The world is facing a waste crisis, with not enough of our everyday products being recycled, and too much going into landfill. However, with parts of the world considerably at risk of being lost to plastic and other trash, it’s important to look at what we can do to shrink our environmental footprint. New Zealand, while a small country, is still contributing to a growing problem, with 2.5 million tonnes of rubbish, or about one tonne per household, going into landfill every year.

Did you know that a lot of what we are throwing away we can actually use in the garden? While gardening isn’t for everyone, you would be surprised at what you can consider to be garden waste or green waste, breaking down in your own yard for use in gardens and soil. There’s no time like the present to join the compositing revolution and do your part for the environment. You will be surprised at how a bit of composting education can transform your waste production.

What is Composting?

Compositing is the act of using decomposing organic matter, turning it into a soil conditioner. It’s nutrient-rich, and those who love to get involved in gardening refer to it as “black gold”. It’s an excellent way in which to revitalise your soil while taking care of garden waste and green waste in the process.

What Can You Compost?

You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of food scraps and other things you are throwing into landfill, that can actually benefit your garden. Fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds and filters, paper products, rice, pasta, chips, bread, cheese, cereal, crackers, seaweed, hair, cotton, nail clippings, dryer lint, ashes, and latex balloons are just a few of the many options.

In essence, almost anything you can break down is beneficial for your garden. That list doesn’t even extensively cover garden waste and green waste such as lawn clippings, twigs, leaves, and dead plants. Don’t underestimate how dramatically the act of compositing can empty your rubbish bin marked for landfill.

Benefits of Composting

Many people get a lot of pleasure from gardening, but composting with garden waste, green waste, and other ingredients can be equally as satisfying. What’s more, there is a range of benefits on a local and global scale.

• Less rubbish going to landfill

• Enriches your soil

• Suppresses plant diseases

• Reduces the need for a chemical fertiliser

• Lowers methane emissions from landfill

• Creates a nutrient-rich material your garden will love

How to Compost

Many people with a lot of garden waste or green waste will see the benefits of composting, but may not know how to get started. Then, there are those who don’t dabble in too much gardening but would like to reduce how much of their trash goes into landfill. Whichever category you fall into, you will be pleased to know that composting is an effortless process – and one doesn’t require you to be a seasoned gardener.

Method One – Backyard Composting

The first step to backyard composting is to set up an area in your yard for the process. Ensure it’s near a water source and as far away from your home as possible. Remember, the compost bin or area will feature a lot of garden waste, green waste, and smelly, decomposing products. As a result, you won’t want it too near an outdoor dining area!

You can either use a bin or create a pile – whichever you prefer. Begin by adding brown and green waste as you collect it, shredding and breaking up any large pieces as you add it to the bin or pile. When you add any dry products, wet them to keep them moist.

After establishing your compost pile, you can add grass clippings and green waste, burying fruit and vegetable matter underneath the newly created pile. In warmer regions of the country, it can be challenging to stop compost from drying out – at least on top. Therefore, you can keep a lid on the bin, or cover the compost pile with a tarpaulin. It can take between two months and two years to create a layer of dark, rich compost (toward the bottom) that’s ready to include in gardening.

Method Two – Indoor Composting

For those who don’t have a backyard or even a strip of lawn for a garden, it can be more challenging to jump aboard the composting bandwagon and give the environment a break. However, did you know you can do some composting indoors?

While it’s not suitable to begin throwing scraps in the middle of your living room, there are specially sealed containers you can buy that break down food waste, green waste, and other waste so that you can reduce your footprint. While this method is one that may have unwanted rodent visitors gracing your doorstep, it’s still a valid option if you’re interested in creating “black gold” for the gardening community.

Composting Types

Along with indoor and outdoor composting, you can compost in a whole range of ways with different techniques. Even if you’re not that interested in gardening, you are sure to find it’s a lot of fun to think outside the square. Compost bin types and methods can include:

• Plastic, sealed bins – suitable for small areas but harder to harvest

• Pits – no construction or labour, just set up where you intend on having a garden

• Open bins – suitable for hot and cold composting and you can use wood and wire mesh to build them

• Piles – no materials or labour required, just dump your green waste, garden waste, and other products onto the pile

• Vermicomposting – make worms do all the hard work

Composting is not for everyone, but you will be surprised at not only how beneficial it is, but how little effort it takes. By choosing to put your waste back into your own property, you’re able to keep more of it out of landfill and shrink your ever-growing environmental footprint at the same time. What’s more, if you have to pay for your wheelie bin service, it means you’re able to save space and potentially money in the long run. Jump on the composting bandwagon and reap the rewards sooner rather than later.

