Autumn Spirit

LIFESTYLE Autumn spirit

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE

Exploring our backyard with Millennium Hotels

15% off Flexible Rate for Ruralco members

CALL 0800 782 962 QUOTING “RURALCO” TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING.

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Next to Lake Rotorua, this family-friendly hotel is suitable for those wanting to experience Rotorua’s attractions right by their doorstep. Only a six minute drive to the Redwoods Treetop walk (rated no.2 best forest canopy walkway in the world by Lonely Planet) and a brief stroll to the City Centre, Polynesia Spa, Government Gardens, Rotorua Arts Village and Tamaki Maori Village. The hotel uniquely harnesses the natural geothermal resource for heating and feature an indoor garden space showcasing native plants and trees. Take a dip in the heated pool or relax at The Spa Rotorua. There is free off-street parking and child-friendly facilities including a toddler pool.

1270 Hinemaru Street, Ohinemutu, Rotorua 3010 +64 7 347 1234 Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront

Experience tranquillity all year round. Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront sits overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu and within walking distance of Queenstown’s central shopping and entertainment area. Popular ski areas such as Coronet Peak is a 20 minute drive and Remarkables is a 45 minute drive away. The hotel is nestled within our garden-inspired property and over 80 rooms have views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. Selected rooms also feature private balconies or courtyards. Facilities include complimentary use of the spa (booking required), secure undercover car park and ski locker room.

Cnr Frankton Rd & Adelaide St, Queenstown 9300 +64 3 450 0260

Travel in style

Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay

If location is everything then this hotel has it all! Located on Wellington’s premier street, Oriental Parade, this waterfront hotel is just 5–10 minute walk away from Te Papa Museum and the City Centre. All rooms have separate balcony access and the majority of rooms offer views of Wellington Harbour. Each room comes equipped with all the modern hotel’s comfort that you need and facilities include a business centre, guest laundry, dry cleaning/ironing service, complimentary use of a nearby fitness facility, concierge service and leisure desk.

100 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington 6011 +64 4 385 0279

Bacon & Blue Cheese Potato Salad

1KG RED SKIN OR AGRIA POTATOES 5 SLICES OF MIDDLE BACON 4 SPRING ONIONS THINLY SLICED SALT & PEPPER 362 GRILLHOUSE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Boil or steam potatoes until tender. Cool and cut into 2cm cubes. Cook bacon until crisp and cut or crumble into pieces. In a bowl, combine the potatoes, bacon, spring onions and pour over about ½ a jar of the dressing. Toss to combine, add more dressing if you like & season with salt & pepper. Can be served at room temperature immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve

362 GRILLHOUSE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING $7.80 AVAILABLE IN STORE OR ONLINE FROM RURALCO

For a Rainy Day DIY Faux Ceramic Vases

If you have spare vases or jugs lying around that look dated and don’t fit with current décor trends, you can use this simple hack that will make them look like a ceramic masterpiece which involves a mix of baking powder and paint. • Simply add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to a cup of paint and mix them together. • Apply the paint in sweeping strokes on the outside and inside of the vase. • Let it dry and then apply a second coat of paint.

Choose rich autumnal colours such as orange, terracotta and ochre. And there you have it, a beautiful timeless addition to your décor.

THINGS WE LOVE

The Ned Collections vases

We are loving our Ned Collections vases at the moment. This collection has a handcrafted feel which is very much on trend right now. Forage for dried foliage and florals from your garden and create the perfect centrepiece for your dining table, living room and around the home using different textures and colours. You can have a lot of fun playing around with different heights and colour tones.

AVAILABLE IN STORE OR ONLINE FROM RURALCO

THE HARMIE VASE FROM $12.20

WE LOVE

THE FLUGEN VASE FROM 43.70

FASHION

Your Autumn Wardrobe

Layer up this autumn with our range of Wild South dresses. Our viscose printed floral dresses are perfect to pair with stockings and tights as the cooler weather draws near and are the perfect autumn staple that will take you right through winter and spring for daytime and evening wear.

Our linen blend dresses and viscose striped maxi are the perfect for weekend wear, pair with white sneakers and a denim jacket for a stylish casual look.

C A A. VISCOSE MAXI DRESS $83.80

B. LINEN BLEND SWING DRESS $119.60

C. VISCOSE PRINTED DRESS $ 109.70

AVAILABLE IN STORE OR ONLINE FROM RURALCO

LIBRARY CORNER

Autumn reads

With Norma Geddes, Ashburton Paper Plus Troy

BY STEPHEN FRY The kidnapping of Helen, a queen celebrated for her beauty, saw Greeks launch a thousand ships against the city of Troy, to which they laid siege for ten whole years. Stephen Fry shares the heroism and hatred, revenge and regret, desire and despair of those desperate time.

