HB Today - Your Home & Lifestyle 2023

WINA SHOWERDOME®

Steamedmirrors,condensationon wallsandceilings,slipperyfloorsand mouldareyear-roundissuescaused byshowersteam,whichcanadd significantcoststohomemaintenance. Adrywarmhomeisahealthyhome, asdampbathroomsaretheperfect placeforfungusandbacteriato grow,whichcancauseserioushealth problems.Showerdome®solvesthese problemsbycontrollingsteam,reducing condensationandmakingthehome warmer,drierandhealthier.

AShowerdome®showertopconsistsofa clearacrylicdomethatpreventssteam fromformingwhenfittedontopofan existingshowerbox.Withnoon-going costs,itisthemosteffectiveinvestment onecanmakeforahomeorrental property.Showerdome®alsomakes mirrordemistersandextractorfans redundantandcouldsavetheaverage householdaround$250inannual energycosts.

Tolearnmore,visitwww.showerdome. co.nz.

Wehave1xDIYShowerdome® kittogiveawayvaluedat$339 (installationbyanofficial localShowerdome®installeris availableatstandardpricing).

Toenternominateapersonyouthink wouldbenefitfromaShowerdome®and explainwhyinnomorethan50words. Emailcompetitions@hawkesbaytoday. co.nzwithShowerdomeinthesubject line.Pleaseincludeadaytimephone number.Thecompetitionclosesat5pm onSaturday14October.

Byemailingtoenterthiscompetition, youagreetotheNZMEStandard PromotionorCompetitionTermsand ConditionsandNZMEPrivacyPolicythat canbeviewedat:https://www.nzme. co.nz/about-nzme/terms-conditions/

p15 Awaardwinning DessignBuilders

INSPIRED EXTERIORS

Paintisagreatopaqueoptionforchangingthe lookofyourconcretewalls,patiopaversorplanters, butyoucanalsoaddbuildablesemi-transparent colourwiththeReseneInTheWashcollectionof finishes.Thesecolourscanbeappliedtosurfaces inauniformmannerusingsprayapplication,such asontheseoutdoorpatiopavingstones,toachieve anevenwashofcolour.Butifyou’reafteranartistic, fresco-likelook,youcanexperimentwithhowyou applythem.Onthefronttwoplantpots,thewash wasappliedwithabrushinacriss-crossmannerto createappealingvisualtexture.

Grey-edgedResenebluescontinuetobepopular choicesforhomeexteriorsasthesecoloursalways seemtositwellwithinthenaturallandscape.

Bringacheerfulenergytoyourbackyardspace bypaintingfurniture,plantpotsandaccessories inamonochromaticpaletteofturquoisebluesto complementpaleblueweatherboards.

CourtesyResene

REALESTATE MARKET SHOWS SIGNSOF IMPROVEMENT

ByElanorMacDonald ManagingDirectorRayWhiteHawke’sBay

TheHawke’sBayrealestatemarket hasexperiencedasizableshiftover thelastyear,dealingnotonlywiththe dramaticadjustmentinvalueafterthe post-Covidpeaksbutalsotheeffects offloodingandofcoursecyclone Gabrielle.

InAugustbothsalesvolume(174sales) andmedianprice($668,000)remained steadycomparedtoJulyindicating amarketthathashititstroughand wearenowstartingtoshowsignsof improvement.Encouraginglybothfirst homebuyersandseniorbuyersfind themselvescompetingforsuitable listings,newlytothemarket.These trendscanbeattributedtovarious factorssuchaspopulationgrowth, affordability,andtheverylimited

housing,rental,andretirementvillage supplyavailableinHawke’sBay.

Traditionally,springbringsincreased activityacrosstheboard.With potentiallyeasedrestrictionsand interestratesonthecards,itisexpected thatthemarketwillcontinueitspositive momentum.However,it’simportant tonotethatmarketconditionscan besubjecttofluctuationandexternal factorscaninfluencetheoutcomes. Continuedeconomicrecovery,changes ingovernmentpolicies,orshiftsinbuyer sentimentmayimpactthemarket duringtheupcomingmonths.So,if youareconsideringamove,itisvery importantthatyoukeepyoureyeonthe prize,tomorrowmaybetoolate.

