Many New Zealanders have had a lot of time on their hands lately, with alert level four lockdown keeping all but essential workers at home. While you could make your way through Netflix from start to finish, why not get outside and discover what’s ready to harvest in your garden? There are plenty of lockdown treats and food to make from the plants you’ve lovingly grown.  

Tomatoes for sauces and salsa

Many gardeners will be picking through the last of their tomatoes on the vine. If you still have an abundance of them, think about what delicious things you can make over and above tomatoes on toast.

Homemade tomato sauce, puree, and salsa are wonderful ways to make use of tomatoes so that they can form part of a more substantial meal. You can even slow roast them or make a pasta sauce. Why not pair those tomatoes with some of the cooking herbs you’ve been growing, too?

If your vines are overloaded with tomatoes, consider picking as many as you can. The more fruit on a plant, the less energy that plant has to fight off diseases and pests.

Feijoa treats for the kids

Now’s the time to harvest the last of your feijoas. Fortunately, even if you’re left with an abundance of them, you won’t be short of delicious treats to make. Get the kids involved and curb that boredom for a short while.

Feijoa and cream cheese muffins are always a hit, as are feijoa and honey muffins with coconut. Swap out the apples in your crumble for feijoa, or even poach them. Poached feijoa pairs beautifully with vanilla cream and toasted pistachio.

Feijoa jelly, pudding, chutney, and feijoa strudel are bound to be household winners. You’ll be surprised at just how many treats you can create with this delicious fruit.

Kumara wedges

If you’ve put a lot of effort into your crop rotation, then you may be seeing that your kumaras are ready for harvest – or have been for some time. Kumara is equally as versatile as potatoes. Create sweet potato wedges or mash, or why not change it up a bit with mashed kumara cakes?

If you’ve been growing coriander in your kitchen, then pairing it with kumara in a soup is sure to go down a treat, too. Just remember to store your kumara in a cool, dark part of your home. 

Fig chutney

As soon as you notice that your figs have softened, and their skin has changed colour, then it’s time to harvest! Use snips or secateurs and make sure you keep the stems intact. Wearing gloves can also minimise the risk of skin reactions from the fig tree’s sap.

Once you’ve harvested all the goodies, it’s time to make some delicious lockdown treats. Fig jam or chutney is sure to be a hit, or why not dry them to add to muesli or as a snack? Fresh figs are also a match made in heaven with walnuts, honey, and cheese. Check out some independent Kiwi businesses for fresh bread and other ingredients you can pair with them.

Rhubarb for sweet and savoury dishes

If you’ve noticed that your rhubarb has large leaves and thick, long stems, then get ready to harvest. The harvesting season extends right through June, but autumn and spring are the most common months for doing so.

Rhubarb can be worked into both sweet and savoury dishes. Create a rhubarb upside-down cake, chutneys, or even a pie. This sweet treat also pairs beautifully as a condiment for meats. 

What’s Next?

With lawn care operators unable to offer lawn mowing services in New Zealand right now, it’s on you to keep your property in tip-top shape. 

Autumn is the perfect time to sow new lawns or give your existing grass a facelift. Start by removing weeds then cultivating the ground down to around 15cm. Fertilise the soil around a week before you sow your grass seed.

If you’re working with your existing lawn, then rake it to get rid of old or undecomposed grass. You can also take care of dips or holes with potting mix, sand, and grass seed.

You can also look at preparing your property for the colder weather by cleaning and storing away outdoor furniture. Sweep out patio areas, get rid of cobwebs, and weatherproof anything that might suffer from moisture in the wintry weather to come.

Alert Level 4 has allowed many of us to flex our culinary muscles in the kitchen with homegrown produce. However, it has also been the perfect time to take care of those outside tasks that you may have previously neglected.

In the weeks to come, you can then look forward to your local and trusted lawn care expert to take over once more!

Hydrangeas are the showstopper of the plant world. It doesn’t matter what variety you get – be it the mophead or lacecap, or even the paniculate or oakleaf, they turn heads and win hearts.

Even those who aren’t typically plant lovers can’t help but be mesmerised by the vibrancy and generous proportions of a hydrangea bush in full bloom.

Hydrangeas don’t really need to be pruned. Your lawns need to be mowed, your hedges trimmed, and your gardens weeded, but hydrangeas will trundle along without a care in the world and without demanding all that much attention. They are the perfect plant for any neglectful plant parent.

In saying that, any proud plant owner may see the value in occasional pruning to ensure they look at their best. Dead flowers and occasional dead stems should be cleared away to encourage healthy growth – and to ensure it remains as pretty as a picture.

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to go about trimming your bush, which means you shouldn’t let yourself loose with a pair of secateurs just yet. Read on to learn not only how to prune your hydrangeas, but when the best time to do it is.

When to prune hydrangeas

The good thing about household chores is that you can do them at any time of the year and day that suits you. Even the most-hated tasks aren’t on a time limit. But the window of opportunity for hydrangea bush trimming is.

Any hydrangea bush – from the vivacious mophead and lacecap variety, to the tamer Quercifolia, can be pruned in mid to late winter. That’s right – you can put on your winter woollies, grab your pruning scissors, and do some gardening with snow on the forecast. 

Some people also decide to carry out pruning in early spring, intending to avoid late frosts that can damage new buds. 

Pruning techniques for mophead and lacecap hydrangeas

Two of the more common hydrangeas varieties include mophead and lacecap. Mophead hydrangea bushes have large, round heads with many small, vibrant flowers forming a ball. Lacecap, on the other hand, tends to have single flowers on a little head.

Lacecap hydrangeas

These two bushes flower on old wood, which are the stems that produced flowers the year before. As a result, plant owners have to be careful about how they undertake pruning. If you get too overzealous with your pruning, you may find your bush doesn’t produce any flowers during the next growing season.

Start with your damaged and dead stems. Snip them back at the base and remove any old, weak, or spindly growth at the same time. If you notice that any branches are trying to cross over or grow into each other, cut them back. By doing so, you can promote growth into the shape you prefer. It also pays to cut back flowering shoots and leave any shoots that don’t have any flowers.

How to prune other hydrangea bushes

Most people will be pleased to know that Oakleaf, Paniculata, and Quercifolia hydrangea varieties are low maintenance. In fact, many of them just want you to leave them alone!

Oakleaf, which has leaves shaped like those from an oak tree, is quite happy to grow and look pretty. However, should you see any dead, diseased, or dying branches, you can haul out your secateurs for a spot of light maintenance. Just like the mophead and lacecap variety, oakleaf bushes flower on old wood, so take care of pruning in winter or early spring.

Paniculata hydrangea bushes are a little bit different. Their flowers bloom on new wood, which means they are easy to prune, and you can go crazy with the pruning scissors without worrying about stunting new growth. Unlike other hydrangeas, you can also prune this variety annually – either back to the ground or at the flower heads.

How to plant hydrangeas

A plant that wants you to leave it alone – that sounds like the dream plant. If you believe that hydrangeas are going to suit your property, then why not head to your local garden store and buy a few varieties? 

The planting process of hydrangeas in garden beds is effortless, but make sure you plant them early or late in the day to avoid exposing the plants to a lot of sunshine. Water them thoroughly before you plant them, then allow them to drain. While you wait, take a look at the root ball of the plant, then dig a hole that’s twice as deep and wide as it.

Loosen the ball of roots of the hydrangea plant, then place it in the hole you just dug. Fill it with flower mix from your local garden nursery, and press the soil around the plant base. Water it thoroughly and regularly.

Planting and caring for hydrangeas is a straightforward process. However, you can rest assured that there will always be a gardening and lawn mowing expert near you who will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.

Being a modern-day adult is hard. Sure, our problems no longer involve running from sabre-tooth tigers or fighting mammoths for our vegetables, but a new problem has taken their place – and that’s a lack of time.

From working full time to arranging school pick-ups and drop-offs, not to mention sports practices, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Something has to give, and garden maintenance is usually one of the first things to get the chop.

But having no time for gardening doesn’t mean you can’t have a garden. It just means you need to focus on a low maintenance garden in New Zealand, and preferably one that’s easy to establish and to maintain.

We know it sounds impossible, but with the right ideas and the right team, it’s entirely achievable. Are you looking for low maintenance garden ideas on a budget? Then read on.

How do I make my garden low maintenance?

It’s the million-dollar question: how do I make my garden low maintenance? Well, the trick is to make sure that every component on its own needs little to no work, which equates to an overall area that requires little to no work.

For example, if you have no idea how to take care of your lawns, as many people don’t, then you may not be all that inclined to have a large, sprawling lawn that requires countless hours of your time. In that instance, you can either hire a lawn care company, or make use of gravel, paving stones, concrete, and decking to cut down on the time you’ll need to spend behind a mower.

Making sure you have a low maintenance garden in NZ can also require weed-suppressing materials around gardens, easy-care plants, and a flowing layout that makes it easy to implement low maintenance backyard landscaping ideas.

What are the best low maintenance plants?

The average homeowner can be caught between a rock and a hard place. They want a low maintenance garden, but they also want plants. It can almost seem like you can’t have both. The key is to seek out the plants that won’t demand your time. Believe it or not, such plants exist.

For example, ground cover plants can be lifesavers for the busy homeowner who doesn’t have hours to spend on their hands and knees pulling weeds. Dwarf Agapanthus, also known as Tinkerbell, will fill the gaps, stabilise banks, and offer a vibrant freshness in any garden. It also grows in clumps and is as low maintenance as they come.

If you prefer something with a little bit more versatility, then start looking at photos of low maintenance landscaping ideas for small yards. You will surely find that Star Jasmine features in many of them. Star Jasmine may take a long time to mature, but it can form shapes, climb, or stay put on the ground. It’s also ideal for nearly any part of the country, except for areas that experience heavy frost.