---

Related Articles

As we advance into a more technological age, the art of gardening is becoming more and more redundant. We notice that increasingly, people want ‘low maintenance’ instead. But having a flourishing garden with shrubs, flowers, fruit, and vegetables is one of the most rewarding things. Kids today spend more time indoors looking at screens then they do outside looking at nature.

Gardening is healthy and fun for children. Not only will it help with their understanding of how things grow; but they will learn responsibility, love of nature, proper nutrition, physical activity and knowledge of life. There’s also a great reward if the plants flourish as they will be able to physically see what hard work can earn. 

Some simple ways to get your children interested in gardening include:

• Giving them their own little garden space

• Using specialised, lightweight equipment that children will take pride in using

• Making it a fun project

• Visiting public gardens for inspiration and ideas

• Giving them the responsibility to take ownership

We will cover these areas in more detail below.

While gardening can almost seem like a “grownup” task, it doesn’t have to be. Children are more than capable of getting involved in:

• Digging

• Picking flowers

• Weeding

• Watering

• Picking vegetables when they are ready to eat

• Garden clean-up

• Replanting and potting

• Decorating pots with paint

• Picking off dead bulbs

Therefore, there’s no time like the present to get the gardening gloves out, gather up the children and get outdoors. Here is how to get your children interested in gardening.

Their Own Garden Space

When you’ve been out gardening in the past, your children are sure to have, at some point, showed interest in what you’re doing. They might have enjoyed helping you to pick the fruits of your labour, or they may have even asked what you’re planting and whether they can help. Take this opportunity to offer your child their own piece of the garden to create and do with as they please.

Whether it’s a back corner you’re not using yourself or a small tub they can use to plant a few things, they are sure to jump at the opportunity. Children are very inventive, and when you give them the freedom to create something unique, they will often put a lot of time and effort into flexing their creative muscles.

However, it’s crucial to make sure this area you’re giving them is going to produce. Poor soil, drainage or a historically poor-performing part of your yard is not going to give your child a lot of confidence when plants fail to grow. Instead, make sure the soil is primed and ready to go – or help them to do that themselves – and offer a balanced mix of sun, shade, and moisture.

 

Lightweight Gardening Equipment

Standard gardening equipment for adults is typically not something children will find easy to use. Large garden forks can be cumbersome and heavy, while shovels are typically bottom-heavy and not easy for children to lift. To get your children enthused about their new piece of garden, take them on a shopping trip. Many garden shops sell gardening equipment specifically for children looking to discover their green fingers.

From gloves and gardening aprons through to small garden wagons, forks, and shovels – all manner of gardening tools are now available for the smaller members of our families. What’s more, they are often for sale in vibrant colour schemes to encourage creativity and fun. Gardening can be fun, and tools just for them is sure to promote that.

Fun Gardening Project

As previously mentioned, gardening can be a lot of fun, but you have to put time and effort into making it so. If you have more than one child who has begun to show an interest in gardening, have them both get to work on creating a sketch of their new patch. They can discuss their ideas for what to plant, how to plant them, and how to bring life to their own garden.

Not only does it become a fun project that lures them away from computer screens, but it also encourages them to learn about teamwork, sharing, and innovative ideas. From the initial sketch phase, it may also help to work with them to choose vegetables, fruit, and flowers they can grow. This is where your expertise should come in, as you don’t want them to plant something you know will not grow in our climate.

Inspiration and Ideas

If you don’t have green fingers and your children are new to the world of gardening, then use this inexperience as an opportunity to get out and about. Take the kids to public gardens, gardening events, and even the gardening store. Invite them to talk to shop attendants and learn all there is to know about their new chosen passion. Your children are not only learning valuable gardening skills for inspiration and ideas, but they are also learning to communicate with others as well.

