Fencing plays a significant role in our overall property’s design. Not only are they there to keep our pets and kids safe, but they act as a boundary line and a backdrop for the edges of our property. Still, not everyone is blessed with a beautiful fence that attracts the eye for the right reasons. Do you have an ugly backyard fence you need to hide? Read on to find out what you can do. 

Remove or renovate it

Before we get into the many different methods for hiding your fence, it’s worth checking out the more drastic options that might be available, as well. If the fence is in a state of disrepair or is ugly beyond help, then it might be worth looking at your choices surrounding renovation and repair. 

Under the Fencing Act 1978, a fence on a common boundary is a 50/50 cost between both neighbours who border it. So, if you have a great relationship with your neighbours, you may like to talk to them about the type of new fence you could install that would benefit from both properties.

There’s a process to follow, and you may ultimately discover that removal or renovation is not the best option for you. Particularly if the fence has merely been hit with the ugly stuck, rather than having anything structurally wrong with it.

Plant trees

A fence can act as a much-needed form of security and privacy, but you don’t have to see if it if you don’t want to. Talk to your local lawn care and landscaping expert about the types of trees you can plant along your fence line. Trees that can at least reach the height of your fence may be an option worth considering.

There are some excellent fast-growing varieties, such as bamboo, that may be able to meet the mark. Bamboo can grow around 91cm daily, and reach heights of around 40 metres. Hedge tree varieties may also be worth looking at, such as camellia, michelia figo, and photinia. If you think you could benefit from soundproofing, then michelia figo is a popular option.

Plant shrubs and bushes

Shrubs and bushes are more excellent options for hiding an ugly fence, particularly the dense variety. Something like Silver Sheen or James Stirling has enough height to hide a fence, but also leaf density to stop you from seeing through it. 

Little Gem Magnolia has been a Kiwi preference for many years, too. It has beautiful glossy green leaves, white flowers, and it suits the climates of most parts of the country.

As long as you plant it in well-draining soil with a bit of sun and shade, it will thrive. In fact, it can even grow up to four metres high and around 2.5 metres wide. Just know that this plant has been considered ‘high maintenance’ and tends to grow a little too well.

Consider climbing vines

If you can attach some trellis or netting to your ugly fence, then there’s every reason to believe that climbing vines can take care of the problem. Instead of looking at an awful fence, you can set your sights on some lovely climbing vines, instead. Climbing roses can offer a much-needed burst of colour, while star jasmine can be trained to provide both ground and fence cover.

However, getting climbing plants and vines started can take a little bit of care until they “take off”. They grow best with their flowers in the sun and their roots in cold soil.

You may also need to plant them in a mixture of slow-release fertiliser (or blood and bone) and compost. Fine bark or mulch can help to keep the moisture in your soil and the weeds out of it. You will also need a reasonably stable structure, so choose a type of trellis or netting with plenty of support.

Add privacy screens

If you don’t want to wait for plants or trees to grow, then privacy screens are worth a closer look. Consider a premade brush fencing that you can attach to your current ugly fence. You can also buy bamboo privacy fencing and wooden privacy screens that can solve the problem immediately.

The best part about privacy screens is that you don’t have to be a fencing expert to put them up. You don’t even have to be DIY-savvy. You can call upon the help of a local landscaping expert, or attach them to your fencing yourself. 

Ugly backyard fence be gone!

You won’t always have control over the fences that border your property. Some people may even have more than one ugly fence to deal with, as well. Fortunately, if you can’t replace your fence under the Fencing Act 1978, then you at least have a few other options up your sleeve. Why not consider any of these top tips above? Ugly backyard fence be gone!

In recent years, property prices across the country have skyrocketed. The median house price has risen to 6.9 per cent just from 2019 to 2020 alone. Still, while many homeowners are seeing gains, some are seeing more than others. And often, it can come down to your lawn and garden care.

If you want to increase your property value before putting your home on the market, these lawn and garden care tips are worth noting.

Carry Out a Yard Tidy-Up

No prospective purchaser wants to be stepping over half-eaten dog toys and abandoned children’s bicycles to get to the front door. First impressions count, so don’t underestimate the need for a yard tidy-up.

Push a wheelbarrow around your yard and pick up all those odds and ends that need to be returned to their rightful homes. You’d be amazed at how neat and tidy a yard can look after just removing items that don’t naturally live there.

Spare a Thought for Lawn Health

It almost goes without saying that a healthy lawn is going to look more attractive than a patchy, unhealthy one. Carry out a soil pH test to determine if there’s anything you need to do to improve your lawn’s health. The majority of lawns prefer a pH level of 6.5. Ask your local lawn care expert if you require assistance with this process.

If you need to raise your pH level, lime or wood ash might be a way to do so. Otherwise, you can lower it with organic fertiliser or sulphur.

Mow Your Lawns

Mowing your lawns is one way to make your yard look neat and tidy for prospective purchasers. You can do this yourself, or you can hire a lawn mowing service to do it for you. If you plan on having photos taken, or hosting open homes, make sure you mow your lawns with the catcher on to improve your yard’s presentation.

Clean Up the Gardens Too

You may be surprised at how much value you can add to your property by merely tackling your gardens. According to a global garden report, a well-maintained garden can increase a property’s value by approximately 16 per cent. Many real estate agents even believe that an immaculate garden can shorten the length of time your property takes to sell by several weeks.

The task of gardening can be as quick and easy as pulling out weeds, or it can require the investment in new, healthy plants and fresh soil. Whichever route you go down, know that it could ultimately boost your property sale price by tens of thousands of dollars.

Create an Entertainment Area

Having a beautiful lawn is an essential part of preparing your house for sale. Still, an entertainment area can be as well. Even if you don’t have a huge space to work with, you can do more with it than you might think.

Invest in paving stones to create an even, flat area. Then, consider investing in outdoor furniture to suit the design of your home. Having a focal point like a barbecue or outdoor fire pit can offer the illusion that your property is an entertainment paradise, as well.

Invest in Lighting

During the day, lighting isn’t essential in your garden. At night, though, it can make all the difference. Look at any professional real estate photos taken from the outside at night, and you will be amazed at how stunning any property can appear.

Lighting can be both temporary and permanent in your landscape design. You can spend a small sum of money on solar lighting and dot them around your garden. Alternatively, you can pay a little more and add them to the exterior cladding of your home. Lighting may not cost you a fortune, but it can certainly be a garden care tip that increases your property value.

Pathways

Not only can pathways in your yard protect your grass from being trodden on during the winter months, but it can also add much-needed style to any blank canvas. You can have pathways leading to quaint patio areas, or even to the children’s play area. Neatly-edged paving stones can also be a way to add charm to your property.

Increase Your Property’s Value with Ease

While big changes like fencing, painting, and new fixtures can increase your property value, so too can small things. Something as simple as mowing the lawns can make a dramatic difference to your street appeal and overall presentation of your home.

Don’t be afraid to call in the big guns for help with lawn care and gardens, and you can have that ‘sold’ sign up in no time.

Winters in New Zealand, though not terribly harsh in most regions, do require a change in how we manage our lawn care. While summer and spring see us mowing with gusto, winter quite often means that lawnmowers are stowed away for at least three months of the year. 

But even though you no longer need to worry about constant lawn growth, that doesn’t mean you can neglect your yard entirely. There are still plenty of things to do when you’re not mowing in winter.

Hedge Pruning & Tree Trimming

If you anticipate seeing a blanket of snow in the weeks or months to come, then hiring a lawn care expert to tackle your hedges and trees can be a wise decision. Broken, dying, or diseased branches can collapse under the weight of snow, which could have disastrous consequences for whatever is underneath.

Safety is one reason to hire someone to tackle trimming, but there are other benefits of doing so, as well. Fruit trees, for example, can benefit from pruning in winter to maximise fruit production.

Given that bacteria and fungi are often dormant in winter, taking care of trimming can also be far safer in winter due to the minimal risk of disease spread. 

Then there’s the stress reduction on the trees. When you prune a tree, its natural response is to grow and close the “wound”. By pruning them in winter, they don’t grow until spring, which means the tree has plenty of time to access the nutrients it needs to grow soundly in the months to come. 

Leaf Removal

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year, with a kaleidoscope of yellows, browns, and golds. Still, for all its beauty, it can also be a bit of a nuisance. Your once picture-perfect lawn is now covered in rotting leaves. Your lawn care expert may not be mowing your lawns right now, but there’s every reason to call upon them in autumn and winter for leaf removal.

Leaves can indeed be a much-needed nutrient, but they can also wreak havoc. Left to rot in a thick layer, they can “choke” your grass and restrict its growth. Then, by the time the warmer weather rolls around, you’re left with patchy, imperfect lawns that can take some loving to get back to their former glory.

Mulching

If your local lawn care service provider offers gardening services, then why not contact them for help with your mulching? It can be a matter of life or death for your plants. Some plants, such as perennials and trees, can suffer in the winter. Without adequate root warmth, they can succumb to the elements and wither away to nothing once spring arrives.

By adding mulch to your flowers and shrubs, you can provide them with enough nourishment and warmth to make it through the colder months of the year.

Lawn Aeration

You might not think that lawn aeration matters a lot in winter, but it does. With the colder weather, increased rainfall often follows. If your soil is compacted, then drainage can become a problem. Aeration can also help with airflow, not to mention the prevention of crown hydration.

Crown hydration is a form of grass injury that can be quite devastating for proud lawn keepers. It’s caused by grass absorbing water during warm weather, only for it to freeze inside on a cold day. The grass cells then rupture, inhibiting growth once the seasons change. Poor drainage is to blame, so talk to your local lawn care expert about how lawn aeration might help.