The average homeowner with a garden to fill also can’t go wrong with flax, succulents, New Zealand Cushion Bush, and tussocks. Attaining that low maintenance garden is easier than you might think. And, remember, there is always a gardening expert near you who can be of assistance!

How do I make my garden more manageable?

At one time or another, you may have relished in the opportunity to spend countless hours in the garden. You may not have even had all too many issues with pulling weeds, bringing plants back from the brink of death, and playing around with soil pH levels for the perfectly lush lawn.

But for whatever reason, that may now not be your idea of a good time. Life may have gotten busier, or the aches and pains of getting older may have decided to rear their head. If that’s the case, then you may be wondering how you can make your gardens more manageable.

Fortunately, the changes you make don’t have to be all too dramatic, but it is worth looking at low maintenance garden photos online to see what you may like.

Some popular options can include:

• Hiring an expert to take care of your lawns and gardens

• Removing high-maintenance plants and putting easy-care ones in their place

• Paving a section of the lawn

• Investing in ground cover plants to minimise weeds

• Opting for evergreen

• Choosing perennials over biennials and annuals

• Selecting garden boxes and container gardens over in-ground gardens

• Opting for hard landscaping options

Love the low maintenance look

A cottage-style garden in full bloom is the picture of perfection, but anyone with such a garden will be all too aware of the time it takes to make it look like that. A low maintenance garden can be equally as attractive, but just in a different way.

Hire an expert to take care of all the hard work for you, or make a few changes so that you manage your fast-paced life without the stress of an overgrown garden. It’s time to look for low maintenance landscaping ideas today.

As the curtains close on summer and autumn rears its head this March, gardeners drag out their pitchforks and gloves in preparation for a new planting season.

Autumn is an excellent time of year for planting, even if it might not seem like it. There’s still a warmth in the soil, but rainfall adds much-needed moisture that new plants and flowers need to survive and thrive. Therefore, if you’ve been thinking about renewing your garden or giving it a tidy up, there’s no better time than now. Start with some of the best autumn flowers below.

1. Cosmos

Poor soil can be quite frustrating for any gardener, but it’s not something that can destroy all opportunities for having a bright and beautiful garden come springtime. Cosmos are an excellent autumn flower for properties with poor soil, but with decent drainage and plenty of sunshine.

These beautiful flowers are pink, purple, or white, and are frilly for a point of difference. They are also available in various heights and make for beautiful garden presentation. If you’re partial to gift-giving, then they make for an attractive vase option, as well.

2. Pansies

Gardening is a popular pastime in this country, with just a little over half of the participants in a 2007/2008 survey having dabbled in the year before. However, not everyone is as talented in keeping their plants alive as they would like. If robust but beautiful is the aim of the game, then some of the best autumn flowers to plant in NZ will be pansies.

Pansies are available in a wide variety of colours and don’t ask for much care. You can plant them in pots and hanging baskets, or even garden borders. All you need is well-drained soil or potting mix, some protection from snails, and a bit of liquid fertiliser to promote new growth.

3. Alyssum

Keep your garden as pretty as a picture year-round with alyssum, a dainty flower that’s self-sowing and fragrant. This beautiful flower grows in poor soil, drought, partial shade or full sun, and grows as a cream, red, pink, purple, white, or apricot flower. Plant it with your herbs and vegetables, or add vibrancy to a hanging basket.

4. Sweet peas

Don’t let autumn pass you by without planting sweet peas. They are beautiful to look at in a posy but are even more attractive to have flowering in your own garden. Construct bamboo stakes or a tepee for them to climb and invest in compost-rich soil and liquid fertiliser to keep them healthy. Within as little as three months, you can be looking at a fully-formed sweet pea plant.

5. Forget-me-nots

If you’re looking for a ground cover plant that will ultimately take care of itself, then forget-me-nots could be the answer. While many gardeners consider them a weed, they are an ideal option for those who would prefer to cover the soil with something beautiful. They are self-seeding, fill barren areas under shady trees, and can partner well with spring flowering bulbs.

6. Ornamental kale

Enjoy a vibrant range of colour in your garden with the planting of ornamental kale this autumn. Ornamental kale is available in cream, green, and pink, and can be planted in soil or containers. The closer together you plant ornamental kale, the more suitable the stems will be for picking.

7. Calendula

Calendula is the name for around 20 species of flowers, also known as Marigolds. When in full bloom, they are a lovely shade of red, orange, and yellow, and often add a beautiful vibrancy to a summer garden. Calendula flowers look the part in flower pots or mixed borders and should be planted after the last frost. Full sun and compost-rich soil can have them grow to their full potential.

8. Stock

If you have fertile and well-draining soil, then one of the best autumn flowers to plant at the changing of the seasons is stock. Stock, known as Matthiola incana, is a fragrant flower that blooms in red, white, pink, purple, and cream.

Once you plant stock in autumn or early spring, it will thrive in the cool weather. You can then enjoy their fragrance every time you step outside – particularly on overcast days and once night falls.

9. Cornflower

And, no, we don’t mean cornflour – the ingredient you use in home baking and cooking. We mean cornflower, the lovely blue, white, or pink flowers that grow to be tall or dwarf-sized. They love full sun but are cool-season flowers that thrive when planted in autumn or early spring.

10. Lobelia

If you’re looking for a plant that completes the look in your hanging baskets, then lobelia could be it. Throw on the gardening gloves and get stuck in! Lobelia blooms into a blue, red, pink, white, or purple flower that can grow upright or in a mound. Enjoy colourful edging in your hanging baskets courtesy of this autumn flower.

Get planting

With summer waving goodbye, it’s time to start planning for a brand new planting season. Take advantage of the warm soil and wet weather and get those new autumn seedlings in the ground. If you need a helping hand, there is always a local gardening expert who is only too willing to get stuck in.

Everyone is good at something, but for many of us, that isn’t gardening. Fortunately, that’s why gardening services exist – so you can get the help you need without sacrificing a little greenery in your yard. But if you’re tired of giving the final salute to plants that haven’t survived or thrived, then read on. Succulents, a particularly robust type of plant, might be just the solution.

The name succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, which means sap or juice. And it’s no exaggeration, for these plants boast thick, fleshy parts that retain water. As a result, they are the most forgiving type of plant in arid conditions – or for forgetful plant parents.  

But if you are after a certain type of plant that’s fit for neglectful owners, then read on. Here are a few of the best tiny succulent plants to grow in New Zealand.

Echeveria

Echeveria is a type of succulent that’s native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family and can either be deciduous or evergreen. It boasts bright, leafy, and fleshy rosettes, and some have the crucial environmental role of becoming a host plant for butterflies. 

Aside from being a tiny succulent, this plant will fit in right at home with any neglectful plant owner. It’s drought-tolerant, loves the sun, and prefers well-drained soil. It also handles dry conditions like a pro and will continue thriving even in the face of full neglect.

What also appeals to people about the Echeveria succulent is that it’s available in a myriad of different colours. Whether you want a tiny succulent plant to grow in New Zealand to set on your windowsill, or you want a lovely plant for container planting, borders, or rockeries, the Echeveria will tick all the boxes.

Crassula

Crassula is the broad term for 200 species of succulent that are native in various parts of the world. If you are looking for a tiny succulent that’s both beautiful and drought-resistant, then you’ll find a friend in Crassula.

Aside from how attractive and low maintenance this succulent is, people also love it for how fast it grows and thrives. It establishes far quicker in your garden than many other succulents in New Zealand, while also adding much life and zest to an indoor or outdoor area.

It adds a tropical vibe to an outdoor entertainment area, works pool-side for those warmer parts of the country, and will adapt to constrained growth in a container, or freedom in a full patio area.

Most importantly, it’s ideal for people who forget to water their plants. The Crassula is a hardy, multi-branched succulent that thrives in the sun with a bit of shade and minimal watering. If you compare this succulent to box plants, its robustness is second to none.

Aloe vera

Plants offer a whole host of benefits. They can improve your mental health, offer you an immune boost, improve your productivity and learning abilities, and, of course, benefit your air quality. But then there’s aloe vera – which is in a league of its own.

This tiny succulent can do not only many of those things above but also offer medicinal properties. Aloe vera improves your digestive health, heals burns, clears acne, improves oral health, and even relieves anal fissures. If you’re not all that much of a plant lover, then one with purpose is undoubtedly going to appeal.

What’s more, this succulent will tolerate neglect and dryness, thrives in full sun, and can grow in pots. You can cut it back, break off its leaves for use, and watch as it grows back with ease. You can also plant it inside or outside.

You might not have green fingers, but you can’t deny that aloe vera is an altogether versatile, hardy, and useful plant to have in your home.

Aeonium

House plants are great in theory, but if you don’t have a natural talent with plants, they are not great in practice. Many houseplants can be finicky, temperamental, and hard to keep alive. While those who offer garden services and watering can help, it’s still not a fail-safe method for survival. So, what can you do?

Rather than give up greenery for good, you can invest in succulents that both fill that need for a house plant, but also don’t need as much TLC as an average pot plant. Aeonium, for example, can be a large or tiny succulent plant and is popular in horticulture.

Also known as tree houseleeks, the name encompasses over 35 different succulent species. The leaves form around a basal stem, with a spreading rosette that’s sure to add to its appeal. This succulent, unlike others, also has free petals, which form in up to a dozen different sections. Most aeoniums come from the Canary Islands, but several have been introduced around the world.

Be sucked in by succulents

What more could you ask for? When you buy succulents, you are purchasing an attractive plant that requires minimal watering, attention, or love. You place it in the sunshine, offer it an occasional drink from time to time, then let it naturally enhance the appeal of your home. There are many tiny succulent plants to grow in New Zealand, so why wait any longer? Talk to your local gardening expert about the best type for your property.

