This Year's Trends - Stuff

www.manawatustandard.co.nz Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 1 

Home 

MANAWATU 

FEBRUARY 2010 

Garden 

This 

Year’s 

Trends 

Hidden Treasure in Woodville 

2451809AA 

ADVERTISING FEATURE

2 Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 www.manawatustandard.co.nz 

TRENDS 

All in white: Although 

additional colour may 

be introduced with 

bedroom furniture, 

bedrooms generally 

remain monochromatic. 

The dark days are over 

Interior designer Donald Grant Sunderland takes a look at where trends are heading this year. 

After a year of recession, which 

has seen people keep their 

wallets closed, there are some 

tremendous bargains to be 

had in furniture, soft 

furnishings and home technology. 

But before you rush out, remember 

hat a bargain is not a bargain unless it 

orks for both you and the room in 

uestion. If it doesn’t, you could find 

ourself rueing your impetuosity for 

ears to come. 

That’s why the guidance of an 

nterior designer, even if you opt for no 

ore than an hour’s consultation, could 

ave you a lot of money and heartache 

not to mention partnership disputes. 

As a designer, I don’t necessarily 

ollow previous, current or predicted 

rends. Rather, I go for what has surfed 

he tides of time and remained classic 

or many decades. 

There are big expenses involved in 

he decoration of interiors, which 

Lighten up: When choosing a colour, you will find that white or mixed cream and 

grey chips are now popular. 

means one has to think of the longterm 

appeal of any design. A look 

through back issues of New Zealand 

House and Garden can help you to 

make up your mind, however. 

These days, as the internet widens 

the range of products available, and 

makes buying them so much easier, 

there is almost limitless scope for the 

imagination. So where is the world of 

interiors going, on a room-by-room 

basis? 

The lounge 

The trend is to take the television out 

of this room and put it in the family 

room, or to extend the house and 

create a media room with a widescreen 

television and other 

entertainment and computer 

equipment. 

The lounge has become a sanctuary 

– a place for relaxation and quiet 

conversation. 

Brighter fabrics have put paid to the 

formal, stuffy look, and larger furniture, 

with softer edges, has made either 

stretching out or curling up much 

easier. 

Meanwhile, more natural light has 

been introduced, by adding windows 

or skylights and by opening up walls 

with bi-fold doors. 

In many cases, the lounge has also 

become a music room – a place to 

listen to the iPod or tinker at the piano. 

The wall colourings are lighter. 

People are favouring whites, slightly 

tinted to break the icicle harshness, and 

finally turning away from beige. 

The dining room 

These days, most dining rooms are 

incorporated in the open-plan area that 

includes the kitchen and family room. 

The trend is now towards informal 

dining, often in an al-fresco 

atmosphere, as we relax and enjoy 

easy-to-prepare meals and glasses of 

wine. 

Before buying dining chairs, try them 

out for comfort by sitting in them for a 

reasonable period of time at the table. 

If possible, take one home on appro. 

Continued page 3 

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TRENDS 

Left: The classic bathroom is always popular. 

Centre: Pedestal basins don’t supply much needed storage. 

Above: Walk-in showers are becoming bigger. 

The dark days are over 

Continued from page 2 

Bold flower arrangements can be used 

to break up the vast plane of the table, 

though these will need to be 

repositioned after people are seated. 

The kitchen 

This should always be designed by 

an experienced interior designer. 

Go for bench-tops made of a 

composite granite, such as Caesar 

Stone, with square edges and a 30mm 

thickness, as opposed to the 50mm 

thickness that was formerly favoured. 

When choosing a colour, you will find 

that white or mixed cream and grey 

chips are now popular. 

An island should, if possible, be 

incorporated in the design of your 

kitchen. This should be as wide and 

long as possible, and certainly not less 

than 1.5 metres long. 

Cabinets covered with wood veneer, 

rather than Melamine, are becoming 

more popular. But the price of the 

former is rising, and distinguishing 

between the two is often difficult, 

especially in the case of the more 

exotic woods. 

The paler woods are popular at 

present, as are the dark oaks. However, 

the mid-range coloured woods, such 

as rimu, have definitely lost favour. 

Integrated cabinetry, incorporating 

the fridge and dishwasher, is no longer 

considered essential. These days, most 

people are happy to see these 

appliances for what they are. And 

thanks to the finishes we now have, 

fingerprints are no longer an issue. 

Polished wooden floors – or 

coloured cork, which is softer 

underfoot – are popular in the kitchen. 

Large tiles, measuring 60cm by 

60cm, are also popular. But remember 

to use coloured grout, to avoid visible 

stains. 