GET READY FOR SUMMER IN THE BAY

Hawke’sBayisperfectforcasual entertainingoutdoorsandto experiencetheopportunityto relax,unwindandchilloutwith friendsandneighbours.

Bynowhopefullyyouwillhave dustedofftheold,possiblyrusty BBQ,inspectedtheoutdoor suites,tablesorseatsandtaken stepstoconsiderarefreshas outdoorfurniture,particularly olderfurniture,mightnotbe asrobustasoutdoorfurniture manufacturedrecently

Whateveryourspaceand budgettherewillbeasolution tosuit.Choosefromfamilysize loungesuits,tablesandchairs, benches,sunloungesandeven drinkstrolleysandicebuckets!

Forsmallerfamilies,andthoseon limitedbudgets,therearesome goodoptionswithbistrotype tableandchaircombosand traditionalgardenbenches

Thechoiceofmaterialsfor tablesrangesfromrustresistant aluminium,oftencombined withatimbertopsuchasteak oreucalyptus,toatempered glasstabletop.Benchmaterials rangefromrustresistantpowder coatedtoreclaimedtimberand sustainablysourcedeucalyptus. Allweatherwickerisanother durableandattractiveoption that’strendingrightnow.

Therearesomegorgeous occasionalpieces,suchasday bedsandeggchairsinwhichto whileawayafewhourssoaking upthesunwithagoodbook.

Anddon’tforgetacushionortwo tobrightenupthescene.Asun umbrellaisamustinourclimate andgazebosareveryhandy, especiallywhenentertaining overthefestiveseason

Forchillyeveningsthere’sagood selectionofchimineas,braziers andfirepits.Pizzaovensand outdoorovensareincreasingin popularity.

AsfarasBBQsareconcerned there’sabewilderingarrayto choosefromsosomeresearch beforehandisrecommended Choicesrangefromathree pieceoutdoorkitchentoa four,fiveorevensixburnertoa portablekettle.Whatdoyoulike gas,coal,grillorsmoker?Think aboutthesizeyouwantandthe spaceavailable.Finallyconsider ifyou’dliketotakeyourBBQto thebeach,inwhichcaseitwill needtobeportable,orisalarger lessmobileappliancemoreyour style?

Afewfinishingtouchestoyour sectionmightincludesolarlights, citronellacandlesandagarland ortwooflightsdottedamongst yourtreesandshrubs

MAKEYOURHOMEFEEL NEWAGAIN

Nowthatwehavestartedsettlingintoa‘new normal’,thetimeisripetoremedythespaces aroundyourhomethatarenolongerresonating withyourwantsorneeds.Ifyourblankwallsare lookingboring,thingsarefeelingstaleoryour designnolongermeetsyouandyourfamily’s priorities,aligningyourdecoratingwithyour

Recognisingwhat resonates

Thejourneytocreatingyourideal ‘slowspace’startswithlooking inward.Beforeyouembarkon yourredecoratingproject,take sometimetothinkaboutwhat’s reallyimportanttoyouandthose youshareyourhomewith.Do youneedanareatostretchyour musclestofeelyourbestinthe morning?Doescurlingupinacosy chairwithabookormagazine rechargeyourbatteries?Would havingadedicatedspacetopaint orpracticeamusicalinstrument remindyoutotakesometimeeach daytobecreative?Orwouldaspalikebathroomhelpyoutoprioritise self-care?

Onceyou’veidentifiedtheneeds youwantyour‘slowspace’to fulfill,focusonwhichcoloursand materialswillsupportthisgoal.

Whiletherearecertaincolours thathavebeenshowntomake usfeelmoreateasewhenwe’re surroundedbythem,theright colourformakingyourhomeintoa sanctuaryishighlypersonal.

personality,lifestyleanddesireshasneverbeen moreachievable.Notonlyisiteasiertogetthe necessarysupplies,furnitureordécortotransform yourhomethanithasbeenduringthepastfew years,buttherearemoreReseneproductsand coloursthaneverbeforetohelpbringyourdesign ideastolife.

Off-whiteneutralsareeasiertobearound thanstarkwhites,whichcancreateglare.In thiscosyandinvitingspace,theReseneRice Cakewallsseemtotakeonsomeofthepink tonesofthesofaandrugundertheglowof warmanddiffusedlighting.

