Autumn is a bustling season in the garden, marked this year by noticeable daytime temperature drops in March. Despite morning dews, rainfall remains scarce, leaving soil moisture notably low. This month is prime for lawn renovation in preparation for winter. Feeding, weed spraying, top dressing, and resowing yield optimal results while the soil remains warm … Read More
Foraging New Zealand By Peter Langlands Due in-store mid-April, launch event at Scorpio Books 1 st May (details below). $50. Pre-orders now available – display copy in-store for perusal. www.scorpiobooks.co.nz/product/foraging-new-zealand New Zealand is full of incredible, edible wild foods — fruit, fungi and seaweed; berries, herbs and more — you only need to know … Read More
The Ethnobotanical: A world tour of Indigenous plant knowledge by Sarah E Edwards ISBN: 9781529427400 $75.00 ‘Ethnobotany’ is an interdisciplinary field of study, using both social and natural sciences to explore the relationships between people and plants across cultures. Published in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, this striking, large format book … Read More
March signals the start of the change of seasons from Summer to Autumn. As the days become shorter, plant growth slows down, and the tasks around the garden turn towards preparing for the Winter ahead. Watering is needed as we are still in need of rain to keep up good soil moisture for growth and … Read More
Summer in Christchurch tends to be unpredictable, and this year is no exception. We’ve experienced a mix of hot days and occasional moisture, resulting in a favourable growing season. My stone fruit crops have been abundant, and after their harvest, I’ve applied a fungicidal spray and conducted a light prune to manage unwanted growth. The … Read More
Paul Bangay: A Life in Garden Design by Paul Bangay ISBN: 9781760763282 $90.00 Garden designer Paul Bangay likely needs no introduction – widely respected, he is one of Australia’s most sought-after designers, and has worked across the country as well as overseas for over forty years. His latest book, A Life in Garden Design, … Read More
Growing Chrysanthemums Chrysanthemums, or mums, typically bloom in late Summer to early Autumn. The exact blooming period can vary based on the specific variety and local climate conditions. These vibrant flowers often add a burst of colour to gardens and landscapes, creating a stunning display just in time for the autumn season. Growing chrysanthemums can be … Read More
Leonie Jackson Leonie has been a dedicated CHS Member and volunteer for a significant period, dating back to her early involvement with her parents, Rae and Harold Mintrom, at the monthly plant sales table. Despite being a busy mother of three boys and a Primary School teacher, Leonie actively contributed to the legendary annual CHS … Read More
This month is the start of the Summer fruit season with berry fruits at their peak and stone fruit starting to ripen. With longer days and the warmer temperatures these fruits will ripen quickly so they must be looked at each day and are best picked in the cooler mornings before they get too hot. … Read More
Secret Gardens of Aotearoa: Field notes and practical wisdom by Jane Mahoney & Sophie Bannan ISBN: 9781991006240 | $49.99 Secret Gardens of Aotearoa is a beautiful book that showcases twelve intriguing and unique gardens and the people who tend to them, along with advice, guides, and plenty of stunning photography. Written and photographed by … Read More