Q&A

Climate: Low to mid-30s in the summer and it can get down to minus 10-15. But I think the winters are getting milder. (Jenny) Favourite garden tool: A small hand fork. (Jenny) A bigger fork or spade – I don’t think Jenny gets deep enough. (Arne)

Budget tip: Buy cheaper, smaller grades of plants rather than fewer bigger ones. Feed and weed them really well and mulch around them. If you look after them they should grow reasonably quickly. (Jenny)

When choosing plants: Find out what grows well in your area, soil type and climate and stick with those for a start until you get more adventurous. (Arne) Favourite time of year: Autumn. There’s an abundance of food in the garden. The climate is lovely at that time of year – mellow and not so windy. (Jenny)

It’s really satisfying: To dig up self-sown seedlings of tussock and other natives and distribute them to the neighbours who are just getting their gardens established. (Jenny) Garden designers who inspired me: Americans Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden, as well as Olivier Filippi – I like the idea of imitating the wild in your own garden. (Arne) Arne and Jenny Cleland