Responsibility and Ownership

Many parents buy their children a pet to learn responsibility and ownership. The deal is generally that the child must feed it, take it for walks, and care for it. However, as many parents will have experienced, some children lose interest in doing those things fairly quickly, so the task of caring for the new pet falls into the hands of the parents.

Instead of investing in a dog or cat to achieve responsibility and ownership, invest in a new garden instead for the same results. Your child’s new job is not only to plant, water, and maintain the garden but to keep the plants alive too. They will take pride in this ownership, especially as the plants begin to grow, prosper, and are then ready for harvest. Then, you can look at the smiles on their faces as they eat freshly grown fruit and vegetables they produced all on their own.

You don’t have to have the greenest thumb to get your child interested in gardening. It’s all about ‘planting the seed’ (see what we did there) so that your children may grow their own healthy garden to share for future generations.

---

Related Articles

The decorations are out, the heatwave is growing stronger, and days are getting longer. All signs of a looming Kiwi Christmas. Are you spending more time in the garden leading up to the big day? Whether you’re just tidying up the garden, or decorating with lights - Crewcut couldn’t be happier to make your lawns and gardens look their best.

Many of us get into the Christmas lights spectacular - which is such a cool way to redesign your garden just in time for Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best lawns and gardens to check out this time of the year. 

Auckland

Franklin Road

Of course this goes without mentioning - an Auckland Christmas tradition. Everyone's lawns are neatly mowed with decorations adorning every front door and garden. Carollers sing a festive tune and cotton candy hides the smiles of young children. 

 

Karaka Light Show - 20 Cornwall Place

Each year the Karaka light show draws in crowds because of the grand light decorations. Truly not to be missed!
 

Canterbury

11 Tullamore Place

Boasting to have plenty of Christmas decorations inside and out! Maybe a Santa’s grotto is waiting for you and your family in the backyard! Check them out, 7-11pm, from December 19-23.

190 Hoon Hay Road

Such a magnificent use of the front and back garden - with beautiful Christmas lights and inflatable Santas. Be sure to check this one out!

7 Woodglen Drive, Woodend

This place has really utilised full capacity of their front yard, creating a beautiful space. Even has a realistic Santa clause too!

Wellington

37 Sumner Terrace, Porirua

If you're into pyrotechnics, you'll absolutely love this! With a full light display, you'll be standing on the front lawn, entertained for ages. 

30 Caesers Place, Churton Park

Fairy lights, fairy lights, and more fairy lights! This property has gone all out with decorating the grass with multi-coloured lights. Such a simple and effective take on the Christmas lights celebrations. 

For a more comprehensive directory of all the light shows around the country, be sure to check out https://www.lightupchristmas.co.nz/xmas-lights.php

---

Related Articles

If you've ever watched 'The Block' or a home and garden show, you'll know how important it is to enclose your property with either a fence or hedge. Aside from the aesthetics, they have plenty of practical positives as well. However, there has been hot debate on which is better - fence or hedge. So who comes out on top?

Privacy and security

Because many hedges can grow to pretty decent heights (some can get to 2 metres!), you can be assured that your privacy will be maintained. This means a reduced risk of mischievous, thieving eyes peering into your backyard and home. Alternatively it means you can saunter in your stubbies around your garden in peace. 

Muffles sound out better

Hedges work brilliantly as a sound blocker. If you have noisy neighbours or are close to a busy road - you should definitely consider having a hedge. A dense hedge can reduce the decibels of noise by up to 50 percent. Most fences on the other hand, do very little for noise control. If you are interested in noise control with fences, you will need to consider brick or thick wood. 

Windbreak

While fences take the brunt of wind gusts, sometimes it can prove too much and causes the fence to topple over. However, a hedge will slow down a lot of the wind while allowing some to pass through.

Wildlife

Hedges are great for our wildlife! Birds stay in them, flying insects and bees carry nectar from the plants, and a neighbouring hedgehog will call it home. If you have young children - they will really appreciate all the extra wildlife the hedge will bring to the garden.

Interesting background

While a fence can look a bit boring, hedges can add a textured and interesting background to any garden. Some hedges even grow interesting flowers - a two in one surprise!

