Special Publications: October 09, 2024

Gardening
Selwyn
PubliSh e d by
Guide
&
Spring 2024
Your Guide to
celebratinG SprinG &
Summer in the Garden
Snowdrop Sunday at the
legendary terrace Station
page 7
page 8
inspire the kids - go bug-eyed!
page 11
Win a Fun kids gardening set
page 14
Veges for life! Grow at home or
community gardens
Bring in this ad
and get
Spring is here
Trees & Shrubs
not already discounted
Please wear appropriate footwear
CLOSED
MONDAYS
913 Shands Road
Just south of the Selwyn Road / Shands Road intersection
T: 03 349 9240 E: info@allwood.co.nz
Keep up to date on Allwood news through our Facebook or
Instagram pages: Allwood Trees and at www.allwood.co.nz
View our services online now: www.allwood.co.nz

2 | Selwyn Gardening guide 2024
LANDSCAPE, timber & firewood SUPPLIES
We supply
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We welcome
retail & trade
customers!
Landscaping
FIREWOOD
TIMBER
Our wide range includes:
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• River stones/ Boulders
• Sands, basecourse & aggregates
• Dry Silica /White and Grey brick sand
• Barks & mulches
• Bagged cements
• Pavers / Westland schist
• We supply and deliver firewood
• Yard sales
• Bagged wood
• Boot loads
• Charcoal – Restaurant / Domestic
• WINZ quotes available
• Residential fencing
• Structural
• Stakes & pegs
• Decking
• Hardware
• Sleepers – Macrocarpa
• Planter boxes
CHRISTCHURCH’S LARGEST RANGE OF
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gardenmakers
4 Parkhouse Rd Wigram Phone: 341-5688
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sales@gardenmakers.co.nz
www.gardenmakers.co.nz
Open 7 days Mon-Sat 7.15am-5pm Sun 8am-4pm

PUBLISHER
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A division of Allied Press Ltd
PO Box 1467 Christchurch 8140
ADVERTISING
Lynette Evans - Ph 021 222 7831
email: lynette.evans@starmedia.kiwi
EDITORIAL
Isabelle Teresa
Claire Reid
DESIGN
Jessica Buckingham
Springing back into life!
When the kōwhai blooms in New Zealand,
it’s official, Spring has begun! Welcome
to the 2024 Selwyn Gardening Guide. We
hope you enjoy our selection of gardening
ideas and inspiration.
This truly is a district of garden
lovers. All our towns and villages have
Garden Clubs – find contact details for
yours on the Canterbury Horticultural
Society website. Community Gardens
are also a great opportunity to get your
hands dirty, meet likeminded people
and learn tips and tricks – look these up
on the Canterbury Community Gardens
Association website. And there are so many
stunning display gardens to visit in the
district, some of which we feature in this
issue – see Selwyn.nz.
Selwyn is also home to many gardening and
landscaping suppliers and services, on hand
to lend expertise to your projects. We thank
those who have supported this magazine.
There’s suddenly so much to be seeing
and doing outdoors. Here’s just some of
Selwyn’s gardening-related events before
Christmas, all free or reasonably priced.
Search the links for details. Wherever you
are in Selwyn, Spring is calling…
Weekly
Wed 10–12 + Sat 1–3: ReNourish
Community Garden working bees, Pines
Resource Recovery Park
Wed & Sat: Broadfield Garden open days
(see below)
October
Thurs 10: Bee Awesome / Darfield
Library / selwynlibraries.co.nz/whats-on
Fri 11: Bee Awesome / Lincoln Library /
selwynlibraries.co.nz/whats-on
Sat 12: Native Plants, workshop and tour
/ West Melton Native Plants, at Nut Point
Centre / nutpoint.org
Sat 19: “Veges 101” workshop /
lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 19: Compost workshop /
ReNourish Community Garden /
renourish.garden@selwyn.govt.nz
Sat 19: Ellesmere A&P Show, Leeston /
ellesmereshow.co.nz
Sat 19: Whitecliffs Spring Fete /
hororata.org.nz
Sat 19: entries close for the Rolleston
Residents Garden Competition, free, open
to private dwellings, commercial premises
and schools, multiple garden sizes /
rollestongardencompetition@gmail.com
Mon 28: Hororātā Parish Spring Fair /
hororata.org.nz
November
Sat 2: Lincoln Anglican Parish Plant Fair /
facebook.com/events/lincoln-parish
Sun 3: Terrace Station, Hororātā /
Open Day: early summer flowers /
terracestation.org.nz
Sun 3: Leeston Consolidated School
House & Garden Tour fundraiser, Leeston
area / wfs@leeston.school.nz
Sun 3: Lincoln’s Mahoe Native
Reserve Working Bee /
lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 9: “Starting and Maintaining
a Worm Farm” workshop /
lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sat 23: Steventon House & Garden open
day, Whitecliffs / hororata.org.nz
Sun 24: Tai Tapu House & Garden Tour
fundraiser / taitapugardentour.nz
December
Sun 1: Lincoln’s Mahoe Native Reserve
Working Bee / lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
Sun 8: Terrace Station, Hororātā / Open
Day: giant lilies / terracestation.org.nz
Broadfield Garden:
David Hobbs has been creating the
3.5-hectare, award-winning Broadfield
Garden for over 32 years. Nestled in the
triangle between Selwyn and Waterholes
Roads, equidistant between Rolleston,
Prebbleton and Lincoln, it is stunning in
all seasons.
On arrival, the impressive scale of
the grand lawns and ponds, shaped
by crisply trimmed hedges, initially
triggers thoughts of English National
Trust gardens – but pay attention to the
plantings and you’ll see that Broadfield
is very much a contemporary NZ garden.
Many natives are used, as are NZ-raised
varieties of many well-known species.
There are substantial plantings of very
good iconic NZ longterm trees, including
kauri, tōtara, kahikatea and beech,
established from 30 years plus.
Grand vistas give way to beguiling paths
leading to smaller groves and settings,
including the highly popular veggie
garden. Smatterings of artworks of
different styles add colour and a smile.
You will get hundreds of ideas on garden
design, planting, maintenance and plants
Selwyn treasure
that do well in Canterbury. David, the
friendly gardener, welcomes questions.
Selwyn District, with its recent
exponential growth, does not have
many heritage assets and Broadfield is
certainly one of those.
Put up for sale earlier in the year, the
right buyer has not yet been found.
Residents lobbied Selwyn District
Council to buy it and make it free to
visitors like Council-owned gardens
elsewhere, but unsuccessfully. Alternate
uses would be as a very superior
wedding venue, or luxurious forever
home site probably no longer available
to visitors.
Surely any buyer will want to keep this
masterpiece open, but just in case, get
down there! There are open days every
Wednesday and Saturday, 8–4.30, for
the low cost of $20 (kids are free).
250 Selwyn Road, Weedons
david@broadfieldgarden.nz
0274 334 099 / visits / tours /
picnics / photography / family
occasions / weddings
Broadfield
garden
A multi award winning
garden with many design
ideas, planting ideas and
maintenance minimising
systems. See plants that
do well in Canterbury.
20 different sections of
varying sizes and styles.
Visits, guided tours usually
available, allow 1 to 1
hour 30 minutes, picnics
welcome, photos, wedding
ceremonies, group visits.
Adults
$20
children
free
FREE visit on Saturday
Sunday 12 & 13 October
Open Wednesdays & Saturdays 8 – 4.30 & by arrangement
250 Selwyn Road M: David 027 4334 099 E: david@bel.nz

