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 Acers, commonly known as Japanese Maples are a fantastic addition to any garden for their beauty, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. One of their main attractions is the stunning foliage, … Read More
One of the more interesting aspects of gardening is the identification of areas in the garden which have different climates. In these locations, we can grow plants that may be different from those of our neighbours and friends. Identifying microclimates also allows gardeners to plan their garden for the best results. To understand microclimates is to understand your garden, its orientation, soils, slope (if any), shelter, setting of the house, buildings, and anything else that directly effects the site. Gardeners also need to understand the microclimates of rainfall, sunshine hours, prevailing winds, wind types, temperature variation and the like. It is the combination of these factors which creates microclimates in the garden. Every garden has microclimates. Here is a description of some of the factors.
December is the real start of Summer and after a very changeable Spring we look forward to a more settled and warmer time. Overall Spring has been a good growing season and as a result there has been a good set of both stone and pip. Because of this there is a need to thin out the developing fruit so that the size and quality of the crop is achieved.
The planting of Summer annuals needs to be completed and with the possibility of water restrictions mulching in as much of the garden areas as possible should be done to help retain soil moisture.
The next instalment from Kowhai Thompson Landscape Design Trends 2017 Hyperlocalism There are several key trends to be aware of in 2017, one of which is hyperlocalism. For a long time landscape architects and designers have been enjoying using NZ native plants in their designs. Natives are unique, beautiful, hardy and thrive in our soils. … Read More
The next instalment from Kowhai Thompson Permaculture – Be Prepared, the Survival Garden Trend Permaculture gardening attracts all types. City people who want to have their hands in the soil and some fresh herbs for a meal. Lifestylers who want to be more self sufficient, and survival types who want to be prepared should bad … Read More
from Kowhai Thompson Permaculture – The Joys of Mulching Now that the Summer is over it’s a great time to put mulch on the garden. In permaculture, mulch is used regularly. So what is mulch and what does it do? Mulch refers to any organic material that is used as a top dressing on a … Read More
Kowhai Thompson provides some simple tips for a garden renovation One question we face when we purchase a property or when we have lived in the same place for some time is: how do we update this garden? What do we keep? What do we remove? How do we tie this whole garden together? Gardens … Read More
Kowhai Thompson’s first landscape design instalment Mass Planting One way to create a ‘tied together’ look in your home garden is to add areas of mass plantings. This works both for brand new gardens and for established gardens. Think of purchasing 5 or 10 identical plants at a time of the same variety/colour at a … Read More