Transforming a neglected outdoor space into a dream garden is not merely about clearing weeds and planting a few flowers. It’s an art that combines creativity, expertise, and a deep understanding of New Zealand’s unique climate and landscape. For homeowners looking to breathe new life into their yards, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to achieve a stunning transformation that will make your outdoor space the envy of the neighborhood.

Assessing the Space: Where to Begin

Every successful garden transformation starts with a thorough assessment of the current state of the space. Neglected gardens often feature overgrown vegetation, uneven terrain, and outdated or non-functional elements. Begin by:

1. Clearing Out the Overgrowth: Remove weeds, unwanted plants, and debris to reveal the true potential of the space. This step is crucial as it provides a blank canvas for your design ideas.

2. Evaluating Existing Structures: Take stock of any existing structures such as fences, sheds, or pathways. Determine if they can be revitalized or if they need to be replaced or removed to better serve the new design.

3. Assessing Soil Quality: Test the soil to understand its composition and pH levels. New Zealand’s diverse landscapes mean soil conditions can vary greatly, influencing plant selection and garden design.

Designing Your Dream Garden

Embracing Native Plants and Sustainability

New Zealand boasts a rich biodiversity of native plants that are well-adapted to local conditions. Incorporating native species not only enhances the ecological balance but also reduces maintenance needs and water consumption. Consider:

• Native Shrubs and Trees: Pohutukawa, Kowhai, and Flax are not only visually striking but also attract native birds and insects, promoting a thriving ecosystem.

• Sustainable Gardening Practices: Implement water-wise irrigation systems, composting, and mulching to conserve water and nutrients, fostering a sustainable garden that thrives year-round.

Creating Functional Spaces

A dream garden should be both beautiful and practical, tailored to suit your lifestyle and outdoor activities. Design functional spaces such as:

• Outdoor Entertaining Areas: Integrate patios or decking for al fresco dining and social gatherings. Enhance ambiance with strategic lighting and comfortable seating.

• Vegetable and Herb Gardens: Cultivate fresh produce with raised beds or vertical gardens. New Zealand’s mild climate allows for year-round cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.

Implementing the Transformation

Professional Landscaping Services

While DIY projects can be fulfilling, enlisting the expertise of a professional landscaper can streamline the transformation process and ensure optimal results. Look for landscapers with experience in native plantings and sustainable design practices. They can provide:

• Conceptual Design and Planning: Collaborate on a tailored garden design that aligns with your vision and budget.

• Expert Plant Selection: Recommend native plants and species that thrive in your specific region, ensuring long-term garden success.

Maintaining Your Dream Garden

Long-Term Care and Enjoyment

Once your dream garden is established, ongoing maintenance is essential to preserve its beauty and functionality. Develop a maintenance schedule that includes:

• Regular Pruning and Weeding: Keep plants healthy and thriving with seasonal pruning and proactive weed control.

• Watering and Feeding: Monitor soil moisture levels and supplement with organic fertilizers as needed to support plant growth.

• Seasonal Updates: Refresh garden beds with seasonal plantings and mulch, adapting the garden to flourish year-round.

Transforming a neglected outdoor space into a dream garden requires careful planning, creativity, and a commitment to sustainable practices. By embracing New Zealand’s native flora, designing functional outdoor spaces, and investing in professional expertise when needed, homeowners can create gardens that enhance their property’s beauty and value while providing a sanctuary for relaxation and enjoyment.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or revitalizing an existing garden, embark on your transformation journey with confidence, knowing that with the right approach, your neglected space can indeed become a wow-worthy garden oasis. Reach out today to enlist our local Crewcut team nearest you.

As the chill of winter starts to wane and the days gradually grow longer, it’s time to turn your attention to your garden. In New Zealand, where the climate can vary widely, pre-spring is the perfect time to prepare your lawn and garden for the vibrant growth of spring. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newcomer to lawn care, taking the right steps now will ensure that your outdoor spaces look their best in the months to come. Here’s a guide to essential pre-spring garden tasks that will set your lawn up for success.

Clearing debris and winter build-up

Winter often leaves behind a mess of fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris scattered across your lawn. Start by giving your garden a thorough clean-up. Remove any dead leaves, branches, and other debris that may have accumulated over the colder months. This not only improves the appearance of your garden but also prevents mould, pests, and diseases from taking hold in the new season.

Aerate the soil

Over time, soil can become compacted, especially after a long winter of rain and frost. Compacted soil restricts air, water, and nutrients from reaching the grassroots. Aerating your lawn helps to loosen the soil, allowing it to breathe and absorb nutrients more effectively. You can use a garden fork or mechanical aerator for this task. By creating small holes in the soil, you’ll encourage healthier root growth, leading to a lusher lawn.

Fertilise with care

After months of dormancy, your lawn will be hungry for nutrients. Pre-spring is the ideal time to apply a balanced fertiliser to give your grass the boost it needs to start growing vigorously. Opt for a slow-release fertiliser that provides essential nutrients over time. Be mindful of the specific needs of your grass type and the local climate conditions in New Zealand. A well-fed lawn is more resilient against weeds, pests, and diseases.

Control Weeds Early

Weeds can quickly take over a lawn if left unchecked. Pre-spring is the time to tackle them before they have a chance to establish themselves. Apply a pre-emergent weed control product to prevent weed seeds from germinating. This proactive approach will save you time and effort later in the season. Remember, healthy, dense grass naturally crowds out weeds, so maintaining your lawn’s health is your best defence.

Lawn Repair and Overseeding

Winter can be tough on lawns, leaving behind bare or thin patches. Repairing these areas before spring arrives will give your grass a chance to establish itself before the growing season is in full swing. For small patches, loosen the soil and spread grass seed evenly. For larger areas, consider overseeding the entire lawn to promote even growth. Water the newly seeded areas regularly to ensure successful germination.

Plan your spring garden

While you’re focusing on the lawn, don’t forget about your garden beds. Take this time to plan your spring planting. Consider the plants and flowers that thrive in New Zealand’s climate and start preparing your garden beds. Add compost of organic matter to enrich the soil and think about the layout and design you want to achieve in the coming months.

Watering Strategy

As the weather warms up, your lawn’s water needs will increase. However, it’s important not to overwater in the early stages. Gradually increase your watering schedule as temperatures rise, ensuring that your lawn gets enough moisture without becoming waterlogged. Early morning watering is best, as it allows the grass to dry throughout the day, reducing the risk of disease.

Make this spring the best one yet!

Preparing your lawn and garden for spring is an investment in the beauty and health of your outdoor spaces. By taking these essential pre-spring garden tasks seriously, you’ll set the stage for a lush, vibrant lawn that you can enjoy all season long.

At Crewcut, we specialise in lawn and garden care, helping Kiwis across New Zealand achieve the perfect garden. Whether you need assistance with lawn aeration or weed control, or simply want expert hands to manage your garden’s transition from winter to spring, our experienced team is here for you.

Let us handle the hard work, so you can sit back and enjoy a thriving, beautiful lawn and garden all season long. Contact us today to book your lawn or garden service.

Gardening enthusiasts are always on the lookout for plants that can make their garden stand out. While traditional favourites have their charm, adding unique and unexpected plants can bring a fresh and exciting twist to your garden. At Crewcut, we believe in the beauty of diversity and the joys of discovering the extraordinary. Here are five unique and unexpected plants that will add intrigue and elegance to your garden, perfectly suited for New Zealand’s diverse climate.

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

If you’re looking for a plant that can serve as an eye-catching ground cover or spill gracefully over the edges of containers, Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ is an excellent choice. This plant features cascading silver foliage that creates a shimmering effect, particularly striking in the evening light. In New Zealand, its drought-tolerant nature is particularly advantageous given the varying rainfall across regions.

Tips for growing Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’:

• Prefers full sun to partial shade, making it ideal for both the sunny North Island and the cooler South Island.

• Plant in well-drained soil to prevent root rot, which is especially important in regions with heavy rainfall.

• Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering to maintain its health during dry spells, which can be common in parts of New Zealand.

Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia)

The Bat Flower is a truly unique plant that will be the conversation piece of your garden. Native to Southeast Asia, it boasts striking black flowers that resemble a bat in flight, complete with long, whisker-like bracts. This exotic beauty thrives in humid environments, making it suitable for New Zealand’s subtropical areas like Auckland and the Northland region.

Tips for growing Bat Flower

• Requires partial to full shade, perfect for gardens with tree cover or shaded areas.

• Prefers rich, well-drained soil; consider using a mix of compost and garden soil for optimal growth.

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, mimicking the humid conditions of native habitat, which can be achieved naturally in New Zealand’s wetter regions.

Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

For a splash of colour that’s both usual and vibrant, consider the Purple Shamrock. Its deep purple, triangular leaves and delicate white or pink flowers add a dramatic flair to any garden. This plant is not only stunning but also relatively easy to care for, making it a delightful addition to your plant collection. In New Zealand’s temperate climate, it can thrive both indoors and outdoors.

Tips for growing Purple Shamrock

• Thrive in bright, indirect light, making it perfect for partially shaded gardens or indoor potting.

• Plant in well-draining soil; avoid heavy, clay soils that can retain too much moisture.

• Allow the soil to dry out between watering, a good practice in New Zealand’s variable weather conditions.

Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia)

Carnivorous plants like the Pitcher Plant are fascinating additions to any garden. Sarracenia, native to North America, features tubular leaves that form “pitchers’ to trap and digest insects. This not only adds an element to intrigue but also helps control pests in your garden, a useful trait for New Zealand gardeners dealing with a variety of insect pests.

Tips for growing Pitcher Plant

• Prefers full sun, which is abundant in New Zealand’s summer months.

• Plant in a mix of sphagnum moss and sand to replicate its natural boggy conditions.

• Keep the soil consistently moist, using distilled or rainwater, as New Zealand tap water can be too hard for these sensitive plants.

Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)

The Himalayan Blue Poppy is a rare and breathtaking plant that can transform your garden into a mystical wonderland. Its large, sky-blue petals are simply enchanting. Though it requires a bit more attention, the reward of seeing these stunning flowers in bloom is well worth the effort. New Zealand’s cool, damp South Island climates, particularly in regions like Otago and Canterbury, provide an excellent environment for this beauty.

Tips for growing Himalayan Blue Poppy

• Prefers cool, moist climates, ideal for New Zealand’s South Island or shaded garden spots in the North Island.

• Plant in well-draining, acidic soil; amend with organic matter to maintain acidity.

• Provide partial shade and consistent moisture, ensuring the soil remains damp but not waterlogged, mimicking the conditions of its native alpine regions.

Incorporating these unique and unexpected plants into your garden can create a landscape that is not only beautiful but also filled with personality and charm. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of the exotic or simply want to experiment with something new, these plants are sure to make your garden a standout. Happy planting!

At Crewcut we understand the importance of a well-maintained lawn and garden, not just in your backyard but also in community spaces. Community gardens are wonderful assets, offering a green oasis in urban environments and fostering community spirit. However, they come with their own unique set of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newcomer looking to make an impact, here are some essential tips to ensure your community garden thrives.

Plan thoroughly before planting

Select the right location

Choose a site with good sunlight (at least 6-8 hours per day), access to water, and soil that drains well. Urban areas may have vacant lots ideal for transforming into a green space, but ensure the soil is tested for contaminants.

Design the garden layout

Plan the layout to accommodate pathways, garden beds, and communal spaces. Raised beds are beneficial for accessibility and better soil management. Include areas for composting and tool storage and consider incorporating seating areas for relaxation and socialising.

Prepare the soil

Test and amend the soil

Conduct a soil test to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Based on the results, amend the soil with compost, manure, or other organic materials to create a fertile environment for plants.

Implement sustainable practices

Encourage sustainable practices such as crop rotation, mulching, and composting. These methods improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Choose the right plants

Grow what you eat

Select a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers that suit the tastes and needs of the community members. Consider plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions.

Stagger planting times

Plan for successive planting to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the growing season. This approach helps maximise the use of garden space and provides a steady supply of fresh produce.

Maintain the harvest wisely

Create a maintenance schedule

Divide responsibilities among members to ensure the garden is well-maintained. Tasks might include watering, weeding, and pest control. A shared calendar can help organise these duties and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Practice integrated pest management

Use IPM strategies to manage pests with minimal environmental impact. This includes introducing beneficial insects, using organic pesticides, and employing physical barriers like row covers.

Harvest regularly

Encourage members to harvest crops promptly and share the bounty. Regular harvesting promotes plant health and ensures produce is consumed at its peak freshness.

Educate and engage

Host workshops and events

Organise educational workshops on gardening techniques, composting, and other relevant topics. Community events like potlucks or harvest festivals can also bring people together and celebrate the garden’s success.

Involve the wide community

Reach out to local schools, businesses, and organisations to involve them in the garden. Partnerships can bring in additional resources, volunteers, and funding.

Plan for the future

Sustainability and expansion

Consider long-term sustainability by planning for crop rotation, soil health, and perennial plants. If space allows, think about expanding the garden to include new plots or features like a greenhouse or rainwater harvesting system.

Evaluate and adapt

Regularly assess the garden’s progress and adjust as needed. Gather feedback from members to identify areas for improvement and celebrate achievements.

Community gardens are much more than plots of land where food is grown—they are hubs of learning, collaboration, and community building. By carefully planning the garden's layout, fostering a strong sense of community, maintaining healthy soil, selecting appropriate plants, and educating members, your garden can become a thriving green space that benefits everyone involved. Remember, the success of a community garden lies in the collective efforts of its members. Regular communication, shared responsibilities, and a commitment to sustainable practices will ensure that your garden not only provides fresh produce but also strengthens community bonds for years to come. Happy gardening and may your community garden flourish!

Hedge trimming may not be the most glamorous task in gardening, but it’s essential for maintaining a neat and tidy outdoor space. For busy gardeners juggling multiple responsibilities, finding ways to streamline this chore can be a game-changer.

Fortunately, there are several time-saving hacks that can help you breeze through hedge trimming efficiently and effectively. From using the right tools to establishing a routine maintenance schedule, these tips will ensure that your hedges stay looking sharp with minimal effort. With a little planning and organisation, you can transform hedge trimming from a tedious task to a quick and satisfying job that enhances the overall appearance of your garden.

Here we’ll explore some clever strategies to help you tackle hedge trimming like a pro, even when time is tight.

Invest in the right tools

First things first, having the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to hedge trimming. Invest in a quality pair of hedge trimmers that are sharp and easy to maneuverer. Look for models with ergonomic handles and adjustable blades to suit different hedge shapes and sizes. Additionally, consider investing in a sturdy ladder or platform to reach taller hedges safely.

Plan You Approach

Before diving into hedge trimming, take a moment to plan your approach. Identify which hedges need trimmings and prioritise areas that are most visible or overgrown. By having a clear plan of action, you can avoid wasting time and ensure that you tackle the most important tasks first.

Use the right techniques

Mastering proper hedge trimming techniques can help you work more efficiently and achieve professional-looking results. Start by trimming the top of the hedge before moving on to the sides, using smooth and steady motions to create clean lines. Remember to angle the trimmer slightly outward to ensure that the base of the hedge is slightly wider than the top, allowing sunlight to reach the lower branches.

Regular Maintenance

One of the best time-saving hacks for hedge trimming is to stay on top of regular maintenance. By trimming your hedges frequently, you’ll prevent them from becoming overgrown and difficult to manage. Aim to trim small amounts of growth regularly rather than letting your hedges become unruly, which can save you time in the long run.

Utilise Technology

In today’s digital age, technology can be a valuable ally in the garden. Consider investing in electric or cordless hedge trimmers for added convenience and ease of use. These tools are often lighter and quieter than gas-powered trimmers, making them ideal for quick touch-ups and smaller hedges.

Mulch as You Go

Instead of wasting time collecting and disposing of hedge trimmings, consider mulching them instead. Mulching not only saves time but also adds valuable nutrients back into the soil, promoting healthy growth in your garden. Simply run over trimmings with a mulching attachment on your trimmer or collect them in a bag and spread them around the base of your hedges.

Leave it to the professionals

Even with these hacks, sometimes life gets busy, and there’s no shame in admitting that you just don’t have the time to tackle your hedge trimming. That’s where Crewcut comes in. With our professional and reliable hedge trimming, garden and lawn care services, you can trust Crewcut to keep your outdoor space looking neat and tidy, even when you’re shore on time. Let us take care of the hard work so you can enjoy a well-maintained garden.

Many people see their lawn clippings as a nuisance. They’re just one more thing you have to clean up in your yard! While it’s true that they can sit in a pile, getting in the way and looking unsightly, they can also be the main component of magical compost.

Your lawn clippings are a valuable addition to the average compost pile. Once they’re transformed into compost, you can put them in your garden to improve the soil quality and promote plant growth.

Are you ready to transform your mower clippings into garden gold? Here’s how:

Step 1: Collect Your Lawn Mower Clippings

The first step toward creating healthy compost for your gardens is collecting your lawn clippings. This won’t be hard for most yard-proud homeowners. If you’re regularly out in your yard tending to the lawns and gardens, you likely already have a collection method.

Step 2: Create a Compost Bin or Pile

After collecting your fresh, green lawn mower clippings, you now need somewhere to put them! A dedicated compost pile or bin can be the right spot. The size of your bin or pile can depend on the size of your lawns. After all, the more lawns you have, the more clippings they’ll produce!

Step 3: Layer the Clippings

As tempting as it can be to start dumping all your clippings in your compost heap to break down and form nutrient-rich compost, it doesn’t quite work like that. When you add too many clippings at once, they can become compacted and produce an awful smell.

Never layer more than around 10 centimetres of grass clippings into your pile at a time. Sometimes, this means you have to discard some of your clippings as green waste.   

Step 4: Prioritise the Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio

There’s more to compost than lawn clippings alone. Lawn clippings are high in nitrogen, so they must be balanced out with carbon. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural materials that tick that box. You can place a layer of dried leaves, cardboard, straw, or paper on top of your lawn clippings to stop the clippings from matting together. The brown material is just as integral to quality compost as your lawn clippings are.

Step 5: Ensure the Right Moisture Content

You likely won’t need to worry about your grass clippings being too dry. After all, they typically have high moisture content. However, all it takes is for a string of dry weather to hit your region, and that can be the reality.

Grass clippings in a compost file should feel similar to a slightly wet sponge. Add water until it feels damp but not soggy.

