Autumn in a subtropical, suburban garden | Insights from a Secret Gardener in Hawke’s Bay
An interview with Secret Gardener, Sue of Texture Garden — a subtropical, suburban garden in Taradale, Hawke's Bay.
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Articles—
Autumn
How to compost | A practical guide to hot & cold composting methods
Composting isn’t complicated — it’s a key part of a healthy garden. This step-by-step guide covers the basics of compost bins, the difference between hot and cold methods, and simple tips for turning garden and kitchen waste into rich, usable compost.
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A productive urban garden called Ngā Kaupeka | Autumn insights from a Secret Gardener in Auckland’s North Shore
An interview with Secret Gardener, Phoebe of Ngā Kaupeka — a small-scale, productive garden in Forrest Hill, North Shore, Auckland.
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Cultivation guide | Converting grass to new garden beds
A guide to converting grass to new gardens: No-dig vs. sheet mulching.
Autumn is the perfect time to create new garden beds from scratch.
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How to plant, propagate & prepare perennials for dormancy | An autumn guide
A guide to planting perennials, propagating new plants and putting the perennial garden to bed for autumn and winter.
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How to grow, prune & care for raspberries
A guide on growing, pruning and caring for raspberry plants.
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Late autumn gardening | A quick task rundown
While the garden is slowing down, there's still plenty to do. Your autumn clean up + lots of planting and harvesting in the edible garden.
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Golden light & generations of growth | Insights from a Secret Gardener in Hāwea
An autumn interview with Secret Gardener, Ali of Crosshill Garden — a century old garden in Hāwea, Otago.
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May Gardening Guide | Weeding, feeding & protecting
May is a last chance to give the garden a good tidy up before temperatures plummet — lots of weeding, feeding and protecting. It's also the last chance to get your spring bulbs in, and a great time to plant veggies for spring harvest in the veggie patch.
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What to do in your edible garden in mid-late autumn | Fruit tree care, supporting pollinators & strawberries planting
Mulching fruit trees, growing strawberries from runners, supporting pollinators, pruning feijoas & checking over fruit trees.
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How to harvest & store pumpkins and potatoes
An autumn guide to harvesting, sorting, seed-saving and storing pumpkins and potatoes
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Autumn colour, feijoas & formal roses in Rangiora | Autumn insights from Secret Gardeners in Canterbury
An interview with Secret Gardeners, Raewyn and Dave of Willoughbridge — an established garden complete with an orchard, large specimen trees and bonsai collection in Rangiora, Canterbury.
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Plant buying guide | How to make the most of autumn plant sales
Autumn plant clearance sales are tempting, but it’s important to know which plants are a worthwhile investment, and which should be left on the shelf. Plus, learn how to transplant new plants for the best success!
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A dahlia grower’s autumn checklist | How to prolong dahlia flowers & prep tubers for next season
Everything you need to know to prolong your dahlia flower harvest and prep your tubers for next season.
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The pros & cons of keeping chickens in an urban backyard
We reckon keeping chickens is pretty rad: A little bit frugal, a little bit feral and a little bit fancy. Here are some pros (and cons) of keeping chickens in your garden, according to Phoebe Atkinson.
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Autumn reflections from a historic homestead garden | Insights from a Secret Gardener in Martinborough
An interview with Secret Gardener, Phillipa of Waihora — a thriving garden for a historic homestead in Martinborough, Wairarapa.
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Mid autumn gardening | A quick task rundown
A quick run down of tasks you need to focus on in the garden for early autumn.
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How to harvest & save seeds | Autumn seed saving
A guide to harvesting and saving seeds from your most treasured plants in autumn. Next spring, those little gems are the ticket to a flourishing garden once again!
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How to create a tulip pot display for spring
Spring bulbs are often the first sign of life in the garden, but their presence is dependent on you as the gardener preparing in the autumn time for their much anticipated arrival.
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A comprehensive guide to planting & growing spring bulbs | Autumn gardening
A complete guide to which spring bulbs, and how to plant and grow them, this autumn.
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Sowing success | Autumn seed sowing tips
Learn how to sow hardy annuals in autumn with key tips on spacing, direct sowing vs. seed trays, and the best methods for growing sweet peas, sugar snaps and snow peas.
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How to grow strawberries from runners
A guide on growing strawberries from runners in autumn.
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March edible gardening | What to plant & harvest in early autumn
What edibles to plant & harvest in early autumn.
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The autumn overview | Autumn gardening
While the allure of knitwear and fireside evenings still seems far off, the shift in the seasons is upon us. With dropping temperatures and the return of the rain comes a whole new series of gardening tasks.
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Autumn seed sowing guide | Vegetables & flowers to sow in autumn
Seed sowing is one of the most important jobs in the autumn garden. It’s time to sow winter vegetables and hardy annual flowers. This autumn seed sowing guide outlines what to sow in your autumn garden and the methods you can use to guarantee successful germination.
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Cut & come again annual flowers to plant for autumn colour
A comprehensive guide on growing the best cut and come again flowers for autumn.
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Preparing dahlias for winter | A guide to digging & storing dahlia tubers
Lifting and storing dahlias can be a daunting task especially if you have amassed a collection over the years. Here's the when, why and how of lifting your dahlia tubers...
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The Central Otago homesteader who grows, harvests, preserves & hosts tourists
In the quaint settlement of Lauder, Central Otago, Gillian Swinton and her partner Hamish have cultivated a lifestyle that seamlessly blends their love for gardening, hospitality and rural living.
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How to | Plant & grow garlic
How to prep your soil and plant garlic. Including maintenance, fertilisation, troubleshooting & harvesting.
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