4 | Selwyn GArdeninG Guide 2024
Sharing the Love:
The After-hours Stylist
From the author of
the flower field and flower shed in
Prebbleton has the following:
PYO Flower Sessions from January to April
Floral Workshops – PYO, decadent food & floral arranging
Cake/coffee and PYO sessions with local caterers
Ten years ago, busy city professionals Kate
and Phil Williams bought a paddock in
Prebbleton. Fast forward to now… their
home is built and surrounded by three
acres of established garden, there are fields
of dahlias and other summer flowers, Kate
runs a busy schedule of artistic workshops
and pick-your-own sessions and has copublished
a book. Incredibly, she is still
also a busy city professional. How is this
possible? Meet The After-hours Stylist!
Kate takes active relaxing to a new level.
She loves nature, creativity and styling, and
generously shares opportunities and her
experience with others. In fact her book
epitomises this generosity. Also called The
After-hours Stylist, the book celebrates
each season, offering simple, inexpensive
and beautiful ways to share this
celebration with loved ones. This beautiful
collaboration with interiors and lifestyle
photographer Anna McLeod looks like a
coffee table book, but you’ll be carrying it
from your garden to your kitchen bench as
you experiment with the ideas.
Kate’s workshops are also legendary among
the many families, friends, gardening clubs,
SHRUBS • NZ NATIVES • FRUIT TREES + MORE
NURSERY OPEN
WEEKDAYS 8:30AM–5PM
WWW.GREENLINC.CO.NZ | (03) 347 8207
515 MADDISONS RD, WEEDONS
community and corporate groups who
attend. Kate offers a warm welcome in
The Flower Shed, with materials set
up ready. The participants roam the
extensive fields to pick their own choices
of blooms, then are gently guided in
the arts of floral arranging and table
and home decoration, with delicious
food served along the way. Taking your
personally-created floral arrangement
home is a real treat – and much
appreciated in the popular Christmas
wreath workshops.
It takes Kate up to a week to prepare
for these workshops in her after-hours
evenings and weekends, but it’s a deep
pleasure for her to be pottering, creating,
and planning ahead to give others a
fulfilling experience.
The pick-your-own sessions are also
highly popular – affordable, and utterly
uplifting. Kate and her knowledgeable
helpers are on hand for chatting and
gardening advice. Attendance must
be booked in advance – for dates and
booking, go to the “Shop” section of the
website.
Isn’t this all too much, alongside a
challenging, fulltime corporate role?
Kate laughs: “The question I’m asked
most often, is do I ever sleep?? And yes
I do, six hours a night, which is plenty.
The garden gives me such energy, and
it’s my passion to share it.”
hello@theafterhoursstylist.co.nz
027 22 968 22 (text)
theafterhoursstylist.com
Book online at theafterhoursstylist.com
under ‘shop’ to see the full menu
Instagram @theafterhoursstylist
Email hello@theafterhoursstylist.co.nz
Native Plant Nursery
Trees for CanTerbury
• Groundcovers
• Ferns
• Grasses
OPEN 7 DAYS
• Small to big
sized shrubs
• Shelterbelts
facebook.com/ Trees4Canterbury
www.treesforcanterbury.org.nz
• ALL grades
• Expert advice
• Planting now
Helping our community grow
SuperGold Card
discounts available
42 Charlesworth Street, Ferrymead. Phone: (03) 982-1028