Step 6: Turn Your Compost Pile Often

Decomposition is integral to achieving excellent compost your plants will love. By turning your pile often, you can speed up this process and ensure your clippings don’t become matted together. The goal is to help oxygen get to all parts of the pile to break down the materials faster.

Some compost bins are tumbler-style, making it easy to mix the contents. If you just have a pile or a regular bin, a garden fork will be more than satisfactory for the job. As you add more grass clippings, keep mixing them through with your carbon materials and older grass clippings to distribute the nitrogen. Mixing can also prevent mats and clumps.

Step 7: Keep An Eye On the Temperature

While you might not pay much attention to your garden soil’s temperature, it can be worth monitoring your compost’s temperature. Temperature is one of the easiest ways to know whether you’re successful in creating compost. This is because heat is a byproduct of the microbial breakdown of organic materials.

Purchase a long probe that can reach down into the depths of the compost. Let the reading stabilise, and take a few more readings from the top and sides. If your compost is sitting at around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, it has enough moisture and nitrogen for adequate microbial growth.

Step 8: Play the Waiting Game

Creating quality compost for your garden doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and patience! All that’s left to do now is play the waiting game. Regularly mix and turn your compost, and monitor its temperature and moisture. It won’t be long until your compost is ready and waiting to find its new home on your garden beds.

Ask Crewcut Your Gardening-Related Questions

Whether you have more questions about compost or have another burning gardening-related question, you’re in the right place! You can contact the friendly team at Crewcut for gardening help and advice. We can also take care of all your gardening and lawn care needs! Whether you need lawn mowing, tree trimming, a garden tidy-up, or hedge trimming, we’re here to help.

Discovering your green thumb can be a monumental occasion. With a newfound passion for gardening, you can get to work creating a beautiful flower garden or vegetable patch to admire and reap the rewards from for years to come.

However, wanting to create your very first garden doesn’t mean you’re ready to get started just yet. It can be worth adding the following essential gardening tools to your shopping list:

1. Gloves

A pair of gloves can make gardening a far more pleasant experience. While you might like feeling the earth between your fingers, thoroughly cleaning your hands can be time-consuming. Gloves can function as a comfortable barrier between dirt and your skin, protecting it and keeping it clean.

Gloves are also vital for protecting your hands from pesticides, herbicides, and fungal infections from gardening materials and plants. You can also rely on them to avoid cuts, scrapes, calluses, and blisters. When the time comes to go glove shopping, you may see the value in these gardening glove options:

Cloth

Cloth gloves are cool, breathable, and ideal for keeping your hands clean. However, they don’t protect your hands from sharp objects like prickles and rose thorns!

Rubber-Coated

Rubber-coated gloves can be the answer if you’re looking for gloves to protect you from chemicals. While they offer excellent protection, your hands can get hot and sweaty.

Nitrile/Neoprene

Nitrile or neoprene gloves feature synthetic rubber for optimal protection from cuts, scrapes, and chemicals. They’re flexible and breathable. However, rose thorns can still find a way through!

Leather

While expensive, leather gloves can be ideal for gardening. They prevent moisture from accessing your hands and can protect against sharp prickles and thorns.

2. A Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow will be one of the most valuable pieces of gardening equipment to tuck away in your garden shed. You can use them to dispose of garden debris, mix fertiliser, and transport gardening materials like compost, rock, shrubs, and new plants.

Just don’t forget to stay on top of wheelbarrow maintenance to keep it in good condition, such as:

• Use a grease gun to lubricate axle bearings

• Clean it regularly to prevent moisture

• Apply anti-rust agents to moving parts

• Pump up the wheels for stability

• Check nuts and bolts to ensure they remain tight

3. A Weeding Fork

Where there’s soil, there’s weeds. You can easily spend as much time weeding your garden as you can tending to your prized plants. As a result, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of a high-quality weeding fork.

Weeding forks, also known as hand forks, make digging up weeds much easier. You can also use them to prepare planting holes, mix additives into your soil, and aerate the earth. Purchase one with a comfortable handle and high-quality steel for comfort and longevity. 

4. A Spade

A gardening spade is a long-handled gardening tool that every beginner and experienced gardener needs. You can use a gardening spade to break up ground, cut through tree roots, remove grass, plant trees, and create edges.

Gardening spades come in all different shapes and sizes. Some have rounded leading edges, while others have pointed edges to penetrate soil quickly and easily. Spades with narrow and slotted blades are also standard for ditch-digging and clay soil.

The handle is of equal importance. Fibreglass handles are quite popular for their strength and light weight but don’t absorb much shock. Hardwood handles are preferred because they can absorb shock and vibration while being strong enough to last. Many garden spades also come with metal handles. While strong, they can be heavy to use.

5. Secateurs

Shrubs, bushes, trees, and plants don’t stay in perfect condition forever. They can require trimming and pruning from time to time. You may even want to take cuttings to grow more plants elsewhere. In these situations, you’ll need a pair of secateurs.

Secateurs are shears with sharp blades that can easily slice through stems and twigs. There are many options on the market to suit different tasks.

You might buy bypass secateurs with curved bottom blades to cut branches off at the stem. If you have thick, woody stems to contend with, anvil secateurs with flat bottom blades may be more to your liking. If you want pruning to be effortless, consider buying powered cordless secateurs. While heavy to hold, you don’t have to apply any pressure to enjoy clean cuts.

6. A Watering Can

A garden hose will, of course, be a helpful addition to any garden. However, not everyone’s garden is within convenient reach of an outdoor tap or rainwater harvesting system. In that case, you’ll need a watering can.

Choose a watering can with a decent capacity, a comfortable handle, and weather-resistant materials like UV-resistant plastic or rust-resistant metal. You can also choose one with a rainmaker sprout to mimic rain over a large area or a straight spout for targeted watering around plant bases.

7. A Garden Rake

Gardening is an enjoyable activity, but it can also be time-consuming. Having a rake in your garden shed may make some tasks far quicker to undertake. You can use a garden rake to rake up fallen leaves and quickly remove debris and old plant materials from your garden beds.

There are many options to choose from, like shrub rakes with aluminium handles, thatch rakes to remove thatch from your lawn, and lightweight plastic leaf rakes for quick and easy leaf and debris removal.

Start Shopping for Gardening Tools

These are just a few of the many gardening tools you’ll need for enjoyable and productive gardening. If you need a helping hand with gardening, don’t forget to contact the team at Crewcut. Professional lawn care service providers can assist with a range of lawn care tasks, like garden tidyups, lawn mowing, tree trimming, and more.

Some people believe that gardening is nothing more than a chore you must do when you’d prefer to be doing anything but! However, gardening tasks like hedge trimming can actually be relaxing. In fact, studies show that gardening can reduce acute stress and promote a positive mood.

If you aren’t yet sure how to transform gardening activities from a mundane chore into a meditative activity, we’ve got a few tips to get you started:

Step 1: Prepare Mindfully

Just as you would rifle around in your pantry for everything you need to bake biscuits, you need to prepare for gardening. Gather all the tools you’ll need to trim the hedges, like a pair of sharp and well-maintained hedge trimmers. The higher the quality of the tools, the more stress-free your hedge trimming experience can be.

Of equal importance in the preparation stage is wearing the right clothing. Wear clothing you’re comfortable in that feels gentle against your skin. However, ensure you also wear appropriate safety gear. Remember, you’re dealing with scratchy plants and sharp tools! Wear long sleeves and pants, covered-in shoes with grip and support, and heavy-duty gloves.

Step 2: Notice Nature

Your attention is rightfully on the hedges you’re about to start trimming, but don’t forget to take a moment to notice nature around them. Feel the sun’s warmth on your skin and the gentle breeze on your face. Listen to the birds chirping in the trees. Take time to notice all the colours and textures in your environment, as well, such as the depth of green on the hedge or the array of bright colours in your perennials.

As you observe your surroundings, take deep breaths. Inhale all the positivity in your environment and exhale any tension or stress you’ve been feeling. While it might sound silly to some, mindfulness practice has many proven benefits. Recent studies have discovered its helpfulness for managing anxiety, pain, depression, and stress. Some people even experience relief from withdrawal symptoms related to opioids, alcohol, and nicotine.   

Step 3: Focus On Each Part of the Task

If hedge trimming isn’t your favourite pastime, it’s only natural to want to rush through it and get it done so you can go back to doing the activities you love. However, aside from rushing not being ideal from a safety perspective, it also doesn’t allow for the most relaxing experience.

You might be able to feel more relaxed and calm while hedge trimming by focusing on one trim at a time. Pay attention to the details of the branches you’re cutting and how the trimmers move. While challenging for meditation beginners, try to also be present. This means focusing your attention on hedge trimming rather than letting your mind wander to other thoughts.  

Step 4: Get Creative

You don’t have to create a straight, perfectly cut hedge. It’s your hedge, so why not get creative? Express your creativity by trying different trimming techniques and shapes. You can even work with the hedge’s natural flow to let its own unique character shine through.

Step 5: Appreciate Your Efforts

Your hedge trimming might not be perfect, but take a moment to appreciate your efforts. Step back from the hedge and take notice of the transformation from an unruly hedge to one that has been beautifully trimmed to encourage new, healthy growth.

