […]

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, […]

Give your old ceramics a shiny new purpose with this simple, yet effective, plant pot hack. Your indoor plants will thank you for it You will need Two matching bowls Liquid Nails Potting mix Small succulents How to make 1 Glue the bases of your bowls together with Liquid Nails. Leave to dry. 2 Add […]

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 […]

It’s time to harvest spinach, sow your beans and plant tomatoes. Here are all your garden tasks to complete this October Harvest Spinach: As the weather warms, spinach, rocket and other leafy greens can bolt (turn to seed and stop producing leaves). To avoid this keep picking as much as possible, even the young flower stems […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

From roses to shrubs and trees, our handy guide will help you to primp and prune your garden like a green-thumbed expert Your July gardening checklist with bonus pruning tips + Gardens are just as much about editing as planting – a shrub may grow wider than you planned or a tree might block out […]

Whether it’s gardening, cooking or just lounging, these nature-inspired gifts are the perfect Mothers Day present for anyone who loves the outdoors 23 thoughtful gifts that nature lovers will want for Mother’s Day We’ve comprised the perfect list for all the green-thumb mums out there. Spoil mum with one of these beautifully made gardening tools, […]

Who can’t help but notice the gentler way of gardening that is creeping in, everywhere from show gardens to backyards? I’m a fan. It won’t suit the obsessively tidy or those who crave razor-sharp minimalism, but the birds, beetles and all in-between are loving it. Letting go doesn’t mean letting things slide. Sometimes it’s as […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Whether it’s gardening, cooking or just lounging, these nature-inspired gifts selected by the Your Home & Garden are the perfect present for anyone who loves the outdoors [related_articles post1=”77249″ post2=”77235″]

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 […]

To celebrate the beginning of summer, RYOBI is giving away a prize pack including 6 of their products from the 36V Garden Range Win a RYOBI garden prize pack worth over $2000 Thanks to Ryobi’s 36V Garden Range, now there’s a real battery alternative to petrol and corded electric garden tools. You’ll enjoy easy push […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

IKEA takes indoor gardening to new heights with the launch of The Growroom, a flatpack garden orb designed to encourage growing food at home IKEA launch an indoor garden orb big enough to sit in IKEA have taken flat-pack furniture to whole new level with the announcement of a plywood flat-pack garden orb, so big […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]