Remember, too, that tiles are 

unforgiving if you have to stand for 

hours at the bench, unless you have 

underfloor heating for the winter 

months. 

Bathrooms and en suites 

Here, the trend is towards a simple, 

traditional design that helps to keep 

costs down. White on white, with 

splashes of colour provided by towels 

and accessories, is increasingly finding 

favour. 

The pedestal basin is losing ground 

and being replaced by recessed twin 

bowls with ample closed storage 

space below for both towels and 

cleaning products. 

Open shelves are out, as most 

families find them too difficult to keep 

tidy. 

A toilet is now being incorporated in 

the bathroom, which has become a 

bigger and more luxurious space with 

a walk-in shower. This often has no 

glass doors or partition – things most 

of us will eventually install, if only to 

eliminate water splash. 

Bright ceiling lights and natural light 

add to the aura of cleanliness. 

Bedrooms 

The floorboards of today’s bedroom 

are covered with plush carpet, which is 

again light in colour. 

Cotton voiles dress the windows, 

and white-on-white furnishings are 

used on beds. Super-large floral 

designs, on a white background, are 

also popular for beds. 

Although additional colour may be 

introduced with bedroom furniture, 

bedrooms generally remain 

monochromatic. 

Summing up 

The message for this year is ‘‘lighten 

up’’ by banishing beige and 

introducing cool whites. Bring natural 

light into the room, and enliven it with 

accents of such clear colours as lime 

and orange. 

A rug or cushion – or, in the case of 

bathrooms, a towel – can be used to 

provide these splashes of colour. 

■ Donald is available for consultations. 

Email Donald.s@ihug.co.nz. 

Subdued: A tint of colour into the white. 

For a better kitchen 

OUR EXPERT sales and design team welcome 

you to visit our showroom “over the ramp” 

on Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North, and 

look forward to the possibility of being able to 

assist in bringing your dream kitchen creation 

to reality. 

Janine, Yvette & Kym 

Call in today 

2472487AA 

Over the ramp on 

Rangitikei Line 

Phone 06 356 4600


TRENDS 

Colourful new decade 

What trends can we 

expect in the home this 

year? David Killick 

looks ahead. 

The global financial crisis hit hard 

last year. 

Although New Zealand escaped 

the mass layoffs and mortgage 

foreclosures that bedevilled 

other countries, notably the United 

States, our property market remained 

in the doldrums, and those in the 

building and design industry reported 

decidedly mixed results. Some did 

okay; others struggled. 

But if you visited some homeware 

and entertainment product stores last 

year, especially during a sale, you would 

have been hard pressed to see any 

downturn. Crisis, what crisis? 

Our homes remain a constant. We are 

always seeking ways to improve them 

(which isn’t the same thing, of course, as 

being able to actually afford them). 

Many commentators predict greater 

optimism in 2010. However, I believe it’s 

unlikely the markets will surge back 

suddenly. It’s more likely we will see a 

gentle upswing. 

Bolder colours 

Dulux predicts that 2010 will be ‘‘the 

dawn of a colourful new decade’’. 

‘‘The strongest emerging colour 

trends reflect the recent more positive 

consumer outlook,’’ says Andrea Lucena- 

Orr, Dulux’s leading colour forecaster. 

Resene is forecasting a move away 

from ‘‘basic earthiness’’ towards 

‘‘warmth and comfort’’ and colours that 

‘‘pack some punch’’. 

Although the environment is still a 

focal point, we will see ‘‘contrast and 

contradiction’’, and a blending of layers, 

Resene says. 

My view: Many new colours have a 

dusty, muted denim look. They may be 

strong, but they are not harsh and 

bright. 

You should also look out for aquas, 

blues, and more intense greens. We 

haven’t seen them for a while, and they 

could be due for a comeback. 

Contrast 

Reacting to the financial crisis, 

homeowners sought refuge in the past. 

For this reason, retro chic set the tone 

last year. 

Many new releases from top fabric 

houses – Christian Fischbacher, Gaston y 

Daniela, Harlequin – are recreations of 

classic designs. 

The same is true of furniture. Wooden 

arms and legs are back in vogue. 

Expect the focus on classics to 

Big-screen televisions: Prices have never been so good. You don’t have to pay top dollar for a quality product. 

Keeping fit: We’d all like to be healthier and fitter, and 

making time for at-home exercise makes sense. 

continue, but with a new twist and a 

mixing of old and new – as, for example, 

in the covering of an old chair with a 

bold, modern fabric. 

