How to plant in shady spacesShady spots are often unused or overlooked when planning a garden. There are actually a lot of shade-loving plants to choose from, including flowers, dramatic foliage, and bold ferns that are ideal for low light conditions. So with the right plant choices, you can create a tranquil area to escape the heat of summer.Learn more
How to grow BromeliadsBromeliads are a tropical plant that look great all year round in the garden, and they’re a great feature indoors or out. Growing them is easy as – this guide will show you how.Learn more
How to grow palmsPalms are extremely popular. They’re hardy and low maintenance, but most importantly they create a real feature for your garden. Here’s how to choose, plant, and look after palms at your place.Learn more
How to grow hedgesHedges are very common in New Zealand gardens. They’re a great living alternative to fences or borders, and they can also be used decoratively. This guide will help you choose the right hedge for your place, and show you how to take care of it.Learn more
How to plant treesTrees are a long-term project in any garden. They can last a lifetime, so it’s important to have the right tree for your situation. This guide will show you how to plant a tree and help make it succeed during winter, ready to jump into growth when spring arrives.Learn more
How to grow magnoliasMagnolias are a must have in the garden as they are super versatile and offer something new every season. Whether you’re planting one or have an existing tree, looking after them is Easy As.Learn more
How to install a water pumpIf you’ve got a water tank, and have little or no pressure when you turn on the tap – then you’ll be wanting to install a water pump. Or if you’ve got a noisy old pump, you might want to replace it with a newer quieter model. They aren’t too pricey, and you can put them in yourself, Easy As.Learn more
How to build a sandpitKids can have hours of fun playing in a sandpit, and they’re incredibly easy to make. This guide will show you how to make one that’s a little bit different - this sandpit has a handy cover that folds back into bench seats, so Mum and Dad can sit back and watch the kids play.Learn more
How to install gutteringIf you’ve got a roof structure, then guttering is a must, because council regulations require all your rainwater to be contained. Installing guttering yourself isn’t hard.Learn more
How to design a deckBuilding a deck is a big DIY job, and it’s really important that your deck is designed properly and adheres to the building code. This guide will take you through the process step by step, so you can get the job done right.Learn more
How To Make A Feature DoorIf you thought wallpaper was only meant for the walls, read on. Doing up your wardrobe doors is a cost effective way to give your bedroom a new look. This is a straight forward job, explained here in a few easy to follow steps.Learn more
How to remove wallpaperThere are a lot of walls out there covered with ugly old wallpaper that, quite frankly, needs to go. Getting rid of it can instantly update the look of your room. This guide will show you how to remove it yourself, so you can give the walls a paint, and instantly freshen up your room.Learn more
How to make a bay window bench seatThis bench seat can be made with or without a backing board on the unit. If you are intending to move it around between rooms or dwellings, then a backing board is a good idea. If it’s going to stay in one place, then a backing board isn’t necessary. The bench seat we’ve made has a backing board.Learn more
How to patch a scratch in a wallThe walls in your home are subjected to a lot of wear and tear and it's not hard to put a scratch across your wall. They're pretty unattractive and not a good look. But don't worry, it's easy as to fix.Learn more
How to patch a hole in a wallAccidents happen and it's not that hard to make a hole in your plasterboard walls. One of the most common causes are door handles going through the wall. This guide will show you how to repair a small hole and a large hole.Learn more
How to fix a leaning fenceIf part of your fence is on a lean, don't worry, here's how you can fix it yourself, that'll get your fence nice and straight again. The best way to fix a fence on a lean is to remove the leaning post, and replace it with a new one.Learn more
How to build a wooden gateA wooden gate can finish off a fence nicely, as well as giving you a bit of added privacy around the house - plus, it’s great for keeping the kids safe. Follow this step-by-step guide and see how easy it is to build a nice and sturdy wooden gate yourself.Learn more
Love your lawnFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerLawns are often given no more thought that the carpet in the living room and mowing is considered a chore up there with vacuum cleaning. But the quality of the lawn can make all the difference for how you enjoy your backyard over the summer months.Learn more
Easy and delicious smoked salmon on Broil King's cedar plankIf you know a better way to make salmon on your BBQ, you'd better tell us!We think planking is such a great bbq’ing technique because the buttery salmon and the wonderful and delicate smoky flavour from the plank complement each other like nothing else.Learn more
How to care for the garden in the heat of summerFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerSummer is the season the garden is at its best. It is the season we long for during the cold winter months and work hard to prepare for in the spring. However, a summer garden isn’t a set and forget thing. It needs plenty of care and attention as this season can be harsh on the plants with its high temperatures and lack of rain.Learn more