Once you get your tree cutting groove on and decide to remove an unwanted tree from your yard, you may then be wondering what you can do about the tree stump. Left to its own devices, it can begin to sprout and do all kinds of weird and wonderful things. However, if you choose to remove it, you can be left with an unsightly hole and a series of root-sized crevices in your lawn. It can seem, in this case, that the best thing to do with a tree stump after tree cutting is to embrace its presence.

Rather than remove it and have to deal with the resultant crater, you can come up with some ways to repurpose it. Here are a few that may have you wanting to cut down a few more trees.

Bird bath

Buying a birdbath for the local birds in your area can cost a fortune. Even though they are worth every cent, there has to be a cheaper way to bring birds into your neighbourhood to bathe and relax. Now there is, thanks to your tree cutting exercise! All you need to do is buy a stable outdoor bowl or bath that can sit atop your newly created tree stump. The resultant moss and greenery that grows in and around it can add to its charm.

Playground

If you have been thinking about tree cutting for some time, but you haven’t gone ahead with it, then there’s still time to turn your tree stump into a playground for the kids. However, you have to remember to cut the tree down a little further up the trunk than you usually would. You can then nail pieces of wood into the trunk for little feet to climb up, and add a slide off the stump to the grass area. You will be amazed at how you can create a natural wonderland for your children with something that’s usually quite troublesome!  

Chair

The problem with most outdoor furniture is that it doesn’t last forever. Metal will rust, wood will rot, and plastic goes brittle. A tree trunk, however, is there for the duration. Get creative with your tree stump by cutting out the middle section and leave a raised area around the side and back. You can then create a comfortable cushion for it and enjoy reading a book in your backyard with what nature gave you!

Table

If you’re going to have a chair, then why not have a table as well? A table is always going to be a helpful addition in your backyard. It can see you eating outdoors, using it as a potting desk for tidying your gardens, and even adding more plants on top of it, so it’s a multi-level garden. You can add a glass top that adds a touch of contemporary elegance, or opt for a more natural solution with a slab of wood.

Lighting

Solar lights on their own are cute, but in an entirely natural garden, they can take away from the old-world charm. Get it back again after tree cutting by turning your tree stump into a form of lighting! Drill holes into the base or top and add your preferred source of illumination. Solar works best outdoors and can illuminate the base quite effectively. You can then head outdoors and enjoy the ambience it offers.

Children’s games

If you’re always telling your children to get outside and enjoy nature, then make sure it’s as inviting as possible. What use is there in giving them their marching orders if your yard isn’t full of things to pique their interest and imagination? Use your old tree stump to create fun games. Tic Tac Toe is an excellent option. You can then get the kids to paint stones, so you have enough of each to fill the squares.

Piece of art

Fancy yourself to be a little bit creative? Then flex your artistic muscles and make something with your tree stump. Fashion it into little woodland creatures, build a magical castle, or even add other items to it to make it a standout statement in your yard. Tree cutting can make people nervous because they don’t know how to deal with the resultant tree stump, but it can end up being a rewarding experience.

Tree stump planter

If you spend a lot of time in the garden, or you hire someone to make it look as beautiful as possible, then add to the charm with a tree stump planter. Merely by digging out the top surface ever so slightly and adding soil, you can plant your favourite flowers that will thrive in the natural environment. The best part is, you can let the plants become overrun, and it will add to the beauty.

Rather than pull that old tree stump out after tree cutting, why not utilise it? It can become a much-loved feature of your yard as opposed to only an eyesore. Take the time to think of your options, and consider these pointers above. You never know, you could end up benefiting from your new creation in more ways than one.

It’s always a sight to behold when you’re looking out the window of an aeroplane and see crops planted neatly on farmland below. The effect is like a quilted blanket, with paddock after paddock containing various plants that are bursting with colour and life.

But what you may not know is that if those farmers planted those same crops in those same places the following year, a whole lot of inconvenience might be in store.

If you don’t rotate your plants in what is known as crop rotation, then your soil can suffer. Pests will move in, soil nutrients will almost disappear, and you will need artificial fertiliser to offer any semblance of health and vitality for those plants.

This is not a farmer’s problem alone, for even the average gardener can experiences benefits from crop rotation in New Zealand and consequences without one. Those who spend a little bit of time formulating a crop rotation plan can enjoy a reduced need for pest control, a smaller risk of soil-borne disease, and even a reduced risk of nutrient loss.

If the time has come to prepare your vegetable garden for a new year of growth, then read on. It’s time to build a crop rotation plan for the best chance of growth success.

How do I get started?

After you’ve had a bit of a garden clean-up, identify how many garden beds you have to play with in your yard. You can then formulate a new crop rotation plan in NZ based on your garden bed layout. If you have four beds, then that means each crop type will not end up in the area in which it started for four years.

The next step is to work out what you want to plant and how you will group them. Your vegetables should be planted based on their growth, pest preferences, and general requirements. The more similar the plants are, the better they will work together in a separate garden bed (generally!)

What plants should I group?

Many gardeners who see the value in crop rotation in NZ stick with a traditional method. This method normally sees you planting legumes, root vegetables, fruit-bearing vegetables, and leafy greens in separate garden beds.

While, for the most part, this form of crop rotation works well, some growth habits of particular plants mean they are better suited together, rather than apart as the traditional rotation plan would have them be.

Therefore, it’s a better idea to plant your vegetables based on the family. For example, the cabbage family, or brassica, would see the pairing of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, swedes, and similar.

Peas and beans would have their own bed, and so too would members of the Solanaceae family. In traditional crop rotations, potatoes and tomatoes would be planted separate (root vegetables and fruit-bearing), but their similarities see them better planted together.

Carrots and celery would fall into the root family, while pumpkin, squash, courgette, and cucumber come under ‘cucurbits’.

It may take some time to familiarise yourself with beneficial vegetable pairings, but once you do, you’ll never go back to any other method. Soil health and rewarding yields will follow.

How do I choose my crop rotation order?

Now that you have grouped your preferred vegetables, you then need to think about the rotation order. Believe it or not, it matters. If you’re not sure you can do this step on your own, you can rest assured there is always a gardening expert on hand to lend some assistance.

After you have finished planting your legumes in one garden bed, make sure your brassica family follows behind. Brassicas love the nutrient-rich soil left behind by the legumes. While potatoes, too, love such soil, they have different pH levels, so you shouldn’t plant them with your brassicas.

If you have put a lot of time and effort into fertilising your soil, then make sure you keep your root vegetables away from these garden beds. The plants’ leafy tops will likely thrive, but at the expense of the delicious root vegetables underneath the soil’s surface.

There are many helpful materials online that can help you plan your crop rotation in New Zealand, such as this one below.

First bed:

Lay down compost and plant tomatoes and potatoes together. Follow with leeks and onions.

Second bed:

Plant members of the Umbelliferae family, such as carrots and parsnips. You can also use this bed for lettuce and follow it up with green manure once winter hits.

Third bed:

In summer, plant your brassicas in the third garden bed, such as kale and cabbage. Once winter hits, plant winter varieties like Brussel sprouts.

Fourth bed:

Sow your legumes then add lime before you plant the brassicas that follow next in the crop rotation.  

Form your crop rotation plan today!

Having a crop rotation plan is one of the best things you can do for your garden. However, it can be quite tricky. Every gardener has their own ideas of what works and what doesn’t, and the proof is often in the pudding.

Do your homework, talk to friends who have successful crop rotations of their own, and think about the kinds of vegetables you’d like to plant. You can then enjoy an organised and thriving crop that rotates seamlessly for many years to come.

There is always going to be a grey area surrounding what adds value to your property and what doesn’t, but you can safely assume that garden landscaping can be at the top of your list of what can. When you consider how little landscaping can cost, it’s pretty much a no brainer.

Imagine this for a situation. Your house is standard, but your yard is overgrown. The lawns are knee-high and in desperate need of care, and the gardens look like they haven’t seen any maintenance in years. People see your yard and immediately think less of the property in general. They may even consider paying less for it based on the amount of work they have to put into it.

You mow the lawns, weed the gardens, and do a bit of a tidy-up with hedge trimming and general rubbish clearing. All of a sudden, your property is now desirable and garners considerable interest. How easy was that?

Whether you’re planning on selling or not, it’s not hard to see that garden landscaping is a beneficial task to undertake on your weekends at home. Here are some of the best landscaping ideas for your backyard in NZ that may help to get the ball rolling.

For Privacy

New Zealand’s population is growing at a rapid rate, which means more houses are popping up on smaller sections than ever before. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to find themselves boxed in on all sides, so where are you supposed to find much-needed privacy in your own backyard?

Some excellent NZ landscaping ideas to combat this problem are privacy-offering plants, trellis, and screens. Plants such as photinia, murraya, and camellia can be excellent choices in the plant world. You can also attach climbing plants to a trellis, or create a peaceful nook with the help of easy-to-install screens.

For the Birds and the Bees

For those who want to focus their attention on landscaping ideas in NZ for insects and birdlife, there are several things you can do here too. Grow wildflowers, hang a bird feeder, and consider the installation of a bird table and bath. It would also help to do your research on the best plants to attract bumblebees.

Poppies, marigold, dahlias, and geraniums are a few of the many annual and perennial plants that bees adore. Birds, on the other hand, will appreciate Kowhai, Pohutukawa, and fruit trees.

For Entertainment

After working a hard 40-hour week, you deserve a weekend to yourself or with family and friends. Without an entertainment area, however, that can be a little tricky. Your backyard is a blank canvas for landscaping ideas in this respect.