Recycling 

More people are hanging on to stuff, 

especially if it is well made. More people 

are also seeking out designer classics 

online or in stores. 

If it still works well, why chuck it out 

it? Furniture – especially quality wooden 

furniture from the 50s and 60s – is 

popular. 

Renovating 

Last year, people were reluctant to 

buy a new place, and often preferred to 

stay at home and improve their existing 

property. 

Even if the housing market improves 

this year, doing up a home yourself will 

Dig this: Growing your own veges has been a huge trend in 

response to soaring grocery prices. 

remain a Kiwi tradition – despite 

tougher DIY regulations. 

Downsizing 

Architects around the world, 

including those in the United States, 

have begun to ask just how much house 

a person needs. 

Houses have become bigger over the 

decades, and may now be too big in 

some cases. What’s the point of two 

people rattling around in a mansion? 

In Europe, where land is in short 

supply, architects are looking at more 

innovative, mixed-use dwellings and 

communities. This has not caught on in 

New Zealand so far. 

Big-screen TVs 

If there is one consumer item in hot 

demand, it’s the big-screen television. 

Prices have never been so good. We 

have spotted 32in LCD televisions for 

under $800, and a 42-inch one for 

$1000. 

Television promises relaxation and 

new horizons. But escaping from 

technology altogether can be refreshing, 

especially in summer. 

Eco-friendliness 

If you recycle, you can give yourself a 

pat on the back for caring about the 

environment. 

But as more products use 

environmental slogans as marketing 

tools, beware of ‘‘greenwashing’’. 

We’ve still behind the EU, for 

example, where the material that goes 

into products, the energy used to 

produce them, and the working 

conditions of those who manufacture 

them are all coming under increasing 

scrutiny. 

There are some real advances being 

made – in LED lighting, for example. 

Choosing the most energy-efficient 

appliances, such as washing machines 

and fridges, will save you money. 

Such appliances are now being 

promoted on the basis of their energyefficiency. 

And for the first time, homes 

are being marketed with their energy 

rating prominently mentioned. 

Eating in and growing your own 

Entertaining at home has become 

more popular, to the detriment of 

restaurants and cinemas, as people have 

tried to save money. 

There is increased interest in making 

meals memorable, not just casual 

gobble-and-go affairs. 

Growing vegetables has become 

popular, as grocery prices have soared 

and as the health benefits of chemicalfree 

produce have been recognised. 

Health and fitness 

Home gyms, exercise machines, or 

simply a quiet place for relaxation are 

antidotes to stress and the rigours of the 

working world. 

Coming soon, too, are a host of 

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OUTDOOR LIVING 

Lighting can make a magical garden 

Palmerston North 

lighting designer 

Rob Le Heron has 

some tips to enhance 

outdoor living areas 

with the use of lights. 

Typically, an outdoor living 

arrangement comprises a deck, 

for socialising and dining, and 

adjacent gardens. 

If the deck flows from your 

indoor entertaining area, you need to 

be able to move easily from one space 

to the other. And to do that in the 

evening, you need good outdoor 

lighting. 

Two important objectives for 

outdoor living lighting are: 

■ To make sure the deck has sufficient 

and comfortable lighting; and 

■ To reveal the surrounding gardens 

as daylight fades and night begins. 

So what is the difference between 

night-time indoor lighting and nighttime 

outdoor lighting? 

The most significant difference 

arises from the fact that outdoor 

objects – everything from the leaves of 

trees to the various structures in the 

garden – don’t reflect light well after 

dusk, and therefore aren’t so easily 

seen. 

This always has to be kept in mind 

when outdoor lighting is being 

designed. 

To make the outdoor area more 

interesting and attractive, you could 

also consider including some coloured 

Modern: A modern, square wall-hung 

outdoor light. 

lighting. The colours can even be 

made to change, as the lighting in The 

Square’s clock tower does. 

When any lighting system is being 

installed, you should also remember 

to: 

■ Avoid glare from light fittings that 

people may look directly at. 

■ Position lighting in a way that 

encourages people to look in the 

direction in which the light is shining. 

■ Provide sufficient light to identify 

horizontal surfaces in dining areas, so 

you can see what you are eating. 

■ Avoid ‘‘spill’’ illumination spreading 

into your neighbour’s property – 

especially into their bedroom areas. 

Practical things to remember: 

Spot-on: A wall-mounted spotlight 

provides plenty of light outdoors. 

■ All light fittings are under additional 

stress in outdoor settings. This stress 

comes from such things as rainwater, 

water-blasting, sunlight, frost, 

chemical attack (from garden 

fertilisers), and potential physical 

‘‘attack’’ (by lawn mowers and other 

equipment). 