Everything you need
for your garden!
Passion and purpose:
The Herbal Garden
Julie is on a voyage of discovery.
First entranced with the taste of herbs
as a UK Cordon Bleu chef, on moving
here with her kiwi husband she studied
organics at Lincoln University then
herbal medicine with Valmai Becker
of Phytofarm. With eyes now open to
herbs’ medicinal properties, she has
transformed her garden and her life.
The West Melton home is set back
and encircled by a two-acre garden,
divided into areas with their own
character and purpose. Following
permaculture principles, the garden
creates an ecosystem for itself and its
people. Culinary herbs and potager
veggie patches are at the kitchen door.
Medicinal herbs are in high sun, with
ample room to spread and seed. The 40-
tree orchard provides fruits and shelter.
The berries are in raised beds, avoiding
weeds and easier to net from the many
birds also enjoying the garden!
Everything is composted and mulched.
The only fertilisers are compost tea and
vermicast from the worm farm. When a
loved oak had to be felled, it became an
outdoor table.
Most importantly, herbs and companion
planting flowers are intermingled
everywhere in the borders of the whole
garden. Julie explains: “It’s the diversity
of the garden that brings it into balance.
There’s beneficial harmony. People come
to me with their gardening problems,
and I don’t have those problems, because
herbs help with everything. The only pest
I can’t fend off is rabbits!”
Julie welcomes visitors, as keen to
discuss and learn from them as she is
to show her work. Arrange a group
visit or attend a fascinating workshop,
including Herbal Tea, Ladies Day Out,
and Herbs and Wine! She is also keen
to collaborate to create any innovative
event, from yoga to flax weaving –
anything to get people outside.
Visitors can enjoy the more traditionally
“beautiful” areas, including a spacious
parklike setting, charming gazebo over
water, and heritage climbing roses.
Hubbie’s whimsical metallic gates and
animal sculptures dot the landscape.
Julie’s passion to share her knowledge
is genuine. Her website offers a
huge amount of detailed gardening
information. Browse her herbal teas
and skincare products, using herbs
harvested at their peak from the garden
and created onsite.
No wonder The Herbal Garden took
Tourism Gold at the most recent Selwyn
Awards. Join Julie’s voyage of discovery
and enter the world of herbs.
Visits by arrangement:
205 Jowers Road, West Melton
027 487 6019
admin@herbalgarden.co.nz
www.herbalgarden.co.nz
www.mainscapegardensupplies.co.nz
Monthly Special
10% diScount
on all Decorative stone
till 31 October
with this add
Yard Hours:
Monday to Friday
8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 3pm
Contact:
Monday to Saturday 7am - 6pm
Paul 021 241 7908
sales@mainscape.co.nz
1543 Springs Road,
Lincoln 7674, Christchurch
Mainscape Garden Supplies

6 | Selwyn Gardening guide 2024
meet us in
the Country
BROADFIELD GARDEN
Explore this award-winning garden, featuring beautiful
vistas, New Zealand cultural icons, topiary, bonsai, and
well-kept hedges. Find practical ideas for garden design,
planting advice, and maintenance tips, with a focus on
plants that thrive in Canterbury. Wander through various
plant collections, including beech and kauri forests, a
canal, a museum lawn, and an azalea garden. Bring a
picnic and enjoy a peaceful day outdoors.
250 Selwyn Road, Rolleston
$20 adults, children free.
CASA ROSSA
Visit this 1.25-acre Italianate garden, transformed over
25 years from a former shingle quarry into a masterpiece
with a 5-star Garden of National Significance rating from
the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Explore the tapestry
beech walk, vibrant maples, roses, junipers, and unique
artworks throughout the garden.
203 Jowers Rd, West Melton
$15 adults, children free.
Garden
open days
14–17 November*
10am–4pm
Visit Selwyn’s award-winning gardens
opening in spring.
Get a group of friends together and explore
beautiful gardens and nurseries in bloom at
one of the open days. Enjoy great walks and
cafes nearby.
For details visit
selwyn.nz/spring
CEDAR PARK
Explore this spectacular, peaceful 1.5-acre garden in
Rolleston, offering something for everyone. Enjoy a
variety of beautiful gardens, trees and a productive
potager. On-site parking is available and a selection
of plants are for sale. Bring a picnic and relax.
*14, 15 and 16 November only.
101B Lowes Road, Rolleston
$6 adults, children free.
KNOCKDOLIAN
Established in 1939, Knockdolian is now a 4-star Garden
of National Significance, recognized by the New Zealand
Gardens Trust. With a variety of well-established areas
— orchard, vegetable garden, rose garden, native plants,
rockery, deep borders, and woodlands — there’s plenty
to explore and enjoy.
505 Deans Road, Darfield
$15 adults, children free.
ORTEL GARDEN AND NURSERY
This expansive, meticulously designed garden, over 30 years
old, features garden rooms with roses, vegetables, and
pleached hornbeams. Explore ponds, a stream, perennial
borders, new wave planting and a Japanese-inspired
cloud-pruned garden. Visit the on-site nursery open daily
at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
*15 and 17 November only.
West Melton
$20 adults, children free.
TAI TAPU SCULPTURE GARDEN
Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, a native regeneration project,
showcases work by some of New Zealand’s favourite
artists set within one hectare of native bush. Since
2010, over 8,000 trees and shrubs have been planted,
creating a haven for rare native plants of Canterbury
and a sanctuary for native birds and art lovers alike.
Explore, discover and be inspired.
1/199 Cossars Rd, Tai Tapu
$20 adults, children free.
THE HERBAL GARDEN
Discover a thriving organic permaculture haven where
culinary and medicinal herbs grow alongside vibrant
flowers, trees, vegetables and a flourishing orchard.
Explore handcrafted herbal skincare products, teas,
and salts, all made from the garden’s abundance.
205 Jowers Rd, West Melton
$12 adults, children free.

