Gardening

Gillian Swinton, who is passionate about self-sufficiency and lives on a lifestyle block in Central Otago, peels back the layers of growing immunity-boosting gold!

Spring gardening is all about planting and anticipation, then waiting to see the bounty emerge from the ground. As the days grow longer and the soil slowly warms up, here’s what you need to do Flower power Flowers that can be sown into the ground now include aquilegia, bishop’s flower, calendula, cornflower, cosmos, larkspur, love-in-a-mist, […]

Before you turn your machine on, take a moment to reflect on the risks

It’s thyme to try these smart and seasonal gardening ideas to make the most of your green space

Julie and Chris McLean's community garden are helping Napier locals

Grow brew-friendly herbs and flowers at home to create the perfect cuppa!

In her happy place toiling in the garden, the independent 81-year-old says it’s the secret to keeping a spring in her step

The funny ritual came to light when British comedy quiz show QI tweeted about the future King's habit, and royal fans can't get enough.

Her 'Back to Nature' garden has a new home and new features at the Hampton Court Palace's Garden Festival and she was clearly keen to share it with everyone.

These women and their mission are anything but antiquated.

Prince Charles’ Highgrove garden is a place for the royal to really express himself.

Jill's grandchildren now volunteer alongside her too.

''All grandchildren deserve a better future!''

Kristina Rapley reveals her advice for navigating hard times and shares her biggest guilty pleasures.

The father of two is tending to his growing passion.

Growing food and flowers is just one benefit of getting in the garden – it can improve your health too.

Want a flat stomach? It's not all crunches and sit-ups...

Green Goddess Wendyl Nissen knows this is the perfect time to start planning your summer garden.

Jackie French has a zest for all things lemony this month, advising on how to grow citrus herbs, fruits and a eucalypt.

Deter creepy crawlies for a pest-free spring with tips from our Green Goddess, Wendyl Nissen.

From topiary to box hedges, here's how to grow a garden fit for a queen.

You’ve got to love the internet sometimes.

Gardening editor Lee Ann Bramwell reveals her tips to keep children entertained in the garden these school holidays.

Some handy advice from Garden Editor Lee Ann Bramwell on growing shrubs.

Lee Ann Heads to Dunedin for some botanic beauty

By this time of year, roses and other flowers have done their best and hopefully given you a marvellous display.

North Shore MP Maggie Barry reflects on her growing passion for politics and her biggest year yet

Take inspiration from these ideas so your flora and fauna is looking on-trend for the year ahead.

Lee Ann has given in to the urge to grow this romantic, fragrant and versatile plant

Jackie French shares the six steps to a Christmas in bloom.

Jackie French reveals the secrets of growing perfect roses, and tells us what to plant this month.

Small children – and the fairies! – will delight in this enchanting flower pot created by Kelly Vize.

Think you've got green fingers? Take our gardening quiz to see how much you know.

Jackie French tells us how to build a tomato tepee to ensure every tomato plant branch gets sunlight.

Plants and simple fencing are cost-effective options for creating covered boundaries.

Jackie French shows you how to bring winter magic into your home.

Our First Home couple Anne and Al Gourley are looking for community-minded Kiwis to join their project.

Hamilton schoolgirl Grace Lusty has a growing ambition. The green-fingered youngster grows prize-winning pumpkins in her parent's backyard.

These aromatic alliums are so amazing, you could almost cry!

Maximise your outdoor space by perfectly positioning your garden pots.

A herbal ley for your land can help produce a bumper crop.

Hide a multitude of garden sins with these handy hints from gardening expert Lee Ann Bramwell.

Creating a formal garden is easy with these expert tips.

Creating a height differential is crucial to your garden’s overall look.

The stylish yuccas plant is a prince in the plant world.

Learn how to combine contrasting foliage and transform your garden.

Look no further than your garden for a brilliant herbal tea brew.

Ground covers are not all created equally! Take a look at our tips.

Putting up a good front entrance to your garden doesn’t have to cost the earth.

The fruits of your labour will be rewarded if you crack on and plant a nut tree.

Do a high-use area proud by planting for flair and function.

Mucking in together on a community garden is time well spent.

Excitement is growing as garden show season approaches.

Avoid embarrassing gardening blunders with these expert pronunciation tips.

If chemicals are a concern, try some natural solutions to weed and pest control.

Bougainvillea come from Brazil where they grow in arid, rocky soil, and they do all too well in New Zealand conditions.

Before planting a lemon tree, check you have a site which gets a lot of sunshine...

An hour or two of gardening can reduce stress, boost bone density, and burn an impressive number of calories.

With a variety of colours and an easy-to-maintain attitude, Impatiens are a blessing!

Break away from the pack and try your hand at creating mosaic art.

A gentle prune of hydrangeas now ensures beautiful blooms come Summer.

This versatile root vegetable packs a powerful punch!

Dressing up the garden for a special occasion needn’t cost a fortune.

Don’t just stick to plants in your garden – branch out with a few unexpected details.

Homegrown chillies are a warming addition to any winter meal.

The homegrown variety packs a surprising punch.

These pumpkins may be small, but they’ve got big potential.

Set up a worm farm with inexpensive items you can find around the home.

Contrary to popular belief, ants are simply great for the garden.

It’s difficult to believe it’s just a month from winter when you see hibiscus in flower. Nothing makes you feel as warm and tropical as these exquisite plants, and fortunately, there are some that’ll do quite well in cooler South Island gardens, too. Hibiscus syriacus, ‘Rose of Sharon’, is one that’s fairly cold hardy. It […]

It may take some time and energy before you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour, but growing olives – to bottle or press into oil – is definitely worth the effort.

While classic rhododendrons are unhappy in subtropical regions, vireyas make a fine substitute. Their lively flowering and colours will brighten your day – sometimes unexpectedly.

Not many of us realise that having frogs in our gardens is a great asset.

Italian flat beans are top of the crops when it comes to side dishes. They take some serious cooking, but when done well, you’ll be proud to say they came from your patch.

This homemade fertiliser is great – just be prepared for the smell.

Hold on to summer with the fragrant flavours of basil.

Simon prepares morsels of goodness for little and big mouths.

A few simple rules to follow when it comes to using bug spray on your garden.

Discover the beauty of the begonia flower and foliage.

It’s hard to go wrong with these low-maintenance veges.

Bees are key to our survival – without them, plants are not pollinated. It’s estimated that one third of the human food supply is dependent on insect pollination, yet we threaten them with common pesticides, so please “bee” careful in the garden!

Colin’s garden awakens his competitive nature.