■ Use your deck lighting, coupled 

with the ‘‘revealing’’ lighting of your 

adjacent garden space, to enhance the 

spacious and magical feeling of your 

outdoor living area. 

■ Rob Le Heron can be contacted for 

a consultation at Wix Lighting Design 

Studio in russell Street, Palmerston 

North. 

Enhanced: Clever positioning of lights will bring life to the garden after dark. 

Photos: FAIRFAX 

Safety tips for 

cooking with gas 

A new device should 

help to cut the number 

of deaths and injuries 

caused by gas-cylinder 

accidents. 

very year, dozens of Kiwis are killed or 

njured in gas-cylinder accidents. 

But thanks to a gas safety gauge, 

developed and manufactured in New 

Zealand by Black and Stone, there is now a 

means to lower this toll. 

The gauge connects the gas cylinder and 

appliance hose and regulator, and 

automatically shuts off the gas when it 

detects a sudden change in pressure. 

During the past 16 years, 29 people have 

been killed and 411 injured in New Zealand 

as a result of LPG cylinder accidents, and 

the annual toll is rising, says Black and 

Stone managing director Graham Brake. 

Of particular concern to Mr Brake is the 

rapid rise in injury-causing accidents, 

particularly during the past five years. 

The New Zealand Fire Service’s principal 

adviser on fire risk management, Alan 

Merry, says Kiwis need to adopt a number 

of simple safety precautions around 

barbecues: 

■ Check the gas cylinder. A cylinder should 

not be refilled if it hasn’t been tested for 

more than 10 years, or if it has been 

damaged. 

■ Inspect the hose, to ensure it hasn’t 

perished. 

■ Check the gas connections, which should 

be tight, before using the barbecue, 

especially if it has been idle for some time. 

An easy way to check for leaks is to cover 

the top end of the hose – where it connects 

to the gas cylinder – with dishwashing 

liquid. If this starts foaming, you have a leak 

and should have it checked by a 

professional. 

First line of defence: The gas safety gauge 

automatically shuts off the gas when it 

detects a sudden change in pressure. 

Mr Merry says many gas-cylinder injuries 

are preventable with proper maintenance 

of cylinders. 

When using a barbecue, the fire service 

recommends you: 

■ Keep your eyes on what you are doing. 

■ Don’t have a drink until you have sat 

down to eat. 

■ Don’t add any flammable liquid to a fire. 

■ Never barbecue in an enclosed area, 

where excessive amounts of carbon 

monoxide could build up. 

■ Dispose of hot coals properly. Douse 

them with plenty of water and stir them to 

ensure the fire is out. Never place them in 

plastic, paper or wooden containers. 

Remember: 

■ Outdoor gas appliances should never be 

used indoors. Such appliances include patio 

heaters, barbecues and camping cookers. 

■ Always check the manufacturer’s 

instructions before using any gas appliance. 

■ Install a gas safety gauge, which will 

automatically cut off any major gas leaks. 

CONCRETE 

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• Floor Grinding 

• Stamped Concrete Rejuvenation 

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• Tile Anti-slip Treatment 

• Epoxy Paint Coatings 

CONCRETE RESURFACING SPECIALISTS 

Geoff Henson 027 516 1113 • 06 329 3772 

geoffhenson@infogen.net.nz 

www.surfacesolutions.co.nz 

2471728AA


ALTHERM WINDOW SYSTEMS 

Altherm a trusted name 

Advertising feature 

Palmerston North-based 

Altherm Window Systems has 

been supplying superior 

aluminium products and top 

service to the lower half of the 

orth Island for 40 years. 

Altherm, which has branches around 

New Zealand, is a family-owned 

business started by John Borren in 

1970 and carried on by his son Mike, 

who has now handed the reins to 

manager Steve Dooley. 

Steve has worked for Altherm for 20 

years, having started on the factory 

floor and worked his way up to the 

top. He knows the aluminium joinery 

industry inside out, and is able to 

provide clients with the best advice 

available. 

Since the company’s inception, it has 

grown steadily. It now employs 16 

people, who are based in the 

company’s showroom and factory in 

Keith Street. 

The factory was extended last year 

to accommodate newly acquired 

equipment from Italy. This machines 

and drills all the various types of 

extrusions that Altherm manufactures 

on its premises. 

The company’s expertise in all 

aspects of aluminium joinery, including 

joinery for residential, architectural and 

commercial properties, conservatories, 

internal partitions, replacements and 

renovations, has made it the first port 

of call for builders looking for topquality 

product. 