Selwyn GardeninG Guide 2024 | 7
Soak up beauty
and history at
Terrace Station
Terrace Station’s iconic open days herald in
spring in Selwyn; five Sundays, about a month
apart, each with a different theme. August sees
the delightful “Snowdrop Sunday”, followed by
September’s violets and primroses, October’s
bluebells, November’s aquilegias (columbine),
digitalis (foxgloves) and the start of summer
flowers, then cardiocrinums (giant lilies) in
December.
Stunning though they are, the woodland flowers
are just part of the magic of this place.
Terrace Station is steeped in history… 150-yearold
tree plantings, historic listed farm buildings
and homestead, and the history of 19th century
New Zealand itself, from agriculture to politics
to suffrage success.
In the 1850s, the Hall brothers purchased
the sheep runs that became Terrace Station,
soon solely owned by Sir John Hall, eventual
Selwyn MP then Premier (prime minster) of
New Zealand. Hall was an innovative farmer
and passionate about trees. He imported
seed to discover the types of trees best
suited to Canterbury Plains’ conditions, and
experimented with shelter belt formations.
He published his findings and, as a politician,
incentivised particular agricultural plantings.
So when you stroll the Big Tree Walking
Track leading up to the homestead, you’re
experiencing this legacy, and it’s powerful.
There’s a deep magic to big, old trees.
Signposted trees of note include massive
sequoia (redwood), oak, fir, maple and
hawthorn, planted over 150 years ago. Hugging
and climbing is welcomed!
Then it’s a short drive back along the road to
pick up the Woodland track and roam a wooded
hillside with the famous drifts of bulbs beneath.
The experience is charming.
Hall’s descendants still live here. Great granddaughter
Kate Foster is the current guardian,
giving open day visitors a warm welcome.
She fiercely values the station’s history and
archives. From farm tools to domestic items to
planting and agricultural records to employee
lists, it is said the Hall family threw nothing
away! Kate welcomes research requests.
Visiting this place isn’t like going to a show
garden, sculpted and controlled. It’s a home,
where important things happened, and still do.
And it offers a special experience: to spend time
with old, loved trees, in a naturalised, beautiful
setting. I left feeling deeply connected,
refreshed and peaceful. Magic indeed.
Next open days: November 3, December
8, April autumn dates tbc / 151 Milnes Rd,
Hororātā / 11am–3pm, $10 cash per adult
/ Picnics welcome, no dogs
www.terracestation.org.nz
The right product for the Right Price
Rural Pole Sheds
Vehicle Shelters
Animal Shelters
Utility Workshops
Roundwood
Landscaping Timber
Residential Fencing
Post & Rail Fencing
Animal Netting
Sheep & Deer Gates
Deer Fencing
Electric Fencing
Canterbury
Timber & Harware
YOUR LOCAL TIMBER MERCHANT
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OPEN:
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Saturday
7:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm
03 347 7465 sales@cthl.co.nz www.cthl.co.nz 167 Manion Road, Rolleston

8 | Selwyn GardeninG Guide 2024
Going bug-eyed
inspire the kids!
Keen to get your kids out into the garden?
If they’re not yet thrilled by the three Ws
– weeding, watering and waiting – how
about spicing things up with some nice
juicy bugs?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Although published in America in 1969,
this book is enshrined in kiwi families’
hearts. Your kids can live it – just put
them in charge of some swan plants and
let nature take its course.
Your whole household will soon be
hooked by the daily changes and dramas
taking place on these plants, from the
magical appearance of the tiniest white
eggs, to the first views of the microscopic
hatchling caterpillars, to the five
moultings as they switch up their size
2,000%, to their slo-mo head-butting
battles over the tastiest leaves, to curling
into a J and forming the green chrysalis,
and then, after a tense wait, the ultimate
magic – the glorious butterfly emerges!
Before you know it, your kids will be going
viral by setting up livestream webcams
with Attenborough-style narration – but
most importantly, they will be out in the
garden multiple times on multiple days.
Success.
Pro tip: never underestimate how hungry
these monarch caterpillars are. Swan
plants (milkweed) are the only thing
they eat – rumours about pumpkin as an
alternative are incorrect. Swan plants can
be stripped to a stick in a couple of days,
so you MUST have back-up plants on
hand. By now, these caterpillars are part
of your family – if you let them starve and
die, there’ll be tears before bedtime (and I
don’t just mean the kids).
Abuzz about bees
What’s not to love about bees – they’re
stripey, fuzzy, bustle and burrow deep
down into flowers, make delicious
honey… and make life on this planet
possible. Kids need to learn how
important bees are, and how we can give
them a helping hand.
So set them the design challenge of
creating an outdoor, shallow water table
where bees can perch without getting
waterlogged, to drink safely. Obviously,
this water table must be checked and
topped up daily if not more often. See
what we did there? Success!
There’s many more bug-inspired tricks
to lure your kids outside – think bug
hotels, eensy-weensy spiders and worm
farms, to name just a few. Try some of
these things and soon your kids will be
bug-eyed with wonder – and hooked on
the magic of gardens.
Tips for Spring Tree Care
Spring in New Zealand is the perfect
time to give your garden trees a little
TLC, setting them up for a healthy
and beautiful season ahead.
1. Check for Winter Woes
Take a good look at your trees
to see how they’re doing. Any
broken or drooping branches
are best removed, not only
for neatness but also to avoid
potential safety issues.
2. Mulch and Water
Fresh mulch is like a cozy
blanket, keeping soil moist and
blocking pesky weeds. Just keep
it a few inches away from the
trunk to avoid rot. Water trees,
especially younger ones, with a
good soak to encourage strong
root growth.
3. Feed with Care
Apply a slow-release fertiliser to
provide nutrients gradually, helping
your trees grow strong all season
long. A little goes a long way!
4. Keep an Eye Out for Pests
As the weather warms up, be on the
lookout for signs of pests like aphids
or caterpillars, to catch any problems
before they become a bigger issue.
If you’re not sure about anything, it’s
always best to give the experts a call.
Did you know that Beaver Tree Service
offers free tree appraisals to help identify
potential problems or safety risks. Call us
today and get your trees summer ready!
Beaver Tree Service
beavertree.co.nz
0800 422 328