Fertilising

Lawn mowing may be on the back burner, but in the right conditions, fertilising doesn’t have to be. As long as your grounds are not frozen and your area not prone to frosts, winter can actually be an okay time to fix acidic soil.

Make sure you test your soil’s pH level to determine that acidity is a problem, then apply a slow-release winterising fertiliser. By the time spring rolls around, you can enjoy well-nourished shoots that turn into healthy grass. 

Weeding

No one’s garden will ever look at their best during winter. Many plants lie dormant, and very few flowers are in full bloom. Still, when you’re not mowing in winter, you can be weeding. It’s not uncommon for mild days with rainfall in winter to promote strong weed growth. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive and pull weeds throughout the year.

Or, if you want to have the upper hand, consider applying a pre-emergent weed killer. You’ll then have a far smaller post-winter clean-up job on your hands once spring arrives.

Stay on Top of Lawn Care Tasks Year-Round

Your lawnmower may be tucked away in the corner of your tool shed during winter, but that doesn’t mean lawn care has to stop once the colder weather hits. In fact, winter can be the perfect time to jump on those tasks that fell to the bottom of the list in summer.

Get in touch with your local gardening and lawn mowing team to find out how you can keep your garden and lawns looking at their best during winter.

It’s hard not to love the outdoors in New Zealand. Not only are we punching above our weight on the world stage regarding natural attractions, but we’ve also got some standout manmade ones, too.

Every weekend, thousands of New Zealanders flock to gardens and parks up and down the country. From an abundance of flora and fauna to exquisite paths and fun things for the kids, what’s not to love?

If the time has come to check out some of the best gardens in NZ, then read on. You’ll be blown away by what’s available on your very doorstep.

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens

In the heart of the Waikato lies the Hamilton Gardens, and it is undoubtedly an asset to the region. From the showcasing of 4,000 years’ worth of history to the abundance of plant life and exquisite garden design, it’s well worth a visit.

Any avid garden fan can spend hours meandering through the many pathways of the public Hamilton Gardens, positioned on the Waikato River. Rather than focus on plant collections, the Hamilton Gardens promote different garden designs, with emphasis on research, conservation, and education. 

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Auckland is a treasure trove of fun things to do, but near the top of that list is the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Take your time wandering through 64 hectares of gardens and native forest, and all just 20 minutes from the city centre.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens has much to offer the average visitor. From edible gardens and African plant gardens to the orchard and perennials, there’s something for everyone in this public space.

Broadfield New Zealand Landscape Garden

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, then a trip to Broadfield New Zealand Landscape Garden could be on the cards. This exquisite private garden in Weedons is well worth your inspection.

It spans 3.5 hectares and has been lovingly maintained for the last 20 years. Explore the Kauri forest, the formal rose garden, and the stunning beech forest. The gardens are open year-round, with a $15 admission fee for adults and children admitted for free. 

Ohinetahi

Ohinetahi is a house and garden owned by the nation and run by the Ohinetahi Charitable Trust. If you find yourself in Allandale, Christchurch, then why not stop in for a visit? Ohinetahi spans 1.25 hectares with two galleries, sculptures, woodland trails, and a beautiful 19th-century homestead.

It’s available for hire for functions, and even just for visits to soak up the atmosphere. Entry is $15 for tours of the grounds, gardens, and sculptures from September to March.

Queens Park, Invercargill

Considered one of the most important parks in New Zealand, Queens Park in Invercargill is a significant attraction in the deep south. You can spend hours meandering through the public 81-hectare grounds, with so much to see, do, and experience.

Work up a sweat on the Queens Park Fitness track or bring your clubs for a round of golf. There is also a beautiful botanical garden, playground for the kids, a bird aviary, and an animal reserve. If you’re venturing down south, Queens Park in the heart of Invercargill will not disappoint.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens is an exquisite attraction in the centre of Christchurch. At any time of the year, it has something stunning to offers its visitors. Admire the beauty of the daffodils in spring, the roses in summer, autumn leaf displays in Autumn, and the cosy conservatories in winter.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens also has playgrounds for the kids, a dog park for the furry friends in your life, and a stunning array of plants in the botanic garden area.

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is one of New Zealand’s premier botanical gardens, so it’s undeniably one of the best gardens in the country. This park covers 52 hectares, with more on offer than meets the eye.

Explore the Brooklands Zoo, wander through the garden estate, and soak up the atmosphere of the Fernery and Display Houses. There are also several different public gardens to visit, such as the Japanese Hillside, King Fern Gully, and Kunming Garden.

Otari-Wilton’s Bush Native Botanic Garden

Getting out in nature is good for the soul, and there are few better places to visit than Otari-Wilton’s Bush Native Botanic Garden in Wellington. This public botanic garden is the only one in the country that is dedicated to New Zealand native plants.

It has over 100 hectares of native forest, five hectares of plants, and some of the city’s oldest trees. Why not take a photo of the park’s 800-year-old rimu? Entry is free for all between sunrise and sunset, and the park lies just 5km from the city centre.

Larnach Castle and Gardens

Who would forget New Zealand's only Victorian castle? Built in 1871 by politician William Larnach for his first wife Eliza, it is now privately owned by the Barker family and maintains it as their family home, opened it for the public to appreciate after long years of restoration. This structure is considered a significant part of Dunedin's history.

Larnach Castle is surrounded by an exquisite garden measuring over 7 acres rated by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a Garden of International Significance.

Eden Garden

Situated in the eastern slopes of Mt. Eden in the heart of Auckland, Eden Garden is a peaceful spot in the busy city covering over five and a half acres of beautiful space. The management uses eco-friendly methods for weed control and continuously develops its plant collections to feature native fauna, geckos, wetas, insects, and butterflies.

Te Kainga Marire

Tagged as New Zealand's native garden, Te Kainga Marire initially started as a posh hut with half an acre of kikuyu grass, gorse, fennel and blackberry. Outdoorsy people will find pleasure in their bird-friendly garden that would make one feel like they're in the wild. The garden, located in New Plymouth, is open daily for the very popular annual November Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival.

Explore Your Backyard

Kiwis pride themselves on a picture-perfect backyard, often with the help of lawn care experts. But while we’re proud of our own slices of paradise, we should also be proud of our botanic gardens and parks dotted around the country.

Take your pick from our country gardens, formal gardens, English-style gardens, and more. Be in awe with the range of plants and fantastic bush walks you can take while visiting these wonderful spaces. Due to COVID-19, some of these gardens have been badly affected. The easiest and best way to support them through garden entry when it is completely safe to do so.

Could it be time to explore some of the best gardens in New Zealand?

Us Kiwis are all about the quarter-acre dream. Of course, our housing market is making it less and less of a reality for many, but there’s no denying that the Kiwi dream is still alive and kicking outside of Auckland, at least.

And we’re none the wiser to how folks across the ditch and around the world have it. We mow our generous-sized sections, hire the experts for gardening, lawn mowing, hedge trimming, and section tidy-ups, and live a life that has always been the way it is. You could almost say we take it for granted.

Did you know that lawn care around the world looks vastly different? Read on to learn what the lawn care industry looks like outside of our slice of paradise.

Russia

Believe it or not, having a lawn in Russia means you may be wealthier than someone without a lawn. Nearly everyone in a suburban area in New Zealand has at least a small patch of grass. In Russia, the area surrounding your property that could be lawn is typically taken up with gardens.

Russians quite often grow their own fruit and vegetables to feed their families. Some studies show that as much as half of Russia’s agricultural output is from backyard gardens. If you’re from wealthy stock, you’re more likely to have space for both lawns and gardens.

The United Kingdom

Just like us, the UK has a love affair with their lawns. So much so, that there is even a museum in Southport, Lancashire, dedicated to the lawnmower.

The island nation of nearly 67 million people has about 15 million lawns between them. They tend to them with over £50-million worth of fertilisers, and close to £130 million of lawnmowers annually. The landscaping market is also worth a whopping £5 billion, with over 19,500 landscaping services across the UK.

Here in New Zealand, we’re pretty proud of our lawns. If we can’t give them the attention they deserve, we hire someone who can. But in the UK, they take that care to a new level. There is even an essay on gardens to describe just how perfect the average British lawn should and could be.

According to Francis Bacon, a British garden should be square with an arched hedge and thickets of honeysuckle and sweet briar. The foreground should be a ‘finely shorn’ lawn. He’s not wrong, for it just takes a quick look at the Kensington Gardens to see that the British truly do take pride in their grounds. 

The Middle East

It might not be surprising to learn that the lawn care industry, at least not involving actual lawns, is not thriving in the Middle East. Back in 2009, it was even reported that businesses selling and growing artificial grass were in trouble.

It’s not that people don’t want grass in the Middle East. It’s that water restrictions stop lawn care companies and property owners from giving it the care it needs.

Lawns are fashionable throughout the world, and the Middle East is no different. However, water is often in short supply. Over there, gardens are watered with desalinated water that has undergone quite a polluting and energy-hungry process.

During times of drought, though, the Water Authority makes it illegal to water public and private grass. Therefore, anyone buying lawns to improve their home’s landscaping will most likely watch as they wither up and die. Fortunately, there are other options for ground cover to ensure no one has to miss out on a beautifully landscaped yard.

Malaysia

We may not have the lifestyle we always dreamed of. We may have even given up on the quarter-acre dream and opted for a smaller postage stamp lawn instead. However, if you compare our lawn care practices and section sizes to those in Malaysia, we’ll realise how lucky we really are.

Malaysia is one of the most populated cities in the world. Given the rising population, sprawling lawns are not something of which many households there get to enjoy. Busy city dwellers live in apartments with not a lot of spare space, and most people are too busy working to worry about lawn mowing and gardens.  

