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www.manawatustandard.co.nz Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 1

FEBRUARY 2010

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GardenHomeMANAWATU

ThisYear’sTrends

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2 Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 www.manawatustandard.co.nz

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TRENDS

The dark days are overInterior designer Donald Grant Sunderland takes a look at where trends are heading this year.

Lighten up: When choosing a colour, you will find that white or mixed cream andgrey chips are now popular.

All in white: Althoughadditional colour maybe introduced withbedroom furniture,bedrooms generallyremain monochromatic.

Continued page 3

After a year of recession, whichhas seen people keep theirwallets closed, there are sometremendous bargains to behad in furniture, soft

furnishings and home technology.But before you rush out, remember

that a bargain is not a bargain unless itworks for both you and the room inquestion. If it doesn’t, you could findyourself rueing your impetuosity foryears to come.

That’s why the guidance of aninterior designer, even if you opt for nomore than an hour’s consultation, couldsave you a lot of money and heartache– not to mention partnership disputes.

As a designer, I don’t necessarilyfollow previous, current or predictedtrends. Rather, I go for what has surfedthe tides of time and remained classicfor many decades.

There are big expenses involved inthe decoration of interiors, which

means one has to think of the long-term appeal of any design. A lookthrough back issues of New ZealandHouse and Garden can help you to

make up your mind, however.These days, as the internet widens

the range of products available, andmakes buying them so much easier,

there is almost limitless scope for theimagination. So where is the world ofinteriors going, on a room-by-roombasis?

The loungeThe trend is to take the television out

of this room and put it in the familyroom, or to extend the house andcreate a media room with a wide-screen television and otherentertainment and computerequipment.

The lounge has become a sanctuary– a place for relaxation and quietconversation.

Brighter fabrics have put paid to theformal, stuffy look, and larger furniture,with softer edges, has made eitherstretching out or curling up mucheasier.

Meanwhile, more natural light hasbeen introduced, by adding windowsor skylights and by opening up walls

with bi-fold doors.In many cases, the lounge has also

become a music room – a place tolisten to the iPod or tinker at the piano.

The wall colourings are lighter.People are favouring whites, slightlytinted to break the icicle harshness, andfinally turning away from beige.

The dining roomThese days, most dining rooms are

incorporated in the open-plan area thatincludes the kitchen and family room.

The trend is now towards informaldining, often in an al-frescoatmosphere, as we relax and enjoyeasy-to-prepare meals and glasses ofwine.

Before buying dining chairs, try themout for comfort by sitting in them for areasonable period of time at the table.If possible, take one home on appro.


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TRENDS

Left: The classic bathroom is always popular.

Centre: Pedestal basins don’t supply much needed storage.

Above: Walk-in showers are becoming bigger.

The dark days are over

Subdued: A tint of colour into the white.

Continued from page 2

Bold flower arrangements can be usedto break up the vast plane of the table,though these will need to berepositioned after people are seated.The kitchen

This should always be designed byan experienced interior designer.

Go for bench-tops made of acomposite granite, such as CaesarStone, with square edges and a 30mmthickness, as opposed to the 50mmthickness that was formerly favoured.When choosing a colour, you will findthat white or mixed cream and greychips are now popular.

An island should, if possible, beincorporated in the design of yourkitchen. This should be as wide andlong as possible, and certainly not lessthan 1.5 metres long.

Cabinets covered with wood veneer,rather than Melamine, are becomingmore popular. But the price of theformer is rising, and distinguishingbetween the two is often difficult,especially in the case of the moreexotic woods.

The paler woods are popular atpresent, as are the dark oaks. However,the mid-range coloured woods, suchas rimu, have definitely lost favour.

Integrated cabinetry, incorporating

the fridge and dishwasher, is no longerconsidered essential. These days, mostpeople are happy to see theseappliances for what they are. Andthanks to the finishes we now have,fingerprints are no longer an issue.

Polished wooden floors – orcoloured cork, which is softerunderfoot – are popular in the kitchen.

Large tiles, measuring 60cm by60cm, are also popular. But rememberto use coloured grout, to avoid visiblestains.

Remember, too, that tiles areunforgiving if you have to stand forhours at the bench, unless you haveunderfloor heating for the wintermonths.

Bathrooms and en suitesHere, the trend is towards a simple,

traditional design that helps to keepcosts down. White on white, withsplashes of colour provided by towelsand accessories, is increasingly findingfavour.