Show your garden some love with
Portstone Garden Centre
Have you visited Portstone Garden
Centre yet? Inside you’ll find
everything you need to turn your
dream garden into a reality.
The season of the Kōwhai
The kōwhai is native to New Zealand, and
heralds spring. Beloved in this country, it
used to feature on our 2 cent coin and $5
note!
For Māori, it was the key marker of the
start of spring weather and all the activities
that are to happen at the time. The kina is
ready for harvest, and the kūmara must
be planted. In fact, it became a shorthand
way of having a dig at someone: I hea koe i
te ao o te kōwhai? / Where were you when
the kōwhai was in bud? In other words, we
were doing all the work, why do you just
turn up when it’s time to eat the harvest!
The famous kōwhai flowers make a clear
yellow dye, with “kōwhai” being one of the
main te reo words for “yellow”.
The bark plays an important role in
Rongoā, medicinal practice. Although
Te Tau o te Kōwhai
all parts of the plant are poisonous
when eaten, the bark can be crushed
and boiled to become an effective
treatment for bruises, wounds, shingles,
itching and dandruff. The roots and
leaves can also be prepared to treat
gastrointestinal, respiratory and
muscular pain.
The wood is one of the strongest natural
hard woods in this country, both
durable and elastic. Māori used it for
tools, weapons, wedges and fishhooks.
It couldn’t be used for food utensils,
because of its poisonous nature.
So the kōwhai is an all-round loved
and respected tree. All kiwis can feel
hope from the phrase He ua kōwhai / A
Spring shower. When we’re surrounded
by the beautiful yellow blooms, warmth
and renewal are at hand.
The family-run garden centre has
been operating since 1982 so not
only will you get top-notch products,
but you’ll also benefit from decades
of advice from the friendly and
knowledgeable team.
Whether your garden needs a
complete overhaul or you’d just like to
add some finishing touches, Portstone
Garden Centre has everything you
need for your project.
There’s an extensive range of green
life products, including shrubs, roses,
flowering and vege plants, herbs,
citrus and fruit trees, as well as a large
selection of indoor plants.
Portstone Garden Centre is the
exclusive Canterbury stockist of
Dragonstone UK, offering a range
of stunning statues, animals,
birdbaths; and is a proud stockist
of Wintergardenz greenhouses and
Kings seeds.
Plus, you can use your SuperGold
card to get 10% off on selected
products.
There’s also a gift shop, where you
can pick up some unique gifts for your
loved ones – or yourself.
You’ll find plenty of New Zealand
made goodies, such as Exquisite Wool
products, Living Light candles, natural
skin care from Scully’s and The Herb
Farm.
And if all that shopping leaves you in
need of refreshment, then head to the
award-winning Leeves at Portstone café,
which serves up delicious hot drinks,
snacks and meals.
Portstone Garden Centre is easy to find –
just head down Ferry Road and look out
for the iconic gum tree that stands just
outside.
Portstone Garden Centre is open
seven days a week – check online
for opening times. You can also
view their product range online at
portstone.co.nz or call 03 389 4352
for more information.
EXPERTS IN COVERED
OUTDOOR LIVING AREA
0800 SHADES • WWW.SHADESDIRECT.CO.NZ
LOVE YOUR GARDEN
WITH PORTSTONE
UP TO 24 months interest free
Macrocarpa Raised
Garden Beds
Range of sizes available to suit your budget.
We can customize Lengths.
Landscape and Pergola Grade timber available.
sales@macrocarpasupplies.co.nz
www.macrocarpasupplies.co.nz
Price range starting
from $470.
Mention this advert
get 10% off.
465 Ferry Road | P: 03 389 4352
Open 9am-4.30pm 7 Days
www.portstone.co.nz

