outdoors

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The vibrant hues of the Mediterranean inspired this clever homeowner to embrace bright colours in the most creative way in the back garden of her Auckland home Meet + Greet Erina Emery, 46 (interior designer), Matthew Emery, 49 (lawyer), Mason, 16, Zoe, 13, and Oliver, 11, plus Roxy the dog. Spanish steps After a year […]

 From BBQ entertaining patios to gardens blooming with flowers and vegetables, these New Zealand gardens will inspire your own outdoor makeover 1. St Heliers Entertaining area When owners Brett and Sarah Dobson first spied a five-bedroom house in a quiet cul-de-sac in St Heliers they were undaunted, despite the amount of work that needed to be […]

Very Kiwi and just a little bit glam, you can create the ultimate festive camping, or glamping, experience using elements from nature This glamping set up will make you want to have Christmas outdoors There’s nothing more Kiwi than a campsite Christmas where the living is easy. Take the stress out of the holiday season […]

Create a nostalgic backyard oasis inspired by 1970s poolside style How to bring a cool vintage vibe to your poolside style While I wasn’t lucky enough to have a pool growing up, I had a lot of fun hanging out at other people’s pools. Both my neighbours and grandparents built pools in the 1970s, classic […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Budget restrictions, ongoing drama and sneaky tactics kept the teams busy during outdoor week on The Block NZ. Get a closer look at all the room reveals and watch the judges’ comments below The Block NZ teams reveal the first part of their outdoor areas This week on The Block NZ, it was crucial for the […]

Take a look at this garden checklist to ensure you do all you can to keep your garden alive and healthy during the colder months. How to keep your garden looking great in the winter months + Winter is the best time to plant roses as they’re less likely to suffer any setbacks when in a […]

Creating a boundary that complements your home is key to completing an outdoor space. If you’re still on the fence about fencing, this stylish beginner’s guide is here to help How to choose the best type of fence for your home It’s one of the most dominant features in the garden, so your fence’s appearance […]

From practical tips to nutrition advice, this is more than just a gardening guide. Discover the best vegetables to harvest, plant and sow in your garden this April What to plant in April: Beetroot: Planting or sowing beetroot will give you double your money in terms of value. The root of this easy-to-grow vegetable is […]

This lush garden in Auckland’s Herne Bay was prompted by an unlovely outlook and shaped by the stone structures and trees already on the site This overgrown Herne Bay garden was transformed into the ultimate oasis Dilapidated fences, a high block wall and a trampoline – not exactly the kind of garden outlook most 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

It was an emotional “tools down” moment as the teams finished up their final room reveal challenge. We take a closer look at their outdoor spaces The Block NZ: Week 12 outdoor area reveal DIY dilemmas, lots of drama and even a proposal, it’s been quite the emotional roller coaster over the past 12 weeks […]

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 […]

Bursting with bright pink blooms and standing at a whopping 7.6m, a giant rhododendron bush is bringing a buzz to Canadian town Ladysmith 100-year-old rhododendron bush brings fame to small Canadian town A small Canadian town hopes to capitalise on a local homeowner’s 7.6 metre rhododendron bush, after this picture went viral online. Sitting in the […]

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? […]

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 […]

Your Home and Garden features editor, Fiona Ralph would love an open-air bathroom. We discover the get-it-now options and long-term solutions For now and forever solutions for an open-air bathroom “I love showering outside or bathing under the stars while on holiday. A rustic, open-air bathroom sheltered by palm fronds would bring a delicious dose […]

A fire pit is a must if you enjoy entertaining outdoors all year round. Here are some top tips to consider if you want to create your own How to build your own fire pit in 5 simple steps  If you like to make the most of your outdoor area all year round, then installing […]

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 […]

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 […]

The colourful melamine tableware of picnics past are back! Add a big dose of style with a touch of nostalgia to your next picnic with this fun ’50s trend Add serious style to your next picnic with this favourite from the ’50s Melamine resin was invented in the 1930s and put into service during the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Garden designer Angela Arrowsmith shares some eco-friendly time-saving tips and explains why a good landscaper will save you money 1. Go professional Landscape design requires lateral thinking and years of experience so employing a talented designer will pay off in the end. It might mean paying more in the beginning but will end up saving […]

Catch up with all the action from outdoor week on The Block NZ where the teams ran the gamut from Mediterranean-style luxe to nice and natural The Block NZ: Girls v Boys screens Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm on TV3.