The United States

The US lawn care industry is big business, with a market size of $98 billion. There are over half a million lawn care services in the United States, and over one million industry employees.

If we thought we were a nation of lawn lovers, figures from the US are putting us to shame. In 2015, they spent nearly $16 billion on lawn care and gardening services. In 2014, their retail sales of garden and lawn supplies nearly totalled $6 billion.

And while many Americans take care of their own lawns, equally as many rely on lawn care experts. According to an online survey with the National Association of Landscape Professionals Industry Growth, 40 per cent of Americans have used a lawn care professional in the last year.

Over half also needed help with tree care, and over 40 per cent hired someone for weed prevention and lawn pest control.

Australia

Australia isn’t far behind the United States regarding passion for lawn care. Their lawn care industry is worth at least $3 billion, and the average Australian homeowner takes pride in a well-maintained lawn. Some are a bit more meticulous than others.

Lawns you can be proud of

We are blessed here in New Zealand to have plenty of wide-open spaces and expansive lawns and gardens. Knowing that not every country can enjoy what we have, doesn’t it make sense to appreciate it a little more? If it has been some time since you gave your yard the TLC it deserves, consider calling in lawn care experts near you to take care of business.

On Monday, April 27, at 11.59 pm, New Zealand moved out of Alert Level 4 and went back into Alert Level 3. During the highest alert level, New Zealanders knew what was expected from them. They must stay at home, except to exercise locally and to access essential services.

However, Alert Level 3 comes with a few more grey areas, particularly for business. What truly happens after lockdown, and how must businesses and their customers prepare?

How Lawn Care Companies Have Prepared

Every business will have its own set of procedures. What they all have in common, though, is that they are designed to keep both the customer and workers safe.

Crewcut, for instance, has taken extra precautions with all in-person customer interactions. They discourage customers from communicating with their lawn care service operators in person. Calls, texts, and emails are the preferred contact method of choice. 

They have also asked that their customers prepare their yards for lawn care service providers’ return. This might include removing the kids’ toys from the lawn and providing contactless access to the areas where work needs to be carried out.

It may also take some time for a new routine and schedule to be formed, so talk with your chosen Crewcut service provider about timeframes for that initial cut, and lawn care in the weeks and months to follow. 

Operators may ask a set of questions over the phone before they arrive, and may brief you on the required health and safety measures. These include physical distancing of two metres and the use of personal protective equipment if needed.

Rest assured that Crewcut operators have risk control measures and safe work practices by which they abide.

What About Other Businesses?

All businesses that are opening at alert level 3 must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place. This plan outlines how the firm plans to operate safely. Fortunately, businesses who are not sure how to create such a plan can make use of WorkSafe’s extensive template. This can be customised to suit unique business practices.

Business owners must:

• Support people to self-isolate if they have flu-like symptoms

• Keep separation distances

• Disinfect surfaces

• Maintain good hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette

• Keep records for contact tracing

Other important questions to ask yourself, as outlined by WorkSafe, are:

1. Are there any risks arising from restarting your business or a business activity that has been shut down during Alert Level 4, and how will you manage these?

2. How will you ensure all workers know how and are able to keep themselves safe from exposure to COVID-19?

3. How will you gather information on the wellness of your workers to ensure that they are safe and well to work?

4. How will you operate your business in a way that keeps workers and others safe from exposure to COVID-19?

5. How will you manage an exposure or suspected exposure to COVID-19?

6. How will you evaluate, and continuously review, whether your work processes or risk controls are effective?

7. How do any changes impact on the risks of the work you do?

What Happens After Lockdown for the General Public?

Business owners have an integral part to play in keeping everyone safe. However, the general public must also do their part. So, what rules apply for people during Alert Level 3?

There are very few differences between alert levels 3 and 4 when it comes to keeping yourself safe. Staying home is still firmly encouraged, as is staying in your bubble.

However, contactless purchases can be made from local businesses that have safety measures in place. You may also drive to local areas for recreational activities such as surfing, fishing from wharves, and day walks. 

Distance learning is required for students from years 11 to 13 and is encouraged for children below year 11. All play centres and playgroups will be closed.

Workers from all businesses are also encouraged to work from home where possible. If they can’t, then strict health and safety measures, such as those mentioned above, are put into place.

The goal of all measures put in place for alert level 3 is to keep everyone safe. The fewer chances of transmission, the sooner our country can get back on track!

Doing Your Part

Now’s the time to start preparing for what happens after lockdown. Remember, staying at home as much as possible is still encouraged.

Regularly disinfect surfaces in your home, stay home if you are sick, and wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Refrain from touching your face, too! If you have flu-like symptoms, call your GP or Healthline.

New Zealand, we’re not only flattening the curve, but we’re also smashing it. So, let’s keep going. 

Not everyone is a lawn and garden expert, and that’s okay! That’s why you hire them so that you don’t have to brush up on skills that don’t interest you! However, if you have decided to take a more “hands-on” approach to your lawn and garden, then it’s helpful if you’re up with the lingo. Otherwise, when it comes time to sink or swim, you’re more likely to sink.

Before you become bogged down in endless terms and definitions that bear no relevance, let us walk you through the more common ones. These may appear in everyday garden and lawn maintenance and can be the lifeline you need to tackle that backyard wilderness with ease.

Common Plant Growth Terms

When you start reading the tags on any plants you buy, you start wondering whether you should have a botany and plant science degree. After all, some of the most common plant terms are hard enough to say, let alone understand. Fortunately, when you hire someone for garden maintenance and lawn mowing, you don’t have to worry about a thing. But wouldn’t it be helpful if you knew the basics?

• Annual – a plant that undertakes a full life cycle in a whole year

• Biennial – a plant that undertakes a full life cycle in two years

• Bolting – when sun and heat causes plants to produce seeds and flowers prematurely

• Companion Planting – mutual benefits gained from planting two plant types close together

• Everblooming – a plant that blooms continuously throughout its full growth season

• Germinate – a seed’s growth from a seed to sprout

• Perennial – plants that live throughout multiple seasons of growth

• Seedling – a seed that has grown its first root, stem, and leaves 

Common Plant Maintenance Terms

Understanding common plant maintenance terms can be more helpful than you might think. While you can rely on experts to take care of hedge trimming, gardening, lawn mowing, and more, you can also understand what is being done to keep your property in tip-top shape. 

• Bareroot – when a gardener removes dormant plants from the ground, removes the soil, and preserves them

• Cutting – a method of plant propagation to grow a new plant from a previously grown plant

• Deadheading – cutting off or removing old flower heads

• Direct Sowing – rather than growing plants inside before transplanting them to your garden, direct sowing is planting them directly where you want them to stay

• Hybrid – crossing two plants to create a new variety

• Pinching Off – removing leaves to promote new growth

• Pollinating – taking pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) and putting it into the female part of the flower (pistil) to form a seed

• Self-Pollinating – a plant that produces fruit without pollen from another plant

• Open Pollination – natural pollination through insects, wind, and non-human action

• Pruning – cutting leaves or branches to get rid of dead, damaged, or diseased growth

• Staking – supporting a plant’s growth by driving a stake into the ground next to it

• Thinning – removing excess seedlings for better foliage, light, and air circulation for those that remain

• Transplanting – Taking plants from one place and replanting them in another 

Common Soil and Fertilisation Terms

The act of fertilising can be quite complicated, which is why thousands of New Zealanders leave such tasks in the capable hands of local lawn care experts. While you could neglect fertiliser, there are disadvantages of doing so.  A fertilised lawn and garden benefits from premium growth, health, and colour, not to mention robustness when faced with the genuine risk of pests, weeds, and disease.

• Acidic Soil – soil with a pH lower than 7

• Alkaline Soil – also known as basic soil, it has a pH of higher than 7

• Compost – decaying, organic materials for mulching, fertilising, and soil amending

• Herbicide – a type of chemical that kills or stunts plants

• Humus – decomposed plant material that forms part of the soil

• Loam – the best soil for agriculture and gardening that is made up of one-quarter clay, half silt, and less than half sand

• Organic – a type of plant food, pesticide, or fertiliser that’s from plants or animals, not synthetic chemicals

• Pesticide – an organic or synthetic chemical to kill weeds, microbes, and pests

• Side Dressing – the fertilisation process of adding fertiliser into soil near a mature plant

• Sludge – an industrial wastewater treatment plant leftover sediment commonly used for fertiliser due to its high nutrient levels

• Waterlogged – water-saturated soil

Very Nearly an Expert…

You’re now familiar with a huge range of common lawn and garden terms in NZ. As they say, knowledge is power. What are you going to do with this newfound information? Are you going to tackle your gardens and lawns yourself? Or, are you going to have more confidence to call in the experts who can keep your properties in tip-top shape?

If you’re not considered an ‘essential’ worker during Alert Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand, then chances are you’re wondering what to do with yourself. There is only so much Netflix binging and bread baking you can do before you head back to twiddling your thumbs.

But how are your gardens looking? And what about those essential house chores you’ve been “too busy” for? Well, now’s time the time to get stuck in. Add these tasks to your list, and lockdown will be over before you know it!

Decks, patios, and porches

We’re now in Autumn, which means we’re waving goodbye to summer nights entertaining on the deck. Before the autumn weather truly takes hold, why not give these areas a clean-up? Haul out the pressure washer to remove built-up dirt and debris, and even give your outdoor furniture a bit of TLC.

Given that the temperatures are now dropping and wet weather is on its way, consider storing your outdoor furniture out of the elements for the next few months. By doing so, you can ensure it’s in tip-top shape when summer arrives once more.