10 | Selwyn GardeninG Guide 2024
ReNourish Community
Garden abuzz with
spring activity
If you’ve been to Pines Resource
Recovery Park near Rolleston in
the last year, you’ll know there’s a
visionary project taking place. Called
ReConnect, it’s a multi-faceted project
inspiring people to think differently
about waste. And right beside the
popular ReDiscover education centre,
the ReNourish Community Garden is
very visibly springing to life.
Coordinator Nicky O’Sullivan
welcomes volunteers of all ages and
stages, no gardening experience
necessary. There’s weekly working
bees on Wednesdays 10–12 and
Saturdays 1–3. Volunteers gain great
gardening experience, bond with
likeminded people over a cuppa and
a biccie, and take home some fruits of
their labour.
Most of the produce is donated
directly to the foodbank at The
Salvation Army Rolleston’s
Generation House, which is thrilled to
receive such fresh, healthy produce.
Nicky says: “Look closely at our
garden and you’ll start seeing more
and more quirks. From a bath to a
bedhead to pavers from Rolleston
town centre, we re-purpose whatever
materials and equipment come our
way. People dispose of such good
items, and it’s our philosophy to give
those another life.”
Pre-school, school and community
groups are welcomed to take over
garden beds of their own. Because of
the location within a secure complex,
theft and vandalism is not an issue.
Keep an eye on ReNourish’s Facebook
page to see inspirational gardening
and sustainability pictures, stay in
touch with working bee activities, and
hear about other free events such as
seed swaps and workshops.
renourish.garden@selwyn.govt.nz
www.selwyn.govt.nz/renourish
West Melton Plant Nursery:
The best value for the best plants
West Melton Plant Nursery is on a mission.
Both Gavin and Myra have been known on
the local markets’ scene for years as plant
specialists with beautiful wares. Now the
mission is to get the nursery more widely
known, and they have one key message:
“Our plants are better value than anywhere
else… including Bunnings!”
Gavin explains: “Sometimes that means we
charge less money for the same product,
and sometimes it means our plants are
bigger and healthier for the same price.”
And why Bunnings? “Well, times are hard,
but you don’t have to go to a big chain to get
a bargain. We use our decades of experience
and local knowledge to present you with
a full selection of the healthiest plants,
plus lots of friendly advice on looking after
them.”
Myra’s specialism of bonsai and cacti adds
a special dimension to the already extensive
range of deciduous, evergreen, natives, fruit,
nut and citrus, roses, grasses, shrubs and
hedging on display. You never know what
you’ll end up leaving with!
The nursery’s new website includes helpful
plant and bonsai care guides. Plants can
currently be bought by online order,
with full online shopping functionality in
development. Delivery prices for purchases
over $150 are clearly outlined and very
reasonable, being free to Rolleston and just
$50 to Lincoln, for example.
• Visit the beautiful nursery at:
40 Wylies Road, West Melton,
open 9–5 daily (winter 9.30–4)
• Visit the comprehensive website, and
enjoy the cute little touches to entertain
the kids while you browse:
www.westmeltonplantnursery.co.nz
• Follow the Facebook page for regular
and enthusiastic updates
• For any queries, email
westmeltonplantnursery@gmail.com or
just call Gavin direct on 027 433 4057,
he loves a good natter about plants!
Your organics bin is only
for the following items...
West Melton Plant Nursery
Garden prunings,
clippings and leaves
Meat, bones
and fish
Fruit and vegetables
Coffee grinds
Offering a large and diverse range of plants
including Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees, Shrubs,
Roses, Camellias, Bonsai Tree’s and lots more. As a
team we pride ourselves on delivering top quality
products and service.
We can’t wait to help you grow your garden.
Bread, pastries
and dairy products
Tips to ensure your bin is fully emptied:
· Keep items loose.
· Keep the bin weight reasonable.
· Place weeds, branches or newspaper
at the bottom of the bin before filling
with grass clippings (to avoid contents
getting stuck).
selwyn.govt.nz/organics
· No plastic bags (including compostable
or biodegradable), metals, glass, rocks,
stones, bricks or rubbish.
· Flax and cabbage tree leaves should go
in the red bin.
· Make sure the lid closes.
Open 7 Days
Spring to Autumn: 9am–5pm
Winter: 9.30am - 4pm
40 Wylies Road, West Melton
Phone
0274 334 057
Website
www.westmeltonplantnursery.co.nz

Selwyn GardeninG Guide 2024 | 11
TO GO IN
THE DRAW
Colour in the pictures and
circle the differences.
There are eleven to find.
WIN
a FUN
gardening
set
HAVE FUN!
Name:
Age:
Address:
Free printable courtesy of PrintitFree.net
PrizE coNtAiNs: X1 Mini Propagator, 1x Children’s
gardening gloves, 3 packs of in seasons seeds, a
3 pack of children’s gardening tools, x1 10L Bag
of Intelligro Seed Raising Mix and an Intelligro Cap.
Phone:
Post or deliver your entry to:
Intelligro, 261 Manion Road,
Weedons 7677
ENtriEs cLosE 25 October 2024
The winner will be notified by phone and
must collect their prize from Intelligro.
SH
Shadecraft:
enjoy your garden in all weathers
Whether it’s protection from sun, wind or
rain, or enclosing an outdoor space to be
heated, Shadecraft can design and install
whatever it takes to keep you out in your
garden for longer. And best of all, this wide
range of attractive and affordable products
is made right here in Canterbury.
Shade sails are ever popular. They
are strong and durable, ensuring
maintenance-free, long-life performance.
These come in a range of colours to suit
all preferences, from neutrals to cooling
to vibrant.
Wave shades are a fresh alternative.
Their smooth, shapely billows bring
effortless style and the fact that they
are retractable gives you full flexibility
in how you enjoy your outdoor space.
Choose from the range of modern fabric
colours. Simple, clean lines and the
high-performance polished stainless steel
fixings add to the premium finish.
Eclipse canopies are the next step up in
weather protection. The super-tough
polycarbonate roof sheeting, with a
choice of tints, is supported by a sturdy
rectangular steel frame, galvanised to
a colour of your choice. The sheeting
provides 99% protection from the sun’s
rays and can withstand hailstones up to
25mm in diameter. The product conforms
to Council requirements, enabling permits
to be granted with minimal delay.
Shadecraft’s multiple other offerings
include louvre roofs that enable you to
customise your perfect outdoor room
all year round, unobtrusive yet highly
effective drop blinds, and attractive and
practical car ports. Call on their 18 years
of experience, so you can be out in your
garden for longer.
james@shadecraft.co.nz
0800 742 332
www.shadecraft.co.nz
Patios - outdoor areas - Car Ports
Shadecraft is a
locally owned company
who specialise in
shade and weather
protection products to
enhance your homes
design and use of
outdoor areas.
ShadeCraft (SI) Ltd • 0800
Shadecraft is a locally owned company who specialise in
shade and weather protection products to enhance your
homes design and use of outdoor areas.
Louvres – sHade saiLs – uMBreLLas
aLL WeatHer CaNoPies
ShadeCraft (SI) Ltd
0800 742332 • Cell 021 510879
www.shadecraft.co.nz

