Monthly Garden Guides

By Heather Tait – Central Landscapes Planting Expert Mention that your garden has clay soil and you’ll experience either sympathetic groans for those who have the same, or smug smiles from gardeners with loamy or volcanic soil. Clay is maligned for many reasons: its minuscule particles can form a hard,...

Thirty years selling and delivering a wide variety of landscaping products has gone quickly for Daniel, who left school at fifteen to work in his father’s Penrose yard - the original Central Landscapes site. Daniel, often known as Digger Dan to tradies and customers, worked in several of the Central sites before moving to Swanson in 2003 and becoming the owner in 2005.

Paul Jobin - The Kauri Chef - creates an easy dish for vegetables from the garden. Our thanks to Paul for reminding us that homegrown spring onions and carrots pop with flavour when roasted. Click here for his Facebook link as he is posting lots of great ‘lockdown’ recipes: Tahini...

Time to trim hedges and evergreen shrubs Shaping plants is best done now. Exposed foliage doesn’t burn because the sun is not so hot and the emerging growth gets to ‘harden up’ before winter hits. Plus, it gives a crisp look to gardens. Start some new plants Plants such as...

We dig gardens – here’s some advice about planting your garden, sowing and fertilising lawns and layering mulch, to really bring your garden back to life: Planting your garden Did you know that autumn is Nature’s best planting time? That is because the soil is still warm and is less...

Sow broad beans and cut back globe artichokes. It's also an ideal month to dig compost into your vege gardens and sow lawns. Plus don't forget to add colour into your winter garden and start planting spring bulbs!

It's getting hot so make sure your garden and fruit trees are getting enough water. Now is also the time to start preparing your autumn garden, plant beets, carrots and parsnips and manage those pesky caterpillars!

In summer many plants suffer dehydration and it inhibits their ability to grow and produce crops. This doesn't mean you need to irrigate twice daily, but when you water it needs to be deep and meaningful.

It's the festive season and a great time to get out in the garden with the family. Spuds are ready, plant leeks and pretty up the outdoors with some potted colour - plus protect those berries from the birds!

It's warming up - time to plant beans, basil and corn and start protecting those yummy berries from the birds. It's also a great time to mulch to help retain moisture over the warmer months.