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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SUMMER News, special buys and great ideas
Editor’s letter Welcome!
Summer is such a special time of the year – it brings family and friends together and, of course, there are those much-loved summer holidays! Some of my best memories are of heading up the coast on camping trips with our two excited kids in tow. Yes, there was the occasional campside drenching, but there were also lazy days, spent by the water, book in one hand and iceblock in the other. Which is one of the (many!) reasons I love this month’s camping story, from page 29, full of inspiration and great DIY projects to add a little bit of luxury to your next camp out. But if your holiday is more home than away, we have all you need to get your place into shape before a single visitor arrives (see from page 53). And here’s something to celebrate: our publication took out the best custom magazine gong at the NZ Webstar Magazine Media Awards 2022! Hope summer brings you plenty of good times, too. Enjoy the issue!
Get in quick to nab this cute kiwi light for a fairyland at home (page 21)
Printed by Webstar. Paper fibre is from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Swing Slide Climb ‘Cuckoo’ timber cubby house, $599, I/N: 3321707
HELP AT HAND
If you’ve been tipped off that Santa plans to deliver play equipment to your kids this year, we can help. From $99, selected Bunnings stores can organise assembly (and, for an additional fee, delivery) of new play equipment and accessories purchased from Bunnings. Choose your play set and accessories, then arrange payment (and delivery) at the Special Orders Desk, or take it home. The team will arrange an assembler to come to you.*
*First contact your local store to find out if this service is available. Booking cut-off dates vary based on region; visit bunnings.co.nz/ playassembly for more information.
Photography (editor) Sue Stubbs; inset) Simon Words Caitlin Olsen-Ludlow. Whitbread; (behind the scenes) Caroline Botting. Our set-up is for photographic purposes only; to avoid damage, remove gazebo canopy in extreme wind conditions. Behind the scenes
For our gorgeous summer cover, our photography team were whirled through four seasons in one day at a beautiful lakeside spot. The weather was sunny and glorious one minute, strong winds whipping up a storm the next! A cute caravan came along to help set the scene and, just like that, our team was transported to those nostalgic days of summer holidays. We hope you will be, too.
Any way the wind blows
ABOVE LEFT Photographer Belinda Merrie (left) and stylist Sam van Kan prepare for our outdoor inspiration story. ABOVE AND RIGHT Our gazebo curtains and tablecloth behaved long enough – before the weather ruffled things up! Turn to page 29 to see the results.
OUR TRAVEL PARTNER
ALFRESCO LIFE
Create a welcoming chill-out zone for summer entertaining in the great outdoors
Mimosa ‘Kirra’ aluminium rope dining chair, $169, I/N: 0352917
Mimosa 450mm timber side table, $89, I/N: 3190284
Marquee ‘Bayfield’ wicker bar stool, $79, I/N: 0177360
Marquee ‘Bayfield’ wicker sun lounge, $149, I/N: 0177363
Marquee ‘Troca’ 3 piece steel bistro setting in Grey, $138.98, I/N: 0260530 1Mimosa ‘Malibu’ corner lounge, 3 $1,598, I/N: 0177349 2 45 Marquee ‘Acapulco’ chair in Black, $54.90, I/N: 0057736 87 6 Marquee 145cm x 75cm x 75cm 3 piece timber bench set, $279, I/N: 0259939 Mojo ‘Marrakesh’ 45cm outdoor throw cushion in Blue, $19.98, I/N: 0329584 9
Packs of care
Bunnings is proudly supporting domestic violence charity I Got Your Back Pack’s (IGYBP) annual appeal to help New Zealand’s most vulnerable. Over a 12-month period, Women’s Refuge provides shelter to thousands of women and children; many require essential care items. These emergency care packs are filled with practical products that help make their stay a little easier. To find out how to make a donation, look for information at your local Bunnings store.
With help from Bunnings, Ōtāhuhu College celebrated a tradition shared across the Pacific, with Tongan and Samoan umu and a hāngī, the traditional Māori and Pasifika method for cooking in and on the ground. Bunnings provided donations and hands-on support from Manukau store team members, who worked with the college to transform a dilapidated area of its grounds into a māra kai (community garden), where the event was held. Samoan language teacher Meta Usufono (pictured above) said, “Many of our students have grown up in New Zealand so it’s important that they feel connected to their Pasifika roots.”
KAI TIME
GARDEN DIARIES
Mulch garden beds to keep moisture in the soil, reduce plant stress and 1 suppress weeds. Water well before applying a quality mulch. Sow a row of carrots with kids’ snacks in mind. Try heirloom varieties with a fun mix of yellow, white, orange and purple carrots.
3
Feed hungry flowers to
Tie the stems of vining tomatoes, beans and other climbers to stakes or supports as plants grow. Use soft string or twine to prevent damage to the stems. 2 ensure they keep blooming. Annuals like regular feeding to ensure continuous blooms. Fruiting 4 plants will also benefit from a dose. Plant Christmas lilies for a white Christmas! The scented flowers bloom for weeks and can be picked for the vase, too. 5
Try your hand at producing eggplants. The long, narrow types are easier to grow than fatter globes but they are equally tasty. Plant in full sun. 6
Add flavour – and colour to summer salads and cooked dishes with fragrant basil. Try one or more of the varieties below.
1 Daltons ‘Premium Mulch & Grow’ mulch, $13.75/40L, I/N: 0200126. 2 Whites ‘Enviro’ cotton plant tie, $24.20/40m, I/N: 3320947. 3 Mr Fothergill’s ‘Harlequin’ carrot seeds, $4.94/ I/N: 3680158. 4 PowerFeed ‘Flower Fruit and Citrus’ fertiliser concentrate, $15.98/1L, I/N: 2990042. 5 Fiesta Flower Bulbs Christmas lily ‘White Sheen’ plant. 6 Johnsons ‘World Kitchen’ Ping Tung Long eggplant vegetable seeds, $5.38, I/N: 2961930. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
LEMON BASIL
These zesty leaves are great with fish, chicken and Asian recipes. Plant in fertile soil and avoid overwatering.
SWEET BASIL
An essential garnish for many Italian dishes, sweet basil grows well in beds or pots and enjoys warm weather.
THAI BASIL
The slight liquorice flavour gives punch to noodle salads and rice paper rolls. Remove the flowers to prolong the harvest.
PURPLE BASIL
These attractive leaves have a slightly milder taste than sweet basil. Add their enticing colour to salads and pesto.
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 mulch, follow any instructions carefully and wear gloves and suitable protective equipment. Store all garden chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