The pedestal basin is losing groundand being replaced by recessed twinbowls with ample closed storagespace below for both towels andcleaning products.

Open shelves are out, as mostfamilies find them too difficult to keeptidy.

A toilet is now being incorporated in

the bathroom, which has become abigger and more luxurious space witha walk-in shower. This often has noglass doors or partition – things mostof us will eventually install, if only toeliminate water splash.

Bright ceiling lights and natural lightadd to the aura of cleanliness.

BedroomsThe floorboards of today’s bedroom

are covered with plush carpet, which isagain light in colour.

Cotton voiles dress the windows,and white-on-white furnishings areused on beds. Super-large floraldesigns, on a white background, arealso popular for beds.

Although additional colour may beintroduced with bedroom furniture,bedrooms generally remainmonochromatic.

Summing upThe message for this year is ‘‘lighten

up’’ by banishing beige andintroducing cool whites. Bring naturallight into the room, and enliven it withaccents of such clear colours as limeand orange.

A rug or cushion – or, in the case ofbathrooms, a towel – can be used toprovide these splashes of colour.

■ Donald is available for consultations.Email [email protected].


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TRENDS

Colourful new decadeWhat trends can weexpect in the home thisyear? David Killicklooks ahead.

Big-screen televisions: Prices have never been so good. You don’t have to pay top dollar for a quality product.

Keeping fit: We’d all like to be healthier and fitter, andmaking time for at-home exercise makes sense.

Dig this: Growing your own veges has been a huge trend inresponse to soaring grocery prices.

The global financial crisis hit hardlast year.Although New Zealand escapedthe mass layoffs and mortgageforeclosures that bedevilled

other countries, notably the UnitedStates, our property market remainedin the doldrums, and those in thebuilding and design industry reporteddecidedly mixed results. Some didokay; others struggled.

But if you visited some homewareand entertainment product stores lastyear, especially during a sale, you wouldhave been hard pressed to see anydownturn. Crisis, what crisis?

Our homes remain a constant. We arealways seeking ways to improve them(which isn’t the same thing, of course, asbeing able to actually afford them).

Many commentators predict greateroptimism in 2010. However, I believe it’sunlikely the markets will surge backsuddenly. It’s more likely we will see agentle upswing.

Bolder coloursDulux predicts that 2010 will be ‘‘the

dawn of a colourful new decade’’.‘‘The strongest emerging colour

trends reflect the recent more positiveconsumer outlook,’’ says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux’s leading colour forecaster.

Resene is forecasting a move awayfrom ‘‘basic earthiness’’ towards‘‘warmth and comfort’’ and colours that‘‘pack some punch’’.

Although the environment is still afocal point, we will see ‘‘contrast andcontradiction’’, and a blending of layers,Resene says.

My view: Many new colours have adusty, muted denim look. They may bestrong, but they are not harsh andbright.

You should also look out for aquas,blues, and more intense greens. Wehaven’t seen them for a while, and theycould be due for a comeback.

ContrastReacting to the financial crisis,

homeowners sought refuge in the past.For this reason, retro chic set the tonelast year.

Many new releases from top fabrichouses – Christian Fischbacher, Gaston yDaniela, Harlequin – are recreations ofclassic designs.

The same is true of furniture. Woodenarms and legs are back in vogue.

Expect the focus on classics to

continue, but with a new twist and amixing of old and new – as, for example,in the covering of an old chair with abold, modern fabric.

RecyclingMore people are hanging on to stuff,

especially if it is well made. More peopleare also seeking out designer classicsonline or in stores.

If it still works well, why chuck it out

it? Furniture – especially quality woodenfurniture from the 50s and 60s – ispopular.

RenovatingLast year, people were reluctant to

buy a new place, and often preferred tostay at home and improve their existingproperty.

Even if the housing market improvesthis year, doing up a home yourself will

remain a Kiwi tradition – despitetougher DIY regulations.

DownsizingArchitects around the world,

including those in the United States,have begun to ask just how much housea person needs.

Houses have become bigger over thedecades, and may now be too big insome cases. What’s the point of two

people rattling around in a mansion?In Europe, where land is in short

supply, architects are looking at moreinnovative, mixed-use dwellings andcommunities. This has not caught on inNew Zealand so far.

Big-screen TVsIf there is one consumer item in hot

demand, it’s the big-screen television.Prices have never been so good. We

have spotted 32in LCD televisions forunder $800, and a 42-inch one for$1000.

Television promises relaxation andnew horizons. But escaping fromtechnology altogether can be refreshing,especially in summer.

