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FLORIENNE
Luscious blooms is what we are all about. Florienne, a treasure trove of flowers in the heart of Takapuna
60A Hurstmere Road,
Takapuna 09 486 6438 www.florienne.co.nz
TANGO'S SHOES
Immerse yourself in an explosion of colour, texture and high fashion style this season.
164 Kitchener Rd, Milford 09 488 0495 www.tangosshoes.co.nz
THE SHEEPSKIN FACTORY
Here's a $15 Gift Voucher for you! Spend online or instore until 10 February 2021. Terms & Conditions Apply -Minimum spend of $80 on full priced items. - Cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions
5pm Mon-Sat and 10-5pm Sunday 34 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna Ph 09 486 2679 www.thesheepskinfactory.co.nz
THE FAIRY LIGHT SHOP
These Solar light jars are a perfect way to light up your outdoor area. Find us at:
SPERO SHOES & CLOTHES
The fabulous Joseph Ribkoff Palazzo style trousers in a ‘brush stroke’ black and white abstract print, with silver textured accents. Available now in store or online.
13a Mokoia Rd, Birkenhead speroshoes@gmail.com
RESENE COLORSHOP
Keep your home cooler with a Resene CoolColour paint or wood stain designed to reflect more heat. Available in a huge range of colours from bold to neutral, like these weatherboards in Resene Porter. 1 Auburn St, Takapuna, 09 489 1540 2 Tawa Drive, Albany, 09 414 6500 8 Croftfield Lane, Wairau Park, 09 444 4387
CRAVEHOME
Beautiful quick-dry, generously sized beach towels are available in two sizes and lots of bright patterns! Folding up to nearly nothing, and each with its own handy pouch, these Dock & Bay beach towels can go wherever you do this summer. 30 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead 09 419 9535 www.cravehome.co.nz
WALLACE COTTON
Refresh your summer bed with a pretty update to welcome in a touch of nature. With magnificent magnolias in gentle shades of soft pinks and greens, our Endless Love pillowcases look beautiful styled with the natural tones of the now back in stock, Raffles bed linen. 34 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna 09 551 7767 www.wallacecotton.com
Designer Combo in the North Shore
LC Designer Homes is a boutique residential design and build company, delivering unique bespoke new homes on the North Shore. Established in 2009 as Leonard Construction, the company is led by husbandand-wife team, Adam, a thirdgeneration carpenter and Michelle, an architectural designer.
In this article they discuss considerations for exterior spaces.
When working with clients on their new home, we plan equally for both the interior and exterior spaces, so that you have a home you love and outdoor living you desire. Your lifestyle really drives this portion of the design as it can be something simple as a well-sized and easy to maintain deck and a lush lawn, taking in a great view, through to vegetable gardens, multiple seating areas, BBQ, pool and spa spaces and everything in between. • Do you have great views from your proposed upper level living decks? Then consider the additional connection with the lower level garden – to ensure they connect seamlessly without having to wander through your home to grab the mint from the garden for the cocktail or to join your kids on the trampoline. • In Auckland the sun and wind can hinder the use of our outdoor spaces. Think about extending your roofline, as this will add a seamless and luxurious feel, giving you the opportunity to integrate heating and lighting, and extending your interior spaces externally, allowing you to use the space all year round. • Are you concerned about being overlooked while you spend time in your new outdoor areas? There are number of ways to achieve privacy using screening, planting, fencing, elevating or lowering spaces or by locating your outdoor area in the smartest location to minimise any intrusions. • Do you have an area where you cannot create an overhang or sheltered external area – but want to add some shade? Give some thought to some climbing deciduous plants that provide shade and shelter during the warmer months to your interior spaces while letting in light and warmth in the winter as they drop their leaves. Enjoying your outdoor spaces with friends and family provides you the opportunity to relax and recharge, without having to leave home.
Top tips from Amanda Graham, Newhaven Gardens. North Shore hedge trimming, garden tidy ups, weeding and pruning.
Watering in the hot months
Amanda Graham.
February is usually our hottest and driest month, and is often the garden's most productive time. Combined, these factors put plants under much more stress than other times of the year. So watering and mulching are top priorities to keep your plants healthy and strong and less susceptible to pests and diseases.
When it comes to watering in these hot months, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. However, be aware that watering in the evening does make your plants more susceptible to disease and fungal problems. To minimise the risk, try to water either in the morning or after the strongest heat of the day has passed but while there is still enough time for leaves to dry out, and water directly into the soil, avoiding the leaves as much as possible.
Water heavily, but less often. Once your plants are established, two deep watering sessions per week are usually sufficient. This promotes healthy root growth as the plants search deeper for the last pockets of moisture between waterings. This way, not only do your plants become stronger and more resilient; if a watering is missed, you have nice strong plants which can cope with a little stress.
Distribute your watering, continually watering at only one root point leads to one-sided root growth and weaker plants due to poorer nutrient absorption. Instead, always water around the plant evenly. If the soil is particularly dry and ‘crusty’ it’s good to let the first watering soak in before doing a second watering once the soil has moistened and is better at absorbing the water.
Seaweed tonic is a great addition to your watering; just add it to your watering once every week or two. Seaweed tonic contains a large amount of minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and iodine, and abundant vitamins in a form which is easily absorbed. This is a wonderful organic way to increase flower, fruit and vegetable yields, and improve plant health and resilience to drought, pests and diseases.
Amanda Graham Ph: 09 218 9233 / 021 378969 amanda@newhavengardens.co.nz www.newhavengardens.co.nz