12 | Selwyn Gardening guide 2024

Top of the range trellis
Remarkable Concrete
If you’re looking to boost your outdoor
spaces this spring, then why not
invest in some stunning trellis work?
Combining style with practically, a
trellis can offer a real lift to your garden.
And with 30 years of experience, Trellis
Warehouse is the name you can trust
when it comes to trellis products.
The experienced team have been
looking after Cantabrians and their
gardens for three decades and offer a
wide range of trellis products, including
trellis panelling and fencing, picket
panelling and gates, archways, picnic
tables, summer seats, gazebos, heat
pump covers and much more.
Whether you have a project in mind
or are in need of some inspiration to
boost your garden, the friendly and
knowledgeable team will provide a free
no obligation consultation, measure and
quote to discuss your plans.
If you decide to go ahead with the
work, Trellis Warehouse will carefully
organise each and every detail of the
project, including custom-making
products, arranging delivery, painting,
staining and installing.
So all you gave to do it sit back and
watch on as your dream garden
becomes a reality.
All products are custom-made on
site at the Trellis Warehouse factory
in Addington, using premium-grade
treated pine – and the team are happy
to take on retail, trade and wholesale
customers.
The factory is open to the public
Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm
and Saturday 8.30am to 11.30am.
You can also head to the
Trellis Warehouse website –
www.trelliswarehouse.co.nz – to see
plenty of photos of previous work to
inspire you.
For more information pop into
Trellis Warehouse, 16A Clarence
Street South, Addington,
Christchurch 8024 or email the team
on info@trelliswarehouse.co.nz
for all your small landscaping needs
After building up 25 years of
experience in commercial concrete
work, Mat Fefeta is now following his
own goals. He has created Remarkable
Concrete Ltd, a business dedicated
to small-scale domestic and bespoke
landscaping work.
Concrete is the mainstay of this.
Offering a range of attractive
aggregates, colourings and finishes, Mat
applies his expertise to create stylish
internal and external features such as
patios and BBQ areas, concrete paver
entrances, polished kitchen benches
and more rugged-looking outdoor
dining setups. Functional needs
including small driveways, and pads for
spas, pools, garden sheds and garages,
are also a breeze.
In domestic projects concrete is often
just part of the picture, so Mat and the
crew can also carry out the landscaping
that rounds out the project. On any
given day they could be adding a
lawn, irrigation, fencing, or any other
landscaping needs of the client.
Mat says: “After so many years of
largescale projects, it’s a real change
and pleasure to work directly with
domestic clients and do such a variety
of work. Each project is different, which
keeps us on our toes!”
Mat remains well connected across
the industry, so has access to all the
materials, techniques and supplies a
client might need. Lincoln-based, he
loves working local.
Contact Remarkable Concrete to
discuss your project. Mat will happily
visit your site to discuss, and give a free
quote. No job is too small.
021 066 8331 /
remarkableconcretelimited@gmail.
com / Lincoln / www.facebook.
com/Remarkableconcretelimited
Quality Trellis Products
Residential Building,
Concrete Services
• Paths • Patios • Driveways • Paving
• Landscaping • Cutting and Decorative Cuts
Diagonal, square
& oriental panels
and gates
Picket, paling
& combo panels
and gates
Archways, summer
seats, picnic tables
and gazebos
• Free quotes • Made to measure • Staining & painting • Delivery & installation
• Canterbury owned & operated • No job too big or too small
• Everything made at our factory using premium grade treated pine
Monday - Friday: 8am – 4.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am – 11.30am
03 338 6960
16a Clarence Street South
(off Lincoln Rd), Addington, Chch
www.trelliswarehouse.co.nz
Bringing over 25 years of
experience in concrete
and landscaping.
We craft exceptional
outdoor spaces that
elevate your property
and exceed your
expectations.
Contact Mat Fefeta, Phone: 021 066 8331
Email: remarkableconcretelimited@gmail.com
www.remarkableconcrete.co.nz