Makespacetocentreyourselfbycreatingaspecialcorner dedicatedtostretching,readingandwindingdownwitha cuppa.Enhancethetranquilityofthiszen-likezonewitha nature-inspiredpaintedmuralcreatedwithhushedhues.

SUPPLY-LAYSAND-POLISH

Wespecialiseinlocal&importedT&Gflooring including:

AmericanWhiteOak-Rimu-Kwila-JarrahMatai-Pilularus-RedBeech-VictorianAshRoseWood&FrenchOak

GROUNDEDINNATURE

Interiorsinspiredbynaturehavealwaysbeen popular.However,earthylooksbecameevenmore desirableinrecentyearsasaresultofthepandemic. Manyhomeownerswhohadpreviouslychosento decoratewithstarkminimalistschemesfoundthese

spacesdifficultandcoldtoliveinonceforcedto spendextendedperiodsoftimestuckinside.Now, they’veturnedtodown-to-earthlooksfocusedon Resenehuespulledfromtheirnaturalsurroundings.

Dopaminedecorating,anothertrendthataroseas aresultofthepandemic,isfocusedonleveraging coloursthathaveaprovenpositivepsychological effecttolendyourhomeasunnierdisposition.Pink, red,orangeandyellowareconsideredbymanyto bepositivecolours,butwhatmakesyoufeelhappy athomediffersfrompersontoperson.Focuson surroundingyourselfwithResenepaintcolours, furniture,artandobjectsthatmakeyouhappy.Think aboutwhatyouwanttowakeuptointhemorningand returnhometointheeveningandincorporatethings thatwillbringasmiletoyourface.

Brown,beigeandtaupehavereplacedgreys asthetoptrendingneutrals.Wheresomegreys canfeeltoocoldorflat,richandearthyResene brownsarefullofwarmthandcomplexities.

Bringrealnatureelementsofnaturalintoyour home,suchasriverrocks,byincorporatingthem intoDIYprojectsandenhancingthemwitha waterborneclearcoatfinishinReseneConcrete Cleargloss.

Burstingwithpositivity,blushbeigewalls areenhancedwithaspritzofcheerful orangealongtheedgeofthisbuilt-in headboardwall.

CourtesyResene

THEBESTOF BOTHWORLDS

EditorialandimagesbyChrysAyley

RegularreadersofHawke’s BayTodaywillbefamiliar withLindaHallasshewrites apopular,oftenwitty, weeklycolumninwhichshe discussesthehighsandlows oflivingonalifestyleblockin ruralHastings.

AcoupleofyearsagoLinda andherpartner,referredto inhercolumnsasMrNeat, jumpedattheopportunityto joinfamilyonalifestyleblock notfarfromHastings.Here theycarefor15chickensand arooster,Jackthehorseand 18Wiltshiresheep.Theflock increasedrecentlywiththe additionofninelambs.

Apartfromoccasionalvisits toOmahakiStationwith herdadwhenshewaslittle, andalthoughsheowned ahorsewhenshewasa teenager,owningandcaring foranimalsisrelativelynew pursuitforLinda.However, sincetakingtheplungeshe andMrNeatarethoroughly enjoyingtheirnewlifestyle.

“Iloveit,webothloveitit’s thebestthingweeverdid. We’vegotthingstotalk about,there’salwaysa conversationaboutwhat’s

goingonoutthere.Ispend waymoretimeoutside thanIdidwhenwelivedin Hastings-it’sgoodforyour soul.”

There’salsoalotofwork likemowinglawnsand tendingtoweedsand“I’m alwayspickinguphorsepoo, muckingout,andfeedingthe chickens.”

Lindalovesherchooks.They boughttheroosterthinking hewasahenbuthewas“so lovely”theydecidedtokeep him.He’snowknownasThe Admiraland“doeshisthing” withtheladies.Theflockhas steadilygrownandafteran eggdroughtduringtheawful summertheyarenowbackin fullproduction.

SowhatdoesLindafindso specialaboutherchooks?

“They’vegottheirown language,youcantellwhen achickenhaslaiditsegg becauseitmakesthatwop, wop,wop,wopnoiseandthe roosterdoesitaswell.I’ve lookedthisup.I’mnotjustthe madchickenwoman.It’sthe roostersayingthankyouvery muchforlayinganegg.”