Get that green thumb

In most regions, green waste is not considered an essential service. Therefore, if you’re usually one to throw away all your trimmings, consider getting into composting. You can reduce your green waste by mulching woody debris and lawn clippings. You can even leave your grass clippings on the lawn to deliver nutrients back into the soil.

Composting can also prove convenient for reducing food scraps in your home. Tea and coffee grounds, tissues, paper, vacuum dust, garden waste, cardboard, and most foods (excluding oil, bones, and meat), can all find their place in your newly formed compost area. By doing so, you can also reduce how much waste you are sending to landfill regularly. 

Lawn and garden maintenance

Many people rely on lawn care companies in New Zealand to handle their lawns and gardens. However, during the lockdown period, these are not considered essential. Fortunately, many people now have plenty of time on their hands to tackle them on their own.

Now is the perfect time to be taking care of those tasks you’ve been putting on hold. Edge the gardens and lawn, tackle those weeds and pull out any plants that haven’t survived summer. 

Now’s also a good time to think about what to plant in autumn, such as beans, broccoli, lettuce, and carrots. If your childhood wasn’t scarred by boiled brussels sprouts, then these may be on the menu, too.

Besides, it will be easier for your lawn and garden crew to bring your backyard back to life if there’s no overgrowth or unkept grass.

DIY tasks

Properties don’t stay looking pristine on their own. Paint can peel from fences, grass can grow in gutters, and paving stones can become lost to unwanted weeds. Now that you’re at home, there are no excuses not to tackle those tasks.

If you have leftover paint stored away in your garage, bring it out to give those fences a new lease on life. Use organic weed killers to bring those pavers back to life. And grab a loved one in your bubble to help safely remove grass from your gutters.

However, even though we’re a DIY nation, it’s a good idea to leave those power tools safely stowed away. Remember, we need to be limiting activities that could see the need for outside assistance. A trip to the emergency room for a power tool accident can be dangerous for you and others.

Garage sale preparedness

Have you been turning a blind eye to the mess in your home, or the mass of items taking up space in your garage? Take this opportunity to have a clean-out and prepare for a garage sale. While you won’t be able to hold a garage sale right now, there’s no harm in getting ready for one.

Start separating goods into four piles: keep, sell, donate, and throw away. Adopt this approach both inside your home and outside it. You can then hit the ground running once COVID-19 is a distant memory.

Come up with seasonal solutions

Autumn is a beautiful season. After all, there’s nothing quite like jumping in piles of crunchy leaves when you’re a child! However, it can bring about some seasonal issues. So, what do you do with seasonal issues? You come up with seasonal solutions!

One of the more common problems is moisture. Moisture can cause a lot of issues in your yard, so be proactive and minimise its impact. Pick up any rotten or old fruit that has been lying on the ground. Clear away leaves and plant debris that could rot and become a slip hazard.

You may even like to use your organic fungicide now and make sure that mildew and black spot are not a problem in the months to come.

Turn off the TV

Binge-watching streaming services during the lockdown period is sure to make the time fly by, but don’t you want to be productive while you can, too? It’s time to tackle those home and garden chores you’ve been putting off. You can then enjoy a sense of achievement when it’s time to get back out into the workforce once more.

As New Zealand went into Alert Level 4 lockdown on March 26, 2020, families began scratching their heads and wondering how they were going to make it through. Sure, essential services like grocery stores were open, but staying at home for a minimum of four weeks brought its own set of challenges. How are you supposed to amuse the kids and yourself when you’re stuck at home?

Firstly, it’s important to understand that you’re safe at home, not stuck at home. New Zealanders have to work together (but apart) to stop COVID-19 in its tracks. Remember, the virus doesn’t move; the people who carry it do. Stay home and save lives.

Aside from taking care of your own lawn mowing and gardens during the lockdown period, there are plenty of other things you can be doing to keep yourself and your loved ones in your bubble entertained. Read on to learn how to get through the lockdown period with your sanity intact.

We’re going on a bear hunt (and we’re not scared)

It can be hard to entertain young children at the best of times, but now that you must come up with something solely at home, it’s even more difficult. Fortunately, a New Zealand-wide initiative is now in play that allows kids to get outside while still social distancing.

The NZ Bear Hunt encourages all New Zealanders to put a teddy bear in their window facing the road. They can then pin their address to the map and watch as excited children pass their home and notice the bear.

While New Zealand must stay at home to stomp out the virus, local walks while maintaining a two-metre distance from others is permitted. Fresh air, exercise, and a bear hunt, could it get any better?

Clap for our champions

While the majority of us get to stay at home and protect our families, the essential workers of New Zealand must continue to work. They are our health workers, supermarket staff, port workers, waste collectors, and truckers, just to name a few.

While kindness and gratitude is one way to say thanks, another is through the event set up throughout the country called Clap for Our Champions. At 7 pm on a specified day in your region, everyone is encouraged to stand outside their home and clap for those who are making sure we can access our essential products and services throughout the lockdown period.

Online shopping

It can be a scary thing to think about how easy it is to catch and pass on COVID-19. The more vulnerable the people are in your community, the higher the risk. Therefore, if there’s something fun and essential you can do at home, it’s online shopping.

Given that non-essential services are now shut, you may be wondering what you can access during this time. Fortunately, there are several local, regional, and national businesses classed as essential that can deliver to your door.

Start with local businesses to support those closest to you during this trying time. However, you can also access a directory of independent Kiwi companies through delivereat. More are added daily, so be on the lookout for things you might need that these businesses can supply with contactless delivery.

Indoor and backyard Olympics

With news that the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed until 2021, sports fans may now feel like they have nothing to look forward to – at least not for some time. But why not create an Olympic event in your own home? 

Indoor Olympics can be fun for the whole family! You can set up fun sports games in your backyard, like swingball or backyard cricket. You can even incorporate digital sports on game consoles. 

Some families can also get creative with the creation of a mini-golf area in their yard, making use of obstacles on their property to make things interesting. Activities inside and outside your home can come with points rewards, with the highest points earner deemed the Olympic champion.

If you’d like to play games in your backyard, check out these exciting suggestions we’ve listed down for you.

TV show re-enactments

There is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now. Still, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that most Kiwis are spending a lot more time watching TV. Why watch TV shows, though, when you can be on them? That’s right, to keep the whole family entertained, why not carry out activities that you see on your favourite shows? 

For example, the foodies might enjoy a MasterChef or My Kitchen Rules scenario, where the household is split into two and has to prepare meals over two evenings. You may or may not even choose to film the exercise.

Stay home, save lives

As a country, we have an essential job to do. Most of us may not be able to do our regular job, but that doesn’t make our current one any less crucial. That job is to stay at home and save lives.

We need to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and flatten the curve. There is plenty we can do in the comfort of our own properties to make this lockdown period fly by.

Most people know what kind of lawns they want to have. The green, plush, squishy-under-foot type, right? Wanting them and knowing how to get them are two different things. However, with a little bit of knowledge, and maybe even a helping hand from lawn care experts, you can have those gorgeous green lawns you’ve been dreaming of.

Read on to learn the type of fertiliser you need in your lawn and garden. The whole process is easier than you might think!

Time for testing

Before you purchase any random type of garden and lawn fertiliser and hope for the best, it’s crucial to establish what you need to achieve. Why does your yard not look at its best right now? Grass can’t talk, and while it would be helpful if it did, there are other ways to work out why it’s so sad. Primarily, a soil test. 

A soil test can work out what your lawn is lacking so that you can give it more of what it needs. You might be mowing, gardening, and doing everything else right, but you can’t achieve healthy grass growth when your soil is not at its best.

A soil test measures the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels of your lawn, which are displayed as N-P-K.

Nitrogen is responsible for your garden and lawn’s growth and colour, phosphorus for root and flower growth, and potassium for a plant’s ability to make use of the nitrogen. Not enough of all three, or even one, can result in a pretty sad-looking lawn!

Once you carry out the soil test, you can then match the results to a fertiliser that will provide the best results for your unique situation. 

What fertiliser types are there?

Some people see that their lawn looks miserable, then pop along to their local garden store to find the magic cure. Once they see shelf after shelf of options, they quickly realise that there’s no single product to make everything all better. There are many. To throw a spanner in the works, some of those products can kill your lawn, and others can make it thrive. It’s like playing Russian Roulette with your back yard.

Let’s first separate the fertiliser types into two varieties: organic and synthetic. Organic fertiliser comes from once-living organisms and their byproducts. They are safe for use around animals and children and can make a homeowner feel far better about their use.

The other option is synthetic fertilisers. These are chemical-based and work fast to make your lawns appear far greener and more vibrant.

You can then further break down those two varieties into granular and liquid/water-soluble fertilisers. Granular fertilisers can be slow-release or time-release, and they are fast and easy for people to apply themselves. However, you can still call in lawn mowing and gardening businesses to take care of the process for you.

Liquid fertilisers are easy to apply with a hose and allow nutrients to quickly enter the grass with minimal effort and hassle.

What about more natural options?

It can be quite tricky trying to find a fertiliser that works for your property, particularly if you haven’t previously paid much attention to how it all works. If you lack the time or inclination to read labels, or even pick up the phone to call in the lawn care experts, then what else can you do? Do less than what you’re doing now. 

Believe it or not, by not picking up your lawn clippings or raking the leaves after heavy winds, you could be doing your lawn a world of good. Make sure the clippings are spread evenly after a short cut. The less there are, the quicker the time it will take for them to compost and add nutrients into your lawn.

The leaves and clippings add both carbon and nitrogen, and your lawn will thank you for it. The best part is, this process doesn’t cost you a cent. 