T.he Last Days of John Lennon

BY JAMES PATTERSON As early as the Beatles’ controversial 1966 American tour Lennon had complained, “You might as well put a target on me”. The Nixon administration did just that, putting Lennon under FBI surveillance, but completely missing Mark David Chapman’s powerful, evergrowing obsession with the man he’d grown up idolising

Facing the Haka

BY ANDY BURT & JAMIE WALL The brilliant selection of photographs and stories covering crucial moments in rugby history describes what it means to stare down the most famous ritual in sport, from the perspective of those who have been there. HOME INSPO

Create your own reading nook

As we move into cooler temperatures, it is the perfect time to style your home for the months ahead. Creating a reading nook in your home is the perfect way to create a tranquil space to relax and unwind with a hot tea or a glass of pinot noir. Create a simple reading nook by finding a quiet corner in your home, add a comfortable chair, whether this is something you have already, or you wish to splash out on a new one, you can add some cosy elements by bringing in soft fabrics and autumn tones. Velvet cushions and cosy throws can add comfort and style to your reading corner.

LE FORGE VELVET STUDDED CUSHIONS $51.80

Autumn Planting

With Chris Smith, Southern Woods Nursery

WEED CONTROL & PREPARATION— BEFORE PLANTING Weed control

Effective weed control is essential for new plantings. The goal is to eliminate unwanted species that may compete for moisture and nutrition in the soil. Mark out your proposed planting area and clear weeds from the site prior to planting. You can spray with a non-residual herbicide. Multiple applications may be necessary, let the weeds re-grow then repeat your spraying. Add organic matter

When creating a new bed or changing an existing one, adding organic matter is a great idea. Compost is an excellent way to do this, mix with your existing topsoil when planting. You may need to alter the pH of your soil too. Check with your local nursery, as various species will prefer acid or alkaline soils. Poor drainage?

There are a number of ways to improve drainage on your site. In many cases, the easiest step is to dig over or rotary hoe your garden bed. Gypsum can be mixed with existing soil to help break up the clay. For particularly damp or heavy sites, you can raise your gardens up slightly, using mounds, rocks or sleepers for example. It’s important to allow excess water to flow away from the base of the plant.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANT— PLANT SELECTION

It is important to take into consideration the area’s conditions, such as temperature, frost, wind, soil type, drainage, irrigation, sunlight, shade and space for your mature plant. It’s worth getting a landscape architect, forestry consultant or green fingered friend to check over your plans before you plant. A well thought out planting can save you plenty of time and money down the track!

GROUND READY TO PLANT? PLANTING TREES & SHRUBS Check your plants are moist

It’s important the roots of all your plants are moist prior to planting. Fertiliser gives your plant the best possible start

Plant with a slow-release 10g fertiliser tablet (eg Grotabs) use one tablet per 30 cm of tree height, ensuring it’s not directly touching the roots. Compost & Liquid Fertilisers are great additions at this stage too. Digging your hole & planting

Dig the hole twice the width of the root ball, loosening the soil at bottom. As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown.

Tip

When planting new plants, soak the root ball in a bucket of water & double strength seaweed concentrate. To ensure the water has soaked through, wait until all air bubbles have stopped. The liquid seaweed stimulates root growth and helps with transplant shock.

LINENS AND MORE SHERPA THROW IN MUSTARD. $86.10 AVAILABLE IN STORE OR ONLINE FROM RURALCO HERE ARE A FEW SPECTACULAR AUTUMN PLANTING OPTIONS:

Acer ‘Autumn Blaze’

A dependable maple selection with vibrant red/orange autumn colour. Ideal as a specimen tree or for feature planting along avenues. Wind-tolerant and cold hardy.

Betula Jacquemontii ‘Dazzler’

This distinctive white Himalayan Birch is a stunning specimen tree with snow-white bark. The leaves turn a brilliant gold in autumn. Another wind and cold hardy option.

Quercus Palustris

Pin oaks are a great option for damper sites and heavier soils. Their spreading habit makes them ideal shade trees. Very tough and great autumn colour.

Deciduous fruit trees

Autumn and winter are great times to plant your deciduous fruit trees. With dozens of varieties to choose from, check with your local nursery for varieties that’ll work well on your property.