If you notice any imperfections, don’t tell yourself off for them! Instead, embrace the imperfections of nature and how you don’t always need to achieve total perfection.  

Step 6: Close Your Hedge-Trimming Ritual

With your hedge now looking freshly trimmed, it’s time to perform your hedge trimming ‘closing ritual’. This can consist of removing any safety equipment, cleaning your tools, and ensuring they’re in excellent condition for the next time you need to use them. This final step can spell the end of your gardening task for the day.

If you’re not sure how to maintain your hedge trimmers, we’ve included some helpful tips below:

• Clean away dirt and debris with a soft cloth

• Oil the blades before and after each use

• Inspect them for damage or wear, such as damaged blades or loose screws

• Replace damaged parts

• Tighten loose parts

• Sharpen the blades using a file or sharpening stone

• Check air filters and spark plugs on gas-powered trimmers

• Store them in a clean and dry environment

Alternatively, Outsource Your Hedge Trimming

Is hedge trimming not really for you? That’s okay, too. There are other ways to rest and relax, like reading, cooking, and walking. If you’d prefer not to tackle your hedges on your own out of a lack of time, experience, or passion, reach out to lawn care experts for help. You can then enjoy a beautiful-looking hedge that has been meticulously maintained by experts.

While you can hire a lawn care expert to take care of hedge trimming, some people would prefer to handle this task themselves. However, it can be frustrating when you don’t know how!

Fortunately, not knowing how to tackle hedge trimming now doesn’t mean you won’t be the master before long! Below, we’ve included some of our top hedge-trimming techniques for a beautiful garden.

Use the Right Tools for the Job

You wouldn’t mow your lawns with a pair of scissors, so why trim your hedges with anything other than the right equipment? Always use sharp, well-maintained, and clean hedge trimmers to give your hedge a proper haircut! Using the right tools for the job can prevent hedge plant damage while ensuring a more efficient cut every time.

You’ll also need a few other pieces of equipment and tools to keep yourself safe and make the post-trimming clean-up faster and easier:

• A leaf blower

• A tarpaulin for underneath the hedge

• A hard-bristled broom

• A green waste bin or trailer

• Rubbish bags for any litter you find

• Heavy-duty gloves

• Protective glasses

• Non-slip footwear

• Anti-cut clothing  

Trim at the Right Time of the Year

In an ideal world, we’d be able to take care of any yardwork task at any time of the year without repercussions. However, we have to work on our hedge’s schedule, not the other way around. Hedges tend to prefer being trimmed in late winter or early spring. During these seasons, new growth hasn’t yet started, there are fewer leaves, and there’s reduced humidity in the air.

Depending on your hedge variety, you may also need to undertake extra trimming during the growing season to keep them looking in tip-top shape!

Tailor Your Trimming to Growth Patterns

How hedges grow can depend on your hedge variety. Some grow along the stems, while others tend to grow on the tips. Understanding your hedge’s growth pattern can be helpful for knowing how to trim your hedge. You can then adjust your trimming techniques accordingly.

Master Straight Lines

An uneven hedge stands out for all the wrong reasons. Don’t start trimming aimlessly without knowing how to achieve perfectly straight lines. This can involve:

1. Cutting a wider base and narrower top to let sunlight in to reach the lower branches

2. Measuring the hedge and installing ground stakes and string to create a cutting template

3. Cutting from the ground up to achieve more uniform lines

4. Using a backwards and forwards gliding motion from one side of the hedge to the other from ground level before heading back in the opposite direction heading upwards.

Maintain the Hedge’s Natural Shape

Unless you’re getting creative with different shapes and figures, try to maintain your hedge’s natural shape for aesthetic reasons. Avoid cutting into foliage-free areas or old wood to prevent bald spots that take time to fill. If you want to shape your shrubs, we recommend reading this article.

Remove Dead and Diseased Wood

Like grass, plants, and trees, hedges can be susceptible to diseases. Give your hedge a helping hand to survive by inspecting it often for diseased or dead branches. While this can be important for aesthetic reasons, it may also prevent any tree diseases from spreading!

Admire Your Work

As you’re trimming your hedge with your newfound skills, step back often to admire what you’ve done. Not only can you feel a sense of achievement, but you can also find it easier to spot areas that still require a bit more trimming!

Look for Live Animals

Hedges can be home to a number of animals like birds, ferrets, stoats, and weasels. Try your best to give these critters their marching orders before you get to work. Otherwise, they may pop out to surprise you when you get too close!

Dedicate Time to Cleaning Up

After spending a few hours tending to your hedges, cleaning up the resultant debris is probably the last thing you feel like doing! However, it can be important for many reasons. Firstly, you’ll be able to enjoy beautifully manicured, mess-free hedges. If your hedge borders a footpath, you’ll also ensure uninhibited path access for passers-by.

Your hedges themselves can also benefit. Leaving debris around the base of your hedge is an open invitation for pests and diseases to take hold. If you’ve laid a tarpaulin down at the base of your hedge before trimming work was underway, cleaning up can be much easier than you anticipated!

Call in the Experts

Even with research, not everyone feels confident tackling their hedges themselves – and that’s okay! Hedge trimming experts from lawn care service providers like Crewcut are here to help. Leave this important task in their capable hands so you can sit back, relax, and admire their handiwork.

Gardening doesn’t have to be an activity lumped on one family member’s shoulders. It also doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore that no one likes doing. Instead, gardening can be a family bonding experience. The benefits can be twofold – the gardening gets done, and you can enjoy memorable family time.

But how do you make gardening a family bonding experience? You might have luck with these tips:

Break Gardening Down Into Small Activities

When you look out into your yard in desperate need of attention, it’s easy to see it as one mammoth project you need to tackle all at once. Instead, it can become multiple activities that everyone plays a part in.

For example, you might have a garden bed that’s currently overgrown with weeds. You can get the entire family involved in weeding it, adding new nutrient-rich soil, and planting it in flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Get the kids involved by letting them choose what you produce and make sure they play a part in planting them and helping them grow.

Assign Tasks to Everyone

Gardening may not seem like a family activity when you’re all actively working on one area. However, everyone can feel involved in the progress you achieve if you all have an assigned task. You might assign these tasks based on everyone’s abilities.

For example, parents or caregivers can be responsible for the jobs requiring power tools. You might leave watering to the youngest family members and tasks like weeding and planting to the older kids.

If you notice that some kids aren’t getting as actively involved as they could be, ask them why. You might also suggest more ‘fun’ gardening tasks that hold their interest more.

Document the Changes

Gardening can sometimes seem like a monotonous task when you can’t see how much progress you’ve made immediately. If you know your family will lose interest if it seems never-ending, get them involved in documenting the changes.

Put them in charge of taking photos as you work, and even consider making it an arts and crafts project where you scrapbook the changes. They can then look back when the garden is finished and see just how much they were able to achieve.

Create a Family Plan

We know that more hands make light work. But more hands also mean there’s room for error regarding the ‘vision’ you have for your garden. Create a family gardening plan to ensure everyone is on the right page for how you want your yard to look.

Sketch out its major dimensions and features that won’t change, like hardscapes and fences. You can then ask everyone in the family what they would like to see added, like garden paths, garden beds, and even a deck for entertaining. Children can often be more motivated to help with yard work when they know what it could look like when they put in the effort.

Make and Buy Decorations

Gardens are about more than digging earth for vegetable patches and buying plants. They’re also about creating an aesthetically pleasing space you can enjoy. Sometimes, this can involve making or buying decorations.

This is certainly something the kids can get excited about. They can pick decorations at your local garden centre or even get creative and make their own. A simple task like painting pots can also bring a great deal of joy.

Don’t Forget Education

Education doesn’t just happen in a classroom. A family gardening session can be a valuable opportunity for education. You can teach your children about different plants, how to care for them, and their importance to our ecosystem. Teaching children about the importance of nature young can set them up for a lifelong love of our environment.

Teaching can also be subtle, so your kids don’t think you’re trying to make them learn when they’re not at school! For example, you might tell them that carrots come in all different colours and are a rich source of beta-carotene.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Transforming a garden is a huge job and one that deserves to be celebrated. Celebrate all the special milestones your family achieved together, like the first flowers blooming or the first vegetables from the seeds your children planted. This type of celebration can help your children feel proud and accomplished.

You can celebrate in many different ways, like drying the first flowers you pick from your prized plants or creating a special dish with your freshly-grown vegetables. The kids can get involved in these activities, too!

Start Gardening Today

As overwhelming as the task of gardening can be, it doesn’t have to be if you take the right approach. Why not make it a family affair? Many hands make light work, and your garden can be transformed into an enjoyable, family-friendly environment in no time.

In an ideal world, we’d all have a bottomless budget to create the gardens of our dreams. But the reality is that most of us don’t. We want to spend as much as we can afford, even if it means downgrading our plans or making sacrifices.

The good news is that you can design a beautiful garden without spending a great deal of money. We’ve provided some helpful tips below.

Create the Garden Plans Yourself

It can be hard to envision what your garden will look like once transformed when it’s already in a well-established state. Not knowing where to begin, you might think you need to enlist the services of a professional designer to do it for you.

While their skills are invaluable, this task can quickly blow out a gardening budget. If your garden is undergoing a complete transformation and requires plans, create them yourself. Our technology-rich age has made this easy. There are a number of apps you can download for free or for a small cost, like Garden Plan Pro, iScape, Home Outside, and Home Design 3D Outdoor & Garden. 