Consider this your wintery planting guide! Here’s what to harvest, plant and sow in the garden during the month of July What to harvest in the garden in July – Winter is citrus harvest time. Don’t leave mandarins and tangelos too long on the tree after they ripen as they can dry out. – Limes can be […]

 Is one of your plants too big for its spot in the garden? Does it need more shade? Whatever the reason, now is the time to move it During the winter months plants are not actively growing, so their metabolism slows down. As a result, if you move a plant there will be a little […]

On a steep site, exposed to hot northwesterly winds, Blenheim gardener Dianne Croad has managed to create her dream garden One of the joys of gardening is to see your vision gradually take shape from year to year. Southland-born Dianne Croad had always yearned for a garden where she could do just that, but her […]

Creating her dream garden was worth the wait for this Blenheim gardener A structured and semi-formal garden in Blenheim One of the joys of gardening is to see your vision gradually take shape from year to year. Southland-born Dianne Croad had always yearned for a garden where she could do just that, but her late […]

A plain little garden on Waiheke has been transformed into a place of enchantment with a range of subtropical plants THE SITE Stuart Jobling and his partner Barry Danby have created a delightful, densely planted subtropical garden on Waiheke Island. With its canopy of palms, flowering trees and lush-leaved subtropicals below, the exotic garden is a far […]

This garden is so abundant and established it looks as though it’s been the life-long companion to the Victorian-era weatherboard home it surrounds Despite looking like it’s always been there, this garden is a recent development, installed in tandem with the home’s renovation two years ago. The Cheongs retained the Victorian facade and added a contemporary extension at the […]

Beat the late summer blues by rejuvenating flower beds and lawns with a little loving care Your March planting guide Gardens can look a little jaded by the end of summer but an easy way to add colour and interest is to fill containers and gaps in flower beds with brightly-hued annuals and perennials that bloom […]

Strategic use of screening plants and clever design create a private oasis in the midst of a subdivision After living north of Auckland for about 10 years, Henry Lin and his wife, Coco Liang, decided to move to Millwater, a new housing development a little further north, near Orewa. As well as the glorious beaches […]

Late summer is definitely the best time for eating outdoors The heat is less intense but the days and evenings are still warm enough to sit and dine comfortably for hours. This menu is inspired by the fresh produce around at this time of year. Fruit, basking day after day in the sun, is now […]

More than two decades have gone into creating this lush garden which unfolds over three tiers It’s no secret that artists will often extend their creativity into their domestic surroundings. Step into the beautifully designed garden of glass artists Ben and Suzanne Hanly and you’ll see what I mean. The couple have spent the last […]

Not many people in central Auckland can float blissfully in their backyard pool with a herd of cows grazing calmly in a lush green field next door nearby, but that’s the scene at this Mt Albert home This family have brought a holiday vibe to their own home Suzanne McNamara and Ian Grant’s family is lucky […]

This serene, green sanctuary was cleverly created to combat a common complaint – loss of privacy When a two-storey rest home was built on the back boundary of her Blenheim home, Anne Bassett turned the situation into an opportunity. Instead of staring at a tall building from her kitchen and living room, Anne now looks […]

If you’re wanting your plants to stay looking good through the warmer months, especially if you’re planning on going away on holiday, here’s what you need to know 1. Mulch it Mulching is beneficial in so many ways. It helps keep moisture in the soil; therefore reducing the amount of watering you’ll need to do. […]

Planting in this Mission Bay, Auckland, garden has been slow and steady but it’s now in full bloom Who lives here? Robin Houlker (educational consultant) and Peter Houlker (accountant). Robin, what would you advise people to do when planning a garden? Try things out before buying in bulk. I have things in pots for a […]

Meet the Lotus Bud, the latest addition to the Lotus Belle glamping family With camping season just around the corner, glampers will be pleased to hear that tent connoisseur Lotus Belle has just released a smaller and lighter version of the  signature ‘Lotus Belle’.  Weighing in at just 26kgs with a 2.7m diameter, it’s a travel size Lotus Belle […]

When the weather’s warm it’s time to head outside for an alfresco lunch. There’s loads of inspiration to be found from this harvest-style lunch thrown in a hayshed by food stylist Fiona Hugues – steal her style secrets for your next soiree. Styling by: Fiona Hugues/Gatherum Collectif Photography by: Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif

Get your outside areas in tip top shape with step-by-step tips for tidying up your decking, pavers, brickwork and guttering Now is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and take on those irksome jobs around the home and garden that you’ve been ignoring for months. REVIVE TIMBER DECKING IN 6 STEPS 1. Sweep away dust, […]

What was once a disaster zone is now a subtropical garden with a succession of show-stopping sculptures   For a landscape project to work, both client and designer must be on the same page. When Nigel Cameron was selected by Shelley Attwood to redesign her Auckland garden, it was a shared love of sculpture that […]

Landscape designer Debbie Hardy talks garden trends, from green living walls to garden art Debbie, what’s the latest buzz with gardens?Beautiful lawns and structure, a garden with formal bones (clipped hedges, single plants planted en masse) is still very popular. Green walls and green roofs are a hot garden trend, as is a productive garden […]