Eco-friendlinessIf you recycle, you can give yourself a

pat on the back for caring about theenvironment.

But as more products useenvironmental slogans as marketingtools, beware of ‘‘greenwashing’’.

We’ve still behind the EU, forexample, where the material that goesinto products, the energy used toproduce them, and the workingconditions of those who manufacturethem are all coming under increasingscrutiny.

There are some real advances beingmade – in LED lighting, for example.

Choosing the most energy-efficientappliances, such as washing machinesand fridges, will save you money.

Such appliances are now beingpromoted on the basis of their energy-efficiency. And for the first time, homesare being marketed with their energyrating prominently mentioned.

Eating in and growing your ownEntertaining at home has become

more popular, to the detriment ofrestaurants and cinemas, as people havetried to save money.

There is increased interest in makingmeals memorable, not just casualgobble-and-go affairs.

Growing vegetables has becomepopular, as grocery prices have soaredand as the health benefits of chemical-free produce have been recognised.

Health and fitnessHome gyms, exercise machines, or

simply a quiet place for relaxation areantidotes to stress and the rigours of theworking world.

Coming soon, too, are a host ofmachines that look like kitchen scales,but which also measure your bloodpressure, hydration, body mass ratio,and overall fitness level.

Fairfax


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OUTDOOR LIVING

Lighting can make a magical garden

Modern: A modern, square wall-hungoutdoor light.

Spot-on: A wall-mounted spotlightprovides plenty of light outdoors.

Enhanced: Clever positioning of lights will bring life to the garden after dark.Photos: FAIRFAX

Palmerston Northlighting designerRob Le Heron hassome tips to enhanceoutdoor living areaswith the use of lights.

Typically, an outdoor livingarrangement comprises a deck,for socialising and dining, andadjacent gardens.If the deck flows from your

indoor entertaining area, you need tobe able to move easily from one spaceto the other. And to do that in theevening, you need good outdoorlighting.

Two important objectives foroutdoor living lighting are:■ To make sure the deck has sufficientand comfortable lighting; and■ To reveal the surrounding gardensas daylight fades and night begins.

So what is the difference betweennight-time indoor lighting and night-time outdoor lighting?

The most significant differencearises from the fact that outdoorobjects – everything from the leaves oftrees to the various structures in thegarden – don’t reflect light well afterdusk, and therefore aren’t so easilyseen.

This always has to be kept in mindwhen outdoor lighting is beingdesigned.

To make the outdoor area moreinteresting and attractive, you couldalso consider including some coloured

lighting. The colours can even bemade to change, as the lighting in TheSquare’s clock tower does.

When any lighting system is beinginstalled, you should also rememberto:■ Avoid glare from light fittings thatpeople may look directly at.■ Position lighting in a way thatencourages people to look in thedirection in which the light is shining.■ Provide sufficient light to identifyhorizontal surfaces in dining areas, soyou can see what you are eating.■ Avoid ‘‘spill’’ illumination spreadinginto your neighbour’s property –especially into their bedroom areas.Practical things to remember:

■ All light fittings are under additionalstress in outdoor settings. This stresscomes from such things as rainwater,water-blasting, sunlight, frost,chemical attack (from gardenfertilisers), and potential physical‘‘attack’’ (by lawn mowers and otherequipment).■ Use your deck lighting, coupledwith the ‘‘revealing’’ lighting of youradjacent garden space, to enhance thespacious and magical feeling of youroutdoor living area.

■ Rob Le Heron can be contacted fora consultation at Wix Lighting DesignStudio in russell Street, PalmerstonNorth.

Safety tips forcooking with gasA new device shouldhelp to cut the numberof deaths and injuriescaused by gas-cylinderaccidents.

First line of defence: The gas safety gaugeautomatically shuts off the gas when itdetects a sudden change in pressure.

Every year, dozens of Kiwis are killed orinjured in gas-cylinder accidents.

But thanks to a gas safety gauge,developed and manufactured in NewZealand by Black and Stone, there is now ameans to lower this toll.

The gauge connects the gas cylinder andappliance hose and regulator, andautomatically shuts off the gas when itdetects a sudden change in pressure.

During the past 16 years, 29 people havebeen killed and 411 injured in New Zealandas a result of LPG cylinder accidents, andthe annual toll is rising, says Black andStone managing director Graham Brake.

Of particular concern to Mr Brake is therapid rise in injury-causing accidents,particularly during the past five years.

