6 minute read
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SPRING News, special buys and things to do
Editor’s letter Welcome!
Welcome to spring! After a long, chilly winter, it’s time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. And what better way than with a Mediterraneaninspired feast for family and friends? Turn to page 13 for beautiful colour-filled blooms, great entertaining and style ideas, new-season outdoor pieces (I’m a big fan of that arch mirror!) plus a donkey or two.
Before you invite everyone over, it’s time to sparkle up and get every little bit of your home – both inside and out – into shape. We’ve done the hard work for you and created a spring-clean checklist with some top tips for sprucing up all those tricky indoor areas and appliances (see page 49.) And from page 61, we show you how to get your garden looking its best for spring, with easy ideas to embrace, giving you more reasons to head outdoors. Enjoy the issue!
Check out our barbecue, smoker and pizza oven guide, see page 55
Printed by Webstar. Paper fibre is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
GARDEN GIFT FOR SPCA PUPS
Bunnings Hamilton South team members recently helped to give the Hamilton SPCA a backyard makeover to better meet the needs of the rescue animals in their care.
The space now features a calming sensory garden, fruit trees and various grasses, as well as a custom dog bed and a confidence course.
Hamilton SPCA’s manager, Kyla Robb, says, “We’ll have some very happy dogs making the most of the new area.”
Team members such as Ebony (right) joined local volunteers to create an enriching space for rescue dogs
Petal power
Colourful flowering plants are in store now, and the opportunities to brighten your place are many! Pot up a posse of planters for the deck, suspend hanging baskets above the patio, fill balcony planters or create an impressive display with mass planting in a garden bed. Mix brightly coloured flowers for a show-stopping statement or go elegant and understated with pretty pastels. Choose annual plants, such as potted colour varieties, for a bright seasonal display or use perennials to ensure reliable colour year after year.
Lobelia
Geranium
Assorted
annuals
Calibrachoa
Pelargonium
Feeling a little winter weary? Breathe fresh life into your spaces with a few key updates
21 Mojo ‘Leaf’ 45cm throw cushion, $19.98, I/N: 0329583 Marquee rattan wicker chair, $49,
I/N: 0098913 3
Mimosa ‘Butterfly’ coffee table, $89, I/N: 0177375
4All Set 2 tier wooden shoe rack in White, $31, I/N: 2583482
Verve Design ‘Aria’ 5table lamp, $86.35,
I/N: 0123735
8 9 7 6 Mimosa ‘Monterey’ daybed, $1,398,
I/N: 0260171
Waxworks ‘Patio’ glass jar candle in Green, $7.98, I/N: 0465064 Axton ‘Home’ 75cm x 45cm debossed PVC coir mat, $23.61, I/N: 0047670
Ander 230cm x 160cm indoor/ outdoor rug in Neutral, $199, I/N: 0138885
Bleak to beautiful
Kiwis have a keen interest in upcycling furniture, with a third of us giving it a go*. Seasoned upcycler Evie Kemp’s latest project transformed an old chest of drawers into a chequered masterpiece, using Porter’s Paints in Rubble and Dragon’s Eye, with Sylvan ‘Warwick’ brass pulls. “Some of my favourite objects were once destined for the tip but I see them and get inspired,” says Evie. For another great upcycling project, turn to page 79.
Before
THE WHEEL DEAL
When your car simply can’t fit the load, Bunnings has the perfect, economical solution. You can now hire a ute or van by the hour or up to three days or more! For more information visit bunnings.co.nz/vehicle-hire.
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BBQ accessories for under $30
Alfresco kitchen essentials every grilling guru needs
Jumbuck barbecue thermometer, $6, I/N: 0270560
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Jumbuck reversible roast rib rack, $14.98, I/N: 0262750
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Jumbuck pizza stone with cutter, $29.98, I/N: 0284294
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3 piece barbecue tool set, $9.98, I/N: 0270558 4 Matador barbecue scraper, $11.98, 5 I/N: 0284423
GARDEN DIARIES
Prepare your vege patch
a week or two 1 before planting. Dig in a goodquality compost with added organic, slow-release fertiliser.
Sow seeds of warm-season
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crops, like tomatoes and capsicums, in small pots or trays filled with specialised seedraising mix. Transplant into the garden when 8-10cm high.
Set aside seed potatoes to sprout. Keep on a tray in a light, airy spot out of direct sunlight. When shoots are 2-3cm long, plant into compostenriched soil.
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Allow several strawberry plants (about six per person) to guarantee an abundance of berries. Mulch with pea straw to keep the fruit from rotting on wet soil.
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Dahlias’ slender stems are not always strong enough to support larger blooms. Prevent damage to flowers and stake at planting, or try dwarf dahlias – no need to stake and great in pots. Plant tubers in September and October.
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Plant ground covers on bare soil to reduce garden maintenance and keep weeds at bay. Try native ground covers pimelea ‘Silver Ghost’ (dry spots) and fuchsia procumbens (moist spots).
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Keep your household in greens by growing your own lettuce. Try our top picks (below). Pests such as caterpillars,
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whitefly and aphids find veges and herbs irresistible. Keep them at bay with an organic
1 Scotts ‘Performance Naturals’ premium compost, $14.11/30L, I/N: 0225280. 2 Daltons ‘Premium’ seed raising mix, $21.84/30L, I/N: 0212327. 3 Morton Smith-Dawe ‘Desiree’ seed potatoes, $16.25/3kg, I/N: 0600155. 4 Garden Galore pea straw mulch, $11.89/5L, I/N: 0265278. 5 Gardman 900mm bamboo garden stakes, $10.99/ pack of 20, I/N: 3040829. 6 170mm
pimelea ‘Silver Ghost’ plant.
7 Yates ‘Nature’s Way’ citrus and ornamental insect gun, $17.94/750ml, I/N: 8907177. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
COS
Also called romaine, this lettuce forms a tight head of sturdy, long and crisp leaves. Pick outer leaves while the head grows.
OAK LEAF
A loose-leaf variety made up of heavily lobed leaves, like an oak leaf. Harvest the outer leaves often.
ICEBERG
Ever popular, its round head has layers of crisp, mildly flavoured leaves with good crunch factor. Harvest the whole lettuce.
BUTTERCRUNCH
Much loved for its mild butterflavoured leaves and smooth, velvety texture. Great as wraps or in sandwiches.
After applying fertiliser around edible plants, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. If using products to deal with pests, diseases or weeds, or when handling compost or manure, follow any instructions carefully and wear gloves and suitable protective equipment. Store all garden chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