Start by outlining the best area in which to place your entertainment hub. Find out where will get the most sun but will also be most private and sheltered from the elements. You can then work out whether you want concrete, paving stones, gravel, or a deck to form the foundation of your entertainment area.

From here, you can focus on lighting, a central point such as a barbecue or spa pool, and furniture for all those who will take advantage of it. A few shade and privacy-offering plants won’t go astray either.

For Peace

Nature can lift your mood, strengthen your wellbeing, help you find your balance, and build resilience. If you are searching for NZ landscaping ideas that can offer peace after a hectic week, then we’ll deliver.

Start by creating a peaceful area in your yard with a focal point. Many people love the gentle babbling of water on rocks, so why not invest in a pond or water feature? You can then fill this with plant life, and a quaint seating area for reflection. Work on this area as your personal project and enjoy immense satisfaction once it’s complete.

For Sale

Finally, if you’re about to put your property on the market – which is not surprising in this buoyant market – then you’ll be looking for tree and hedge trimming that spell profit. It’s easier than you think to make your labour work for you.

Mow the lawns or have someone take care of them for you, and make sure all your garden materials are in tip-top shape. Pull out weeds and dead plants, edge the lawns and gardens, and even consider cleaning and repairing the spouting if it’s been some time since you tackled that task.

Small changes can have a significant impact, so spend a few weeks in the lead up to putting your house on the market, ensuring your yard looks the picture of perfection.

Try these Garden Landscaping Ideas for Yourself

Not everyone is born with a green thumb, which can make it exceptionally challenging to come up with landscaping ideas that suit NZ conditions on your own. Take note of this helpful information above. If you still need a helping hand, why not get in touch with a lawn mowing, gardening, and landscaping expert? You’ll have your own little slice of private paradise in no time.

Oxalis, which is also known as shamrock, is a frustrating weed that can make any avid gardener want to tear their hair out while screaming death to oxalis! As soon as you learn how to kill oxalis and think you’ve managed it, it’s back again! Can you ever get rid of this crawling, creeping oxalis weed? 

The more you know, the more likely you are to be in the driver’s seat and take control. Here’s everything you weed, er, need to know about oxalis in NZ – which includes what it takes to say goodbye to it for good!

What is Oxalis?

Oxalis goes by many names. Some people call it shamrocks because of its clover-like appearance, but it also goes by wood sorrels or its Latin name Oxalis Acetosella. For some unknown reason, the name “Good Luck Plant” is thrown around as well. Other standard terms, at least in the gardening world, are “please stop growing back” and “why won’t you die!”

Oxalis is a rhizomatous flowering plant with trifoliate leaves. In summer and spring, small white and pink flowers may appear which can make it quite pretty to look at. Don’t let its beauty fool you, for this plant will show its true colours before long.

Is Oxalis Toxic?

In a word – yes. Oxalis is toxic, but it’s not clear-cut. The Shamrock Plant is listed on the ASPCA’s website as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It contains soluble calcium oxalates, which can cause tremors, salivation, and kidney failure. The toxicity relates to all parts of the plant. If you own curious pets, you’ll need to be in a hurry to remove this plant permanently.

The oxalis weed can also be toxic to humans, but only in large quantities. You can gather the leaves and stems for salads or cups of tea because they have a lemon-like flavour which can be thirst-quenching. As they contain oxalic acid that binds up your body’s calcium supply, you should never consume oxalis in large doses. If you do, you are at risk of illness with staggering, cramping, and trembling, among many other symptoms.

How Do You Treat Oxalis?

There is a multitude of different approaches you can take to eradicate this plant. From killing oxalis with baking soda, through to putting your roaming chickens on the case; there’s quite the list of things to try. Not all solutions will work for everyone.

Many people used to use glyphosate-based weedkiller because it would travel down the stems and take care of the roots and bulbs. But glyphosate doesn’t discriminate, so it can also be harmful to bees and not safe for use around edible plants.

If you have oxalis around your succulents or perennials, you can give Death to Oxalis a try. This product burns oxalis leaves, which then weaken the plant and eventually starve it. It doesn’t work on creeping oxalis, however.

Boiling water can work a treat, but can harm your other plants, and black polythene can stunt growth but impact your soil health in the process. It seems that for every solution, there’s a drawback.

If you have a lot of time on your hand (and by time, we mean years), you can remove every single leaf by hand. Shamrock, or oxalis, can’t make food from the sun’s energy (photosynthesis), so if you remove its leaves, it will starve. Alternatively, let your chickens on the loose to clean it up in no time.

Baking soda is another wonderful product with many uses. Mix one tablespoon with one litre of warm water and a single millilitre of Rainguard and spray the leaves to burn them on a hot, sunny day.

Finally, the only other option is to live with it. If you try to attack oxalis like any other weed, it will multiply. Let it sit and act as ground cover and focus on the other, less invasive plants in your garden. You can also get in touch with lawn care experts who may have some other cheeky solutions up their sleeves.

What Are Some Uses for Oxalis – and Is It Edible?  

Oxalis is a pesky plant that’s challenging to remove, but at least it’s not entirely useless. It actually has a few different uses. The dried or fresh leaves are often used for medicinal purposes, such as for boils or abscesses.

Because oxalis weed leaves contain oxalic acid, they have a tangy bite to them. Therefore, they work well (in small quantities) in tea, salads, soup, and sauces. The flower, when left raw, is a lovely decoration in a salad. If you dry oxalis, it becomes useful as a curdling agent in plant milk. Save the juice for the removal of iron mould stains in linen.

Conclusion

Oxalis can be your worst nightmare, but only if you don’t know how to remove it, treat it, and use it. Take note of these helpful tips for removal above, and consider whether you may be able to use the plants once you remove them. There’s more to this pesky plant than meets the eye.

One of the many reasons why the average home cook doesn’t venture outside of their culinary comfort zone is because they lack the 20 different fresh herbs they need for a single recipe. That egg dish may be a crowd favourite and perfect for a growing family, but with the addition of all those fresh herbs, it becomes more of a hassle than its worth.

Of course, in many cases, you can substitute fresh for dried, but the result is never as good as with fresh herb plants in NZ. What’s more, many of their dried counterparts can end up altering the texture or taste of your dish for the worst.

If you’d love to sink your teeth into a new recipe book with fresh and delicious meals, then it might be time to grow herbs in your garden and planter boxes in NZ. Your family’s stomachs will thank you for it.  

Read on to discover which herbs will get the most use in your home, and how to grow them successfully.

Parsley

How often do you go to a restaurant and pull that fresh parsley garnish off your dish before you dig in? While parsley adds colour and vibrancy to any meal, it’s also an excellent herb plant in NZ for balancing flavours and adding freshness.

Parsley is something you can include in Middle Eastern cuisine, salads, or even toppings for vegetables. It’s also an excellent herb for digestion and a source of Vitamin A and C. What’s more; it’s easy to grow. This vibrant herb is drought-tolerant, thrives in partial and full sun, and only needs occasional watering.

Mint

If you want fresh herb plants in NZ that you can’t kill, then mint should be at the top of your must-have list. Whether you want new potatoes with mint, mint tea, or a fresh mojito in summer, then this is the essential cooking herb for you. It’s hardy, takes a lot to kill, and can actually be quite invasive. It’s in your best interests to keep mint contained in planter boxes in NZ if you don’t want it to take over.

Rosemary

There’s nothing like the fresh fragrance of rosemary wafting out of your kitchen, so what are you waiting for? If you’re on the hunt for versatile herbs that are both beautifully smelling and divine in a range of dishes, then rosemary is the answer. Use it with poultry, vegetables, meat; the sky’s the limit. Rosemary is also easy-care as it loves only occasional watering. It can also grow into a large bush, so consider a planter box to keep it contained.

Chives

Not everyone knows how to let their fresh herbs do all the talking, but chives do it all on their own. This standout cooking herb is essential for the cook who loves intense flavours and infusion. It works beautifully in egg dishes, with potatoes, and in salads or soups. Even better, chives have a relatively decent nutritional value with both Vitamin C and beta carotene. Provide them with rich, fertile soil in full sun and let them thrive.

Bay Leaves

While bay leaves may not look like much, they can pack a punch in terms of flavour. If you are looking for essential herbs to grow in your garden, then they’ll likely make the cut. They feature in many divine stews and recipes and have a sharp, bitter, and peppery flavour that can balance out the sweetness of a dish. Bay leaves grow on a bay leaf tree, but you can grow the tree in a container or planter box and pick leaves off it as you need.

Sage

If you struggle to add life and zest to your meals, then maybe sage can help. This aromatic herb is one that’s perfect for your vegetables, sauces, and meats. The key with this delightful plant is to balance the flavour properly. It can be quite overbearing if you use too much of it or pair it with another strong flavour. It’s both easy to grow and care for, making it perfect for those neglectful plant parents!

…And Where to Grow Them

Now that you know what essential cooking herbs your kitchen needs, you then need to know where to plant them. You can purchase all manner of planter boxes in NZ, but not everyone has a lot of space. Fortunately, most herbs grow well in mason jars and standard plant pots. Choose the best soil based on your chosen herbs’ needs, then place them either in the sun or partial sun, depending on what helps them to thrive.

It’s Time to Grow Herbs!

Take your culinary expertise to the next level with a range of beautiful and vibrant herbs that are easy to grow (and keep alive). Not only is growing your own herbs a more cost-effective option, but it can mean you’re able to dabble in a whole host of new recipes that your family is bound to love. Happy cooking, everyone!

No one is born with a pair of gardening gloves and a watering can in their hands. Love for gardening blossoms over time - often with the help of green-fingered family members who like to encourage a new passion to prosper.

Whether you’re a passionate gardener or one who likes to dabble when the fancy takes them, you’ll all share one thing in common: a dislike for pesky weeds. It seems like as soon as you get rid of one lot, a new type takes over. There’s only so much herbicide you’ll want to subject your other plants to.