The New Zealand Fire Service’s principaladviser on fire risk management, AlanMerry, says Kiwis need to adopt a numberof simple safety precautions aroundbarbecues:■ Check the gas cylinder. A cylinder shouldnot be refilled if it hasn’t been tested formore than 10 years, or if it has beendamaged.■ Inspect the hose, to ensure it hasn’tperished.■ Check the gas connections, which shouldbe tight, before using the barbecue,especially if it has been idle for some time.An easy way to check for leaks is to coverthe top end of the hose – where it connectsto the gas cylinder – with dishwashingliquid. If this starts foaming, you have a leakand should have it checked by aprofessional.

Mr Merry says many gas-cylinder injuriesare preventable with proper maintenanceof cylinders.

When using a barbecue, the fire servicerecommends you:■ Keep your eyes on what you are doing.■ Don’t have a drink until you have satdown to eat.■ Don’t add any flammable liquid to a fire.■ Never barbecue in an enclosed area,where excessive amounts of carbonmonoxide could build up.■ Dispose of hot coals properly. Dousethem with plenty of water and stir them toensure the fire is out. Never place them inplastic, paper or wooden containers.

Remember:■ Outdoor gas appliances should never beused indoors. Such appliances include patioheaters, barbecues and camping cookers.■ Always check the manufacturer’sinstructions before using any gas appliance.■ Install a gas safety gauge, which willautomatically cut off any major gas leaks.


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BEEN IN THE MANAWATU SINCE 1994

ALTHERM WINDOW SYSTEMS Advertising feature

Altherm a trusted name

In charge: Altherm Window Systems manager Steve Dooley has been with the company for 20 years.

Lit up: Altherm Window Systems supplied the aluminium joinery for this new building at WhitireiaPolytech, Porirua.

Stacked up: A four-panel bi-fold window stacks at one end of the frame.

Palmerston North-basedAltherm Window Systems hasbeen supplying superioraluminium products and topservice to the lower half of the

North Island for 40 years.Altherm, which has branches around

New Zealand, is a family-ownedbusiness started by John Borren in1970 and carried on by his son Mike,who has now handed the reins tomanager Steve Dooley.

Steve has worked for Altherm for 20years, having started on the factoryfloor and worked his way up to thetop. He knows the aluminium joineryindustry inside out, and is able toprovide clients with the best adviceavailable.

Since the company’s inception, it hasgrown steadily. It now employs 16people, who are based in thecompany’s showroom and factory inKeith Street.

The factory was extended last yearto accommodate newly acquiredequipment from Italy. This machinesand drills all the various types ofextrusions that Altherm manufactureson its premises.

The company’s expertise in allaspects of aluminium joinery, includingjoinery for residential, architectural andcommercial properties, conservatories,internal partitions, replacements andrenovations, has made it the first portof call for builders looking for top-quality product.

During the past few years, it hascompleted a number of large projectsthroughout the lower half of the NorthIsland.

These include Levin Courthouse,Palmerston North Plazaredevelopment, Arena Manawatu,Ezibuy bulk store, Palmerston NorthCourthouse, the Map Building andRiddet Institute at Massey University,the Otago Medical Centre atWellington Hospital, Whitireia Polytech,Porirua Sports and Events Centre,Horowhenua District Council, ContactEnergy Centre in Levin, McDonald’s inTaihape, Dannevirke and Bulls, NationalBank building in Masterton, MastertonAquatic Centre, Taihape New Worldand the TSB building on The Square.

Altherm is proud to serve the localcommunity.

‘‘We take a lot of pride in what wedo, especially when it’s in ourhometown of Palmerston North,’’ Stevesays.

‘‘Like any business, we are only asgood as our staff who manufactureand install the joinery, and we have alot of combined years of experience inthe team.

‘‘We also take pride in our service.We believe every customer isimportant, and we endeavour to pleaseour customers and leave themsatisfied. After all, without ourcustomers we wouldn’t have survivedin business for as long as we have.’’

Altherm is committed to investing inthe future by installing the latestcomputer programs and machinery toenable it to complete all its projectsaccurately and on time.

For aluminium joinery advice or afree measure-and-quote phone (06)358-4641 or visit the showroom at 91Keith Street.


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Advertising feature ALTHERM WINDOW SYSTEMS

Indoor-outdoor flow: Twin sliders on three sides of this room allow for maximum connection with the outdoors.

Innovation takesAltherm to top

Sun block: Tinted or reflective glass in overhead glazingis often used to cut down on heat build-up in summer.