During the past few years, it has 

completed a number of large projects 

throughout the lower half of the North 

Island. 

These include Levin Courthouse, 

Palmerston North Plaza 

redevelopment, Arena Manawatu, 

Ezibuy bulk store, Palmerston North 

Courthouse, the Map Building and 

Riddet Institute at Massey University, 

the Otago Medical Centre at 

Wellington Hospital, Whitireia Polytech, 

Porirua Sports and Events Centre, 

Horowhenua District Council, Contact 

Energy Centre in Levin, McDonald’s in 

Taihape, Dannevirke and Bulls, National 

Bank building in Masterton, Masterton 

Aquatic Centre, Taihape New World 

and the TSB building on The Square. 

Altherm is proud to serve the local 

community. 

‘‘We take a lot of pride in what we 

do, especially when it’s in our 

hometown of Palmerston North,’’ Steve 

says. 

‘‘Like any business, we are only as 

good as our staff who manufacture 

and install the joinery, and we have a 

lot of combined years of experience in 

the team. 

‘‘We also take pride in our service. 

We believe every customer is 

important, and we endeavour to please 

our customers and leave them 

satisfied. After all, without our 

customers we wouldn’t have survived 

in business for as long as we have.’’ 

Altherm is committed to investing in 

the future by installing the latest 

computer programs and machinery to 

enable it to complete all its projects 

accurately and on time. 

For aluminium joinery advice or a 

free measure-and-quote phone (06) 

358-4641 or visit the showroom at 91 

Keith Street. 

In charge: Altherm Window Systems manager Steve Dooley has been with the company for 20 years. 

it up: Altherm Window Systems supplied the aluminium joinery for this new building at Whitireia 

olytech, Porirua. 

Stacked up: A four-panel bi-fold window stacks at one end of the frame. 

2467910AA 

Floor Grinding 

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We wish AlthermWindow Systems 

all the best intheir upgraded premises 

Contact Rob Frank 

t: 06 355 1540 • m: 0274 423 920 

e: frankcon2@inspire.net.nz 

OUR BUILDER 

WELD BUILDERS 

• Domestic & light commerical 

• Renovations, repairs & new homes 

• Pride in experience & service 

Phone Andrew Weld - 

Weld Builders 

06 354 9290 

027 663 4998 

aweld1@ihug.co.nz 

2467851AA 

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Owned and Operated 

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Advertising feature 

ALTHERM WINDOW SYSTEMS 

Home is where the Heart is 

Thermal Heart, a range of thermally 

efficient aluminium windows and 

doors, is Altherm Window Systems’ 

specialty. 

Company manager Steve Dooley 

says the Thermal Heart suite of 

products is ideal for minimising cold 

and condensation, and dovetails with 

the Government requirements for 

energy efficiency in homes. 

The suite’s products are 20 percent 

more thermally efficient than 

standard double-glazed windows and 

doors, and have a reinforced nylon 

insulator or thermal break between 

the aluminium exterior and interior 

elements. 

‘‘Architects like it because it gives 

them a degree of flexibility when 

houses designed with large areas of 

glazing have to be brought into 

compliance with the building 

code.’’ 

Thermal Heart offers a full range 

of joinery for awnings, casements, 

sliding and bi-fold doors. 

Indoor-outdoor flow: Twin sliders on three sides of this room allow for maximum connection with the outdoors. 

Innovation takes 

Altherm to top 

Proudly 100% New Zealand 

owned and operated since 1980 

New Manawatu Office 

Proud to s upport 

Steve and the boys at Altherm 

Window Systems 

Sales Centre 

661A Tremaine Avenue • Palmerston North 

Ph Shane (06) 355 5279 or 027 474 6131 

Altherm Window Systems 

offers a range of residential 

products that has seen it 

become a leader in its field. 

Manager Steve Dooley says 

Altherm has been the preferred 

manufacturer among architects and 

designers for 40 years, and that the 

Altherm name has always been 

associated with quality and 

innovation. 

He says the residential range of 

products is a result of ongoing design 

improvements, and reflects the style 

of the 21st century. 

A major innovation at Altherm is 

the bottom-rolling bifold system, in 

which the weight of the door is 

carried on the sill. This means the door 

doesn’t act as a dead weight on the 

lintel, and ensures it can be 

successfully operated for many years. 

As the outside track is on the 

bottom, it is also easy to maintain and 

clean. 

Pressure-fit glazing is another 

feature of the company’s doors and 

windows. This means there are no 

wedge rubbers on the outside to 

gather dust – and allow burglars easy 

access. 