When you can draw up plans to work from, you might find it much easier to transform your new garden on a budget.

Keep An Eye On Social Media

Social media is more than just a platform to keep in touch with your loved ones. It can be bargain central! On Facebook, in particular, you can visit Marketplace and see thousands of items listed for sale by people eager to see the back of them.

Sometimes, you can save hundreds of dollars by not having to buy new items. Keep an eye out for plants people are ripping out and landscaping materials leftover from their own garden projects. You might be surprised by how much money you can save.

Look for Clearance Plants

Plants can be expensive, especially when you’re buying dozens of them to redesign your entire garden. While you might be happy to pay full price when you fall in love with specific varieties, you might not have to.

Many nurseries and garden centres discount plants that don’t seem to be thriving as much as others. Some garden centres simply hold regular sales to help their loyal customers secure the best deals. Follow your local garden businesses on social media to learn more about promotional offers as they arise.

Rope Loved Ones In to Help

Transforming a garden can be a time-intensive and labour-intensive job. But as they say, many hands make light work. Save money and time by asking your friends and family to help.

Working bees are as old as time and are an excellent opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while. Just don’t forget to treat them to a refreshing beverage or a meal when the job is done.

Borrow Equipment

Most gardeners have everyday gardening equipment like forks, hoes, and gloves. These will serve you well when the time comes to plant and maintain your gardens.

However, transforming a garden can often require the big guns – post hole diggers, rotary hoes, turf cutters, and chippers, just to name a few. You might even need excavation equipment if you’re getting into complex territory like retaining walls and drainage.

Such equipment can be costly to buy and, often, expensive to hire. Save money by borrowing the equipment you need from friends and family. While you might need to part ways with a small amount of money or a gesture of thanks, it can be far less than what you’d spend on buying or hiring.

Take Your Time

Not everyone has hundreds or thousands to spend on transforming their garden all at once – at least not without putting themselves out. Make your garden transformation a more budget-friendly project by spreading out the costs.

Break your project down into multiple steps so you can spread out the costs. For example, you might focus on buying garden beds one week, soil the next, and plants the following week. Remember, good things take time.

Think of the Future

The immediate costs of a garden transformation aren’t the only ones you must consider. Ongoing costs and time can also be necessary to factor into your garden design and budget. That’s why it can be so important to plan your garden design. The more easy-care it is, the cheaper it can be to maintain in the future.

For example, you might decide to grow a privacy hedge rather than a fence since you only need to worry about trimming rather than painting. You might also opt for a larger lawn area and fewer garden beds since lawn mowing takes less time.

Design Your Garden On a Budget

With many excellent ideas for designing a garden on a budget now up on your sleeve, it’s time to get started! With initiative, planning, and hard work, it might only be a matter of time until you end up with a beautiful garden you can be proud of.

You don’t just wake up and become an expert gardener. It takes time, patience, practice, and knowledge. However, learning to be a great gardener can sometimes be frustrating, especially when you’re reading gardening guides and aren’t familiar with many terms the writers expect you to understand.

If you have big dreams of growing your own garden and becoming a gardening expert, familiarise yourself with these essential gardening terms below.

Annual

Have you ever heard someone say they’ve planted a whole lot of ‘annuals’ this year? They’re referring to annual plants. These plants only live for one growing season. This means they grow, flower, go to seed, and die, all in a single growing year. Some great examples of annual plants are pansies, violas, sweet peas, and swan plants.

Biennial

Biennial plants are less commonly spoken about, but this term refers to plants that live for two years. Generally, they spend their first year growing roots, stems, and leaves. They may then bloom in their second year after being dormant through winter.

Cuttings

When you hear gardeners talk about growing something from a cutting or asking you for a cutting, they’re talking about plants you can propagate from part of a ‘mother’ plant. When you remove a section of a plant, you can form a whole new plant with the same genetics.

Deciduous

When you want your garden to look beautiful year-round, knowing what deciduous means in the gardening world is important. Otherwise, you might not achieve your goals! Deciduous plants are those that will lose their leaves during winter. They might also shed other parts of the plant structure after they ripen or flower. You might choose not to plant deciduous trees and shrubs if you’re looking for year-round beauty.

Evergreen

Gardens can look miserable during the winter months. However, familiarise yourself with the term ‘evergreen’, and your garden might be an exception to the rule. Evergreen plants maintain their green foliage year-round. You don’t have to worry about leaf litter or your yard losing its beauty when the temperatures plummet.

Fungicide

Fungal diseases can be devastating for plants. You might think you must sit back and let them take over, but you don’t. Gardeners can buy fungicide products designed to control and combat fungi-related diseases.

Herbicide

Weeds are every gardener’s worst nightmare. It can seem like as soon as you’ve gotten rid of some, more show up! However, herbicide can be an ideal product to have in your tool shed. Herbicide is a general name for a weed-killing product. You can also purchase herbicides that actively target lawn weeds while not harming your lawn in the process.

Insecticide

Weeds aren’t the only problem gardeners encounter. They also get fed up with non-beneficial bugs killing their prized plants. You can give insects their marching orders with insecticide products. Talk to your local gardening expert about the best insecticide for your unique needs.

Leggy

Plants won’t always grow how we want them to. Some gardeners talk about their plants growing too ‘leggy’. This means that seedlings have grown too quickly and have grown too much stem in a short space of time. Often, this is caused by seedlings searching for light.

Mulch

Many gardening resources talk about mulch so generally that they rarely explain what it is. It’s a loose organic material made of natural matter gardeners put on their garden beds to conserve moisture and control weeds. Most mulch products feature lawn clippings, bark, and leaves.

Perennial

Perennial is the name given to plants that can live for several years. We’ve got a number of great plant varieties in NZ that fit into this category, such as Auilegia Yellow Star, Bellis Habanera, Balkan Mint, Curry Plant, and Cowslip.

Propagating

Propagating describes increasing how many plants you have through sexual or asexual plant propagation. Sexual propagation involves pollination and seed production, while you can perform asexual propagation through cuttings, layering, grafting, and other growing methods.

Thatch

There’s more to lawn mowing than hauling the mower out of storage when the grass starts growing. Many passionate gardeners also take care of dethatching. Thatch refers to the dead grass, stems, and roots that can build up on the soil at the base of your grass. A small amount of thatch is okay, but a great amount can stop your lawn from getting the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Fortunately, it’s easy to remove. You can use a vertical mower, short-tined rake, or power rake to scrape out the thatch.

Are You Ready to Start Gardening?

Sometimes, understanding gardening terminology is the hardest part of the gardening process. Now that you know the fundamentals, you might feel more confident to get started! If you need further help with gardening or lawn care, contact your local lawn care experts!

You’re allowed to have flowers that serve no other purpose than to be beautiful. After all, they can enhance the overall aesthetics of your yard and bring a smile to your face.

However, some people like having plants and flowers that are both beautiful and functional. In that case, you might start exploring edible flowers. What are edible flowers, what varieties are found in NZ, and how do you grow them? You can find all those answers and more below.

What Are Edible Flowers?

As the name suggests, edible flowers are flowers you can consume (safely). Sometimes, they are used as garnishes, while other times, they are a herb or a central part of the meal. Edible flowers are integral to cuisines all around the world, including Asian, Middle Eastern, and European.

In New Zealand, edible flowers aren’t nearly as often used. Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t find them and can’t grow them yourself!

What Edible Flowers Can You Grow In New Zealand?

You might be surprised by how many flower varieties we have in NZ that you can eat. Some of them are readily advertised as edible flowers, while others just so happen to be safe to eat. We’ll cover a few of the most common varieties below. You can also talk to your local garden store employee about the best edible flowers to grow in your region.

Pineapple Sage

Pineapple sage is a gorgeous red flower and a member of the sage family. These flowers grow in free-draining soil in full sun and can reach heights of up to 1.5m. Many people love growing pineapple sage to garnish their meals, use in fruit salads, and decorate beverages. Their leaves smell like pineapple lumps!

Rose

While you wouldn’t chow down on a rose stem or thorn, rose petals are edible. Their flavours can depend on the variety you choose to grow.

Most people who grow roses to be edible will use them in jams, chocolate, tea, and baking. Some people simply use roses as a garnish. Growing roses is easy in free-draining soil and full sun. To ensure they thrive, don’t forget to give them rose food in spring and summer!

Alexanders

Also known as horse parsley, Alexanders is a culinary herb from continental Europe that has been used since ancient times. The Romans brought it to Britain. Every part of this plant is edible and tastes like parsley with celery and lemon thrown in the mix. You can use the young shoots, leaves, and stems raw in salads, but they also taste delicious in soups!

Balloon Flower Maries

Balloon flower Maries are herbaceous perennial flowers that grow with purple-blue puffy balloon-shaped buds. These open up into a bell shape in summer and look stunning! Balloon flower Maries are native to Eastern Siberia, China, Korea, and Japan, and the whole plant is mostly used as a vegetable. They are believed to be rich in essential compounds like saponins and phenolic acids.

Most people dry and grind up the older flowers to use them as flavouring, but you can also eat the roots in soups.

