LifestylePlants to avoid in NZThe National Poisons Centre has analysed more than 11,000 inquiries it received after people came into contact with or ate poisonous plants and fungi.07 Jan 04:30 PM
LifestylePlanting in the summer heatAdding to your garden at this time of year doesn't have to be a horticultural death sentence, writes Justin Newcombe.05 Jan 01:00 AM
LifestyleGardening: Growing awarenessWhat's in a garden? Well plants for a start, some paths and a bit of lawn, sometimes water but all together that doesn't make a garden. The one thing a garden always has in it that the natural world doesn't necessarily, is people.23 Dec 05:11 PM
New ZealandGrant helps gardening skills project take rootEach week the Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust gives out 65 food parcels of rice, flour and tinned food. There's no fresh fruit or vegetables, but that's about to change with a community garden.21 Dec 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Just mint to beAs far as useful plants go, nothing is quite so maligned as the poor old common mint. The connection between the plant and the phrase implying something is near new or "flash"16 Dec 05:35 PM
LifestyleGardening: Scents of the seasonI love how the festive season gives us license to let loose and be creative in all sorts of areas. Some people bejewel their homes with fairy lights; most tackle the interior in some way to evoke Christmas for family and guests.15 Dec 05:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Teaching trees to growToday's lesson is about tree training. If you lop off a branch so your gordonia doesn't scratch your car as you back down the drive way, you are tree training.09 Dec 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Lovely lavenderThe bees love it and so do we. Justin Newcombe extols the virtue of a purple garden treat.01 Dec 04:30 PM
LifestyleJustin Newcombe: Head off the pestsLandscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.01 Dec 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Worm bin magicWrigglers turn food waste into black gold for the garden, writes Meg Liptrot.26 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Cut down to sizeJustin Newcombe admits the error of his ways and gets rid of a nuisance tree in his garden.24 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Living the high lifeFor superior-scented lavender it helps to tweak growing conditions to imitate that of Mediterranean foothills, notes Meg Liptrot.19 Nov 04:00 PM
LifestyleGardening: The green green grass of homeA good lawn makes a good garden, so it's worth a bit of hard yakka, says Justin Newcombe.17 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleJustin Newcombe: Garlic spritzLandscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.16 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: In the right companyGood companions will join forces to weed out the nasties, says Meg Liptrot.11 Nov 04:00 PM
LifestyleGardening: Give bugs the heave-hoJustin Newcombe shares his sure-fire methods for making black spot and blight walk the plank.10 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleAuckland restaurants cooking what they growAlexia Santamaria rounds up some of the Auckland eateries serving up what they grow.09 Nov 06:00 PM
LifestyleWeekend project: Stepping it upWith so many admirers of his new deck, Justin Newcombe decided it needed easier access.09 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleMaking it happen in your own backyardA Kiwi summer is about getting out in the backyard. Danielle Wright discovers that can mean a lot more just having than a sausage sizzle.05 Nov 06:45 PM
LifestyleGardening: Hot pots for summerClusters of themed pots can lift your garden's mood, says Meg Liptrot.05 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleGoing into the redLandscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.03 Nov 04:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Spilling the beansJustin Newcombe works out the secret to a healthy of crop of beans, to be eaten fresh, or dried and stored for winter.03 Nov 04:30 PM
TravelFound: a vegan haven in a meaty townAnyone who has ever spent time in South Africa knows meat plays a key part in its national cuisine. Smoked, roasted, dried, fried, whatever - meat is king.29 Oct 08:30 PM
LifestyleGardening: Ripe fruit all in a rowMeg Liptrot gives her fruit trees a shoulder to grow on and reaps a generous crop.28 Oct 04:00 PM
LifestyleGardening: Down to a teaJustin Newcombe attempts to grow a tea bush in order to create his own perfect brew.20 Oct 04:30 PM
LifestyleJustin Newcombe: When every inch countsLandscape gardener and Life columnist Justin answers your questions.20 Oct 04:30 PM
