August in the Garden Tasks for Winter July saw highs of 9–15 °C and chilly lows around –2 °C. A typical Late Winter mix of frosty mornings and milder afternoons. Expect similar patterns in August—cool starts, warming gradually. As Winter gives way to early Spring, it’s time to wrap up Winter tasks and prepare for new growth. … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount* at Portstone Garden Centre *Please note: discounts exclude roses and some other items. Full details are available in store. Plant of the Month – Planting and caring for Roses Roses are best planted during the Winter, while the plants … Read More
June in the Garden Tasks for the first frosts As the Christchurch weather turns colder and the first frosts begin to settle in, we find ourselves well and truly into late Autumn and edging into Winter. The crisp mornings and shorter days mean it’s time to switch gears in the garden. With fewer opportunities to … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Plant of the Month -Meyer Citrus in a pot Meyer lemon trees are a popular choice because of their ability to fruit almost continuously throughout the year once established. They are also one of … Read More
May marks the golden end of Autumn in Christchurch — a beautiful, busy time as the landscape transforms and cooler days signal the arrival of Winter. There’s a special energy in the garden now: a race to finish Autumn tasks and lay the groundwork for a thriving Spring.
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Plant of the Month – Japanese Maple As we head into Autumn, we have a wonderful display of weeping maples with vibrant colours of orange, purple, yellow and red. A popular Japanese Maple for … Read More
April Gardening Update Autumn in the Garden With the Equinox behind us, Autumn is in full swing. Leaves are changing colour across the city and countryside, and the garden is transitioning to cooler days. Harvest & Preserve Keep harvesting tomatoes, courgettes, and other Summer crops to preserve for Winter. Freeze them whole, or turn them … Read More
March Gardening Update Canterbury Gardens in Autumn March is ideal for harvesting fruit and vegetables. Surplus produce is common, and freezing remains the most popular preservation method—it’s quick, easy, and cost-effective. Clean, blanch, cool, dry, and pack vegetables into freezer bags before freezing. Bottling fruit and beetroot, while more time-consuming, adds colour to your pantry … Read More
Many thanks to Portstone Garden Centre for this update. CHS Members enjoy a 15% discount at Portstone Garden Centre www.portstone.co.nz Plant of the Month – Bulbs Flowering bulbs bring brilliant colours to your garden from late Winter through to Summer. At Portstone, we offer a fantastic selection, including anemones, freesias, ranunculi, hyacinths, scillas, muscari, … Read More
February Gardening Update Canterbury Gardens in Summer The weather over the Christmas period was not very summer-like. Below-average temperatures, dull, cloudy days, and double the usual rainfall made gardening quite a challenge. The silver lining for me was the excellent crops of raspberries, strawberries, and blackcurrants. Tomatoes have been slow to ripen, and my stone … Read More