MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE -

AN AUCKLANDER’S GUIDE TO AN EPIC LITTLE GARDEN

If you’re up to date with renovation reality show ‘The Block NZ’ you’ll have seen this week’s action-packed episode featuring a special greenfingered guest.

That’s right, this week was all about gardens, as teams were challenged with creating a plant paradise in a small urban space, with help from the experts at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

However, it is not just The Block contestants facing this sort of challenge. With more people than ever living in city apartments or urban suburbs, the sprawling lawns and spacious backyards just aren’t a reality for most. The good news, according to Jack Hobbs from Auckland Botanic Gardens, is that with the right plants, the right plan and a little help from his team, you can turn any spot into the perfect little garden.

While the team at Auckland Botanic Gardens know their botany back to front, Jack says it doesn’t take a genius to create a beautiful garden. “It’s not rocket science. All you need is the right plant in the right place,” he said.

Right Plants

A key starting point for any successful garden, no matter how much space you have, is choosing plants that will thrive in Auckland’s conditions. “Just because you’ve seen a plant in a catalogue or magazine or while travelling, that doesn’t mean it will do well in Auckland,” says Jack. Fortunately, we’re spoiled for choice in the city, with a climate that supports subtropical plants like parlour palms or fruit trees like feijoas. Not sure what will thrive (or simply stay alive) in your space? Hop online to Auckland Botanic Garden’s website and have a look at their Garden Advice for a full list of the perfect Auckland plants.

Right Plan

When space is limited, it’s even more important to have a plan of what will go where. This is as simple as jotting down the dimensions of your balcony or sketching up a blueprint of your humble back patio. Once you know the space you’re working with, it’s time to let your imagination run wild! Got tall apartment walls or fences and limited ground space? Consider livening them up and plan vertically to create a beautiful feature wall of greenery! Working with a little more room? Try starting with a feature piece, like a small fountain, seating or tree, then plant smaller, supplementary shrubs and bushes around it.

Right Time

Even with a small garden, the costs of plants and maintenance can add up, but think of it as an investment, says Jack. “It can be expensive, but in the long term it can add a lot of value to your property.” However, the fastest way to waste money is to plant the right thing at the wrong time. “So many people put so much effort into buying the best plants, and all the gear, but get disheartened when their plants die,” says Jack. “When all they needed to do was to plant a little earlier or later in the year!” Keep things simple and print out a gardening calendar to make sure you plant your roses in August and your sweet peas in March.

Still Lost?

“You don’t need green fingers, you just need to follow our advice,” says Jack, who is just one of the friendly faces you meet when you pay a visit to Auckland Botanic Gardens. Whether you ask one of their expert gardeners who are spotted around the Gardens, access their free resources online or attend one of the many free events they hold throughout the year, there is no question, query or qualm that can’t be solved.

Auckland Botanic Gardens 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland Open daily 8am-6pm (April-september) and 8am-8pm (October-march) aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz

“it doesn’t take a genius to create a beautiful garden. “It’s not rocket science. All you need is the right plant in the right place.”