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
As the Summer weather arrives many gardeners will be looking to navigate water restrictions and charges. Maximising the effectiveness of hand watering is crucial. In the past I’ve used NovaFlow drainage pipes, these can be buried near trees and shrubs and filled on permitted days or with collected rainwater. This is an efficient way to … Read More
Soil to Table: The Land Gardeners Bridget Elworthy & Henrietta Courtauld ISBN: 9781760762636 | $89.99 The Land Gardeners – Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld – are gardeners and healthy soil researchers and advocates based in the UK. Their first book, Cut Flowers, focused on the role of healthy soil in growing beautiful blooms. Soil … Read More
The Natural Garden: Landscape Ideas for New Zealand Gardens Xanthe White ISBN: 9781776950584 | 59.99 Available for pre order from 3 October 2023 Xanthe White is a garden designer based in Auckland, who for nearly three decades has worked as the lead designer of her studio on a broad range of projects both in … Read More
This month the growing season is well underway. Daylight saving has started and the Spring weather is so far, warmer than usual and the monthly rainfall, below average. This year the fruit set on my stone fruit looks very good, I’ll be maintaining my spray programme to keep pests and diseases under control. The apple … Read More