Style: The Metro series of aluminium joinery is ideal forarchitecturally designed homes.

Altherm Window Systemsoffers a range of residentialproducts that has seen itbecome a leader in its field.Manager Steve Dooley says

Altherm has been the preferredmanufacturer among architects anddesigners for 40 years, and that theAltherm name has always beenassociated with quality andinnovation.

He says the residential range ofproducts is a result of ongoing designimprovements, and reflects the styleof the 21st century.

A major innovation at Altherm isthe bottom-rolling bifold system, inwhich the weight of the door iscarried on the sill. This means the doordoesn’t act as a dead weight on thelintel, and ensures it can besuccessfully operated for many years.

As the outside track is on thebottom, it is also easy to maintain andclean.

Pressure-fit glazing is anotherfeature of the company’s doors andwindows. This means there are nowedge rubbers on the outside to

gather dust – and allow burglars easyaccess.

There is also a range of sliding andstacking doors, roof lights and double-hung windows that are ideal for therenovation of old villas where existingjoinery needs to be matched.

‘‘Altherm’s Metro suite is new to themarket and is based on a unifieddesign that is suitable for bothresidential and architecturalapplications in demandingenvironments,’’ Steve says.

‘‘It has a flat, clean surface for amodern appearance.’’

It is classed as an intermediaterange of joinery, and bridges the gapbetween residential and architecturalproducts. Its sliding and hinge doorsare suitable for environments wherestrength in design and performanceare required.

‘‘Doors are suitable to a height of2.4 metres in most wind exposures.Metro windows and doors can take arange of glazing beads for a solid,chunky look.’’

The architectural product range,which has been trialled in extreme

conditions, is the ultimate Altherm hasto offer.

‘‘It is ideal for architectural homesand apartments, as it is a highperformer. It also allows windows anddoors to be bigger and bolder, whichis important at a time when anincreasing number of dwellingsrequire floor-to-ceiling units forpanoramic views,’’ Steve says.

Sliding doors have been designedto allow sliders to stack neatly overwalls or to be moved out of sight intowall cavities.

‘‘Sliders are also designed to meetin corners without a post obscuringthe view.

‘‘This is a fantastic product, as itallows the light to pour in andilluminate the home.

‘‘It is cost-effective, and allows heatto warm tiles and concrete floors.’’

Although 2.7-metre-high units aremost common, three-metre units areoften manufactured.

‘‘Clients who have completedseveral homes in the architecturalsuite have been quick to say they’dnever go back.’’

Home is where the Heart isThermal Heart, a range of thermallyefficient aluminium windows anddoors, is Altherm Window Systems’specialty.

Company manager Steve Dooleysays the Thermal Heart suite ofproducts is ideal for minimising coldand condensation, and dovetails withthe Government requirements forenergy efficiency in homes.

The suite’s products are 20 percentmore thermally efficient thanstandard double-glazed windows and

doors, and have a reinforced nyloninsulator or thermal break betweenthe aluminium exterior and interiorelements.

‘‘Architects like it because it givesthem a degree of flexibility whenhouses designed with large areas ofglazing have to be brought intocompliance with the buildingcode.’’

Thermal Heart offers a full rangeof joinery for awnings, casements,sliding and bi-fold doors.

8 Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 www.manawatustandard.co.nz24

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E X P A N D YOUR HOME TO FIT YOUR DREAMS

Need an alteration?Need building advice?

Not sure what your house needs?

Then come and talk to Alteration Specialists.

If you are thinking about alterations to your house, Alteration Specialists can help you through the potentially tricky process of renovating your home. We provide a consultancy service that provides information on design, costings, and the building consent process, to help make your dreams a reality. We can help you work out what alteration would work best for your home and what is within your budget, before you go through the costly process of employing an architect. Once we have a design that is within your budget, we can recommend an architect that suits both you and your type of home. Our award winning Master Builders can then build your alteration for you, which will ensure that the building process is as smooth and trouble-free as possible.

Give us a call today and see what we can do for you!

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As a homeowner, you need to beaware of how to value up your

property. Every dollar you spend ondoing up your house should havean added value in that the propertywill be worth more than what you’vespent on it.

There are two ways to achieve this. The first way is to make up a master plan for the whole house including landscaping and fencing and worktowards this goal. Far too manypeople look at their house piece bypiece without an overall picture. For example, they change the kitchen, add a lean-to, put in French doors and a deck but there has been nothought about how all the pieces join together. All these pieces will always be noticed as separate items thathave been added on. This does not give added value. A good master plan should result in a house with an

easy flow and one where no one can tell where any of the alterations havebeen done.

