Latest fromThe Back Yard
Gardening: The second sowing
Enthusiasm may be low, but now's the time to get ready for some late summer crops, writes Justin Newcombe.
The absent gardener
How do you save your garden when you are going away for the holidays? Justin Newcombe has a few tips.
Gardening: Heat and dust
Justin Newcombe's list of drought survivors will keep your garden blooming through an arid summer.
Gardening: Nice and comfrey
If you really want to succeed at organic gardening, there's a herb you should know, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: A brush with basil
Basil is a herb with a bit of a history. Justin Newcombe delves into its past but also shares how to look after it in the present.
Gardening: You are my sunshine
Bright and cheerful sunflowers can bring a smile to anyone's face, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: Cool as a cucumber
It has to be a good thing if a vegetable's been popular for thousands of years, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: Magic beanstalks
Beans are a delicious and reliable vegetable that can keep on giving, writes Justin Newcombe.
We all say tomato
It's that time again. Justin Newcombe talks us through planting tomatoes to get the best of them for endless summer sauces, snacks and salads.
Gardening: Bring on the bugs
Get your garden buzzing with beneficial insects by planting their favourite food, writes Justin Newcombe.
Sweet success growing kumera
For ease of growing and nutritional value, you can't go past a kumara, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: Going bananas
Supermarket varieties don't have a patch on home-grown yellow beauties, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: Back to grass roots
Make your lawn the star of the garden this summer by giving it some TLC now, writes Justin Newcombe.
Gardening: The root of the problem
Landscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.
Gardening: Fixing foliage
Landscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.
Pot plant maintenance
Justin Newcombe has the answer to a blossoming relationship with your pot plant.
Gardening: A pukka result for puka
Landscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.
Gardening: The wonder of weeds
After an accidental discovery in an unwanted barrel in the corner of his garden, Justin Newcombe explains how you, too, can brew liquid gold.
Gardening: A fragrant solution
Landscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.
Getting clucky over our feathered friends
Justin Newcombe extols the virtues of keeping a few chooks in the yard and gives a few tips on how to best care for them.