Even though it’s a bit chilly - there’s still plenty you can achieve in the garden this winter. Here are ten top tips from our gardening and landscaping experts to get you going!
Key products from Central Landscape Supplies: Premium Garden Mix, Compost, Fastcrete, Multicrete, Grass Pavers, Decorative Pebbles, Sand, Metal & Drainage, Ponga Logs, Revital Organic Potting Mix, Premium Potting Mix, Outdoor Container Mix, Mulch, Mudstop Geotextile, Hoggin, White Chip, Waikato Fleck, Mangatangi Gold, Feinwerk Pavers.
Tip 1 - How to use pavers in an innovative way
900 x 450mm Feinwerk Pavers set in white chip create the perfect entranceway.
Jonas Paterson from Feinwerk Pavers suggests an innovative way to use their new range of rectangle stepping pavers.
“Our new Feinwerk Pavers available in 600mm x 300mm or 900mm x 450mm give you that contemporary path look without the fuss of boxing and concreting."
“Our colours look great laid in a bed of decorative pebbles such as White Chip, Waikato Fleck, or Mangatangi Gold from Central Landscape Supplies’ large range.”
- Jonas Paterson from Feinwerk Pavers
Tip 2 - How and when to prune roses
Now is the perfect time of year to prune back your roses.
Claire Talbot of Sculpt Gardens shares the following advice on best practices for pruning Roses this winter.
“July & August is rose pruning time in New Zealand, so if you have roses in the garden, prune them to encourage great growth come spring and summer.”
“Roses are big feeders so remember to feed and add a top-up of fresh compost to the base of each plant.”
“When making cuts, aim to prune above an outward-facing bud. This encourages the new growth to spread outward, creating a more open and airy plant structure, which helps with air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.”
- Claire Talbot, Sculpt Gardens
Tip 3 - How to use Fastcrete and Multicrete
Richard De Jong from Cemix suggests the following tips for working with Fastcrete and Multicrete.
“Mix Multicrete with clean water in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer, following the correct mixing ratios. Use the mixed concrete immediately. Do not allow to stand.”
“Fastcrete should be added straight where it will set. Always place water first according to the instructions. Please don’t try to prepare Fastcrete in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer, it will set before you can get it out!”
- Richard De Jong, Cemix
Tip 4 - Working with grass pavers
(Design by Kerry Speirs of DIY Designs, photo & construction by Chris Ballantyne / Second Nature Gardens).
Kerry Speirs from DIY Designs has a great hack for those working with grass pavers.
“Rather than trying to grow grass inside Grass Pavers or Gobi Blocks, fill them with pebbles and lock them in using resin-binder. It's a neat and tidy solution that remains permeable.”
- Kerry Speirs from DIY Designs.
Tip 5 - Tidy pathways with bark and ponga logs
Using ponga logs as edging in landscaping is a great way to add a natural, rustic touch to your outdoor space.
Here are some tips to consider from Sarah of Sarah’s Garden Services:
- Choose the right size - Select logs that are similar in size and shape to create a uniform look either for straight or curved spaces.
- Prepare the site - Clear the area of any debris or grass and shape the land You can dig a small trench. I would advise adding some gap 7 or sand where they will be sitting as this helps with drainage. Use smaller lengths when adding curves.
- Lay the logs - Place the logs in the trench, add a wooden peg to secure if needed and backfill with soil to keep them in place. Use a hand saw to cut to size.
- Add mulch - Add a layer of thick mulch around the logs to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Additional Maintenance - Regularly inspect the logs for signs of rot or damage, and replace as needed.
- Sarah, Sarah’s Garden Services
Tip 6 - Plant some winter cheer and colour
Cyclamen offer a bright winter colour palate.
Claire Talbot of Sculpt Gardens shares some tips on adding winter cheer and colour to your garden.
“Firstly, planting winter cheer & colour, cyclamen come in lovely cheery colours and lift the spirit, especially when used in pots and containers.”
Central Landscape Supplies suggests Revital Organic Potting Mix, Premium Potting Mix or Outdoor Container Mix for best results.
“Magnolia flowers are also simply stunning (remember to stake them carefully)."
"Remember to use good quality Premium Garden Mix when planting and mulch after new planting around the base of the plant.”
- Claire Talbot, Sculpt Gardens
Tip 7 - Get planting in winter
Christy Warren of Central Landscape Supplies Albany highlights some key tips for successful winter planting.
Why plant in winter?:
- Slower growth during the winter allows your plants and trees to establish a robust root system
- Irrigation is sorted naturally with plenty of rain about
- Pests and disease are less active
- When spring and summer arrive, your plants will be well established and will require less irrigation
"Premium Garden Mix, with all its goodies, will give your plants a great start in the garden and in planter boxes."
- Christy Warren, Central Landscape Supplies Albany
Tip 8 - Good drainage - when to get your project underway
Central Landscape Supplies has a big range of sand, metal, and drainage materials.
Rob Elliott from Central Landscape Supplies Warkworth has a wealth of drain laying knowledge and has shared the following important points.
"While now is a fabulous time to take photos of where the water is pooling at your place such as lawns, driveways, paths, and gardens, it is NOT the time to install drainage.
"Winter drainage projects tend to end up in a great big muddy mess! - Instead, get plenty of photos and wait a couple of months. As things dry out you can lay drains where they are needed and they will flow better."
- Rob Elliott - Central Landscape Supplies Warkworth
Tip 9 - Mud relief
MudStop Geotextile Road and Soil Stabilisation Fabric offers relief from the mud.
Jarrod Marwood from Central Landscapes Avondale/Eastern Bays has a background in civil construction and has a great tip for sorting out those muddy patches on your driveway or path.
“First, scrape away as much of the mud as you can. Next, put down a layer of Mudstop Geotextile. This acts as a barrier to stop the mud from seeping up again."
"Then spread a layer of GAP 40 and compact it down. Once this is done, you have a stable subsurface ready for your top layer, whether it's concrete, metal, pebbles or hoggin.”
- Jarrod Marwood, Central Landscapes Avondale/Eastern Bays
Tip 10 - Stay cosy and order online from Central Landscape Supplies
Order Online now and Click & Collect from your local yard or have it delivered to your place.
Central Landscape Supplies has the best range of garden supplies and landscaping materials to get you through even the harshest of winters!
Click & Collect from your nearest yard or have everything you need delivered to your place.
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