Tuesdays3pmtoclose(Barsnacks)

WedThurFrid11amtoclose-brunch,lunchanddinner

SaturdayandSunday10amtoclose-brunch,lunchanddinner

Thechooksdefinitelyhavetheirpeckingorder withthebulliespushingthesmallerchooks outoftheirwaytogettotheirfood.Yet,while therearethreecoopstheyallroosttogether atnight.

Jackthehorseismuchlovedtoo.Whileshe tookrisksasateenageranddidn’tcareabout fallingofftime,andexperience,hasmade Lindamorecautious.Shefelloffayearago andstillhasn’tgotherconfidenceback.But she’snotreadytogiveupandhasaplanto gainherconfidence.“He’snotabadhorse.I’m justanervousrider.”

OnethingLindahaslearnedisthatalthough animalsneedlookingaftertheydoknowwhat theyaredoing.Sheusedtoworryifitwasa wetnightandthinkaboutthepooranimals butsheknowsthat“Thelessyouinterferethe better.Theyknowwhatthey’redoing.They knowhowtolookaftertheirchicksandthey knowhowtolookaftertheirlambs.”

Perhapsthemostrewardingaspectofliving onalifestyleblockforLindaiscollectingeggs. She’slearnedalotaboutanimalbehavior. Spendingtimewiththeanimalspays dividendsastheygettoknowyouandyouget toknowthem.“Icantellwhatmoodthey’rein. Everythingfitsin.Youalllearntolivewitheach other.”

“Ifeellucky,Ifeelreallylucky.Ifyoueverget theopportunitygrabit.Don’teverthinkyou’re toooldbecauseyou’renot.I’mcertainlynot youngandmovingherewasthebestdecision we’vemade.”

Thecouplelivesclosetotownandenjoythe bestofbothworlds.Notonlydotheyhave theiranimalsbutthere’sagreatviewoveran orchardandthebenefitoflisteningtotheRSE workerssingingastheygoabouttheirwork.

“It’sabusyjobasassistanteditorbutyou comeupthedrivewayandyouseethehorses, thechickensandthesheepandyoujustthink aah,I’mhome,it’ssonice.”

Thelastfewyearshasseenashiftin thehousingmarkettowardssmaller homes.Thereareanumberoffactors contributingtothissuchaspressure onlandintowns,financialpressures andanawarenessthatsmaller homesaregenerallyeco-friendly. Asearchontheinternetreveals numerousoptionsfromkitsethouses, cabins,bachsandeventransportable pods.

InHawke’sBayweseethatmany peoplearechoosingtorentacabin andplaceitonthesectionwhichisa relativelyinexpensivewayofhousing extrafamilymembersorteenagers whoneedmorespace.It’salsoacost effectivewayoflivingwithoutmoving house.Iffamilycircumstances changetheextraroomcanbe returnedwhichisawin-winsituation.

AdverseeventssuchasCyclone Gabriellehavealsoseenarisein demandforrelocatablehomes.

Theycanbemanufactured reasonablyquicklyanddelivered onsite.Generallytheyaremadeat aspecialistmanufacturerfollowing specificationschosenbytheclient. Thenit’sarelativelyeasyjobto truckthehometoitsnewaddress. Transportcostsaregenerallyextra. Havingelderlyparentsliveonsite isalsoincreasinginpopularity, especiallythosewhohaveplentyof landavailablesuchasfarmersand peoplelivingonlifestyleblocks.The parentscanleadanindependentlife butbeclosetofamilyshouldthey needhelp.

Theoptionsarenumerousandrange fromabasiconeroomsleepout, tostudiocabins,aonebedroom homeoratwobedroomhome.

Theclienthasplentyofchoice,for example,placementofbathrooms andgenerallyeachhomehasa kitchenandisfittedoutreadytolive in.Qualitymaterialsareusedintheir construction,fixturesandfittings. Modificationofplansissometimesan option.

Plansaregenerallyveryspecific itemizingeverythingfrompower pointstojoinery,roofingmetal, ranchslidersetc.Thereisoftenthe opportunitytocustomizeyourhome bychoosingflooring,paintcolours, kitchenandbathroomsetup. Additionaloptionsavailablemight include-skylights,decksandpergolas.