There is also a range of sliding and 

stacking doors, roof lights and doublehung 

windows that are ideal for the 

renovation of old villas where existing 

joinery needs to be matched. 

‘‘Altherm’s Metro suite is new to the 

market and is based on a unified 

design that is suitable for both 

residential and architectural 

applications in demanding 

environments,’’ Steve says. 

‘‘It has a flat, clean surface for a 

modern appearance.’’ 

It is classed as an intermediate 

range of joinery, and bridges the gap 

between residential and architectural 

products. Its sliding and hinge doors 

are suitable for environments where 

strength in design and performance 

are required. 

‘‘Doors are suitable to a height of 

2.4 metres in most wind exposures. 

Metro windows and doors can take a 

range of glazing beads for a solid, 

chunky look.’’ 

The architectural product range, 

which has been trialled in extreme 

conditions, is the ultimate Altherm has 

to offer. 

‘‘It is ideal for architectural homes 

and apartments, as it is a high 

performer. It also allows windows and 

doors to be bigger and bolder, which 

is important at a time when an 

increasing number of dwellings 

require floor-to-ceiling units for 

panoramic views,’’ Steve says. 

Sliding doors have been designed 

to allow sliders to stack neatly over 

walls or to be moved out of sight into 

wall cavities. 

‘‘Sliders are also designed to meet 

in corners without a post obscuring 

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GARDEN 

Plant more as 

you harvest 

Add value to your property 

As a homeowner, you need to be 

aware of how to value up your 

property. Every dollar you spend on 

doing up your house should have 

an added value in that the property 

will be worth more than what you’ve 

spent on it. 

There are two ways to achieve this. 

The first way is to make up a master 

plan for the whole house including 

landscaping and fencing and work 

towards this goal. Far too many 

people look at their house piece by 

piece without an overall picture. For 

example, they change the kitchen, 

add a lean-to, put in French doors 

and a deck but there has been no 

thought about how all the pieces join 

together. All these pieces will always 

be noticed as separate items that 

have been added on. This does not 

give added value. A good master 

plan should result in a house with an 

easy flow and one where no one can 

tell where any of the alterations have 

been done. 

The second way to add value to 

your house is to future proof your 

home. For the future resale value of 

your house, a percentage of potential 

buyers can be lost because old 

homes are cold, damp and draughty 

– people are much more aware of 

this than they used to be. By adding 

insulation, double-glazing, or a 

heating/ventilation system as part of 

your alterations, the attractiveness of 

your home is dramatically increased. 

So, before you do a quick alteration 

to your house, or change a wall or 

put in a new deck, take a step back 

and think about what you are trying 

to achieve. What is the end result 

and the end benefits that you want, 

and use these goals to create your 

master plan. 

Need an alteration? 

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If you are thinking about alterations to your house, Alteration 

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178gd334-08 

Ongoing: Plant now to enjoy dwarf bean in April, as well as more cabbages, cauliflower and lettuces. 

If you want to keep those veges coming, keep planting, says 

garden expert Albert Bodell. 

To maintain a succession of fresh 

vegetables, plant cabbages, cauliflower, 

lettuce, celery and broccoli every few 

weeks. 

As this month draws to a close, early 

sowings of carrots should be ready to be harvested. 

Continue to sow carrots, after taking steps to 

protect them from the maggot of the carrot rust fly. 

Pick cucumbers as they mature, to encourage 

more fruit, and use baby cucumbers as pickling 

gherkins. 

Plant dwarf beans, if you haven’t already done 

so, for picking in April. 

This is also the time of year to scatter green 

crops of lupin or oats in unoccupied plots for 

digging in later. 

Harvest shallots, onions and garlic after they 

have died off. Their tops and roots can be trimmed 

before they are placed in trays or boxes. 

Alternatively, the tops can be used to hang them 

up in bunches. This is a very effective storage 

method. 

Watch out for powdery mildew on cucumbers 

and pumpkins at this time of year, especially during 

periods of high humidity. 

Liquid-feed early celery crops, and spray them to 

control rust. 

The orchard 

The main harvesting period for berry fruit is over, 

and it’s time to cut out damaged and diseased 

wood/canes. 

Tie up the new season’s canes, after selecting 

only the strongest. Spray for fungi and especially 

mildew, and also take action to control cane spot, 

spur blight and bud moth. 

Remember to keep the tamarillos well watered. 

You should also mulch them, to prevent drying and 

early fruit drop. 