The Benefits of Ground Cover Plants

That’s why more and more gardeners see the value in ground cover plants. Ground cover plants for your garden not only take up all that spare space that weeds usually steal, but can bring about a whole host of other benefits.

They prevent weed seed germination, perennial weeds, and even protect your soil from water loss and erosion. Ground cover plants are also a form of insulation, a living mulch, and an attractive habitat for insects that wish to call your garden home.

Whether you require ground cover plants for clay soil in New Zealand or something a little less demanding, you’re sure to find something to suit. Below, you can learn all about creeping, carpeting, edging, and fringing ground covers for your garden that will surely give weeds their marching orders.

1. Scleranthus Biflorus - New Zealand Cushion Bush

If you can’t pronounce the scientific name for this ground cover plant, then its more common name of NZ cushion bush will do. You won’t need to embarrass yourself when you’re asking for it at your local garden store. New Zealand cushion bush is a moss-like ground cover plant that thrives in all manner of environments.

Give it stones, gravel, or succulent mix, and it’ll live to tell the tale. While it looks soft, plush, and tempting to pat - refrain. Any damage to this ground cover plant can result in partial death, which can ruin the overall look of it as it takes over your bare space.

2. Pimelea Prostrata - New Zealand Daphne

If you’re looking for ground cover plants for clay soil in NZ, then New Zealand Daphne will come to the rescue. It’s a ground cover plant that originates from coastal dunes, so it’s used to a hard life. It’s also beautiful and produces stunning flowers with a mild scent of honey. However, if you have grazing stock on or near your property, this ground cover plant may not be for you. It’s poisonous for grazing animals. 

3. Soleirolia Soleirolii - Baby’s Tears

If you’re trying to put a stop to pesky weeds taking over your paving stones and pathways, then let Baby’s Tears be of assistance. This ground cover plant for your garden is a master of pathway protection, nestling up to the edges of it to form a barrier against weed invasion.

Baby’s Tears thrives in shady and moist conditions, but without frost. It becomes a stunning carpet-like cover that’s both effective and attractive.

4. Coprosma (Taiko) - Prostrate Mingimingi

If you want to make sure your ground covers for your garden are both attractive and useful, then Coprosma may be for you. When you first buy it, it may not be immediately obvious that it’s going to make the best ground cover. However, once it takes off, there’s no stopping it. It forms a thick rug over your chosen garden area that looks neat and tidy with regular trimming.

5. Liriope Muscari - Lilyturf

If your goal with ground cover for your garden is to help with fringing and edging, then Lilyturf can help. This beautiful plant has gorgeous and long leaves and vibrant purple flowers that look picture-perfect in spring.

However, Lilyturf does have its drawbacks. Slugs and snails love it. What’s more, if frost doesn’t kill it back over winter, then you have to remove dead foliage by hand. Otherwise, there are plenty of reasons why this bushy and vibrant plant could be a firm favourite in your garden.

6. Dwarf Agapanthus (Tinkerbell)

Dwarf Agapanthus, also known as Tinkerbell, is a short yet beautiful ground cover plant that can add much life and vibrancy to your garden. It grows in clumps, doesn’t spread without permission, and you can propagate it to build up surrounding areas. Unlike roadside agapanthus, its dwarf cousin is not one to misbehave and can also be useful for stabilising banks that are prone to erosion.

7. Trachelospermum Jasminoides - Star Jasmine

Even though this ground cover plant will take at least two years to mature, it will be worth it when it does. It can climb, form shapes on wires, and provide dense coverage when and where you need it the most. It gets a gold star for versatility. However, it’s not suitable for areas with heavy frost.

It’s Time to Plant

You won’t need much convincing that ground cover plants are a saving grace. Instead of all that back-breaking work to remove weeds, you can rely on ground cover plants to give weeds their marching orders. If you need a helping hand in choosing the right ground cover plants for your garden, then there are plenty of experts who can help. Otherwise, happy planting!

Roses have been a symbol of love, war, politics, and beauty for as long as they’ve been in existence. That existence spans 35 million years, with evidence of fossilised rose petals found in Crete from 1600BC.

It’s clear to see that roses continue to hold their own in the gardening scene, with them the number one preferred flower in the United States. That may be, in part, due to the country’s first president – George Washington – also having the title of being the country’s first rose breeder.

While the flower’s origins in New Zealand are less exciting, that doesn’t make them any less popular. There’s a New Zealand Rose Society, and it’s even a popular female name as well, not to mention featuring in over 4,000 songs. You’ll also be unlikely to wander down any residential street without seeing at least one beautiful rose plant standing proudly in a garden.

However, that doesn’t mean that all varieties are going to be suitable for you, your climate, or busy schedule. Out of all 150 species and thousands of hybrids, sometimes only a handful will ever truly thrive in your garden. If you want the best chance of finding those rose varieties, then read on. Below, we list some of the best roses to buy in New Zealand – and how to care for them.

Paddy Stephens

The Paddy Stephens free-flowering hybrid tea rose got its name from the New Zealand rosarian of the same name. It’s a beautiful, hardy, and disease-resistant flower with orange-salmon petals and a dark green and glossy foliage. It also boasts a slight fragrance which is not overly aromatic, but pleasant all the same.

This is a rose that will thrive in full sunlight and well-draining soil. It also requires organic matter and rose fertiliser to help it reach its full potential. In winter, you will either need to prune it or hire an expert who can, then dead-head it during the flowering season. You’ll see Paddy Stephens in full bloom during spring and through until autumn.

Absolutely Fabulous

As the name suggests, this plant is absolutely fabulous. With butter yellow flowers reminiscent of days gone by, and a beautiful yet unique scent of licorice, it’s a must-have rose in any garden.

Absolutely Fabulous is a neat, self-cleaning flower that takes minimal care and maintenance. It usually has up to 45 petals and loves to sun itself in well-draining soil. As long as you supply it with plenty of organic matter, it will continue to thrive.

Absolutely Fabulous is also an exceptionally heat tolerant breed with blackspot and mildew resistance. Remember to prune it in winter and remove the dead heads during the flowering season. You may also find this is the best variety for borders, garden beds, or stand-alone shrubs.

 Alberic Barbier

If you can’t think of anything more refreshing then a beautiful apple fragrance filling your nostrils daily, then Alberic Barbier might be right for you. This rose boasts dark green foliage and lovely shades of apricot, yellow, and cream. As the flowering season progresses, the kaleidoscope of colours fades out to a brilliant and stark shade of white.

Alberic Barbier also works well in partial sun, shade, hot climes, and well-draining soil. Talk to an expert about staying on top of fertilising and care, as you’ll need to remember to apply new fertiliser both in early spring and summer.

This disease-resistant and coastal-friendly rose is one that loves to climb – so keep it away from fences and buildings if you don’t want it to take over!

 Class Act

If you struggle to get any plants to thrive due to your cold climate, then Class Act could be for you. This hardy rose thrives in temperatures as low as -20 degrees and is entirely frost-hardy. Therefore, if you live in the likes of Southland, you’ll have no problem getting this rose to adjust to the conditions.

It’s a well-behaved rose with delicate hints of red, lemon, and white. Its fragrance is only mild, but its looks more than make up for its lack of perfume. This rose requires fertiliser in spring and summer but is relatively disease-resistant year-round. You can also plant it in a pot, container, or flower bed.

Flower Carpet Pink

If you want your gardens to make a statement, then Flower Carpet Pink will come to the party. This carmine pink rose is wide-spreading, with large clusters of semi-double flowers throughout the flowering season. Even its glossy, dark green foliage makes a statement.

Flower Carpet Pink is one of the most easy-care shrubs around. It flowers from spring to autumn, requires minimal trimming, and tends to be more of a ground cover shrub than one of height. It doesn’t have a particularly strong aroma, but it’s a rose that loves to flaunts its looks to make up for it.

Conclusion

Whether you’re new to rose care or you’re a seasoned expert, you’ll find it’s a joy to discover all the different rose varieties we have here in New Zealand. The next time you go to add a new one to your collection, choose one with sturdy canes and isn’t one of the last left in a variety. You can then rely on experts delivering gardening and lawn mowing services near you to maintain them to the highest standard.

As you thumb through the pages of a home and garden magazine, it’s easy to feel jealous. All the properties feature Buxus hedges trimmed to perfection, and all the flower beds are alive with colour. The lawns are always something special too - luscious and as pretty as a picture. Even the local bowling club would be envious.  

Why can’t my gardens look like that? You say. They can, but you need to choose the right gardener - one that can not only do the job but has an eye for detail and a passion for the art of gardening. Because it is an art.

If you’re ready for your own property to look like one that would feature in a magazine, then read on. Below we discover the very way to achieve that goal.

Where to Find Gardeners in Your Area

Around 13% of Kiwis are working long hours, which leaves very little time for anything else. The time you do have to spare, you want to be doing something fun with it - not elbow deep in soil fishing out weeds.

But once you know you need to hire a gardener, where do you start to look? There isn’t anyone walking around with sandwich board signs saying, “I’m a gardener, hire me!” In the absence of such people, you need to search both locally and online.

Check out noticeboards at your local supermarket and classifieds in the newspaper. You may even find that leading auction sites such as TradeMe offer services that pique your interests.

One of the most effective gardener-finding methods, however, is through local, established lawn care businesses. You would be amazed at how quickly you can make a call and have an expert over in no time.

Take Crewcut, for example. David from Auckland is more than happy to tackle your gardens, while gardening help is only a phone call away in Nelson. Choose the experts for an expert finish.

How to Choose a Gardener?