Shungiku

Shungiku is a beautiful yellow, orange, and white flower that also goes by the name edible Chrysanthemum. People grow these flowers to use the leaves in stir-fries, soups, and stews. However, the flowers also taste great in salads, soups, and fish. You can grow these flowers in free-draining soil in full sun. However, they also love the colder temperatures of spring and autumn. The best part is that they can add a much-needed burst of colour to any garden while they grow.

Sunflower

Many people grow sunflowers because they’re beautiful. Did you know you can also eat them? Some growers will harvest sunflowers while they’re in their budding stage because they taste like artichokes. They often taste at their best when boiled and slathered in butter!                                                     

You can also eat the petals in salads for colour, but these tend to taste quite bitter. Growing sunflowers can be tricky, but most people have success when they plant them in free-draining soil in full sun.

How to Use Edible Flowers

How you use edible flowers can depend on the variety you buy and grow. Some types enable you to enjoy the whole plant, from the root to the petals. Others have edible petals or stems you can prepare for soups, salads, and stews.

If you’re looking for flowers to use as garnishes, there are a number of varieties for this task, too, such as chamomile, borage, Heartsease Johnny Jump Up, and Nasturtium.

Plant Edible Flowers Today

Your flowers can be more than just beautiful. They can take pride of place in your kitchen for mealtimes. The next time you’re getting ready for another planting season, take the time to explore your local garden centre’s edible flower range. You can then flex your culinary muscles and create some spectacular dishes!

The garden and lawn care industry can be fiercely competitive. Multiple competent business owners can be fighting for market share, and it can sometimes seem like there isn’t enough work to go around.

The reality is that it often just takes thinking outside the square to gain a competitive advantage. You might be able to do just that by taking some of the following actions:

Working for a Franchise

There is nothing wrong with starting your own lawn care business from scratch. However, a great deal of trust can already be established with a franchise business. If customers already know a company name, they might be more inclined to contact a franchise business owner working within it.

There can also be many benefits associated with working for a franchise, such as:

Having support from the franchise owner

Not having to worry about marketing and branding materials

A smaller risk than starting your own business from scratch

Having access to training

Instant name recognition 

Many franchise businesses also provide their new franchisees with an established client list they can build from. This isn’t usually the case when you start a business yourself.

Offering Extra Services

Some lawn mowing businesses focus strictly on lawn mowing. There is nothing wrong with fine-tuning your craft and being known for your exceptional lawn-mowing skills. However, diversification can be the key to creating a competitive advantage.

You can maximise your profit potential if you offer a range of lawn care services. Customers might come to you for lawn mowing first and foremost, but they’ll stick around for your hedge trimming, tree pruning, water blasting, and other property maintenance requirements. Being a one-stop shop for lawn care might help you stand out from the crowd.

Marketing Your Services

Many successful business owners can build a loyal client list through word of mouth. After all, word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertising. However, you might also expand your reach and grow your customer list by marketing your services.

There are a number of effective marketing strategies worth exploring, such as search engine marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, and direct mail. Explore each option to see if they’re right for you.

Best of all, most marketing options in today’s digital age are cost-effective and trackable. You can see if they’re working, tweak them if they’re not, and gauge which marketing method is the most successful.

Offering Desirable Deals

Kiwis love getting a bargain. Appeal to your customers’ desire to save money by offering desirable deals. You might be surprised by how many new customers you welcome onto your regular mowing list.

The type of deal you offer can be at your discretion. For example, you might advertise free green waste removal with your mowing service or a two-for-one mowing deal. Some lawn care service providers simply offer a discounted rate for a customer’s first mow. Offering deals isn’t compulsory, but you might find it effective for attracting new business.

Using Your Vehicle for Advertising

Some people don’t even think about their need for lawn care services until they see their neighbours receiving them. If your vehicle is parked outside a customer’s house with signwriting for your business, you might naturally receive inquiries from neighbouring properties. Secure enough work in one area, and you can keep your travel costs low.

Just don’t forget to carry around flyers and business cards with you! This way, you have something tangible to hand to prospective customers who approach you while you’re working.

Upskilling

Some homeowners just want someone who can quickly mow their lawns when they run out of time. Others prefer knowledgeable professionals who know why their grass is filled with weeds, going bald, or has other problems.

Your knowledge of lawns and gardens might set you apart from other lawn care service providers in your area. If you gain a reputation as someone who really knows your stuff, you might find customers lining up to request your services.

Let Your Work Do the Talking

Marketing and providing deals can undoubtedly help you gain a competitive advantage. However, your work can also do all the talking. If you take pride in your work and do it to a high standard, your customers are more likely to request your services in the future.

With time, your customers will naturally refer you to their friends and family members. You might gain an advantage without having to do anything other than your job.

Are You Ready to Buy a Lawn Care Business?

If you’re passionate about providing high-quality lawn care services for people in your area, why not buy a lawn mowing business within a well-established and highly regarded franchise? You can then try some of these tips above to help your new business stand out from the crowd.

Many of us know we could be doing better when it comes to taking care of the planet. Sure, you might put your plastic, cardboard, and glass in the recycling bin, but what else are you doing to look after Mother Earth?

It can all start with your garden. It’s time to flex your creative muscles and start gardening with recycled materials. We’ve got a few excellent ideas to help you get started!

Make Your Own Compost

Any gardener can walk into their local gardening retailer and purchase ready-to-use compost. However, did you know you can make your own using products you’ve already used in your own home? In the long run, making your own compost can also save you money.

Composting involves turning your kitchen waste into plant fertiliser. It’s easy to do and is also a great way to prevent unnecessary food waste from ending up in landfills across Aotearoa. What’s more, you might be surprised by how much of the goodies you throw in your rubbish bin could become nutrient-rich food for your plants.

• Fruit and vegetables

• Eggshells

• Coffee grounds

• Teabags

• Grass clippings

• Leaves

• Paper, newspaper, and cardboard

• Hair and pet fur

• Egg cartons

• Non-meat-eating pet droppings 

Simply purchase a compost bin or container and mix a combination of 40% green matter and 60% brown matter. With time and trial and error, you can have a considerable amount of composted matter to help your plants thrive.

Water With Rainwater

Most plants need water year-round. Yet, we can’t always rely on the rain to provide what they need. Our garden hoses must come to the rescue. However, during droughts and times of water restrictions, keeping our plants healthy can be much more challenging.

Consider investing in a rainwater system to save our treated water for drinking, showering, and other household necessities. Rainwater harvesting provides gardeners with many standout benefits, such as:

• Improving your property’s drought resilience

• Enjoying more self-sufficiency

• Having smaller water bills

• Access to gardens far away from your home’s water source 

Get Creative With Seedlings

Many gardeners start their seedlings in plastic containers before eventually planting them in their gardens once established. While this approach is fine if you reuse the same plastic containers each year, it can be wasteful if you buy new ones.

Why not look at other seedling containers you can use to give your plants a great start to life? Paper cups, empty egg cartons, and even egg shells can all make excellent seedling containers. You might even like to save up your used toilet paper rolls, fold the ends in, and use these as biodegradable pots. Getting creative with seedlings might help you save money and the environment simultaneously.

Make Your Own Outdoor Furniture

New Zealand weather conditions can be fierce. If it’s not the wind, rain, and snow that see your outdoor furniture succumb to the elements, then it’s surely the intense UV rays during the summer months.

Despite our best efforts to buy high-quality outdoor furniture to spruce up our yards, it doesn’t always last as long as we would like when stored outdoors. In that case, consider making your own outdoor furniture using wooden pallets. You can save money on something you’ll likely need to replace in the future anyway.

You can do many things with wood pallets when you think outside the box. Chairs, benches, and tables are just a few of the many options.

Create Planter Pots

Planter pots can be expensive to buy. Yet, we purchase them because we don’t have any other options. Well, maybe we do. Did you know you can use many items as planter pots, even if that isn’t their intended purpose?

Old kitchen colanders, tyres, old work boots, and even sinks and bathtubs can all be unique planter pot ideas. As long as they have a form of drainage, you can use any vessel around your home as a house for your prized potted plants.

Bottle Edging

There are very few options when it comes to garden edging. Mostly, you can choose from wood or vinyl edging available at your local garden store or online. But what if you could use something that would otherwise end up in your recycling bin or a landfill?

Glass bottles can be more suitable for garden edging than you think. Gather your collection of wine bottles, turn them upside down, and bury them in your soil or gravel. When secured in the ground shoulder to shoulder, they can function as well as any other edging material.

Garden With the Environment In Mind

Gardening is already an excellent way to take care of the environment, but we could do so much more. Try some of these eco-friendly recycled material ideas above, and you might be surprised by how much money you save while taking care of Mother Earth at the same time.

Most of us rely solely on the water flowing from our indoor and outdoor taps. We use hoses attached to our outdoor faucets to water the gardens and fill watering cans for those hard-to-reach areas.

But do we need to rely solely on our town and city supplies? In most cases, no. Rainwater harvesting is quickly becoming popular for homeowners seeking alternative water supplies for their homes and gardens. You can learn more about rainwater harvesting and its benefits below.

What Are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting in NZ?

You’ll need to dedicate a little time and money to establishing your new rainwater harvesting system. With that in mind, you might wonder why you should do it. Here are some of the many benefits associated with rainwater harvesting in NZ.