Cost

Fences often have plenty of upkeep and can get worn down very quickly. A well maintained hedge on the other hand will continue to look nice for as long as it's looked after. All it needs is sunlight, water, and 1-2 sessions of hedge trimming a year. Crewcut offers affordable hedge trimming year round, and nationwide! 

Adds value

Plenty of real estate agents agree that a well-maintained and trimmed hedge adds plenty of value to your property. This is particularly pertinent when it comes close to sale time of the property.

So have you been sold on hedges? If you need more help and advice on how to best look after your hedge, make sure to ask you local Crewcut operator. As we come into the sunny months, time spent in the backyard will be much more enjoyed with a nice hedge surrounding it. 

---

Related Articles

As the age old saying goes: "Money doesn't grow on trees", however, you can grow your money - in your backyard. With the average house in Auckland selling for 1 million (as of May 2017), you could add even more to the house value by having a well maintained garden and lawn. While renovating other areas of the house are sure to make their improvements on the sale price - nothing sells more than the green, green grass and foliage you have outside. In fact, it can raise the value of the property by 16%, which is today's market is around $100,000+!

Potential home owners love to see outdoor areas they can raise their children in, relax in, or just have room for a fun-loving dog to run in. The extra space is a luxury as houses grow closer and closer together. If you have a lawn, take advantage of it with some regular lawn mowing and extra TLC. Crewcut's Auckland lawn mowing team covers all parts of the city and beyond - so if you need your lawns mowed, we're ready.

---

Related Articles

Father’s day is coming up, do you know what you might be getting?

New underwear? Perhaps a box of chocolates? Or maybe another ‘best dad ever’ mug? While these are ‘mighty fine gifts’, we know you’d prefer something a bit more satisfying.

When the gardening needs doing, or the lawn needs to be mowed, are you often left with the job? While Kiwi dads are built on the ‘can-do’ attitude, sometimes this mantra gets taken advantage of by others in the family. Dads out there, we hear you.

This year, you should be able to sit back with a beer (or cup of tea) in hand and get a company like Crewcut to mow the lawns for you. Enjoy the time with your family instead and leave your backyard to the experts. We think that’s the ultimate Father’s day gift.

So send this to your kids or partner as a subtle memo that ‘hey, I don’t want socks this year’. Ask them instead to treat you with the gift that keeps on giving - the gift of never having to mow your lawns again. You deserve it, because as a Kiwi father, you’re a cut above the rest.

To arrange a free lawn quote, contact us on 0800 800 286

---

Related Articles

Trying to get your children outside in the winter holidays, particularly when the wintry weather isn’t overly appealing, can be challenging. While you wouldn’t dream of sending them out when it’s pouring down with rain, it’s important to use those breaks in the weather to your advantage. Staying cooped up inside during the school holidays isn’t fun for anyone.

While the kids are probably more than happy to lounge around watching TV, playing computer games or browsing the internet on their tablet, there comes a time when leaving the house is as much for their sanity as your own. Here are just a few of the many options – from things you can do at home, to extensive holiday programmes that cater to your children’s needs.

Auckland Botanic Gardens

There’s an abundance of activities to do here during the school holidays, including nature challenges, kids vs. wild, Matariki mobiles and much more! And if you can't make it to the programs, children love walking around the gardens and learning about all the various plants and flowers that make this garden so full of life. Winter growth is very unique which makes it the perfect time to visit the gardens. 

Wilder Kids

If you’re in Wellington, your kids are going to love the Wilder Kids programme. Aimed at 5-12 year olds, your children will have a fun outdoorsy day learning about nature, creepy crawlies and how to protect everything in New Zealand’s big backyard. The programme runs every school holidays, and while winter limits outdoor time, your kids will still be learning heaps.

sKids Holiday Programme

Safe Kids in Daily Supervision (sKids) has become New Zealand’s most significant private supervised care facility. While they provide your children with plenty to do after school, they also run holiday programmes to appeal to many.

From cooking and sports through to making huts, music, dancing, and taking outings, you will find every child will enjoy everything this programme has to offer. While the outdoor components of this holiday programme are weather-dependent, you are sure to see even the indoor activities challenge your children to try new things and enjoy a unique environment that may be a little outside of their comfort zone. What’s more, sKids has programmes throughout most main centres in New Zealand – from Otago all the way through to Auckland and everywhere in between.

