Gardening

Horticultural expert Nathan Neath from Green Giant Gardens says spring is when gardens in Christchurch get moving, and good maintenance is about staying one step ahead. With a hot, dry and windy summer ahead, I’ll be keeping a close eye on irrigation issues, plant stress, pruning and anything vulnerable to strong winds. Other […]

Grow a piece of paradise this national gardening month. Gardening is getting a little more room to grow, with New Zealand’s long-running National Gardening Week expanding into National Gardening Month this October. The month-long celebration reflects the growing role gardening plays in New Zealanders’ lives – from growing fresh food and creating havens […]

After the final frost, tomato plants are ready to go into soil. Mix up your variety with these four favourites. Early girl Producing medium-sized, tasty red fruit, early girl tomatoes are ideal for fresh slices in sandwiches, salads, and general cooking. Roma With egg-shaped fruit, roma tomatoes are less watery and meatier, making […]

Winter came late but it certainly came with a vengeance, writes local green thumb and garden-based business owner Peter Worsp of Terra Viva. Cold rain, record frosts, Antarctic southerlies. Winter in Christchurch makes us wonder if we’ll ever feel like venturing out into the garden again. Yet three days of sunshine plus warmer, […]

Your home reflects who you are. Why should your garden be any different? “Spring is a great time to look at your garden afresh – what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d love to change,” says Nathan Neath, horticultural expert and owner of Green Giant Gardens. “After Christchurch’s hard frosts, don’t be too […]

5 ways to maintain a low-fuss, nice-looking outdoor living area and garden. Zero-fuss plants. Selecting plants that will strive in Canterbury is a simple way to make your life easier in the garden. Consider native favourites already used to New Zealand’s weather patterns. This includes hebes (compact and great for borders), Kānuka and […]

Winter gives homeowners something that’s often in short supply during spring and summer: time to stop, look at the garden properly, and plan before the growing season begins. Expert gardener Nathan Neath shares his spring-ready tips. For me, every project starts the same way – with a walk around the garden. I ask […]

Christchurch’s Red Zone is being used as a test bed to see whether biological wastes (biowastes) can help transform contaminated soil into climate-resilient soil. As a result of the earthquakes, Christchurch’s Red Zone is like a “living laboratory” for studying how cities can respond to both contaminated land and the impacts of climate […]

Keen to learn how to prune roses like a pro? Now is the perfect time to get to work. With more than 100 species and counting, the rose is one of the most popular flowers across the globe and mid-winter is the best time to prune them, when the plants are fully dormant, […]

Barking up the right tree are Christchurch arborist experts Ben and Jake. While winter might seem like the quiet season for gardening, they say it’s the perfect window for maintenance. Is an overgrown garden making you want to reach for the pruning shears or chainsaw? Tree pruning or removal without the correct know-how […]