Aswithallprojectsitpaystodo yourhomeworkandifpossiblego andviewashowhometostudythe detailsanddiscussoptionswiththe vendor.Animportantfactortocheck outiswhetherthebuildingmeetsNZ buildingstandardsandifbuilding consentisrequired.Yourtinyhome willneedtobeconnectedtoservices soconfirmwhetheritisincludedin thecost.

Tinyhomescanbeusedforall mannerofpurposessuchas investmentproperties,holidayhomes, sleepouts,studiosandoffices.Designs rangefromfunctionaltoluxury dependingontheuse.

Takealookatwhat’savailableand youmaybepleasantlysurprisedat what’sonofferandalsotheprices.

Exclusive importers of top quality stone, slabs, tiles, pavers, mosaics, timber flooring and bathroomware items.

We have an extensive range of homewares, interior and exterior décor and our Havelock North pot Shop boasts an eclectic mix of fabulous pots, planters and sculptures With so many things under one roof, achieving your design objective has never been easier

With a design consultancy service available, let our friendly and knowledgeable staff assist you in finding the products to perfectly compliment your indoor and outdoor spaces and help you elevate your overall aesthetic

HAVELOCK NORTH SHOWROOM

3 Donnelly Street, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay

Open Monday - Friday 8 30am - 5pm \ Saturday 10am - 2pm 022 072 8608

@artedomusnzltd_havelocknorth

BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS

Therecanbenodoubtthat renovatingabathroomisa massiveundertakinginvolving plentyofplanningandresearch andalsoinvolvingmany differenttradespeople It’s commontohireexpertstohelp advise,planandbuildyournew spaceandtheycanproject managetheworkthatinvolves plentyoflogistics.

Viewingbathroomsin3Dis offeredbymanydesigners andtherearealsoafewonline 3Dplannersinwhichyoucan specifythesizeoftheroom,the placementofappliancesand soon.PlaceMakers.co.nzhas averysophisticatedplanner that’seasytouse.Bearinmind thatyourbathroomhastobe functionalaswellasattractive sotakingintoaccounttheneeds ofyourfamilyisparamount

Renovatingbothkitchensand bathroomscanbeacostly undertakingsosettingafirm budgetwillhelpcontaincosts.

Therearecertainotheraspects youcanconsidertomake thebudgetgofurthersuchas keepingtheexistingplumbingas itwasoriginallyinstalled.

There’salonglistofitemsto beconsideredsuchasflooring, wallcoverings,showers,baths, vanitiesandsinks,tapware, lighting,heatingandso on Giventhepopularityof bathroomrenovationsthereisa fantasticrangeofoptionsatall pricepoints.

What’strending?

Freestandingbaths

Wallhungvanities-thetimberlookiscurrentlypopular CircularorovalmirrorswithbacklitLEDlighting Largerainforeststyleshowerheads

Raisedvanitybasins(vesselsinks)

Doublesinkvanities

Softgold,brushedbrassandgunmetalarepopularfor tapwareandtowelrails

Rimlesstoilets

Wallhungtoilets

TaraandTrentofDesignBuildersHawke’s Bayaredelightedtoannouncethattheir showhomeinNapierhasmadeittotheTop 100intheRegisteredMasterBuildersHouse oftheYear2023.

TheRegisteredMasterBuildersHouseof theYearawardscelebratetheverybestin residentialbuildingfromnewhomesand showhomestorenovationsandbuilder’s ownhomes.

Thecompetitionhasbeenrunningfor morethan30years,recognisingthe craftsmanshipofNewZealand’sbest buildersfromacrossthesector,including affordablehomesandthroughtoluxury buildings.

Thecompetitionisdividedintotwoparts–thefirstisataregionallevel,thesecondat anationallevel.

Gold,SilverandBronzeAwardwinners,and theRegionalSupremeWinnersforboth newbuildsandrenovations,arejudged byateamofexpertsusingapointsbasedsystem.Theseaward-winnersare announcedat10regionaleventsheld throughoutNewZealandduringJulyand August.

TheTop100winnersbecomeGoldReserve NationalFinalists.Thenationalfinalistsare thenre-judgedbyapanelofjudgeswho determinetheoverallnationalcategory winnersandtheNationalSupremeWinners, whichareannouncedattheNationalevent inAucklandinNovember.

TheTop100homesinthecountryachieve GoldReservestatuseachyear,and proceedtotheNationalFinals.