Healthy and satisfying
Growing your own vege
Growing your own vege is simultaneously
easy and an artform… and once you start the
journey, you’ll be hooked. Here’s some ideas
for wherever you’re at.
Beginners
We’re aiming for confidence here, so start
simple and easy. Buy some little plantlings
and get them in some soil. If you have an
area of garden, great, if not, use pots, or even
used tins and jars. Plants want to grow. Just
get them sun and water and they’ll reward
you.
Intermediate
With some success under your belt, time
to start planning. Your mission: plan out
a season’s worth of growing, with a mix of
plants and herbs of different sizes, needs and
growing cycles.
Use all the free advice available. Growing
from seed is loads cheaper, and seed
packets have clear directions on them. Staff
at Selwyn’s excellent plant nurseries are
knowledgeable and keen to help. Libraries
are full of gardening how-to books. Join a
community garden working bee, to learn
from others.
Advanced
Right, now it’s time to plan a year’s worth of
growing. Your goal: beat the “hungry gap”.
This is that mid-spring lull when winter
crops are finished but new crops aren’t ready
yet. Incidentally, that’s why commercial fruit
and vege prices are highest at this time.
To beat this gap you need skilled planning,
to understand your garden and soil well
– and room in the freezer for selected
highlights of your year’s produce.
Ninja
Now you’re really polishing your systems
and methods, and there’s always more
to learn. How about exploring the
Maramataka, the Māori cultural practice
of living in accordance with the moon’s
energies. For each day, particular activities
are recommended as being most suitable
to the moon’s energy and your immediate
environment and therefore most likely to
succeed. This includes recommendations
about when to plant and harvest particular
types of crops, based on the understanding
that the gravitational pull of the moon is
influencing not only the tides but also the
water in the soil.
If you’re using the Kiwi Gardener Journal,
this breaks the guidance down precisely,
day by day. There’s also extensive online
materials and many phone apps to keep you
in tune with the moon and recording your
observations.
Wherever you are in your gardening journey,
just keep growing!
Enjoy your garden..
from the pool!
For a locally owned and operated swimming pool
supplier and installer, look no further than Lagoon
Pools. The husband-wife team of Julie and Warren
Hastings has been working together for over 30
years, making outdoor living dreams come true for
homeowners across Canterbury.
Julie and Warren provide a professional and
customer-focused service and say there really is
a pool for any site. They install pools in sizes to
suit both small and large sections, ranging from
2.9 metres to 12 metres in length with a variety of
widths, colours and shapes. All pools come with
colour-changing lights, and additional features can
include fountains, spa jets and swim jets.
In an additional service much appreciated by its
customers, not only does Lagoon Pools install the
pool, it can also organise the complete package
including paving, decking, landscaping and fencing,
to ensure your entire pool area looks amazing.
The continued popularity of enjoying a pool in
your own backyard has led to huge demand for
the company’s services. It takes around five days to
install a pool and then the finishing touches take
from around six weeks depending upon the design.
“We suggest booking in your pool project well in
advance to make sure your dream comes true,” says
Julie.
You can rest assured with the quality of your
investment – every swimming pool comes with a
lifetime structural warranty. Browse the website to
learn more.
www.lagoonpools.co.nz
03 349 2160 or 0800 92 72 82

Selwyn Gardening guide 2024 | 15
Wake up your garden for spring
Christchurch’s largest range of landscaping supplies
Hire trailers - from $5 per hour
NZLA range of lawn care products
Payment options including Afterpay, Zip & Farmlands
Open 7 days: 57 Lunns Road, Middleton. Ph 03 348 2915

16 | Selwyn Gardening guide 2024
Your local spring
planting specialists.
Visit our
Great Plant Centre
Child and Dog friendly
Open 7 days
/ southernwoodsnursery
Southern Woods, proudly part of the Selwyn
community for over a generation.
Southern Woods Nursery is the place to go for all things
plant related.
Trends towards edible gardens and sustainable living
are evergrowing, and Southern Woods is well positioned
to support Selwyn residents with their sustainability
goals. Their range includes a wide range of nut and fruit
trees, alongside New Zealand natives, specimen trees,
landscape shrubs, specialist forestry species, and plenty
more.
Millions of plants are grown on-site and looked after by a
team of 45 dedicated staff, who are on hand to help and
provide great advice based on their many years in the
business. In fact, Southern Woods prides itself on its local
and highly knowledgeable team – their advice can make
all the difference to the success of your projects.
“Selwyn is a diverse district, with plenty of tricky planting
sites”, explains Business Development Manager Rico
Mannall. “Many of our staff live nearby, which means that
they have hands-on understanding of which plants will suit
your property’s location, soil type and aspect.”
If you are unsure exactly what you are looking for,
Southern Woods’ team of landscape architects can
help make your selection even easier with on-site
consultations and planting plans. Another option is to take
in your existing landscape plan and they can help source
species suitable for your section.
Delivery can be arranged across New Zealand and is a
popular option for many customers.Selwyn homeowners
are lucky to have virtually everything they need to beautify
and extend their gardens right on their doorstep.
Check out southernwoods.co.nz, give the friendly team
a call on 0800 800 352, or, even better, pop in to 1002
Robinsons Road, Rolleston to get inspired.
Spring planting tips
Spring is the one of the best planting seasons. This time
of year is an ideal time to plant most species.
Preparation is everything
Remember to prepare your soil before planting. You may
need to dig out marginal soils and bring in extra nutrition.
Mix in plenty of compost and gypsum for best results.
Protect from pests and diseases
Pests and diseases thrive as your garden grows.
Use Neem granules and oil to help ward off any nasties.
It’s the perfect time to mulch
Keeps the moisture in and the weeds out. See our friends
down the road at Intelligro for great advice and supply.
A great time to fertilise
As plants re-enter their growth phase, they need lots of
nutrition. We recommend Grotabs slow release fertiliser and
Yates Thrive Liquid Fish & Seaweed.
Need help?
See our expert team for free quotes, plant sourcing
landscape design, consultations and much more.
Open 7 Days - 1002 Robinsons Road, Between Templeton & Rolleston - Phone 0800 800 352 - Order Online New Zealand Wide southernwoods.co.nz