The New Year always brings about new intentions, plans to revitalise parts of our lives and our gardens are no exception. Tidy out the shed, rejuvenate garden beds and attempt to grow new plants, flowers, fruit & vegetables. Here are a few simple & inspiring ideas to kick start a successful gardening year.
1 / PLANT MORE
Take a look at what plants are growing well in your local area & then add them to your landscape - why not take a look at natives, bird-attracting or bee-loving plants first?
Struggling with weeds? Maybe you need more ground cover plants to help fill the spaces where weeds grow.
2 / LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Check out what is trending in garden design and incorporate one new idea into your garden this year.
Treat yourself to a new gardening book - I love to support Kiwi gardeners/authors who are also relevant to our climate and native flora & fauna.
3 / MAKE MAINTENANCE EASY
Keep on top of mulching this year, making sure that all your garden beds have a 10cm layer of good quality organic matter. This cuts down on time spent weeding & watering.
Have your garden tools cleaned and sharpened. It makes using them a more pleasant & effective experience.
Watched the Marie Kondo tidying programme on Netflix? Maybe your shed could do with a tidy to spark some joy!
4 / CARE FOR WILDLIFE
Place a bird bath in your garden.
Plant some lavender to attract the bees, or a tui attracting tree such as Kowhai or a Prunus campanulata.
HAVE SOME FUN
Plant something fun - sunflowers, sweetpeas, strawberries, blueberries or gladioli - all bring a smile to the face.
Go & Pick Your Own throughout the year. The last of the summer strawberries can be picked at Phil Greig Strawberry Gardens this January.
GET INVOLVED
Volunteer at a local community garden or at one of the one-off planting days in our Regional Parks.
So a fresh start & new opportunities for you & your garden this year.
Want to get some gardening work done in 2019, maybe you are planning a renovation and need a landscape design or maybe an area of your garden needs some rejuvenation & new planting?