Auckland for Kids

If your children fall into that age gap that makes them a little too mature for most holiday activities, they are sure to love what Auckland for Kids has to offer. Not only do they cater to young school-aged children, but teens and pre-schoolers as well. Therefore, you can rest assured there’s a vast range of activities that surely mean you won’t need to drag the kids out of the house – they’ll drag you.

You can choose from general holiday programmes with a little bit of everything, or something more targeted. From art, cooking, and sports through to dance, drama, photography, and film, there is so much to experience these school holidays.

 

Give Them A Project

If it’s been that long since your kids have been outside that they no longer remember what the yard looks like, then it’s time to rug them up then kick them out. When there’s a break in the weather, there’s no harm in the kids putting down their electronic devices and finding something to do outside. If you’re waiting for the “I’m bored” to fill your ears within mere minutes, then give them a project.

They could learn how to prepare the garden for winter crops or learn how to create a hen house. Or, if they want to earn pocket money to do something with their friends, they could get their hands dirty and remove all the dead plants that fell victim to harsh winter frosts. The backyard is a blank canvas for activities; the kids just need time to see it.

Mini Winter Sports

It’s all too easy to let the kids stay inside on their mobile devices all day because it keeps them quiet and out of your hair. However, given the holidays span for two weeks, and even more over Christmas, it’s not something that can fill all that time. For these holidays, why not get them interested in mini winter sports? If your backyard is big enough, they can set up a course in the yard to play on. Golf, cricket, and soccer are all valid options. Even if the grass is a little soft, it will get them outside and active, albeit, a little muddy.

Wintry weather is never pleasant to venture out in, but it’s also not convenient to be cooped up inside all day either. Even if the kids are happy to stay warm by the fire, it’s a good idea to get them involved in projects that will stimulate and challenge them.

There are several excellent holiday programmes throughout the country that provide all manner of activities. However, if keeping them at home is far more convenient, then you will also find your backyard has more to offer than you think.

---

Related Articles

In 2015, local artist Tony McNeight created a giant poppy in the Auckland Domain with over 59,000 metal poppy discs. People of all ages came down and wrote heart felt messages on these poppies to collectively create the biggest poppy ever. Tony has a strong connection to the Anzac commemorations as his family members served in WW1. This project is for all that feel like they can’t or haven’t been able to truly say thank you to those who served in WW1.  

Tony believes that Anzac is still very relevant today:
There’s something inside of us that wants to keep this fire burning….it’s a fire of freedom.

Especially for the younger generation who may have never met their past family members who served: 

For young people it’s an opportunity for them to find out about their great grandparents and what they did and who they were. What sort of people they were, what sort of hardships they went through - terrible hardships.

During the 9 days that the poppy was being created, Frederic Leturque, mayor of Arras (a town in France) came and placed a poppy. He recently requested Tony to recreate the Giant Poppy in a town square in Arras where there is strong historical connection. During WW1, Kiwis helped the French by building a large map of underground tunnels that were used to store animals, troops and hide behind enemy lines. During this time, many gave their lives to protect our freedom and the freedom of the French people.

This kind of connection is what the French people want to remember, commemorate and give thanks to. 

Tony set up a fundraiser to get his Giant Poppy over to Arras, and Crewcut was proud to support his project. If you want more information on his journey, visit his website: http://giantpoppy.co.nz

---

Related Articles

Potential home buyers make their first impression on your property from the ‘curb appeal’.

When it comes time to put your home on the market to benefit from the high Auckland house prices, you probably think you need to spend money on the kitchen and bathroom. While there’s no denying that those areas could benefit from love and attention, have you thought about your front and back yards?

The garden area of properties is often the most overlooked when people begin preparing their home for sale. Considering Auckland house prices are on the rise, it’s worth doing everything you can to bring your property up to spec.

In the Husqvarna Global Garden Report 2011, around 5,000 homeowners, valuers and real estate agents from nine different countries discussed how a good garden can dramatically increase house values and sale time. 