How to tell if your lawn or garden needs fertiliser

Unless you spend a lot of time outside, you probably don’t notice whether your lawns and gardens are at their best or not. However, upon closer inspection, it’s easier than you might think. Lawns that require fertiliser are probably pale and with a yellow tinge. If you notice a brown lawn, then it’s more likely to be a fungus problem, rather than a lack of nutrients.

And what about the gardens? If your gardens aren’t producing the growth you would have liked or expected, then there’s every reason to believe they are not getting enough nutrients. Once again, purchase a soil test and establish what’s missing before you act.

Fuss-free fertilisation

Fertiliser application is a lot easier than you might think. Still, a lack of knowledge or willpower can see it fall by the wayside. If your lawns and gardens are looking dismal at best, then why not call in the big guns? Look for lawn care and garden experts near you to have your grounds looking in tip-top shape once more.

It’s part of Kiwi culture to be able to wander down to the local football or rugby field and play a game with friends. If you didn’t spend half your childhood kicking a ball around until the street lights went on, then were you really a Kiwi kid? Now, however, times are changing.

The local sports field is even further away than it used to be, and traffic is making it harder to access on foot. Then, there’s the parental supervision. Not all parents want to spend countless hours at a local park when they could be getting dinner ready or catching up on household chores.

This is why it’s a good idea to start looking at sports that you and the kids can play in your backyard. You might have to look at lawn mowing and a garden tidy-up first, but now’s the perfect time to start looking at some options.

Cricket

Two words: backyard cricket. It’s in our DNA. If you’ve got plenty of space and understanding neighbours, then it’s time to get ready for some intense family competition. You’ll need a few tennis balls (which are far softer and less damaging than the real deal), two sets of stumps, and a cricket bat. Two or more players are also necessary to release your inner competitive streak.

Set the stumps up around ten metres apart on your grass, with the batter’s stump against a fence if possible. Choose your batter and bowler and get everyone else in position around your lawn. There is no need to replicate a real cricket pitch, but near enough will be more than satisfactory.

Backyard cricket is an ideal sport to play in the backyard, but make sure you hit the ball in the safest direction and away from fragile objects.

Swingball

Many a Christmas and festive season have been spent around the base of a swingball set. If you haven’t run to mum and dad crying that you’ve been hit in the face, then you’ve never put your ‘all’ into the game. If there’s any competitive sport worth setting up in your backyard, it’s swingball.

You will need to clear a bit of space, but a small yard is okay. Push the swingball stake into the ground and have enough room for one person to stand on either side with a paddle. Remove any obstacles from the area, and use your downtime after or before the game to improve your hand-eye coordination.

Golf

Many families have had to say goodbye to the quarter-acre dream, which means any game of golf you play in your yard is definitely not going to be conventional. While you won’t be partaking in 18 holes with your golf cart, you will be able to produce a mini version that will be both fun to play and to set up with the kids.

Find buckets, containers, and other unique items you can use as “holes” for the ball. You can then work your way around the yard, hitting golf balls into each hole. Such a sport will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

Badminton

If you only have a little bit of lawn area or merely a courtyard, then badminton is going to be a firm favourite in your household. All you will need is something to resemble a net (or actually buy a net), a minimum of two racquets, and a shuttlecock.

This is a game that doesn’t require you to play by the rules, which is perfect for families with kids who normally ignore them anyway. Simply hit the shuttlecock over the net. If your opponent doesn’t return a serve, you get the point.

Badminton is an affordable and fun pastime for anyone in the family. Both adults and kids can play together, or the kids can gang up on the adults! Whether it’s a special event or something fun to do on the weekend, it’s a worthwhile addition to your backyard.

How to prepare your backyard for sports

You now know what you can play in your backyard, but how do you make it so your yard is up to scratch? The first thing to tackle is your lawns. A short lawn can make it easier to partake in all manner of sports – from golf through to cricket. You can either mow the lawns yourself or hire a lawn mowing expert nearby to take care of them for you.

While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to take care of hedge trimming. A stray shuttlecock in an overgrown hedge would take hours to find – if you ever managed to find it at all. The same rule applies to your gardens. The less wild they are, the easier it will be to find tennis balls from your game of cricket or a paddle thrown in anger during a game of swingball.

It’s your time to shine

The sun is still shining so why not make the most of it? Your backyard can become your very own sports field with just a little bit of effort and maintenance. Call upon your local lawn care expert for help to tame the wilderness, then pop to the shops for all the sports equipment you’ll need. Let the games begin!

While thousands of people load the kids into the car and set off on summer adventures around Christmas, others prefer to stay at home. After all, if you live somewhere balmy and warm, why escape to somewhere that may not be as nice?  You can avoid traffic, spending money, and the holiday crowds.  

Therefore, equally as many people prefer to dust off the sun umbrella at home, wipe the cobwebs off of the patio furniture, and bask in the rays of their own property. The problem is, you can only enjoy that sunshine for so long until you’re gasping for shade and cloud cover.

While spending your summer holidays at home is an excellent idea for your sanity and wallet, how are you supposed to cool off when New Zealand turns up the heat to an unbearable level? Read on to find out.

Plant more trees

New Zealand loves trees. We love them that much that we’ve even got a tree-planting mission. If you think your yard is severely lacking on the tree front, then what’s stopping you from planting some?

Not only can they prevent soil erosion, provide oxygen, and enhance the appeal of your yard, but they can also offer much-needed shelter in the heat of the summer months. It’s worth checking in with your local lawn care expert to see what you should plant, how to care for it, and which species will likely offer the most significant benefits.

You might be thinking that planting trees is all well and good for the future, but what if you need shelter now? Tree saplings are a popular option, but they aren’t the only option. There are plenty of tree businesses in New Zealand that offer established trees for effortless installation into your landscape.

Shady entertainment areas

Reading a book and relaxing with a beverage in the sunshine is a favourite pastime of many, but it’s not sustainable with damaging UV rays literally breathing down your neck. While you could (and should) lather on the sunscreen, not all available products will measure up for long-term sunbathing.

If you already have an entertainment area, consider flexing those DIY muscles to bring some much-needed shade components into it. Add a shade sail, a roof section (may be subject to council permits), or add plant-life that adds a barrier between you and the intense rays. There are some simple solutions out there, but you have to be willing to look for them.

Water features and fun

Nothing says serene oasis better than a water feature in your backyard. You can be relaxing with a book, listening to the gentle babble of water on rocks in the background. A water feature can offer the illusion of a cool environment while also balancing out your Christmas-related stresses. Talk to your local gardening or landscaping expert about your options.

If you want something a little less permanent, then have you thought about a swimming pool? Easy-erect swimming pools are available from most large retailers in New Zealand and tend to be priced to sell as summer heats up. Don’t forget to purchase a pump, pool cleaning chemicals, and a cover. Even more importantly, practice water safety with the kids to keep everyone safe.

Those who don’t have a pool, or have space for one can also keep cool with water balloons, water guns, water slides, and general water fights. Don’t forget to check your local council’s website to see if any water restrictions are in place before you haul the hose out.

Icy delights

If the kids have had a blast in the backyard with swimming and water fights, then the natural next step is a cold treat. Make homemade ice blocks with fruit and fruit juice, or pop to the local dairy to see what they have hidden in the depths of their desserts freezer. Nothing says summer in New Zealand like sticky chins from dripping popsicles in the sunshine.

Easy fruit ice blocks

Get the kids involved in the creation of their own ice blocks while also curbing that summertime holiday boredom.

You will need:

• 410g can of Wattie’s Peaches Sliced in Light Syrup (drained)

• 425g can of Golden Circle Pineapple Crushed in Juice

• zest of an orange

Place the contents of both cans into a food processor with the zest. Blend until smooth, then pour into ice block moulds. Place in the freezer until firm.

See the full recipe here.

Cooling off at home this summer made easy

Christmas can be a stressful time of year, especially as the rising mercury puts pressure on families to travel. There is no reason why your own home can’t become your holiday destination. Cool off in comfort with trees, a revitalised entertainment area, and plenty of fun games and sweet treats for the kids.

When the smell of barbecue is wafting through the air, the sun is shining, and swingball has been set up in the yard, it can only mean one thing: summer is here. Kiwi summers are something special, for they occur right on the doorstep to the festive season, giving New Zealanders double the reason to smile.

But for some, trying to come up with ways to make the most of the sunshine is not all that easy. Many people use the dry conditions as an opportunity to catch up on lawn mowing and gardening, but that’s not exactly the most exciting use of your time!  

Why not hire the experts to take care of those arduous yard-care tasks, and treat your family to some fun in the sun? Don’t let summer pass you by without doing at least some of the following.

Family barbecues

Nothing says summer quite like mum preparing side dishes in the kitchen, dad flipping meat on the grill, and the kids running riot in the back yard. Family barbecues are the epitome of a Kiwi summer, and there’s no better time than now to plan one.  

Dust off your barbecue, give it some TLC, and head to the supermarket for sausages, bread, meat patties, salads, and the all-important tomato sauce. All that’s left to do now is invite all your nearest and dearest around.

Trips to the beach

We are blessed here in New Zealand to have access to a range of quality beaches up and down the country. Almost anyone in the country can be beach-side within a few hours, and that’s something we may take for granted.

Slip, slop, slap, and wrap, pack a lunch, and pre-warn the kids about not dragging sand all through the family vehicle. Don’t forget to swim between the flags and brush up on beach water safety.

Picnics

While you could stay cooped up inside binge-watching TV with the kids, why not get outside and experience nature? Pack some kai, grab a comfortable blanket, and pile into the car for a trip to one of the many great picnicking spots in the country.