Top 5 summer tomato problemsFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerThe star of the summer garden has to be the tomato. There is nothing like eating a sun warmed tomato plucked straight from the plant.Learn more
Success with citrus plus top 5 varieties for the home gardenFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerLemons seems to be one of the kiwi backyard staples and just driving around your neighbourhood you will see plenty of abundantly loaded citrus trees with their cheerful yellow fruit.Learn more
Protect your vegetable crops from pestsFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerThe best thing about growing a vegetable garden is the harvest. Growing delicious things to eat, that are so fresh, crisp or juicy in a way that can only be experienced by the home grower. It can almost be too much to wait the weeks and sometimes months until the crop is ready.Learn more
Accessorise your entertaining space with plantsFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerA summer outdoor entertaining area is an extension of the house, especially in summer and a beautiful space will be the perfect place for spending those endless balmy evenings with friends and family. Learn more
Prepare your timber surfacesPrior to oiling or staining bare timber surfaces, appropriate surface preparation is key to a successful timber finish. Follow the steps indicated to correctly prepare timber surfaces to help get the perfect finish.Learn more
Makeover your fence in a weekendProcoat fence paint is a high quality, water based fence paint made right here in New Zealand. Easy to apply, can be used on new or previously painted timber fences.Learn more
10 tips for an impressive, low maintenance gardenby GARDENA NZ Brand Ambassador Sarah O’Neil (Sarah the Gardener)Learn more
How to hang Christmas lightsChristmas is getting closer and it’s time to bring a bit of silly season festivity to your place. Since we spend so much time outside during summer, some decorative lighting in your outdoor spaces can really elevate the Christmas excitement.Learn more
Tips for the ultimate green lawnFrom GARDENA Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerIt is important to remember that a lawn is a living thing made up of thousands of plants with roots that don’t go very deep into the soil.Learn more
How to hang Christmas lights indoorsChristmas decorating is one of the best ways to welcome in the silly season. It’s fun, you can get the whole family involved, and the result sets the tone for the most wonderful time of year.Learn more
Why and how to install garden irrigationFrom GARDENA Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerKeeping a garden, no matter how small, well-watered can take a lot of time, with a hose or lugging watering cans.Irrigation can free up valuable time and ensure your plants receive exactly the water then need at the best time of day - early in the morning before the heat of the day drives up the evaporation rates.Learn more
Create a windowsill herb gardenHerbs make any meal taste better, especially when they’re picked fresh from your own garden.This guide will show you how to plant and care for a Herb Garden, so you’ll have a good supply for the kitchen.Learn more
Top 10 easy veges to grow at homeFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerWith current rising cost of food, turning to grow your own seems to make a lot of sense. However if you are looking for an easy alternative to shopping in the produce aisle, some vegetables are a little lower maintenance than others. Here are a few suggestions that are easy to grow and give fabulous results that can add excitement to your salads and summer meals.Learn more
Grow the best tomatoes this seasonFrom GARDENA and YATES Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerThe super star crop of the summer vegetable garden has to be the tomato. It is a plant that just continues to produce a bountiful harvest all season long.Learn more
Guide to garden cutting toolsFrom GARDENA Brand Ambassador Sarah the GardenerTree pruning can be a daunting task. However, when faced with the vast array of pruning tools in the garden section, making the right choice can be overwhelming.While a good pair of secateurs can go a long way to getting the pruning job done with little harm to the tree, sometimes it is helpful to have a range of tools for the best result. Understanding the purpose of each cutting tool will make the decision a lot easier:Learn more
When bad weather affects the gardenFrom GARDENA Brand Ambassador Sarah the Gardener One of the great things about gardening is the ability to control the space to create a vista that reflects your taste and style. However, there is one thing we can’t control and that is the weather.Learn more
How to grow hoyasHoyas are an interesting and fascinating plant, having orientated in the 18th century they have fantastic history. It is a tropical indoor plant with many names, often called a “Wax plant” due to its thick waxy leaves, is a classic because it lives forever, grows to be enormous, and creates beautiful, porcelain-like fragrant flower clusters which is known by second common same the “Porcelain flower”.Learn more
With You All The Way, NZ: Mitre 10 moves up the rankings in 2023 Kantar Corporate Reputation IndexLearn more