Tidy and well-planned gardens help to speed up the sale process, but they can also add an unexpected 16 percent increase in value. Director of Napier valuation firm My Valuer, Andrew White mentioned: “Properties often sell within the first ten seconds of viewing, so first impressions are what count.”

“I valued a property in Hawke’s Bay where the owners were hoping to achieve a $250,000 sale price. They were offered $220,000 but declined, instead opting to invest a further $500 into planting and making the outside more attractive. Within a week they sold their home for $255,000.”

While, of course, you’re going to take care of lawn mowing, gardening, getting rid of weeds and planting some instant colour, but you may also like to consider a few beneficial changes. Gardening expert Lee Ann Bramwell knows all about how to put your property in a league of its own. She has shared some helpful tips below.  

• Line your driveway with trees for immediate feelings of wealth and status.
  

• Create an entertainment space. In it, include outdoor furniture, shrubbery, patio pavers, and of course, a barbecue. New Zealanders love entertaining so a pre-made area can tick all the boxes for a prospective purchaser.
  

• For feelings of safety and intimacy, consider a walled garden. Rather than use blocks and bricks, however, you can get your gardening gloves on and utilise hedges, shrubs, fences, and even pot plants.
  

• It can be challenging for some homeowners to create vegetable and fruit gardens. But, if you take care of this before you put your home on the market, you may find you have one very relieved and keen owner. If all the hard work is complete, you’ve essentially filled the new owner’s fridge.

Because the Global Garden Report estimates that the average return from your garden investment is 3.1 times the amount of money invested, there’s every reason to consider putting your gardening gloves on and thinking outside the square. We’ve included a few more “out of the box” money-makers below. The sooner you make a change, the sooner you can benefit from those high Auckland house prices.

Painting the Fence

Believe it or not, nothing says “unloved” with as much gusto as a fence that’s peeling, faded, and looking a little sad. Given that your fence is the first thing prospective purchasers will see, it’s not out of the question to make it a priority. While you’re outside gardening, give your fence a clean, let it dry in the sun, then take to it with a paintbrush. The newfound street appeal may just surprise you. Just be careful with your timing of taking care of lawn mowing. The last thing you want is fresh lawn clippings all over your freshly painted fence.

Be an Outsider

For some reason, we can ignore niggly little problems our properties have because we’re so used to them being there. To an outsider, however, that problem may just be a deal-breaker. While you’re gardening, cleaning up, lawn mowing, and getting everything picture-perfect, take a minute to walk around your property as an observer. Would that muddy trail to the clothesline be better as a paved path? Is that pile of bricks from your last DIY project interrupting the flow?

When a buyer spots anything negative about your property, they keep it in the back of their mind. Take the time to put yourself in their shoes and highlight and rectify the problems before your open home. The last thing you want is for muddy grass to stop you getting the Auckland house prices you desire.

Consider Lighting

Lighting can turn an already serene backyard into a magical, bright, and beautiful entertainment area. By adding solar lights to your garden beds, fairy lights in your social garden, and hanging lights around meeting areas, you will find you will have added a substantial amount of value. Lighting can also turn a “day” garden into one you can use at night. What’s more, it has the added benefit of being a deterrent to thieves. When you highlight those darkened areas of your yard, you are deterring would-be thieves from thinking they can enter your yard unnoticed.

Think Seasonal

The time of the year that you choose to put your house on the market can make a difference to its overall appeal. In the summer months, you can be out gardening, lawn mowing, painting fences, and keeping on top of general maintenance. In the colder months, however, your gardens can lay dormant and can, unfortunately, appear rather dismal. However, even when the colder weather hits, the Auckland house prices don’t let up. It doesn’t matter when you list; you are bound to find an interested buyer.

However, it does make you think about the changes you can make. If you are planting new shrubs and plants in winter, be careful with the variety you select. Some do not like the cold or frost, which means they can be mid-death as your prospective purchasers arrive for a visit. There are several guides online that can help you to determine what is safe to plant in winter and what you’re best to leave out.

Crewcut understands the value of gardens which is why we spend so much time in them. If you need help getting your garden spick and span, give us a call. We do lawns, hedges, trees, water-blasting, and section tidies. You never know how much money we could make you in the long run!

---

Related Articles