You want your garden to be one that people admire, and it takes the right type of gardener to achieve that. That might not always be the one you first choose. The perfect gardener for you is one that takes pride in their work and has the experience to know a weed from a watsonia. It’s time to do your homework.

Take a drive or walk around town and hunt out gardens you like. Be nosy and inquire whether a gardening service provider offered the service. You never know, by the end of your adventure, you could be armed with a list of names and numbers.

Once you highlight a few options - such as those from leading garden experts in your area, then ask if they have any references. Many gardeners are only too happy to show you pictures of what they have achieved - or even take you to properties they have managed from the ground up.  

Questions to Ask Your New Gardener

You’ll likely know when you’ve found the best gardener in your area, but it’s helpful to be sure. People’s homes are their castles, and you want only the best to maintain them. Useful questions to ask can relate both to the people’s skill set and their recommended approach. We’ve included a few helpful questions to ask below. 

1. How often will you tend to the gardens?

2. Do you have any recommendations for my garden?

3. How much will your service cost?

4. Is there anything I need to do for you?

5. Do you take your green waste with you?

6. Do you plant new plants?

7. What happens during winter?  

These are just a few of the many questions you can ask your new gardener. If you require a whole new look for your yard, then it may even help to draw out a plan of what you hope to achieve. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but a sketch can help you and your gardener to be on the same page.  

What Next?

You know what you want, what your garden needs, and you also know you don’t have the time to achieve it on your own. The next step is to hire a gardener that will bring your garden up to a high-quality standard without making you worried with regards to how much for gardening services. Why not get in touch with experts who know what they’re doing? Crewcut, for example, has keen gardeners all around the country who will be more than happy to take on your latest project.

The average section size is only getting smaller, with many new builds in Auckland on pieces of land as little as 499 square metres. With such a small space to work with, it’s not uncommon to feel like every neighbour encompassing your property can see what you’re doing.

Everyone is entitled to feel like their property is their sanctuary. You should be able to relax outside, hang out your washing, and enjoy a conversation with friends without neighbours hanging on your every word. Fortunately, there are ways that you can get that sought-after privacy without breaking the bank. You can even rely on experts to lend a helping hand.

Read on to learn about the various garden wall solutions on a budget. You would be surprised at what you can now do to protect your privacy.

Supersize Those Pot Plants

Sometimes, it’s not enough to have a fully-fenced backyard. Remember, your fence backs on to other properties, and the positioning of their property may give them the perfect view into your yard.

If you have an entertainment area in your backyard you’d like to protect, then consider supersizing your pot plants. Buy tall planters that you can organise in a fencing style around your patio area.  

Fill them with plants that like to spread out and thrive throughout the year. While your plants won’t create a Fort Knox-like barrier, they can be enough of a separation to offer a touch of privacy and a beautiful dose of colour at the same time.

 Try Trellis

Trellis, an open framework of intersecting pieces of wood, is one of the most affordable privacy wall options on the market. It requires minimal DIY knowledge, doesn’t need a lot of installation help, and won’t break the bank either.

Trellis is an affordable option that you can knock up around your patio area in half a day. You can leave it looking natural with plain wood, paint it, or invest in climbing plants that will jump at the chance to take over. Before you know it, you have a beautiful garden wall that blocks off the view of neighbouring properties.

Purchase Privacy Screens

Privacy screens are becoming more and more popular with those who like to entertain on a budget. You can buy them ready-made, call upon an expert to build one for you, or you can easily craft one yourself.

You don’t need any special DIY skills to create a privacy screen from scratch. Head to your local secondhand shop and see what you can find in the way of old shutters or doors.

Buy some hinges, screws, and a tin of paint. You can then join all your panels of choice together with the hinges by using a battery-powered drill. All that’s left to do now is give it a fresh lick of paint to match your home’s exterior. ‘

Buy Bamboo

You would be surprised at how versatile bamboo is. You can eat it, make a fishing rod out of it, or even use it to shelter your property from another as high as five storeys tall! While you don’t want to get carried away, it’s helpful to know that this affordable plant is one that can act as a fence, hedge, and privacy wall all in one.  

The type of bamboo you need can depend on how you plan on creating a privacy wall in your property. As a form of fencing, you’d likely find that Alphonse Karr, Slender Weavers, and Stripestem Fernleaf are all perfect for the job. They clump together to block the view inside and out of your property.

For balcony privacy, Stripestem Fernleaf, Black, Blue, or Temple bamboo may be worth a closer look. These climbing and running varieties can provide both privacy and a barrier against neighbouring properties.

It can be expensive to establish but pays for itself ten times over with its low maintenance approach and effectiveness at creating a garden wall solution. Plant it in slightly acidic soil, feed it chicken manure or organic lawn food, and water it to keep the soil moist. Running bamboo prefers far less water than clumping bamboo.

Faux Hedges

Don’t have time to tend to plants or build your own privacy screen? You may like to consider a faux hedge. While it looks like you’ve spent hours trimming and creating a faux hedge, you haven’t. It’s a fake plant that allows you to install it anywhere that calls for privacy.

While you may pay a little more for the privilege, it can save you from the hassle of trying to nurse a new plant from scratch - waiting months for it to finally be that privacy solution you needed.

Conclusion

The New Zealand population is growing at a rapid pace, which means that lifestyle dream with quarter-acre sections is becoming more out of reach by the day. While you may be stuck with a postage stamp section, that doesn’t mean it can’t be your sanctuary with full privacy and seclusion. Try out these garden wall solutions above and enjoy being able to block out the world. Ask Crewcut for a hedge trimming quote to get started today.

Symbiotic plants, or the process of symbiosis, is when two plants live closely together in harmony of one kind or another. There are four types of symbiosis - mutualism, parasitism, commensalism, and endosymbiosis/ectosymbiosis. 

The word ‘symbiosis’ comes from the Greek words for ‘with’ and ‘living’. They describe a relationship between two species or organisms that can often be beneficial for both parties. 

Commensalism is where one organism benefits from the relationship, but the other is neither benefiting or harmed by it. An example of commensalism would be a spider forming a web in a tree. It doesn’t hurt the tree, but it benefits the spider. 

Parasitism, on the other hand, is when one organism benefits at the expense of the other. An example of parasitism is an aphid feeding on the sap of a plant. The aphid benefits, but the plant is worse off. 

In the plant world, the best symbiotic relationship is mutualism - where the close relationship benefits both. In the human world, a mutualism relationship would be between a human and a pet dog. The dog offers companionship and the human offers food. 

Finally, there’s ectosymbiosis/endosymbiosis where one species lives inside another. Lice on your skin would be an example of this form of symbiosis.

 Now that you understand what a symbiotic relationship is, you will see that choosing plants that can work hand in hand can enhance your gardening experience. While it’s beneficial if one can provide support for the other, it’s even better if they work together and benefit each other. Below, we uncover some of the more beneficial plants to include in your garden for symbiotic purposes. 

Foxgloves

If you want your plants to grow up big and strong, with minimal risk of succumbing to disease, then foxgloves can be of assistance. Studies show that when you grow foxgloves, the surrounding plants are stronger and with a reduced risk of disease. 

 Marigolds

Marigolds are beneficial for your garden in many ways. Not only do they add a beautiful hit of colour, but they help your other plants as well. Marigolds produce a scent that attracts hoverflies. 

Why would you want a plant that attracts insects? Hoverflies feed on greenfly, twitch grass, and plant lice, all of which attack your plants. What’s more, the roots of marigolds also keep eelworm away. If you grow tomatoes, roses, or tomatoes, plant Marigolds alongside them.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a delicious herb that accompanies many meals nicely. It also works wonders in your vegetable garden. If you grow it with your sage, cabbage, and carrots, it will keep away cabbage moths, beetles and flies. It also makes broccoli thrive and enhances the flavours of your vegetables. However, it doesn’t share a nice bond with potatoes, so plant it well away from them. 

 Orange Nasturtium

If you grow cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, or beans, then you may see the value in also planting orange nasturtium. This plant with orange petals attracts all those insects you don’t want near your vegetables. While plant lice and whitefly are feasting on your nasturtium, they’re leaving your delicious veggies alone! 

Lavender

There’s nothing more pleasant than wandering out into your garden and getting a beautiful aroma of lavender filling your nostrils. While the smell is one reason to plant lavender, there are many more. Lavender acts as a border against insects, repelling them away from your vulnerable plants.

Tomatoes

Even though tomatoes can be quite a tricky vegetable to grow in colder climes, it’s a faithful friend to many other vegetables. Basil, asparagus, celery, parsley, onion, and carrots all love being planted near tomatoes as it helps them to thrive. 

The best symbiotic plants for gardens are easier to come by than you think. There are many vegetables, flowers, and herbs out there that can have a mutually beneficial relationship. 

The next time you prepare your garden for the changing season, take a moment to plan your planting. Your plants could thrive better than they ever have before. What’s more, if you get stuck, there are plenty of gardening experts available to help.  

Here in New Zealand, we are quite lucky to have mild weather for most of the year. While we might get the occasional heavy rainfall, high winds, and a scattering of snow, we are far better off than several other countries in the world. Given that we are also a country that likes to get outdoors, tend to our gardens, and mow the lawns, that suits us quite nicely!

However, that doesn’t mean that when we do get extreme weather, it doesn’t affect our possessions, homes, and yards. During high winds, in particular, the trees can be a mess waiting to happen.

Once autumn and winter hit, we must pay careful attention to the health of our trees. Given how long it takes to grow a tree from a sapling or seedling, they are not something you want to have to establish again from the beginning!

Tree care involves tree pruning, hedge trimming, and tree trimming, and failure to understand what this means for you as a tree owner could be the difference between a tree that thrives and one that merely survives (or doesn’t…).