Some excellent snack options include homemade bacon and egg pie, potato salad, a precooked chicken with coleslaw and bread from the supermarket, and a big bottle of juice or water to wash it all down.

Playgrounds and parks

Not every summer activity has to cost money. There are plenty of free playgrounds and parks in New Zealand that will delight children – and children at heart (if no one’s watching…). Whether you need a break from trimming the trees or tending to the hedges, you can pile the kids into the car, drive them to the park for an hour or more of sliding and swinging, then return home with thoroughly tired children in tow!

Water fights

As long as there are no water restrictions in place, which can be all too common in summer, why not challenge the kids to a water fight? Water fights in the backyard can be so much fun. You can use water slides, sprinklers, water guns, and the all-important water balloons. There’s possibly no better way to cool off at home than with a water fight that promotes a bit of healthy competition.

Swimming

Trips to the beach can be fun for everyone, but not all heads of the home like sand being dragged through their car or peeling seaweed off their skin. For those who fancy a dip without all the mess and fuss, think about the other options available. Most reasonable-sized towns and cities have public swimming pools, and there’s no shortage of watering holes, rivers, and lakes. Some people may also like to take advantage of summer bargains and invest in a swimming pool for use at home. 

Backyard activities

Can you really call yourself a Kiwi if you haven’t run barefoot through the backyard, stepped on prickles, and cried to your parents when you lost a game of cricket? That’s what Kiwi summers are all about. Swingball, cricket sets, badminton, and rugby are all summer staples. Those with conservative-sized yards don’t have to miss out either, for there is always a nearby park or football field to accommodate your game of choice.

Let the summer fun begin!

The hedges, lawns, and gardens can wait. It’s time to treat your family and friends to an authentic Kiwi summer! Fire up the barbecue, head to the beach, take a dip in the pool, or beat your brothers at a game of swingball after a family picnic! There’s no better time than today to start planning for the warmer days that are undoubtedly ahead.

Some bugs and spiders are working hard for you!

Those who have entomophobia, or a fear of insects, are going to want to look away now. In this article, we discuss many of the beneficial insects you should be welcoming into your garden, not shooing away.  

While they may be creepy, crawly, scaly, jumpy, or even a bit flighty, they are all deserving of a home in your yard. Read on to learn what’s doing all the hard work in your prized gardens.

Harvestmen

Harvestmen? What are they? They surely can’t be a New Zealand insect, can they? Most people know harvestmen by their other name, which is ‘daddy long legs’. These long-legged creatures may make many recoil in horror, but they are a valuable asset to your garden.

They have eight long legs, a small body and a reasonably quick step on them. They also hang around the lower parts of your plants and on the ground to find suitable-sized prey to eat. These critters are responsible for eating small slugs and any other small pest insect they can get their legs on. They aren’t even averse to eating their own family.

Harvestmen are valuable, too, because they hang around once all the pests have died or gone. Once they return in spring, they are your first port of call for getting on top of your pest insect problem before it begins in earnest. Thanks, Harvestmen, you’re not so scary after all.

Spiders

Between 3.5 and 6.1 per cent of the world’s population has arachnophobia, a fear of spiders. While you may run screaming from the sight of a spider, don’t be in too much of a hurry to spray them with fly spray or squash them flat. You need them more than they need you.

Harvestment - Call the pest busters!

The beauty of the spider population is that they are versatile in how they capture their prey. Some build elaborate webs and lie in wait. Others, while they wait, will go out and chase down delicious insects for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some will even jump on them and devour them as quickly as possible. One thing’s for sure: they clean up those pesky insects you don’t want better than you could yourself.

Believe it or not, the entire spider population eats up to 800 million tonnes of insects every year. To put that into perspective, the human population will eat half that amount of meat and fish. You may look terrifying spiders, but we thank you for your service.

Ground Beetles

Ground beetles, or black beetles, not only keep balance in your soil but play guardsmen to your gardens against the ever-growing slug population that seems to expand when you least expect it. They love to hang out in your mulch, pick up other insects in their tiny (but sharp) mandibles, and seek out slugs that you’d otherwise have to get rid of yourself. Keep fighting the good fight, ground beetles.

Hoverflies

At first glance, a hoverfly (or flower fly) can look like a wasp. It has a band of black and yellow on its back and little wings that are reminiscent of those of a wasp. However, this dynamic little insect is one you won’t be shooing away in a hurry.

If you have prized roses that you’re trying to trim or maintain, then it’s an insect you’ll want to have around. Hoverflies can control up to 80 per cent of an aphid infestation, which is good news for those who are tired of these little green suckers taking up residence on their property.

As their name suggests, they hover around flowers and feed on nectar and pollen. Their larvae, however, eat many other things such as aphids and insects with soft bodies they can devour with ease.

Aphids beware! (Aphidius Colemani)

Parasitic Wasps

If you say the word ‘WASP!’ at a crowded picnic, everyone runs for cover. In the case of parasitic wasps, however, these little critters are in hot demand by commercial growers. More specifically, two species, Aphidius Colemani, and Encarsia Formosa are valuable assets to any garden.

The Encasia Formosa wasp has a favourite insect, the whitefly, which is known to wreak havoc on greenhouse tomatoes. This parasitic wasp will come along if it smells wildflowers and will happily clean up your whitefly population.

Friends, Not Foes

Avid gardeners are going to see the value in insects and creepy crawlies more than most, but it’s essential to know how valuable they can be. The next time you go to stomp on a spider or swat away a hoverfly, think again. You never know how many of your precious plants they have saved from pest insect destruction.

Get a professional lawn or garden service arranged for your backyard by contacting Crewcut today.

Take a quick stroll down your local street on a warm summer’s day. While you’ll surely see plenty of people outside doing something fun, you’ll see even more dripping with sweat, swearing at their petrol mower, wondering why the 20th pull start didn’t work. You may also see clouds of smoke dissipating into the air after it has finally coughed and spluttered to life in the most dramatic way possible.

That’s the reality for many people who mow their lawns and don’t hire someone to do it for them. They spend 90% of their time tinkering with the mower to start, and 10% actually mowing their lawns. What if robots could change that?

Imagine this for a scenario: you’re sitting on your deck in the sunshine, enjoying a cold beverage. You might even be pool-side. Next to you is a lush piece of grass with a robot silently cutting it without anyone to show it how. Imagine no more. That’s now a thing.

Robots are Taking Over…and We’re Okay with It

In 2002 when the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner hit the market, consumers were in awe. They couldn’t believe that a robot would actually vacuum their floors without them having to do a thing!

In time, the novelty wore off, and it was a common sight in many homes. But over that time, people began to wonder if they could take that same technology and create a lawnmower that could effectively do the same thing. It turns out they could. After some years, robot lawnmowers hit the market, and, they too, are now a common sight in homes across the world.

Think about the benefits of having a robot lawnmower for yourself. While they won’t be as detailed, passionate, or particular as a lawn care expert, they can certainly tick all the boxes on the convenience front.

You can effectively set and forget. Some robotic lawn mowers will even return to their charging station to stock up on energy before they set back out to take care of the rest of the lawn. You can also spend more time doing the things you love, which is certainly bound to be a nice change.

Are Robots the Future of Lawn Mowing?

At the beginning of 2019, the East Devon District Council allocated a small sum of money to a trial run of robotic lawnmowers to cut specific sites in Exmouth. Their goal was to save time, effort, and manpower at the council. 

During the trial, many of the mowers weren’t able to complete full nights of mowing due to interference. According to locals, children had been using them for joyriding and target practice. Once stopped, they had to be reset again.

In places where mowers were able to be used without tampering or vandalism, they were classed as successful trials. However, while robotic lawnmowers could be the future of lawn mowing, they are not able to reach their full potential if people will not respect them to do their job.

Robotic Lawn Mowers for Home Use

While commercial robotic lawn mowing may not be a perfect option just yet, there is no reason why you can’t invest in one for home use. There are many excellent options on the market, such as these below.

Robin Autopilot

The Robin Autopilot is an electric lawnmower that contributes to less noise and air pollution than most mowers for sale. It’s also one that’s used in a residential and commercial capacity.

This mower is part of a subscription-type service where users pay per week for the use of the mower, rather than having to fork out an upfront cost of thousands of dollars. You don’t own the mower, but you receive the convenience of a lawn mowing service that’s entirely unmanned.

Husqvarna Automower

Many people like the idea of a robotic lawn mower but don’t believe their lawn will be suitable for such an advanced piece of technology. If you have sloping lawns, a few inconsistencies or even little berries and obstacles dropped by trees; then this mower could be for you.

The Husqvarna Automower is capable of tackling gentle slopes, uneven lawns, and even pinecones that happen to get in its way. What’s more, it’s quiet enough that you can (apparently) use it overnight.

If you’re worried about your mower taking off to a neighbouring property while you sleep, then you don’t have to. Thanks to technician-installed boundary wires, this mower knows where home is.

Honda Miimo

No one likes spending a fortune and dealing with the hassle of picking up lawn clippings and taking them to a waste centre. That’s why many people rely on lawn care services. However, if you’ve been interested in robot lawnmowers for some time, then the Honda Miimo could be for you.

This machine mulches your lawn clippings as it goes, delivering them back into the lawn for vital nutrients. You can also control it via smartphone and send it to its home dock whenever you feel like it.  

Could There be Robots in Your Backyard?

Robots are the future of lawn mowing. While there will always be a place for lawn care services, there is also a growing number of Kiwis who see the value in purchasing a robot to take care of the grass for them. Could a robot be in your future?