Spray apples and pears to control the spread of 

mites and to prevent codling moth and leaf-roller 

Remember: Keep the tamarillos well watered. 

caterpillars. Repeat this procedure after two weeks. 

This time of year sees the beginning of the main 

harvest of stone and pip fruit. Remember to keep 

your trees well watered, to swell fruit size. 

As soon as the harvest is completed, summerprune 

stone fruit trees to prevent silver leaf. 

Grapes vines may need trimming before the 

grapes are harvested, to allow air and light to reach 

the fruit. Continue to spray for mealy bug and leaf 

roller. 

Meanwhile, citrus trees should be sprayed for 

verrucosis – a fungal disease that causes corky 

brown scabs and blisters. 

The greenhouse 

Pot up freesias and lachenalias. 

Attend to your tomato crop, which will climax 

this month, and pinch out the tops of plants that 

have reached six trusses. This will help the upper 

fruit to reach full size before the season ends. 

Repot cyclamen held from last year. 

Continued page 9


GARDEN 

Trimmed up: Grapes vines may need pruning before the grapes are harvested, to allow air and light to reach the fruit. 

Perfect complement: A good lawn will provide a wonderful contrast with borders. 

Plant more as you harvest 


The flower garden 

You will need to water the garden this 

onth, and to pay particular attention to 

he watering of asters, dahlias and 

hrysanthemums. 

Spray to control thrips. These attack 

ladioli, bottlebrush, rhododendrons, 

zaleas and camellias, and cause the 

olling and silvering of leaves. 

Belladonna lilies and lycoris, if deeply 

atered now, will flower. 

Spray roses to control insect pests and 

owdery mildew, rust and black spot. 

ncourage them to produce another 

lush of blooms by giving them a side 

application of fertiliser and generous 

helping of manure. 

Don’t forget to remove the old and 

spent flower heads and to water deeply. 

Mulching, too, is always a good idea. 

Meanwhile, disbud chrysanthemums 

to improve the quality of the remaining 

flowers. 

Now is also the time to plant spring 

bulbs, except tulips. 

As leaf-roller caterpillar can be a 

problem on some shrubs, such as 

manuka and camellia, at this time of 

year, spray them with Maverick. 

Generally 

Remove the runners from strawberry 

plants that are going to be retained for 

a second season. 

Lawns 

A good, even lawn will provide a 

wonderful contrast with borders and 

shrubs, provided you have prepared 

the ground carefully before sowing. 

Remember that short cuts lead to 

poor results and even more work later. 

Turf grasses need moisture, good 

drainage, and a nutrient-rich soil to 

produce a thick sward. A minimum of 

10cm of topsoil is also required. 

Start by removing all weeds from 

the site. Then give the soil a thorough 

cultivation, by either digging it or 

using a rotary hoe. 

Finally, go over it again several 

times, raking it to remove any 

remaining clods and weeds and 

treading it to consolidate the surface. 

If you start your lawn preparation 

early, you will have many months for 

raking and treading. To improve 

drainage in heavy soils, add some 

coarse sand and mix it in thoroughly. 

If the soil is light, sandy or peaty, or 

simply insufficient, consider bringing 

in additional topsoil. Make sure it is of 

good quality and free from couch 

grass (twitch) and oxalis – two weeds 

that are very difficult to eradicate. 

To level the prepared ground, use a 

levelling board on small areas and a 

roller on large areas. But be careful not 

to over-do your use of the latter. 

The centre of the lawn should be 

slightly raised, to allow rainwater to 

run off. Dips and hollows allow 

puddles to form and also make 

mowing difficult. 

You can add superphosphate 

(7g/m3) to promote good root and 

leaf growth, and sulphate of ammonia 

(14g/m3) as a ready source of 

nitrogen. Mix them evenly into the 

soil with a rake several days before 

sowing the grass seed. 

Compost can also be mixed into the 

soil, but only if it is well rotted. Bulky 

organic compost can pack down later, 

creating soft areas in the lawn and 

resulting in hollows. 

Sow the lawn in April/May, after the 

rains arrive. Spread the seed lightly 

and evenly, and gently water it in. A 

top-dressing of NPK fertiliser can be 

beneficial after three to four weeks. 

■ Albert Bodell can be contacted for 

gardening work on 353 7540 or 021 

0251 3290. 

Need a 

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GARDEN 

Perfect spot: Paths and walkways allow access to all parts of the garden. 

From bare paddock to paradise 

Just off the main road, at the northern end of Woodville, Sue Emeny discovers a hidden treasure called Te Matau. 