ModernTimesbyDesignBuildersHawke’s BaywasenteredintheGIBShowhome categoryandwasplacedintheTop100, wonagoldawardandwasaregional categorywinner.

LocatedinOakRoad,Poraiti,Napierthis elegantsinglestoreyhomeofsome 203sqmisperfectlysuitedtoitssite.

HeretherawnessoftheThermoryash cladding,alongwithaconcreteshadeof Rockote,addsacontemporaryambience that’senhancedbytheuseofform,texture, anglesanduseofmaterials.Theraw externalaestheticscarryontotheinterior whichexudeswarmthandcomfortwith burnishedconcretefloorsandtimber featurewalls.

Theextensiveopenplancommunalspace comprisesskylightstothrowlightontothe kitchenwithitscurvedislandandblack cabinets.There’salsoastudynook,builtin barandasculleryneatlytuckedaway.This isaperfectspaceforentertainingandwide slidersopentoadeckedgarden.There arethreebedrooms,twobathroomsanda doublegarage.

TaraandTrentinviteyoutoview 70OakRoad,Poraiti,Napier.

Open:Sat–Sun11am–3pmorby appointment.

SPRUCEUP YOURDECK

Firststartbygivingyourdeckagood sweep.Fromhereyoucanassess whatpreparationisneedpriorto stainingyourdeck

Now,hammerinanynailsthataren’t flushwiththedecking.

Ifmouldispresentremoveasmuch aspossiblebyscrapingwithastiff brushandapplyananti-mould product.

Insomesituationsyoumayneedto senddownyourdeckingifthereare splinterscomingfromyourtimber. Ensureyoupunchthenailspresanding.

Nowcleanyourdeckwithatimber prepproducttoremoveanydirt, grease,oil,waxandothersurface contaminants.Readtheinstructions ontheproductsyoudecidetouse. Allowthedecktocompletelydry beforeyoumoveontostaining.

Stainingyourdeck

Choosethetypeofstainyouwilluse. Bothoilandwaterareavailable. Next,choosethestaincolour. Dependingonyourtimbertypethe colourmayvaryslightlysoit’sbestto takeanoffcutofyourdeckingtimber intostorewithyou.

Ifyouareusingmorethanonecan ensureyoumixthecanstogetherto ensurecolourconsistency.

Toensureyoudon’tgetstainonyour houseuseapaintbrushtocutin alongtheedgeofthedeckwhereit meetsthehouse.Ifyoudogetanyon yourhousewipeitoffstraightaway withturpsifusinganoilbasedstain orwaterwhenusingwaterbased stain.

Applystaintodeckwithan applicatorpadandpole.Ifneedbe applythestainbetweenthedecking boardsorjoinswithapaintbrush. Paintafewboardswideinarowto avoidacontrastincolours.Resistthe temptationtoapplyexcessoil.To beeffectiveoilsmustpenetratethe timber,notremainonthesurface.

Leavethedecktocompletelydry beforewalkingonit.Thetimecan varyontheweatherbutgenerally it’sbesttostayoffitforatleast12 hours.Checkthelabeltoseeifyou needtore-coat.Thisvariesbetween products.

Handyhints

Foranewdeckmakesureyourdeck hasweatheredforaseasonbefore applyinganystain. Ragsusedwithoilbasedproduct couldbeafirehazard.Soakthemin waterovernight,orhangouttodry, beforedisposingofthem.

CourtesyofMitre10

GROWYOUROWNEDIBLES

Therisingcostoflivingandtheincreasingquest forsustainabilityisleadingpeopletore-thinktheir approachtorelyingsomuchonsupermarketbought fruitandvegetables.

Eventhosewhoaren’tkeenongardeningcanhave agoatgrowingvegesathomeasnotalotofspace isneededandyoujustcan’tbeatthetasteoffreshly pickedproduce.Fromgrowinglettuceinpotsto tendingafewtomatoplantsthere’splentyofchoice. Havingasmallvegegardenisagreatwaytogetkids involvedtooandtheycanbeallocatedsmallchores suchasweedingandwateringandoftengetfirstpick ofthecrop!

Ifplantinginthesoilyou’llneedanideaofthesoiltype, knowledgeofthelocalclimateandafirmideahow muchtimeyou’dliketospendtendingthegarden. Withalittleplanningevenasmallgardencanproduce plentyofproduce.