Nearly half of Kiwis don’t know their neighbours, don’t get on with them, or would prefer they weren’t there. Sometimes, it’s a lack of privacy that causes frustration, and other times, it’s noise. It might seem like the only way to escape your neighbours is by moving, but there’s actually another way. It could be time to look at your hedging options – such as Lilly Pilly.

Lilly Pilly is hands down one of the most popular hedging plants in NZ, and it’s of no surprise to anyone why. It grows quickly, doesn’t sulk in winter, and has everchanging foliage that can make every time you go outside a surprise.  

It also makes for an effective noise barrier when trimmed and shaped correctly, and acts as a privacy screen at the same time.

Lilly Pilly is a broad term for a range of plants in NZ, but some are better than others. Eugenia Ventenati would have to be one variety that almost walks out the door as soon as it arrives in a nursery. It’s dense, stunning, and can handle a little bit of neglect if you haven’t had time to call your friendly local gardener.

You can plant Eugenia Ventenati at around 0.75 metres apart and watch as the hedges grow up to between 1.5 and three metres tall. They thrive in full sun and free-draining soil and love it when you treat them to some organic matter as well.

When you bring your Lilly Pilly plant home from the nursery, give it as much care and love as you would a newborn. Plant it in a hole that’s twice as large (and deep) as the pot it’s in, and fill it with soil, compost, and sheep pellets. If your soil is a little on the heavier side, you might want to complement that mixture with some gypsum and water deeply.

Lilly Pilly in NZ might love a lot of sunshine, but young plants require plenty of water during those warmer days. It also helps to prune it often, especially during its early growth, so that you can help build the density of the bush. The thicker the hedge, the more privacy and noise control it can offer.

I’m Not a Gardener

Lilly Pilly is a popular plant type in NZ for anyone, not just gardeners. If you need privacy and a little noise dampening, then Lilly Pilly is going to be a superb choice. However, the thought of growing a hedge from scratch can put a lot of people off. Yes, it does need a lot of love and care, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be you who gives it.

Talk to your local gardening expert about hedge growing and trimming. Not only can they offer helpful advice, but they may be able to provide a regular tending service to help your hedges grow up big and strong.

What About Monkey Apple?

Avid gardeners or shelter seekers who are on the hunt for Lilly Pilly in NZ may be confused by all the hate it gets online. Surely, this beautiful evergreen hedge plant is not an unwanted species? Lilly Pilly is a common name in the plant world but is also used to refer to Monkey Apple.

Monkey Apple is, indeed, Lilly Pilly, but it’s classed as a pest plant here in New Zealand. It doesn’t require the best environment to thrive and can also outgrow native trees if it finds a large enough light gap. Given how invasive it is, and that birds can quickly spread its seeds into native forests, it’s banned nationwide.

Nurseries can’t sell it, although some will try, and it can be incredibly hard to kill once you have it. The Auckland City Council recommend a few different approaches for taking care of Monkey Apple – the lesser loved member of the Lilly Pilly NZ family.

• Pull or dig out the Monkey Apple seedlings

• Drill holes in stems and fill with two grams of metsulfuron herbicide in 50mL of water

• Spray in spring and autumn with penetrant and metsulfuron

• Cut and use stump paint

Go Silly for Lilly Pilly

If you’re in the market for an evergreen hedge that will grow quickly and provide as much privacy and protection as you need, then Lilly Pilly varieties in NZ can deliver. They are hardy, beautiful, and exciting to watch them grow to their full potential.

Be careful with the varieties you select, especially if someone tries to sell you Monkey Apple, and talk to a gardener if you need some advice or assistance. It won’t be long until you’ve got a beautiful, bushy, and well-formed hedge gracing your backyard.

In our previous post, we discussed the things to consider when raising chickens in your backyard. Today, we’ll dive deeper and discover how you’re supposed to take care of them like any other pet or domestic animal. Most of us have probably cared for a pet or an animal at some point, so we mostly know the responsibility it entails and how to ensure their welfare.

Chickens are full of character, very cute to hold and make soothing cooing noises through the day, but they do require ongoing checking, sometimes grooming and obvious things like clean food and water. There will also be vet or medicine costs associated with any problems that arise.

Chicken-Specific Problems

Chickens have their unique benefits like eggs and eating all your scraps, but they also are prone to a few particular problems, even if things go well.

Lice or mites

Chickens like to dig in the soils and scuffle under plants, so they can catch little pests which love to burrow in their plumage. Sometimes chickens you purchase or are given may already have them so be very careful to check because it is hard to get rid of mites once you have them. Hot tip: Dusting chickens with diatomaceous earth is a great way to naturally kill mites and pests without any chemicals and can also be spread in nesting boxes and around the coop.

The mud

Chickens love digging and rooting around in the ground so depending on the enclosure size, they can quickly reduce your ground to mud or barren earth. This can be messy in wet months and be an eyesore, so consider how you want your coop viewed and where you want them to live. They also drag all sorts through their water source too, so you need to keep this clean often.

The droppings

Chickens create a fair bit of manure, which is great for your garden compost. Be aware though that the proliferation of such organic material does attract flies, so your placement of the coop should consider this (even the neighbours might notice!) and you will need to have a constant system to remove the droppings from their coop and general area. If you’re not using it for your garden, consider bagging it and selling it or giving it to neighbours. Just a note too: Chickens have Campylobacter bacteria (among others) as a natural part of their digestion so their waste contains this naturally. Proper cleaning is a must to avoid any spreading of bugs to you, and your kids need to make sure they have thorough hand washing techniques especially if it is their job to clean the coop out.

The great escape

Chickens aren’t that bright but know how to get out and see the world easily enough. They will escape to neighbours, visit neighbouring coops or just run in the house if they get the chance. Therefore, the security of your coop is important for protection, especially if you or the neighbour has a dog. Clipping of the feathers on one wing is the best way to upset their flying attempts, they are discouraged from retrying after a few failed attempts. Think about how to enclose them economically in your property and take into consideration the cost of any timber fencing, mesh and, of course, the coop itself.

Predators and rival birds

Chickens aren’t great fighters (although Roosters are) when it comes to a predator. There is the danger of some cats, rats, dogs, mice and, in rural areas, even Harriers can attack small chickens, so keep an eye out for any signs of uninvited guests. Rats and mice do all sorts of damage to property, but they also bite chickens and eat their food. Sparrows can be known to clean out a chicken feeder in hours so best to feed your chickens by hand rather than leave food lying about.

No men allowed

Let’s be clear, keeping chickens for pets or backyard eggs does not include a male of the species; this is a different job altogether! Roosters crow at all hours (not just early in the morning) so there may be noise restrictions by some councils. Plus not all roosters are kind loving male companions (they do exist!), but some are pure bullies, often mating the female against their will and harassing your hens most of the day mercilessly. There is no school you can take such a bird to improve his temperament, he would have to be disposed of. Not to mention raising chicks takes your hen off the lay for a substantial time while she is broody and raising them. And of course, you might get more rival roosters so the circle starts again! Roosters also ensure the spreading of lice, mites and disease through the whole flock by contact alone. Hens have a more desperate pecking order too, picking on weaker hens even more so when there is a male around.

The circle of life

Chickens are susceptible to father time just like us, and sometimes fall ill or even die unexpectedly. This is a natural part of pet care, but you may have to euthanise a beloved old chook sooner than you realise. One advice would be to get the bird to your vet, just like any other domestic animal. While it’s traditional to cull/eat older chickens, putting an animal down humanely is not easy for beginners and it can be traumatic for some. Preparing a bird for cooking takes a lot of time and work as well so its not necessarily saving you money. Chickens will live approximately four to eight years and are only productive (egg-wise) for about half of those.

In conclusion

You need to have a love of animals and have the time to put into your chickens to ensure their welfare and their productivity. As their owner, it is your responsibility to provide them with a humane and protected way of life, so consider this carefully before you jump in. Chickens are a wonderful animal with the benefit of eggs and there is something about raising them that feels so wholesome and natural. However, you will get your hands dirty and you will only get out what you put in. Check that chickens are a good mix for your busy or urban lifestyle.

In this two-part series, we’ll discuss how you can go about raising chickens in your backyard.

As chicken farmers struggle to gain consents for free-range systems that become compulsory in 2022, consumers see not only a lack of eggs on supermarket shelves, but an increase in pricing as well.

By January 2019, the price of chicken eggs had risen by an average of 11.84 percent. In April 2019, a dozen eggs were $4.43, up from $3.89 in April 2018. Before long, eggs could become unaffordable for many average New Zealanders.

What’s stopping you from raising chickens for fresh eggs every day? Caring for these backyard animals is easier than you think.

The Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations can differ from one local council to the next. Most councils provide loose guidelines, such as making sure they don’t cause noise or hygiene problems. Like dogs and cats, there is also a limit on how many you can own. If you require a more detailed set of requirements, get in touch with your local council before you bring your new feathery friends home. 

Caring for Chickens in NZ

Auckland Council requires any backyard chicken owner to provide an enclosed rainproof chicken coop for chickens to sleep and lay in. It should have a roost or perch for each chicken and a minimum roof height of 60 centimetres. The coop needs to have a pecking and scratching surface and a secluded nesting area as well.  

You must also follow all the rules surrounding hygiene. Line all floors and nesting boxes with hay or untreated wood chips, clean them out regularly and remove waste at least once per week.

If your section is smaller than 2,000 square metres, you may not be allowed any more than six chickens. However, chickens require company, so you should have a minimum of three in your flock.

Some councils also recommend that you keep them a minimum of two metres away from neighbouring properties. Make sure they are confined to your section to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to neighbours.