Transforming a bare paddock in 

Woodville into a beautiful 

garden has had its challenges, 

not the least of them being the 

weather. 

But Heather and Bill Hirschberg have 

overcome all obstacles. 

They moved off their 364ha 

(900-acre) sheep and beef farm in 

Pohangina Valley and into Woodville 13 

years ago. They wanted to build a 

house, run sheep and lambs, and feed 

calves on their new 8ha (20-acre) 

property. 

Heather also wanted to establish a 

garden to rival the one she had created 

at their former home. 

She had completed a garden 

landscaping course, which had proved 

helpful as she pursued her interest. 

The garden was created in stages, 

and has evolved over the years as it has 

increased in size. 

‘‘I keep my eyes skinned for ideas that 

I can adapt to my garden. The garden is 

always evolving, and that’s why it’s so 

enjoyable.’’ 

For the past 10 years, the garden has 

Lonely bloom: Heather Hirschberg displays a solitary hydrangea bloom. Normally, 

the bush is smothered with flowers. But bad weather put paid to this year’s display. 

been open to the public. 

Initially, Heather approached the New 

Zealand Garden Trust and asked to have 

her garden included on the trust’s 

register. But four years later, when the 

anticipated crowds of visitors still hadn’t 

materialised, she decided to go it alone. 

Over the years, there haven’t been a 

lot of visitors. But the people who have 

viewed the garden have found their 

visit worthwhile and enjoyable. 

One thing the trust did teach Heather 

was that gardens have to be maintained 

to a high standard. 

‘‘You can’t have a garden full of 

weeds. I don’t like asking people to pay 

if the garden is not up to scratch.’’ 

As Heather has arthritis, and finds the 

garden harder to maintain, she is 

downsizing some of the beds. But she 

has no intention of giving up 

gardening. 

‘‘We are pretty well self-sufficient,’’ 

she says. 

There is a good-sized vegetable 

garden, apple and citrus trees, feijoas 

and raspberries, and red and black 

currants. 

A granny smith apple tree has its 

days numbered. 

‘‘We bought a tree that had three 

different apples grafted on to one root 

stock. Apparently, the green apple will 

take over and affect the fruiting of the 

other two apple trees by taking all the 

nourishment from the soil.’’ 

The garden is virtually organic as 

Heather uses only Neem Tree, 

Perkfection, seaweed and other organic 

products as needed. 

Vegetables receive a handful of 

sheep pellets and blood and bone 

when they’re planted, and that’s it. 

‘‘I don’t like sprays. I think they cause 

all sorts of health problems.’’ 

Frosts are one problem. The wind, 

which has at times ripped vegetables 

out of the ground, is another. 

‘‘It is a challenge, working with the 

frost and the westerly wind, but you 

learn to cope with it.’’ 

Shelter belts have largely taken care 

of the latter, Heather says. This year, 

conditions have been unusual, and have 

even included some snow. 

‘‘The soil is beautiful to work with. 

Everything seems to grow extremely 

well. August was great. Everything was 

coming along well. But then, in October, 

we had four horrible frosts.’’ 

Continued page 11 

Latecomer: This wisteria’s late blooming, during the height of 

summer, is unusual and is attributed to the unsettled weather. 

Old favourites: Dahlias and phlox provide a riot of colour. 

In tune: The garden has been created to complement the 

Hirschbergs’ ranch-style home.


GARDEN 

Self-sufficient: A lush vegetable garden provides food throughout the year. 

Courgettes and cucumbers are planted inside old tyres, which provide support as 

the plants grow. 


This is the fourth garden that Heather 

has created over the years. 

Leaving a garden she has created 

can be a wrench. But as time has 

passed, she has learned to deal with 

it. 

‘‘I never go back to a garden I’ve 

made. Everybody puts their own 

stamp on their garden. I don’t want to 

know what’s been pulled out.’’ 

She feels the important thing is to 

leave something behind. 

‘‘We always leave a place as good 

or better than when we came,’’ 

Heather says. 

It’s a philosophy she has carried 

over to their farm. 

‘‘We only have top-quality stock, 

and leave a place after having made 

something of it.’’ 

When they moved to their current 

property, there were only four 

paddocks. Over the years, paddocks 

have been divided, fences put up and 

a woolshed built. 

Because it has become harder for 

Heather to work in the garden, she 

feels it might be time to shut the gate 

on garden visits. 

‘‘I enjoy sharing it with people; so if 

someone wants to visit, they have to 

ring first and take it as they find it.’’ 

Picture perfect: A beautifully kept lawn is framed by trees and shrubs of all colours. 

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