Benefits of Trees

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of tree pruning, tree trimming, and tree care, it’s a good idea to understand why we need trees, and why they are beneficial for your yard. Without knowing why, you may take to them with a chainsaw to say goodbye to them forever!  

Trees do many things for us socially, environmentally, and economically. Firstly and most importantly, they clean the air, reduce the smog, and give us nice and clean air to breathe.  

Regarding social benefits, trees play a vital role as well. They are responsible for reducing stress, promote increased physical activity in parks, and even help to reduce crimes. Recent studies have also shown that vegetation in urban areas can relax your brainwaves, lower your blood pressure, and improve your quality of life.

Environmentally, however, trees are in their element. One single tree can produce the same amount of cold air as ten residential air conditioning units. Homes with trees as windbreakers can even benefit from reduced heating costs of up to 15 percent.

Finally, homes with well-established trees sell for up to 15 percent more than those without, while tree-lined streets may increase the homes’ values by as much as 25 percent.

Diseased branches can burden or eventually kill a tree.

How to Trim Your Trees

It’s clear to see that trees are worth keeping around, but taking care of tree care such as tree trimming and tree pruning is still something that not everyone knows how to do – even with trees galore in their backyard. Below, we cover how to tackle tree trimming and tree pruning by yourself. Not enough time or experience? Then call in the experts.

1. Identify the vital branches – the tree’s skeleton

You want to avoid cutting these branches off as they keep the tree’s form.

2. Identify damaged or broken branches

Remove any damaged or broken branches. By doing so, you are enabling the rest of the tree to benefit from the nutrients that would have gone to the broken or damaged portion

3. Thinning

During tree trimming, one of the most important things to do is make sure the trees can get as much light and air as possible. To do so, you need to thin out areas with thick branches that cross over each other. Dense parts of your trees can harbour fungus and unwanted insects. Thin these spots out and give them room to breathe and grow.

4. Taking Care of Obstructions

Trees, while lovely and beneficial, can also be a hazard. Low branches can block walkways, while high ones can damage your roof, power pole wires, and parts of your home’s exterior. If you don’t feel confident getting up high to trim, call in tree pruning experts who have the best equipment to take care of the job for you.

5. Don’t be Trim-Happy

When you get into the rhythm of tree trimming and tree care, it’s all too easy to get a little chop-happy, giving your trees more of a haircut than they need. Every cut you make can be compromising your tree’s ability to care for itself. Aim to remove less than a quarter of your tree’s branches.

How to Take Care of Your Trees During High Winds?

In many storm-related insurance claims in New Zealand, trees are to blame. While they do much good in our lives, they are also responsible for damaged roofing, fences, vehicles, and homes. That’s why it’s important to be proactive with your tree care. Failure to get on top of tree trimming and pruning can be the difference between a hefty bill and getting through a storm unscathed. Below, we have a few helpful tips you may find useful.

1. Check Your Tree’s Health

On a regular basis, take a look at your trees. Do they look healthy and robust? Are they straight and not leaning precariously toward someone’s home or property? If you don’t think your tree is strong enough to withstand adverse weather, take action before that bad weather arrives. Consider tree trimming, pruning, or removal if necessary.

2. Know the Rules and Regulations

Many people want to take care of their trees during lousy weather for the sake of the trees themselves, but it’s also crucial for other people as well. All councils have rules and regulations. You may be liable if your tree, for example, falls on a power line.

3. Natural Shelter

If you are planting your seedling or sapling, consider its growth. You may like to plant it somewhere sheltered from the wind, such as behind a house, garage, or shelter belt.

4. Keep up with Maintenance

Trees need a helping hand from time to time, especially if natural critters are trying to take up residence. Take the time to give your trees fertilizer alongside taking care of trimming and pruning. Insects can also weaken your tree, so invest in tree-friendly insecticides if you are concerned.

We have some beautiful trees here in New Zealand, and the more we have, the better it is for our environment. If you want to take care of your trees properly, speak to a Crewcut professional about how you can manage your trees during the wild weather.

Did you know that many of the insurance claims relating to storm damage in New Zealand involve trees? It can be easy to blame the trees for falling over onto homes, roofing, fencing, and cars, but could the owners of those trees also be responsible?  

Believe it or not, when you decide to plant a tree, you are signing up for a whole host of responsibilities. It’s almost like becoming a tree parent. You have to research what you can grow, how tall you can grow it, how to take care of tree trimming, and what your local council has to say about it as well. Then, if you want to cut it down, you may find you can’t, or you have to do it in a particular way or talk to the neighbours. It’s clear to see that to own trees you have to do your homework.                                                                                                             

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Below, we outline some of the more frequent problems homeowners face with trees, and what their responsibilities are with them. From tree pruning and trimming through to council regulations and “check before you chop” rules, there is a lot to learn, so get reading!

 Check Before You Chop

The Auckland Council created a public message known as Check Before You Chop. Essentially, it made homeowners abide by a set of rules relating to the chopping down of trees – and even tree pruning. You would need to ring the council hotline if you were unsure of your duty to the trees.

The Auckland Council didn’t put such rules in place to be difficult. Instead, they were making sure that trees that needed protection were protected.

These include:

• Heritage or notable trees identified in District Plans

• Trees in areas requiring an additional level of protection, such as cliff line tree amenity areas.

• Trees under the protection of a covenant or consent notice

• Trees outside urban environments

• Trees in planning zones

If you plan on doing any chopping, tree pruning, tree trimming, or altering of any kind on your property, it may pay to check with your local council.

What About Tree Trimming, Chopping, or Pruning on a Neighbouring Property?

Trees make our air breathable, they conserve water, support slopes, protect properties from erosion, and absorb pollution. It’s clear to see they serve more of a purpose than adding shade for picnics during a hot summer’s day. However, there are also going to be occasions where they are more of a hindrance than a help. 

If you have a tree with branches or roots that cross your boundary into your neighbour’s property, then they have a right to cut and alter the tree. However, they fall under the same obligation of consulting council to see if it’s okay to do so.

If your tree is diminishing their property, endangering their property or their life, then they can not only ask you to remove it but can get a court order to undertake tree trimming or ask for its removal altogether. If you have a tree that sits directly on the boundary, both you and your neighbour own the tree. You both must take care of maintenance and any problems relating to the tree’s existence.

I Have a Problem with My Tree (And My Neighbour)

If you’re not on sugar borrowing terms with your neighbour all thanks to a tree, then it’s time to get the process for discussion underway. Firstly, talk to your neighbour about the problem tree. Be aware that trees can be a precious subject for some, make sure you discuss matters calmly and considerately to ensure you don’t endanger a relationship. If discussions come to nothing, then it’s time to talk to your council. Find out if the tree is protected under any of the “Check Before You Chop” regulations. If it’s not, then either you (or them, depending on who has a problem with the tree), can apply for a court order for tree pruning or its removal.

How to Take Care of Tree Pruning?

If you don’t have time, patience, or the inclination for tree care, then you will be pleased to know there are plenty of tree trimming experts who can help. However, if you’re dead-set on taking care of business on your own, here are a few useful tree trimming tips that might help.

1. Carefully Examine Your Tree

It might seem silly, but you need to look at your tree objectively. Identify the structural branches that form the tree’s skeleton. The last thing you want to do during a “quick” tree pruning exercise is remove one of its vital ‘organs’.  

2. Remove Damage

Tree damage can occur for many reasons – such as poor weather or wildlife. Take care of the damaged, dead, dying, or diseased branches first. You will be surprised at how good your trees look once they only have healthy branches left.

3. Thin it Out

If your tree is getting a bit out of control, you may have to get heavy-handed with tree trimming. Identify dense areas with branches that interlock. They may be identifiable by fungus and insects. Clear this area to allow light and air through. If you’re unsure about doing this, consider hiring a professional and get a tree trimming quote.

4. Remove Dangers

If you are taking care of tree trimming because your tree is becoming a danger, then make sure you remove all those hazards immediately. Low lying branches that could impinge on walkways are a must-fix, while any high branches that reach into your neighbour’s property or onto roofs, power lines, etc., are also in the firing line for removal. You may like expert help for this part also.

5. Not Too Much

Don’t get too excited with your loppers – you may do more harm than good. Cut no more than a quarter of your tree’s branches off if you can avoid it.

 If you are having problems with your trees growing out of control, then it might be time to get professional help. Talk to the council and then speak to a Crewcut professional about tree trimming prices and how you can manage your trees now and into the future.

The ideal way to manage green waste by-product is to reinvest it in your garden, or in the case of wood matter, into your fireplace to keep you warm this winter. We’ve got some helpful tips below, but if home waste disposal isn’t an option then keep reading for the cheapest and most accessible green waste recycling centres in your area.

Consider these methods of repurposing garden waste and distributing it in your own garden or among neighbours and friends:  

• Leave your grass clippings on the lawn after mowing, returning vital nutrients to the soil. This can be achieved with a mulch mower - something that Crewcut operators can help with.

• Put your grass clippings into the compost bin.

• Rake dead leaves into the soil under trees, where they’ll decompose quickly.

• After heavy pruning, select big branches for firewood and smaller branches for strong, sturdy stakes that will be suitable for beans, bulbs and next year’s tomatoes.

• You can put hedge trimmings in the compost. “They’re not as good as grass, but if the hedge is cut often then the clippings will be okay for compost,” says Crewcut hedge expert Larry.

• If you have a tree cut down, either chainsaw the trunk and branches into firewood-sized pieces yourself or ask the arborist to do it for you. No fireplace? You’ll find friends and relatives more than willing to come and take it off your hands. Keep the sawdust and chips as mulch for your own garden.

If you live in Kerikeri, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, Timaru or Otago then you’re in luck, because the Crewcut garden bag service is available in your area and one of our franchisees will personally collect and dispose of your green waste.