Improve Your Property’s Drought Resilience

None of us are exempt from drought conditions. Except, well, maybe those living on the West Coast. Local councils start imposing restrictions when regions across Aotearoa New Zealand don’t get enough rain. These restrictions typically apply to gardens and lawns first. Eventually, we’re also encouraged to take shorter showers, avoid water blasting, and not clean our vehicles.

Creating your own rainwater harvesting system can prove helpful for improving your property’s drought resilience while ensuring water supply restrictions aren’t as harmful. As you have your own pre-harvested water in tanks installed on your property, you can continue watering your gardens as if water restrictions weren’t in place.

Of course, it still does pay to reserve water as much as possible. After all, there’s no telling when your tanks will receive more rainfall.  

Enjoy Smaller Water Bills

Many households in New Zealand are charged for the water they use. Some people have fixed annual charges, while others are charged a fee per cubic metre of water they use. These fees can be costly, especially if you have a large household.

While you will need upfront funds for a rainwater harvesting system, you might notice reduced fees if your property has a water meter. The more of your own water you use, the less of your council’s you’ll need to pay for.

Self-Sufficiency

Whether you live in the middle of a town or a rural location in the middle of nowhere, you’ve likely considered how blissful it would be to be self-sufficient. Fortunately, companies are making that easier by offering solar panels and batteries for off-the-grid survival.

Rainwater harvesting is yet another way we can live more self-sufficient lives. You no longer have to live in an on-the-grid home to access water. Instead, you can purchase a rainwater harvesting system in a remote location and enjoy the same benefits.

Convenience

Not all gardens are within convenient reach of outdoor taps. This can be frustrating when you want to ensure healthy plant growth. Instead of connecting multiple hoses, you can invest in a rainwater harvesting system with a pump. The addition of the pump lets you move water from your tank to your garden hose effortlessly.

How to Know What Tank Size to Buy

Knowing you might enjoy a range of benefits associated with rainwater harvesting, you might be eager to get stuck in. But how do you know which tank size to purchase for your property?

There are a few factors you need to consider before buying a new tank:

• Annual rainfall volumes in your area

• How you use the water

• Whether you have mains water supply access

• The collection area size

• Your property size

• Your reliance on the water supply 

The larger the tank, the more water you can collect. Most everyday garden retailers in NZ offer 250L, 300L, and 1,000L tanks to suit a range of gardeners. If you’re using a rainwater harvesting system for your home, you’ll need a 30,000L tank.

What Will You Need to Buy?

A rainwater harvesting system requires more than just a tank. You’ll also need a few other accessories to take full advantage of it:

• A first flush diverter – this fits onto your downpipe or tank outlet to stop contaminated water from the roof from entering your tank when it first rains

• A tank cover – this prevents evaporation and some contamination

• A tank inlet pipe screen – this keeps out insects, birds, and animals

• Gutter screens – these stop debris from getting into your spouting

• A submersible pump – this helps water move from your tank and through your garden hose 

While most people establish rainwater harvesting setups for their gardens, others wish to use rainwater for their homes. If you need your water to be safe for drinking, you’ll also need:

• Chlorine

• A fine in-line purifier or filter

• UV light treatment

• To boil your water for one minute 

Set Up Your Rainwater Harvesting System Today

Whether you want to be more self-sufficient, save money, or prevent drought-related problems, a rainwater harvesting system might be right for you. After learning these desirable benefits, you might be eager to visit your local garden store to get everything you need!

When you see the price of fresh fruit and vegetables in your local supermarket, you might realise that starting a vegetable garden can make a great deal of financial sense. After all, why pay exorbitant prices when you can produce your own vegetables year after year for a mere fraction of the cost?

Often, people only prefer to buy vegetables from the supermarket because they don’t know how to start their own garden. It’s easier than you might think, especially when you take the steps below.  

Step 1: Choose a Location and Bed Type

The first and most important step in your journey to being more self-sufficient with produce is choosing where you want to put your garden and the type of garden you want to have. Choose an area of your yard that receives at least six hours of sun per day. Somewhere facing east and north can often be ideal.

If you live somewhere particularly warm, you might need a form of sun shade to prevent your vegetables from getting too much sun. With an ideal spot in mind, you must then decide whether you prefer in-ground or raised garden beds.

If you have heavy clay soil, in-ground garden beds can be less ideal since soil needs to be well-draining to help your plants thrive. While you might need to spend a bit of money purchasing or making raised beds, you can stand a better chance of enjoying thriving crops. Moreover, raised beds can be much more comfortable to work on.  

Step 2: Get the Soil Right

Good-quality soil can be imperative for healthy plants, so don’t neglect this step when establishing your new vegetable garden. If you’re working with an in-ground garden, mix in organic matter like compost or blood and bone to give your plants the nutrients they’ll need to thrive.

Gardeners choosing to grow plants in a raised garden bed can purchase the most appropriate soil from their local garden centre. If you’re unsure what you need, talk to an employee who can point you in the right direction.

Step 3: Choose Your Plants

Starting a vegetable garden for the first time can be exciting, so purchasing a huge range of seeds or seedlings to grow a little bit of everything can be tempting. However, the wider your variety of plants as a new gardener, the more overwhelming gardening can be. Start small, and you can broaden your horizons in the future.

Seeds typically offer more value for money, despite seedlings giving your plants a head-start. If you plant seeds in the garden at the right time, there’s no reason why they can’t produce a lucrative yield.

Stick with varieties you know your family will enjoy, such as peas, carrots, potatoes, beans, and lettuce. With just a few options, you can dedicate more of your time to perfecting their growing conditions and enjoy healthy plants in the weeks to come.

Step 4: Plant Your Seeds

Now that you have seeds for the vegetables your family will enjoy eating, it’s time to plant them! However, before you do, read the seed packet instructions thoroughly to ensure you’re planting them correctly and at the right time. Remember, seeds can take a great deal of time to germinate and grow, so conditions and timing can be everything.

Most seed packets provide helpful information on the months to plant them in, the type of soil they need, how much sunshine they require, and how deep and far apart they should be. Follow these instructions closely to improve your chances of success.

Step 5: Water and Wait

While vegetables don’t typically need your help to grow once you provide them with sunshine and high-quality soil, they still need a regular water source. A watering can or hose is more than sufficient if you have them, but you can also invest in drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses to ensure your plants get water where it’s most needed.

If you’re worried about intense sunshine drying your garden beds out before the water has a chance to get to the roots, add organic mulch to the soil. A thin layer of organic mulch, while leaving space around the plants, can help keep the soil moist while giving your plants much-needed nutrients to thrive.

With a regular watering schedule in place, now all you need to do is wait until your plants are ready to harvest!

Start Your Own Vegetable Garden Today

Vegetable gardens don’t have to be reserved for those with experience. Anyone with any level of gardening experience can grow their own vegetables with great success. If you need a helping hand bringing your garden to life, talk to your local gardening experts. You can then be on your way to being more self-sufficient and spending less at your local supermarket.

While most animals play an important part in our ecosystem, there’s no denying the vital role of the bee. Not only are they essential for food production, but also for pollinating flowers, plants, and trees, to help them thrive.

However, even though you might know how crucial bees can be, that doesn’t mean you know how to create a bee-friendly yard for our neighbourhood pollinators. Welcome bees with open arms by taking some of the following actions:

Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers

We rely on bees to pollinate our vegetable garden crops, but what are you doing to attract them there in the first place? Make your property impossible to resist by planting bee-friendly flowers and plants.

Bees love annual flowers like fox gloves, clover, sunflowers, marigolds, and perennials like echinacea, geraniums, and comfrey. If you typically enjoy a well-established vegetable garden year-round, consider planting the fruits and vegetables bees love, like cucumbers, blackberries, courgettes, and pumpkins.

Bees are even huge fans of herbs like coriander, rosemary, and thyme and shrubs like echium and Californian lilac. Before the next planting season gets underway, research bee-friendly plants and include a variety of options to encourage as many bees to your property as possible.

Don’t Use Pesticides

Despite pesticides being helpful for giving destructive insects their marching orders, they can also be harmful to bees. In fact, studies have shown that pesticides can harm bees twice – when they’re larvae and as adults. The impact on our much-loved pollinators can be significant.

When you’re trying to make your property bee-friendly, dispose of your pesticide products responsibly. You can still take care of pest insects with organics solutions applied at night once the bees are sound asleep.

Provide Water

Just as water is essential for our survival, it’s also necessary for the survival of bees. Encourage bees to spend time in your yard by providing a water container or bird bath for them to drink from. Ensure the water container you choose is shallow to prevent unnecessary bee deaths. Alternatively, fill your water tub or container with small stones or floating wood to reduce the risk of drowning.

If you want your yard to be a beautiful bee sanctuary, invest in fountains and moving water products. Insects like bees and butterflies prefer moving water, whereas undesirable insects like mosquitoes don’t.

Create Nesting Sites

Bring decorative flair to your yard and give local native bees somewhere comfortable to nest by purchasing or creating nesting sites. If a bee has adequate nesting opportunities on your property, they might be more inclined to keep visiting and eventually call your yard their home.

Plant Flowers In Clumps

As tempting as it can be to plant your flowers in neatly arranged lines, consider growing them in clumps instead. Clumps of flowers stand out more to bees and are more likely to attract pollinators than individual plants dotted around your yard. Aim to make these clumps of flowers at least 1m2.

