An odd heading so please bear with me! One of the most essential elements if not THE principal element I consider when planning a new bed, a new garden, or the renovation of an existing one is the place.  The genius loci.

I thought it would be timely to write about two lesser-known plants which are most suited to hot dry situations. I have grown both in my gravel garden for about thirty years.

NZ Gardens Trust member and creator of the Urban Jungle, Mark van Kaathoven, presented to the 11^th World Green Infrastructure Conference at the University of Auckland on 4 September.  He talked about his creative use of green waste to reduce landfill, restore healthy soil dynamics and to protect against drought and flood. 

Fortunately much has been written about Jo’s sustainable garden in Central Otago. Her vision has caught international attention, and the garden appears in the acclaimed book ‘Wild: The Naturalistic Garden’ by Noel Kingsbury, with photographs by Claire Takacs.

Many of us working in the Horticultural and Agricultural sector may carry out our work like it is second nature and come to rely on instincts and experience to carry out our tasks. This can come after years of study, training, hours and hours of trial and error and practical ‘hands-on’ work in the garden and on the land.

Jenny did not install irrigation – doing so just freezes the garden in time and makes plants and gardener dependent on this scarce resource.

It is easy to think gardening is the most natural wholesome thing in the world as it predominantly involves plants, soil, water and sunshine. However, gardening has a dirty little secret – there is an insidious layer of the unnatural lurking in many gardens. Often times this comes as a legacy from a time when innovation and improvement was prolific and new ways were considered better than the old-fashioned techniques.

Our first rule is nothing leaves the property. We do add material from elsewhere at times but no organic matter leaves the garden.

How we deal with what we call our “carbon deposits” during the growing season and how these techniques might help you as gardeners deal with some of the more difficult gardening spots on your properties 5 Min Read