Therearemanyalternativestodirectplantinginthe soilandthere’sagreatrangeofcontainer,potsand growingsystemstochoosefrom.Raisedgardenbeds areanotherpopularoption,especiallyforthosewho havebacktrouble.Theyareavailableinarangeof materialsincludingplastic,aluminiumandtimber.

Growbagsaresolutionforpotatoes,strawberriescan behungverticallyandhangingverticalgardensare alsobecomingpopular.Withabitofingenuityitems canbere-purposedorrecycled,thehumblewooden palletforexample,canbecraftedintoaraisedgarden andoldwinebarrelsmakeattractivecontainers.

Thequalityofplantingmediumisanotherfactorto beconsidered.There’splentyofchoicebuttakecare toselectaqualitypottingmedium.Somecontain extraslikecontrolreleasedfertiliserandgranulesfor increasingwaterholdingcapacity.Yourplantswill probablyneedextrafertiliseranyway.Anyplantsor vegesgrownincontainerswillneedregularwatering.

Takethetimetodiscoverwhatgrowswellinthe climate?Whatdoyourneighboursgrow?Sticktowhat youknowandyouwillhaveafairchanceofsuccess.

Thereareplentyoffruitsthatcanalsobegrownin containersandthere’sanincreasingselectionon saledesignedespeciallyforthatpurpose.Theyare generallymarketedasdwarffruittreesandinclude severalvarietiesofcitrus,applesandnectarines. Movingbeyondcontainersandintothegardenthere areplentyoffruitsthatcanbegrowndomestically andfewthingsbeattheabilitytobeabletopickafruit straitfromatree.Feijoaandpassionfruitarecommon inHawke’sBay,olivesandgrapesgrowwellandso dofigsandavocados.Nuttreessuchashazelnutand almondsareanotheroption. Enjoygettingoutintothefreshairandexperimenting. Themoreyoulearnthegreatersuccessyou’llhave.

GLAMOROUSCAMPING

Whorememberscampingdecadesago withcoldleakytents,sleepingbags, insects,makeshifttoiletandbathing facilities?Formostpeopleitwasn’ta pleasantexperience.Fortunatelycamping hasimprovedconsiderablyandoffers plentyofmoderncomfortsforthosewho don’tliketomissoutonhomecomforts.

Thelastdecadehasseenasurgeinwhat’s calledglamorouscampingorglamping forshort.Thereareseveraloptionslocally andplentyofchoiceforintrepidtravellers whetherinAfrica,USA,MongoliaorEurope.

Glampingbearslittleresemblanceto traditionalcampinginthatguestswill sleepundercanvasthat’ssupportedby asturdyframe.Manyresembleupmarket safaritentscommonlyfoundonsafarisin Africa.Thetentsaregenerallysetinthe countrysideandmanyoffergloriousviews beitcountryside,ariveroreventheocean. Theyofferachancetoenjoynatureatits finestbutsurroundedwithcomparative luxurysuchasbedswithfinelinen,toilets, heating,cookingfacilities,aBBQandmany alsoofferoutdoorbathingfacilities.Power couldbesolarandtheremightbecandles fortheevening.Withnoneighbourstobe concernedaboutbathinginthefreshair ofthecountrysidemustbetheultimatein luxuriousliving.

Glampingisawonderfulopportunityfor couplestobringsomeromancebackinto theirlives,toenjoynature,enjoyfreshair andwalksinthecountryandtheycan dabbleatsomestargazingintheevening. Iftheglampingsiteisonafarmtheremay alsobeachancetoreceivefreshproduce, suchaseggs,forbreakfastandmaybe evenatourofthefarm.Whilethegeneral ideamightbetoescapetherealworldfor

acoupleofdaystherearesomeglamping sitesthatofferWiFi.

Glampingaccommodationmightalso comeintheformofyurts,countrycabins, oldshearersquartersandgeodometents. Thereareseveralgeodomeglampingsites inNewZealand.Largesafaritentsand restoredrailwaycarriagesareinteresting offerings.

Whileglampingmightbeconsidereda romanticholidaythereareoptionsfor thewholefamilytoenjoytheexperience. Everyyearmoreandmoreecoholiday accommodationchoicesbecome availableatawiderangeofpricepoints.