Be Selective With Weed Pulling

Weeds might be unattractive and invasive, but don’t be in too much of a hurry to pull them out before finding out which ones your bee friends like. By leaving some weeds on your property, such as white clover, chickweed, and dandelions, you’re giving bees yet another reason to explore it and enjoy everything it has to offer.

However, if you plan to let weeds run rampant on your property facing the street, give your neighbours’ a ‘heads-up’ about your intentions. You might also like to install a sign on your lawn telling passers-by that you’re helping the bees rather than refusing to tend to your lawns and gardens.

Ensure Year-Round Growth

Not all plants will thrive and flower year-round, making it challenging to provide ample pollination opportunities for local bee populations. Plant a diverse variety of plants to ensure that your garden blooms from spring to autumn to support your bees for as long as possible.

While you might not be able to help them over winter, you can at least provide ample pollination and sustenance opportunities for three of the four seasons.

Choose Colourful Flowers

Most gardeners are more than happy to plant colourful flowers that will enhance the beauty of their gardens. However, if you’re not willing to plant them for your own pleasure, consider planting them for the bees.

Bees have exceptional colour vision to help them find pollen and nectar. Make their job easier by planting flowers in colours that attract them, such as blue, white, yellow, and violet.

Be Friendly to the Bees

Bees are crucial for our survival, so the least we can do is treat them like the important creatures they are. Take some of these actions above, and create a peaceful pollinator’s paradise that all your local bees will love.

Not all of us are born with a green thumb. Some people love nothing more than whiling away their spare time with their hands in the soil, while others only pay their gardens attention when the weeds start taking over.

But regardless of where you stand on the gardening front, there’s one thing you likely can’t deny: gardening relieves stress and promotes well-being. Whether you’re begrudgingly pulling out weeds or smiling as you feed your much-loved plants the nutrients they need, there’s potential for you to enjoy some of the following benefits.

Improved Mood

Even if you only spend time in your garden to keep the weeds at bay, you’ll likely finish the task feeling far happier than when you started. Gardening can’t help but make you feel more at peace, especially as your mind is on the task at hand, giving any negative thoughts and feelings a sideline seat for the time being.

Therefore, if you’re ever in a bad mood, consider venturing out to your garden. Ten minutes pulling weeds or trimming hedges might be all it takes to turn that frown upside down.

An Opportunity for Exercise

Despite gardening looking like a reasonably idle activity, it can be a form of exercise. The process of digging, weeding, raking, and performing other garden tasks is all a form of movement. If you don’t feel like going to the gym, you can pop out to your garden for an hour of work and enjoy a sense of physical satisfaction.

Studies have also shown that exercise can benefit your mental health, making it a ‘double-edged’ benefit. Getting active in the garden might be as effective for you as some anti-depressants.

Boost Your Self Esteem

We all deserve to love and appreciate ourselves as much as other people do, but not everyone has the highest opinion of themselves. Gardening might be an easy way for you to start believing in yourself.

When you tidy up a previously wild garden or watch plants grow that you planted yourself, it’s hard not to be proud of your achievements. While there are many different ways to boost self-esteem, like getting enough sleep, improving your diet, and signing up for a self-help program, getting outside and immersing yourself in a natural environment might also be an excellent option.

Enhance Your Attention Span

Having a poor attention span can be challenging. You can sometimes struggle to focus on important tasks, even though you know you must give them your full attention. Gardening might help you work on your attention span so that you can improve it in other parts of your life.

Gardening requires focusing on weeding, planting, raking, and sowing to achieve very specific goals. You’re focused on the task in front of you, and there are normally very few distractions to draw your attention away.

While there are no guarantees that gardening will improve your attention span, studies show it’s possible. One study found that children with ADHD benefit from time outdoors in nature and had their ADHD symptoms significantly reduced.

A Sense of Belonging

While you might not find your sense of belonging in your own garden that you tend to on your own, it’s possible to find it if you help out in a community garden. Community gardens are calming environments where you can interact with other people from all walks of life and where you’re all trying to achieve a common goal.

If you have very few family and friends to rely on to achieve that same sense of belonging, a community garden can undoubtedly be where you get it.

How to Start Your Own Garden

Now that you know that gardening might improve your mood, reduce your stress levels, and enhance your attention span, you might be eager to experience these benefits yourself. While starting a garden from scratch can be intimating, it can be as straightforward as following the steps below:

1. Think About What to Plant

Some people love beautiful, vibrant flowers they can admire from their kitchen window, while others want practical, functional gardens to harvest from to prepare the family meal and save money. Write a list of all the plants you’d like to see in your garden.

2. Pick the Best Spot for Your Garden

Whether you’re planting flowers or vegetables, where you create your garden can make a difference in your level of success. Both vegetables and flowering plants require at least six to eight hours of sun each day. If you only have a shady yard, you’ll need to pick shade-tolerant plants, such as beans, peas, carrots, mint, and parsley.

3. Clear the Area

Now that you’ve found your perfect spot, you can remove weeds and sod and get your garden underway. Don’t forget to test the soil and make any necessary amendments before planting.

4. Prepare the Planting Beds

You can’t just scatter seeds over hard ground and expert them to throw. Even after amending the soil, it’s a good idea to dig the soil with a rototiller or by hand to provide a suitable foundation for plants to thrive. You’re now ready to plant!

Garden for Your Health

Whether you love gardening or not, the potential health benefits might have you exploring your options. Now might be the right time to get stuck into the garden and see if you can notice any of these benefits above.

It’s easy to assume that trees are self-sufficient and don’t require our assistance to thrive and survive. However, quite the opposite can be true. Trees can be much more aesthetically pleasing, healthier, and safer when we put time and effort into their care. Are you unsure how to keep your trees in good health? We’ve included some helpful information below.

Put Thought Into Location

Many people decide to plant trees on their properties to enjoy various benefits like shade, privacy, shelter, and aesthetics. However, there’s more to the planning process than simply choosing a variety you like, digging a hole, and planting it.

You also have to think carefully about where on your property is most suitable for planting. Otherwise, transplanting a mature tree can be an expensive and invasive process. It’s also not always successful.

There are many things to consider regarding your tree’s planting location to ensure its good health in the years to come. Think about where it will receive the most sun and whether it has enough space to grow upwards and outwards.

It’s also crucial to consider whether the tree could become a hazard in the future. Plant it away from underground utilities, property boundaries, structures, and powerlines. Research the mature size of your new tree sapling, and you might find it much easier to plant it in the most appropriate location.

Perform Regular Pruning and Trimming

Like children, trees need our help growing up big and strong. Make regular pruning and trimming part of your standard backyard maintenance routine. These tasks can provide a wide range of benefits, such as:

• Improving the aesthetic appeal

• Positively benefiting the growth rate

• Enhancing plant quality

• Increasing your trees’ longevity

• Improving the health of your trees

Pruning and trimming small trees like fruit trees is something you might be able to manage on your own, especially if trees are at a manageable height and size. However, outsourcing this task to trained arborists can be vital if you lack the skills, knowledge, and equipment for large, mature trees.

Prioritise Soil Testing

Just as you might perform soil testing when planting a new vegetable or flower garden, you should do the same when planting new trees and trying to maintain their health over their years of growth. Soil testing allows you to find out what your soil is lacking and the type of fertiliser you might need to give your trees a healthy foundation to start from.

Once you have the perfect soil pH, don’t forget to perform regular testing to maintain the soil health and ensure your trees have what they need to thrive.

Use Mulch

Many gardeners see the value in mulch for their gardens. It suppresses weed growth, offers nutrients, retains moisture, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the average planter box or border garden. But did you know you can also use mulch around your trees?

Placing mulch around newly-established and mature trees can assist with soil insulation and water retention. It might also reduce the risk of soil compaction, which typically impacts plants’ ability to get the nutrients, air, and water, they need.

However, it’s important to apply mulch around your tree with great care. Mulch outwards rather than upwards. You don’t want more than 10cm of mulch around the base. It’s also important to keep mulch away from the trunk of the tree. You want the roots to be moist but the trunk to be dry.

Inspect Regularly

You might apply mulch and test your soil, but that doesn’t mean your trees can’t succumb to pests and diseases. Inspect your trees regularly and look for signs of a pest problem or a tree disease that requires immediate attention.

Weak and thinning limbs, damaged leaves, discoloured leaves, and even holes in branches can all indicate serious problems that impact tree integrity. If you’re unsure how to manage pests and diseases yourself, contact trained tree experts who might be able to offer their assistance.

We have a number of pests and diseases affecting trees in NZ, including:

• Kauri disease

• Myrtle rust

• Dothistroma needle blight

• Terminal crook disease

• Bacterial dieback

• Diplodia dieback

• Cypress canker

• Mycosphaerella leaf-blotch

• Grey mould

• Root and collar rot

Not only do diseased trees look bad and detract from the beauty of your property, but they can also be unsafe and put your family, property, and even the general public at risk.

Call the Experts

Not everyone has the time or knowledge to dedicate to tree care – and that’s okay. Whether you need help with tree trimming or general tree health, don’t be afraid to reach out to experts for help. There are bound to be many tree care experts near you who will be more than willing to assist with this important task for the health of your trees and the safety of your family.