Elsewhere, councils are around New Zealand are working hard to reduce the amount of organic waste going into the landfill and providing or contracting out garden waste services.

Northland

Far North District Council charges $22 for 1m3 of green waste. For a list of all transfer stations and hours, see here. 

Whangarei District Council has six transfer stations, charging from $1.60 for a 65L bag of garden waste, $12 for a car boot to $22.50 for a trailer-load. Locations and opening hours here. Dargaville transfer station charges $25 per m3 of green waste.

 Auckland

Auckland City Council has Community Recycling centres in Devonport, Helensville, Henderson, Waiuku that accept green waste:

• $6 - $8 per 50L bag of garden waste.

• $26 per 1m3

• Car - $27.50 per load.

• 4WD, wagon - $38 per load.

• Ute or trailer up to 2m3 - $52 per load.

What’s more, all centres upcycle and resell household goods, with profits going to community projects. Check the link above for locations and opening hours.

Waikato

In the Waikato? Take your garden waste to Hamilton Organic and pay $9 for .5m3 and from $20 for 1m3. The Frankton operation says it is Hamilton’s only purpose-built composting facility. “We take your grass clippings, hedge trimmings, leaves and other garden waste and turn it into high-quality organic gardening products.”

Canterbury

If you live in Christchurch and you’ve got more green waste than will ft in the weekly organic bin collection, the Christchurch City Council provides EcoDrop centres in the north, south and west of the city and on Banks Peninsula. Green waste fees are $9.80 per car/4WD or $106.50 per tonne.

Do you wish you could turn your lawn into a low-maintenance haven where you hardly need to mow it?

How about a garden where you don’t have to fight against weeds?

It’s possible to get an effortless garden with different types of plants and gravel. In this article, you’ll receive 11 tips to transform your garden from a lot of work to a low-maintenance backyard.

Unless you want to pave over your lawn—and maybe you do—it’s unrealistic to expect not to do anything with it. Instead of converting your lawn into a parking lot, you can install ground covers to replace your lawn grass. Ground covers are verdant, slow growing and hardly need any maintenance.

Some ground covers also have small blossoms or oils that when stepped on release a heady fragrance.

Here are 11 Exchange options for durable ground covers that don’t require mowing!

2. Mercury Bay weed

1. Selliera Microphylla: A native of New Zealand, selliera microphylla is a no-mow ground cover. It looks like lawn grass, but on closer inspection, it’s a succulent. Selliera microphylla needs to be continuously damp and planted in semi-shade. It’s also known as mountain selliera.

2. Mercury Bay Weed: Another native creeper, mercury bay weed (Dichondra repens) does well in some lawns. You can plant with seed or root cuttings. It’s prone to powdery mildew in the summer when humidity levels are high. You may be lucky enough to have it growing naturally in your garden.

3. Dichondra brevifiola Buchanan: This groundcover is easy to grow from seed or root pieces. It fares better than mercury bay weed as a lawn cover. It tolerates poorly drained, but fertile soil, and it grows in full sun.

4. Fragrant Thyme: In New Zealand, you have many choices of thyme to choose from as a ground cover for your lawn. White thyme, for instance, is a great creeper. It stays low to the ground, doesn’t require a lot of mowing and gives you fragrant white blossoms that leave off their oils when mowed or stepped on.

5. Corsican Mint: An excellent ground cover, Corsican mint has tiny leaves. It grows well as a lawn substitute. It likes well-drained soils and sunshine. And when you mow it or walk over it, you’re treated to a minty scent.

6. Native Pratia Angulata: This ground cover will grow to 10cm x 2m. It’s also called lobelia angulate. It’s a pretty ground cover that produces white flowers in spring and red berries in the fall.

5. Corsican Mint

Get creative with Stone or Gravel

7. Blechnun Penna-Marina: This fern is a native of New Zealand. Another low-growing, easy-to-take care of plant provides dense leaves and spreads throughout your lawn via the plant’s rhizomes.

8. Gravel Garden: A gravel garden is another alternative to a typical Kiwi garden. Instead of lawn grass, your lawn has a thick layer of gravel added to it. Gravel does a great job of keeping weeds out of your garden. Better yet, you won’t need to mow it. Drought-friendly plants are planted in the gravel. They need some extra tender loving care for the first two years. In the third year, you can leave them alone, and they’ll survive.

9. Artificial Turf: Astroturf, fake grass, call it what you will. It’s the ultimate in a no-mow lawn. You replace your turfgrass with fake grass. When the sun beats down on artificial turf, it does get pretty hot to the feet. But the only maintenance needed includes hosing off pet waste and using a leaf blower to remove debris. No weed control and no fertilizing needed.

10. Perennials: Spruce up your flowerbeds with perennials. You get more return on investment than annuals because perennials come back every year. Plus, you cut down on garden maintenance by planting native perennial flowers. Native perennials are even better because they can survive drought conditions, and other weather stresses better than non-natives.

Artificial grass can grow on you.

11. Stone Mulch: Skip natural mulch for stone mulch. Gravel mulch keeps weeds from popping up, provides a low-maintenance alternative and gives colour to your backyard landscape. Plus, stone doesn’t break down or need to be replaced twice a year.

Indeed, you’re not required to have a typical grass lawn in your garden. Instead, exchange your lawn grass into one of the 11 options above to give you more time to dedicate to your weekend.

If you still want to keep your lawn grass, you can skip the mow. Instead, call your local Crewcut to provide you with a lawn care service. Call us today at 0800 800 286 or fill out our contact form.

At Crewcut, we service the following New Zealand regions: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Christchurch, Dargaville, Franklin, Hawkes Bay, Hokianga, Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Manawatu, Nelson, New Plymouth, Otago, Rodney, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Timaru, Waikato, Wanganui and Wellington.

As temperatures plummet and the nights draw in quicker than they did over December and January, it can only mean one thing. Autumn is here. It will just be a matter of time before daylight saving kicks in and trees say goodbye to their vibrant green leaves for stunning shades of gold, red, and yellow.

However, for the avid gardener, Autumn has so much more meaning. It’s the time for harvesting crops and preparing for a new season’s growth on the back of it. If you need a helping hand knowing what plants to plant this Autumn, or you’re not sure what the next step is, then read on. The experienced and knowledgeable Crewcut team is here to help.

Harvesting Time 

Take a look out into your garden and check out the fruits of your labour. Are they ready for picking? If you have been growing pumpkin or squash, rhubarb, rocket, silverbeet, beans, courgettes, cucumbers, or lettuce, then it’s time to harvest. All of these delicious produce should now be ready to consume. Harvesting time also provides an opportunity for pickling, making sauces, jams, and marinades to share with family and friends.

What Plants to Plant in Autumn? 

Now that you’ve harvested all your produce and had a garden tidy up, it’s time to consider what you are going to plant for the next growing season. Will you stick with vegetables, plants, or flowers? Or, will you opt for a mixture of all three? Below, we’ve included some of the most popular things to plant once the cold weather hits. 

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, while also being one of the most nutritious. Start the growing process in seed trays before planting them in your vegetable patch within 1-1.5 months. 

Beans 

You can sow bean seeds directly into the ground now, but ensure you use stakes to help them grow upward as they start to sprout. 

Pansies

If you want to add a splash of color to your garden over Autumn, then consider planting pansies. You can start the growth process in Autumn and enjoy them through winter, spring, and summer. You can plant them in hanging baskets, window pots or boxes, or even garden borders. They grow beautifully in well-draining soil with potting mix. This heat-tolerant plant is stunning and easy-care. 

Lettuce

Lettuce forms the foundation for any sandwich or salad, which is why it’s a must-have in any autumn garden you’re getting ready. You can sow lettuce seeds directly into the ground, but ensure you cover them with a drink bottle cut in half to protect them from hungry birds.

Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are a beautifully fragrant flower that you sow in autumn for flowering in spring. Make a tentfrom bamboo stakes and plant the seed directly into the ground. Once they grow, they cling onto the tent. 

Brussel Sprouts

While they’re not everyone’s favourite childhood vegetable, brussel sprouts can be quite a worthy ingredient. They are also exceptionally easy to grow and work beautifully with other seasonal vegetables lightly sautéed in a pan. Start the growth process in a seed tray before planting out in four or six weeks. You may also like to add lime or nitrogen when they are halfway through their growing process. 

Carrots

If you’re a novice gardener, then carrots are going to be one of the most lucrative plants to grow. It can take a disaster of mammoth proportions to see your carrots fail to thrive. Plant them in well-draining soil and water them daily until they start to grow. Before long, you’ll have fresh baby carrots for a range of delicious menu items.

Autumn Planting Maintenance

Autumn can be quite a busy time for the average gardener. If you’re not perusing the rows of seed options at your local vegetable store, you’re trying to get your garden beds ready for a new crop of plants. If you’re feeling a little frazzled, and don’t know what to do next, then stick to this list. It can see you on your way to a prosperous autumnal planting season. 

1. Dry your seeds in preparation for spring sowing. If you save and store your bean, melon, and tomato seeds, you don’t have to buy more when it comes time to plant them. 

2. Add a new layer of compost to your garden to replenish the soil.

3. Thin your carrots to reduce the risk of uneven root development.

4. Don’t be afraid to grow lettuces in cold weather. Protect them, and they will be fine.

5. Cut long and leafy stems from your tomato plants to promote fruit growth on the lower stems.

6. Feed your established plants with nutrient-rich plant tonic to promote healthy growth. 

7. Use a mildew spray from your local garden store to prevent mildew from affecting your courgettes, cucumbers, and marrows. 

It has been hard to say goodbye to the blue skies, festive fun, and games of backyard cricket that summer brought us. Autumn is here, and it’s now time to embrace the season by planting beautiful vegetables and flowers to carry us through a new season of growth.