How to House Chickens

Because more and more people are seeing the value in keeping chickens, it’s not all that challenging to find a chicken hutch for sale. These can vary in price, depending on the quality and size. The hutch needs to have nesting boxes, a sheltered place to sleep, roosting perches, and protection from the elements.

Alongside a chicken hutch, they also need an ideal outdoor environment. Chickens love nothing more than to forage, take dust baths, scratch, and roam around. Make sure you have enough space for them to go about their natural chicken business! As a side note, chickens love to make a mess. So, if you have prized peonies or a beautiful garden, pet chickens might not be for you.

What to Feed Chickens

Healthy chickens produce delicious eggs, so you need to be quite careful with your new feathery friends’ feeding regime. Provide them with fresh food and water every day. If you find any mouldy, old, or stale food, throw it away to reduce the risk of rodents taking up residence nearby.

How to Feed Chickens

Head along to your nearest farm supplies store and stock up on commercial layer hen pellets. These pellets contain plenty of the vitamins and minerals your chickens need to remain in tip-top shape.

You can also supplement this feed with fresh food such as green leafy vegetables and the occasional helping of table scraps. Don’t give your chickens anything that you wouldn’t eat yourself.

Feeding Chickens in Winter

During winter, chickens may require additional nutrients to keep them in the best condition. They often lose their feathers and stop laying for a time. Ask your local vet or farm supplies store worker what they recommend.

Chickens also require plenty of calcium to produce quality eggs and to keep their legs strong. You can purchase soluble calcium grit for your chickens to peck away at, or you can dry crushed eggshells in your oven. Crushed oyster shell is also a preference by many chicken owners as well.

Where to Buy Chickens

Many people decide to hatch fertile eggs themselves so they can rear friendly hens. The problem is, at least half of those eggs that hatch will be roosters. If you live in an urban area, roosters are not permitted and can be exceptionally difficult to find a new home for.

The Type of Chicken to Buy

If you’re ready to bring chickens onto your property, consider purchasing hens that you already know are hens. Pullets are young female hens that are almost ready to lay, and hens at 21 weeks or older should already be laying. You can purchase chickens from breeders, local farmers, or even from the SPCA or another rescue group that may have hens to sell or give away from time to time.

What Now?

If you’re fed up at paying a premium for eggs from the supermarket, and you wouldn’t mind a new pet, then looking after a chicken or three could be for you. Check with your local council, purchase or create a hutch, fit it out with everything you need to keep them happy and healthy and bring them home! Chickens are sweet, nice-natured creatures that will produce beautiful eggs almost every day.

When something is out of sight and out of mind, you often don’t spare a thought for it. For example, every time you flip your couch cushions, it’s not uncommon to find crumbs, wrappers, and even coins, that may have sat there for months.

The same concept applies to your guttering or spouting. If you can’t see it, you don’t think about it. Unlike couch cushions, however, not checking your gutters can end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. If you can’t recall the last time you checked it out, then it’s probably long overdue.

Read on to discover why gutter maintenance and spouting cleaning is imperative, how to do it, and what you need for the job.

Why Gutter Cleaning is Important

Gutters or spouts serve an essential purpose. They control the rainwater flow, protect your landscape, and ensure that water stays as far away from your roof, walls, and foundations as possible. When they are clean and functioning at their best, they do this job well. When they’re not, they are a costly nightmare with a flow-on effect that leaves you with an empty bank account.

Gutters can quickly and easily fill up with debris, sticks, leaves, and other foreign matter and muck. They then become a haven for birds, rodents, pests, and insects. Before you know it, water is trying to flow through, only to get stuck and begin to flood over the edges of the guttering instead.

That water has to go somewhere, and it’s not down your drainpipe. It flows onto your roof, down the sides of your home – and everywhere but through your guttering. Stagnant water then promotes algae and mold growth, which is a whole new issue altogether.

New Zealand is known for its reasonably mild climes, but some regions are more prone to rainfall than others. During the wet season (which, depending on your area, can be all year!), it’s imperative that your gutters are obstruction-free, clean, and ready to tackle rainfall head-on.

How to Maintain Your Gutters

As we established, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is one of the main reasons why homeowners fail to maintain their gutters. A lack of understanding of how to do it is another. Cleaning out your spouting is easier than you think, so set aside a sunny day to get the job done.

Remove leaves and debris and throw it into a bucket or the ground so that you can clean it up once you’ve scaled your entire home. Secure any loose gutters into place with a cordless drill. The best hardware for this job is gutter screws.

If you notice any leaks along the seams and joins, then clean the gutter section and apply silicone caulk. Finally, make sure that any water flowing down your guttering is diverted away from your home. You should have a downspout extension or irrigation pipe to take care of the job.  

Around one in 15 people are scared of heights, which can mean even a simple job like gutter maintenance can be terrifying. If that sounds like you, then you should call in gutter cleaning professionals to lend a helping hand.

If you haven’t cleaned your gutters or spouting for some time, then you’ll likely find the first time you do it is a monumental undertaking. Regular maintenance from that point onward won’t be so bad. However, if you would prefer to spend more time on the ground and less on a ladder, then why not invest in some gutter cleaning tools that make it easier?

The first thing you can buy to make life easier is a gutter blaster. These tools extend out to around 1.7 to 2 metres and fit onto any standard hose fitting. You can adjust the water pressure, rotate the nozzle, and clean out the debris from your gutter without seeing it from a great height.

Alternatively, you can purchase shields which stop leaves, debris, and other grime from setting up camp in your gutters in the first place. These vary in price and style, depending on what you require. Some are a mesh that goes over the top, while others are thick tubes which allow water in, but nothing else.

Decide what’s more relevant to you – clean gutters all the time with a small investment, or not spending any money, but dedicating an hour or so every few months to removing potential blockages.

Conclusion

Gutter cleaning or spouting cleaning is an essential task that protects your property and can save you thousands of dollars. Dedicate time every few months to gutter maintenance to ensure your gutters and home remain in tip-top condition. Alternatively, you can ask your trusted Crewcut operator if they can recommend someone who can take care of gutter cleaning for you.

New Zealand is blessed to be home to a range of beautiful native birds, such as Tui, Kereru, and Piwakawaka. However, not everyone gets to wake up to the sound of birdsong every morning. If you’d love for your alarm clock to be the sound of native birds awaking from their slumber, then read on. We’ve included a few helpful tips on how to encourage native birds to your backyard.

Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder 

It can be a sight to behold when sparrows and starlings grace your section. If you have nothing to offer them, however, it’s not long before they fly off somewhere else in search of food. If you want to be the “go-to” property for birds in your area, then why not make a pinecone bird feeder? According to the Department of Conservation, it’s easy!

You’ll need a pinecone, scissors, string, smooth peanut butter, lard, a butter knife, birdseed, and a plate. Cut a piece of string to hang the feeder, making sure it’s thick and long-lasting to handle weather conditions. 

 Use the string to tie a knot around the pinecone near its stalk and use this as the hanging point. You can then use your butter knife to smear lard and peanut butter in equal parts inside the pinecone and around the edges. Hold the pinecone over your plate and sprinkle the birdseed over it. 

To finish, roll the pinecone in the plate to pick up any remaining birdseed. Hang the feeder at least three metres off the ground to keep it safe from predators. To avoid rats and mice getting to it first, take it down at night. 

In springtime, when lawn care experts are out in their droves, you may not see as many birds making use of your feeder. Natural food sources are starting to become readily available again.

Plant Desirable Trees, Shrubs, Climbers, and Container Plants 

Native birds are more likely to come onto your property and say hello when you have something they want. If your plant selection caters more to what you like than what a bird does, then they often won’t have a reason to visit. Talk to your local gardening expert about what to plant and where to plant it. 

Cabbage trees, Kowhai, Broadleaf, and Mahoe, are all trees that grow over six feet high and offer an abundance of food for native birds. The Cabbage Tree, for example, boasts a cream flower, while Kowhai’s yellow flower is a treat for native birds as well. There is a range of different trees with fruits and flowers that will appeal to the native bird population.

If you don’t like the idea of a six-foot tree towering over your property, then you can look at shrub options instead. The Korokio shrub offers red fruit, while the New Zealand Iris has a lovely orange seed pod that appeals to many critters as well. Even the Corprosma is appealing, with its orange-red fruit. 

Create a Safe Environment

If native birds feel under threat in your property, then they won’t be likely to hang around for long. Try to understand what it takes to give the birds confidence, and you may find they stick around for longer.

When you plant their favourite sources of food, make sure you do so away from your home. Window reflections confuse birds, particularly the Kereru which tends to be a frequent flyer when it comes to window-related injuries. 

If you are trying to attract fantails and similar native birds, then encourage insects alongside plantlife for the larger birds. Fantails love moths, beetles, earthworms, and spiders. Talk to your local gardener about adding mulch and leaf litter to your garden to encourage insects. 

It also helps if your yard is free of animals that prey on birds, such as cats, hedgehogs, possums, weasels, and rats. 

Get to Know the Species

If there is a particular bird you want to see more of than others, then make sure you know as much about it as possible. Become an expert. By doing so, you will be able to create a paradise in your backyard that appeals to that particular bird.

For example, if you want to see more Kereru, then ensure you have an abundance of fruit and foliage. Or, if you want to see more Tui, then you will need to have insects, nectar, and fruit. The more you know about the native birds of Aotearoa, the more likely you will be able to cater to their needs.

Conclusion

As the New Zealand population increases, more houses are being built on even smaller sections than ever before. With smaller sections come smaller gardens. A postage stamp backyard, however, doesn’t mean you can’t wake up to birdsong. Find out what your favourite birds like, then give it to them. They’ll be calling your home theirs in no time.

(NZ bird miniatures courtesy of Jesika Maessen)