red and yellow flowers in the garden
27 Jun
Flower Gardener's Diary, Fruit Gardener's Diary, Monthly Gardening Checklists, Vegetable Gardener's Diary

Fruit Tree, Vegetable, and Gardening Planting Calendar – A Broad Brushstroke for our NZ climate

The Bay of Plenty region enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it ideal for growing a wide range of fruit trees, vegetables, and other garden plants. Here is a comprehensive planting calendar to help you plan your garden activities throughout the year. Fruit Tree Planting Calendar January: Harvesting summer fruits such as plums, peaches, nectarines, and early ...

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10 Jun
Growing Guide

Citrus Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seed to Juicy Success! 🍋🌿

Get ready to transform your garden into a citrus wonderland! Growing citrus trees in New Zealand is a rewarding adventure, offering delicious fruit and a burst of vibrant color to your outdoor space. Whether you're dreaming of juicy lemons, sweet oranges, or zesty limes, our fun and comprehensive guide will take you through every step to ensure your citrus trees thrive. Let’s dive in and get growi...

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12 Feb
Growing Guide

Feijoa Growing Guide for New Zealand: Sweet, Tangy, and Easy to Grow! 🌿🍈

5 Steps to Feijoa Success Autumn and spring are an ideal time to plant feijoas in most areas of New Zealand. Plant at least two different varieties. Even self-fertile varieties will produce a better crop if pollinated by other varieties.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of citrus & fruit mix to plant into.  Feed fejioas regularly from spring to harvest. Water deeply and regularly from mid to late summer when the fruit is developing and ripening. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown feijoas.

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13 Dec
Growing Guide

Cucumber Growing Guide for New Zealand: Fresh and Crunchy Success! 🥒🌿

5 Steps to Cucumber Planting Success Create a support structure or frame for cucumbers to grow up. Choose a warm, sunny spot. Spring and summer are the best times to plant cucumbers in New Zealand.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets, then add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Water and feed your cucumbers regularly as they grow in spring and summer. Also ensure good ventilation around plants. Harvest cucumbers regularly to encourage flowering and fruiting. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown cucumbers.

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17 Nov
Growing Guide

Beetroot Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seed to Sweet Success! 🌱🌟

5 Steps to Beetroot Planting Success Choose a spot in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like sheep pellets and compost.  Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Beetroot can be planted year round in New Zealand.  Plant beetroot in rows about 50cm apart.  Feed beetroot with vegetable food throughout the growing season.  Water regularly and keep the soil moist.  Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown beetroot.

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18 Jul
Growing Guide

Pear Growing Guide for New Zealand: Juicy Delights from Your Garden! 🍐🌿

5 Steps to Pear Planting Success Choose an open, sunny position sheltered from strong winds for your pear tree. Pears are partially self-fertile. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets.  Add a layer of citrus and fruit mix to plant into. In New Zealand winter is the optimum time to plant pear trees. Feed your pears in spring and summer to encourage maximum flowering and fruiting. Mulch and water well, particularly over the warmer months. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown pears.

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26 May
Growing Guide

Dahlia Growing Guide for New Zealand: Your Path to Stunning Blooms 🌸🌟

5 Steps to Dahlia Success Choose a sunny spot with plenty of room for dahlias to flourish. Spring, after frosts have passed, is the best time to plant dahlias in New Zealand.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of rose and shrub mix to plant into.  Feed in spring and autumn for optimum flowering. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, and deadhead to prolong the flowering season. Follow our full guide below to vibrant beautiful dahlias.

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01 Mar
Growing Guide

Camellia Growing Guide for New Zealand: Blooming Beauties in Your Garden! 🌸🌿

5 Steps to Camellia Success Choose a sheltered spot, protected from harsh midday sun, strong winds and frosts. Spring is the best time to plant camellias in New Zealand. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of rose & shrub mix to plant into.  Feed after flowering and once again during its growing season. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, and mulch around the plants to protect its shallow roots. Follow our full guide below for quintessential camellias.

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09 Nov
Growing Guide

Eggplant Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seedling to Scrumptious! 🍆🌿

5 Steps to Eggplant Planting Success Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Eggplants need a long, hot summer to produce and are best grown from spring after frosts. Feed every four weeks with vegetable food. Add a layer of mulch and keep your eggplants well watered. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of eggplants.

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20 Jul
Growing Guide

Blueberry Growing Guide for New Zealand: Sweet Berries, Happy Plants! 🌿🍇

5 Steps to Blueberry Success Plant a combination of blueberry varieties of the same type to ensure good cross pollination. Choose a sheltered, well drained position in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like compost or sheep pellets. Add a layer of strawberry mix to plant into. Blueberries can be planted year-round in New Zealand.  Feed blueberries in spring and summer with citrus food, and prune dead or diseased wood and branches in winter. Water to keep moist throughout the growing season. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown blueberries.

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01 Feb
Growing Guide

Gladiolus Growing Guide for New Zealand: Spectacular Blooms in Your Garden! 🌸🌿

Tall, elegant and definitely stylish, Gladiolus (Gladys) are ideal floral centrepieces in both the garden and the vase. Once thought of as old-fashioned, these regal bulbs are finding new homes in gardens all over New Zealand. Grown for their amazing flowers, Gladys are perfect for picking. Little else has the form and structure that these plants do. Gladys come in a huge number of varieties and colours featuring most shades of the rainbow.

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22 Nov
Landscaping & Lawns

Transforming Your Kiwi Backyard: Landscaping Trends in New Zealand

Ready to give your Kiwi backyard a fresh, modern makeover? New Zealand is embracing some fantastic landscaping trends that blend style, sustainability, and functionality. Whether you're looking to create a peaceful retreat or an entertainment hotspot, these ideas will help you transform your outdoor space into a true paradise. Let's explore the hottest landscaping trends in New Zealand! 1. Native...

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26 Mar
Landscaping & Lawns

DIY Landscaping Projects to Enhance Your New Zealand Garden

Welcome to the ultimate guide for transforming your New Zealand garden into a spectacular oasis! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a green thumb, we've got a bunch of fun and creative DIY landscaping projects to make your outdoor space shine. Let's dive in! 1. Create Stunning Garden Pathways Garden pathways are not only functional but also add a touch of elegance to your garden...

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