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
Spring has arrived at last with the longer days and warmer sun. The ground is drying out and warming up so let the growing season begin! The lawns will now respond to fertilisers as the grass begins to grow. After the grass has been cut two or three times I like to de-thatch the lawn … Read More
Around the World in 50 Plants Jonathan Drori, illustrated by Lucille Clerc ISBN: 9781399610698 | $37.99 After the incredible success of Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori has returned for another trip around the world – this time with plants as the focus. Around the World in 80 Plants has recently been … Read More
The Everyday Herbalist The Essential Guide to Growing & Using Herbs in Aotearoa Jane Wrigglesworth ISBN: 9781991006165 | $49.99 The Everyday Herbalist is a comprehensive and timely guide to herbs and their uses in Aotearoa. Author Jane Wrigglesworth has written for publications like NZ Gardener and Lifestyle Block for many years, with a focus … Read More
August Winter Gardening Tips from Michael Coulter August is the month that divides some gardeners; is it Spring, or is it Winter? There are many reasons to say that it is mostly Winter, but we do see the signs of Spring around the garden and in the greenhouse. Early daffodils and many other Spring bulbs … Read More
At our September 2023 Garden Life Meeting we will be asking CHS Members to vote on the following item as an amendment to our constitution. Dispute Resolution Procedure The purpose of this procedure is to guide two or more parties toward a mutually acceptable outcome in the event that they are unable to agree upon … Read More
The Power of Trees: How ancient forests can save us if we let them Peter Wohlleben ISBN: 9781760643621 | $40.00 The Power of Trees is the follow-up to German forester Peter Wohlleben’s well-loved The Hidden Life of Trees. With passion and wonder, Wohlleben takes us on a journey into the science, beauty, function, and … Read More
This month and the next are the coldest of the Winter so most of the work in the garden is restricted to the fine sunny days. The lawns will not be growing so this is the time to get the lawnmowers serviced and sharpened. I have now lifted all my tuberous begonias and once they … Read More
A Forager’s Life Finding my heart and home in nature Helen Lehndorf ISBN: 9781775542209 | $39.99 A Forager’s Life is a beautifully written memoir of a life living in the company, comfort and bounty of nature, by poet and teacher Helen Lehndorf. As a young person, Lehndorf’s life was shaped by the land around … Read More
Winter has now begun with frosty mornings and the last of the leaves falling from the trees. The weather has a big influence on the type of work that may be done in and around the garden. This year we are entering Winter with wet and cold ground which limits what can be achieved. The … Read More