Letting nature do the talking There seems to be a common misconception among people looking to get into gardening. It’s hard, I’ve never grown anything, where do I start? Well, we’re here to tell you it’s much more simple than you think. Nature has made it pretty easy for us to take advantage of its simplicity, let the soil and the weather do the talking. That being said there’s a few things we can do to give nature the best chance to thrive, right there in our own backyard. Here’s some easy tips to take on board this autumn. Organically fertilise, but not too much. Natural fertiliser ..read more

What to think about for your garden in autumn   Once again, a change of season is upon us in a flash! After a roasting hot summer in NZ, autumn is here and the conditions are changing. It’s that time of year for browning leaves, cooling days and that feeling of nostalgia! If you’re in the north, no doubt you’ll be welcoming a reprieve from the humidity and if you’re in the south you may have started wearing that jumper again.   Autumn is such an exciting time to grow! When it comes to herbs and veges, it’s generally a much easier time to get seedlings going now that the hot sun isn’t ..read more

Incorporating plants into your way of life   Nature is something that should be integrated into everyday life. Countless studies show that an interaction with nature improves both mental and physical wellbeing, and makes for an all around more peaceful life. Over the last 10 or so years, the introduction of plants into homes, schools, offices and public spaces has been prolific! We advocate strongly for this, so have compiled a few easy ways to introduce nature into your life.   Start with an indoor herb garden. Herbs are some of the easiest and most intuitive plants to get going ar ..read more

Not all tomatoes are created equal When it comes to the garden, summertime means tomato time. Whether its Golden Eye, Roma or Heirloom, there are many choices for the green thumb when it comes to planting the patch. First things first, let's go through some basic tips to grow strong, healthy tomatoes before we talk about the sweetest of the bunch. Tomatoes love the sun, so when you’re choosing a spot make sure it’s fairly exposed to sunlight. Secondly, ensure your soil is in great shape. Add some organic matter, compost and/or natural fertilisers to build up the soil health and prepare the gro ..read more

The meaning of the season.. It’s heating up! New Zealand summer is iconic. The time of year when everyone gets out the jandals, gets into the ice cream and sports a bronze summer glow. It’s fantastic, vitamin D is in abundance and people are enjoying the chance to take a break! Summer is also an opportune time to get into the garden while you have a spare moment or three. The kiwi climate means plants can still thrive through this season, and many different vege and herb varieties will prosper. We thought it necessary to offer some summer gardening tips for those of you looking to get the hand ..read more

The benefits are innumerable Worms, wow. Where do I start? A marvel of the natural world, an asset to our soil systems, the ultimate unsung hero? Sometimes it’s the most understated of all that are the most valuable. Slippery little creatures, worms are under the surface rolling around in the soil like a pig in mud. It’s hard to quantify the impact these saviours have on our ecosystems, so let’s keep this one factual and flesh out some of the benefits. Increased soil aeration. One of the many phenomena going on unnoticed under our feet, this allows more oxygen to filter through the soil and b ..read more

Natural spray all the way! Springing into summer Wow, it’s only two weeks until summer. How fast this spring has flown so far, and what a great growing season it has been! In classic spring fashion, New Zealand has had a mix of hot sun and rainy days to enable all plants, but specifically veges and herbs to thrive in the garden. As we rapidly head towards summer, you’ll likely notice an increase in insects around the patch as the heat and humidity grows. It’s always best to be prepared, so here’s some tips on how to naturally protect your patch as we move through the seasons.   You can’t ..read more

Keep it simple in the garden Since a young age so many of us are told how good vegetables are for you. As a kid it’s hard to realise this - the taste of a sugary treat or pastry is so much more appetising! I remember mum proposing the classic incentive, “Eat your greens and you can have some dessert!”. As I’ve gotten older, I now appreciate the taste of veggies in all shapes and sizes, forms and tastes. Of the seemingly limitless options out there, leafy greens are some of the easiest to grow and prepare. Check out some of the classics below! Lettuce. Everyone knows what it is. Most probably ..read more

The brassica family No doubt you’ve heard it a lot. “Great time of year to grow some brassicas!”. If you’re anything like me, you’d reply something like “For sure, you can say that again!”, not actually knowing what on earth a brassica is. It’s something that grows so commonly throughout New Zealand, we thought it was about time to share some knowledge. Brassicas or plants from the Brassicaceae family are widespread flowering plants, commonly known as the mustards, crucifers or cabbage family. Many of the vegetables in the family have hydrophobic leaves, meaning they repel or do not absorb wat ..read more

Your plants are peckish We’re well and truly into the spring season! Such a scintillating time of year with the insects out in force, trees and plants bursting into life and smiles on dials all over town. Your vege garden will be hurtling along at speed, with all those greens you put in the ground sending roots down, and leaves up. As long as you’ve provided them some decent soil, they should continue to grow strong for the rest of spring and summer. It’s important to nurture your nature, as much as you can. Take a natural system and enhance it by providing an environment it can thrive. Workin ..read more