From the expert Nathan Neath: Spring gardens start now
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 clients to show me the areas they enjoy, what’s frustrating them, and what they like. People don’t always have a clear brief. Sometimes they just know something isn’t working, but they haven’t fully worked it out. My job is to help draw that out.
Then I can recommend which plants will thrive in that particular space. Christchurch’s growing conditions are hugely varied. What works beautifully in one part of the city might struggle just ten minutes down the road, so every garden needs its own approach.
I encourage clients not to overlook winter planting. A cherry tree can look like nothing more than a stick when it goes in, but by spring it’s covered in blossom. Clients love seeing that transformation.
One recent client watched her garden become increasingly overgrown over several years. She worried that bringing someone in would mean everything would simply be cut down.
Instead, we carefully removed invasive growth while preserving the garden’s character. We uncovered established plants that had been smothered for years and revealed a beautiful stream hidden behind the overgrowth. Afterwards, the client said it felt like a burden had been lifted.
For me, that’s the real measure of success. I want people to feel they’ve been listened to, they’ve got the right people, and their garden is something they don’t need to worry about anymore.
