Name your poison (plants)
A surprising number of plants, including many indoor species, are toxic and even poisonous in one way or another, having developed chemical compounds to discourage predators from eating them. A toxic plant can cause harm through various means, such as skin irritation or inhalation, while a poisonous plant is specifically dangerous if ingested. Keeping them […]
Get down and dirty
Winter is a great time to have a clean-out in the garden. Wait for a crisp fine weekend, sort a green waste bin, rug up warm and head outside. By now, most of the deciduous trees will have shed their leaves, so rake them up and add to your composting, or bin. Bare branches mean […]
Growing healthy soil
Achieving healthy, nutritious food relies a lot on where you grow it, not just how you care for each plant. Strip it back to the base and look at the health of your soil. Understanding your soil takes time. It is important to consider your location, how you nourish it, and its moisture levels. For […]
A grand garden: Grow Landscapes & Lifestyle
Create an ambience and the garden of your dreams with fountains and gorgeous garden art from Grow Landscapes & Lifestyle. The gentle murmur of trickling water and elegant art sculpt a serene atmosphere for winter evenings, whether you’re admiring from your window or outside enjoying it. This is where a water feature takes centre stage. […]
Overwintering plants
A way of protecting potted plants through winter, overwintering keeps plants alive and healthy and is sometimes essential for their survival. With consistent frosts and hard winds creeping in, this might be the solution to leave winter and enter summer with a lively, blooming garden. Plants can struggle with the temperature drop, such as those […]
Cold climate plants
Many native and exotic plants, shrubs, and trees available in New Zealand are tougher than they look, surviving low temperatures, droughts, frosts, poor soil, and occasional neglect or improper care. Seasonal changes bring challenges for gardeners, especially in colder climate areas such as Canterbury. The trick is to choose plants that survive and thrive in […]
Gorgeous winter colours
The best gardens are those that have colour of some sort, during all four seasons. I am a flower fancier, so need a plentiful supply to pick during spring, summer, autumn, and especially winter. From beautiful patterned bark, red berries, and colourful blooms, autumn and winter trees and shrubs add bursts of beauty during darker […]
Here’s to radishes
Crunchy and peppery, radishes make a colourful addition to salads and sandwiches, and they’re great eaten raw, dipped in hummus, or on their own. More than 100 varieties exist, in a range of colours, shapes, and sizes, all with their own unique flavour and nutrients. From mild and earthy, to slightly sweet, and/or pungent and […]
Bountiful harvests
The season of plenty, autumn is the start of hearty soups, stews, and casseroles, and — like squirrels storing their nuts — a time to stock up for winter. New seasons bring opportunities to try different foods, and make the most of what is plentiful, one reason many restaurants change their menus with the months. […]
Being biophilic
An increasing number of architectural and interior home designers are incorporating biophilic principles into their work, bringing nature indoors. Being at one with nature is often relaxing, tranquil, and can evoke feelings of wellbeing and peace, which is where biophilic design comes in; its goal is to bring traditionally outdoor elements inside so our homes […]