The second way to add value to your house is to future proof your home. For the future resale value of your house, a percentage of potential buyers can be lost because old homes are cold, damp and draughty– people are much more aware of this than they used to be. By adding insulation, double-glazing, or a heating/ventilation system as part of your alterations, the attractiveness of your home is dramatically increased.

So, before you do a quick alterationto your house, or change a wall or put in a new deck, take a step backand think about what you are trying to achieve. What is the end result and the end benefits that you want, and use these goals to create your master plan.

Add value to your property

GARDEN

Plant more asyou harvest

Ongoing: Plant now to enjoy dwarf bean in April, as well as more cabbages, cauliflower and lettuces.

If you want to keep those veges coming, keep planting, saysgarden expert Albert Bodell.

Remember: Keep the tamarillos well watered.

Continued page 9

To maintain a succession of freshvegetables, plant cabbages, cauliflower,lettuce, celery and broccoli every fewweeks.As this month draws to a close, early

sowings of carrots should be ready to be harvested.Continue to sow carrots, after taking steps toprotect them from the maggot of the carrot rust fly.

Pick cucumbers as they mature, to encouragemore fruit, and use baby cucumbers as picklinggherkins.

Plant dwarf beans, if you haven’t already doneso, for picking in April.

This is also the time of year to scatter greencrops of lupin or oats in unoccupied plots fordigging in later.

Harvest shallots, onions and garlic after theyhave died off. Their tops and roots can be trimmedbefore they are placed in trays or boxes.Alternatively, the tops can be used to hang themup in bunches. This is a very effective storagemethod.

Watch out for powdery mildew on cucumbersand pumpkins at this time of year, especially duringperiods of high humidity.

Liquid-feed early celery crops, and spray them tocontrol rust.

The orchardThe main harvesting period for berry fruit is over,

and it’s time to cut out damaged and diseasedwood/canes.

Tie up the new season’s canes, after selectingonly the strongest. Spray for fungi and especiallymildew, and also take action to control cane spot,spur blight and bud moth.

Remember to keep the tamarillos well watered.You should also mulch them, to prevent drying andearly fruit drop.

Spray apples and pears to control the spread ofmites and to prevent codling moth and leaf-roller

caterpillars. Repeat this procedure after two weeks.This time of year sees the beginning of the main

harvest of stone and pip fruit. Remember to keepyour trees well watered, to swell fruit size.

As soon as the harvest is completed, summer-prune stone fruit trees to prevent silver leaf.

Grapes vines may need trimming before thegrapes are harvested, to allow air and light to reachthe fruit. Continue to spray for mealy bug and leafroller.

Meanwhile, citrus trees should be sprayed forverrucosis – a fungal disease that causes corkybrown scabs and blisters.

The greenhousePot up freesias and lachenalias.Attend to your tomato crop, which will climax

this month, and pinch out the tops of plants thathave reached six trusses. This will help the upperfruit to reach full size before the season ends.

Repot cyclamen held from last year.


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GARDEN

Plant more as you harvestPerfect complement: A good lawn will provide a wonderful contrast with borders.


Trimmed up: Grapes vines may need pruning before the grapes are harvested, to allow air and light to reach the fruit.

The flower gardenYou will need to water the garden this

month, and to pay particular attention tothe watering of asters, dahlias andchrysanthemums.

Spray to control thrips. These attackgladioli, bottlebrush, rhododendrons,azaleas and camellias, and cause therolling and silvering of leaves.

Belladonna lilies and lycoris, if deeplywatered now, will flower.

Spray roses to control insect pests andpowdery mildew, rust and black spot.Encourage them to produce anotherflush of blooms by giving them a side

application of fertiliser and generoushelping of manure.

Don’t forget to remove the old andspent flower heads and to water deeply.Mulching, too, is always a good idea.

Meanwhile, disbud chrysanthemumsto improve the quality of the remainingflowers.

Now is also the time to plant springbulbs, except tulips.

As leaf-roller caterpillar can be aproblem on some shrubs, such asmanuka and camellia, at this time ofyear, spray them with Maverick.

GenerallyRemove the runners from strawberry

plants that are going to be retained fora second season.

LawnsA good, even lawn will provide a

wonderful contrast with borders andshrubs, provided you have preparedthe ground carefully before sowing.

Remember that short cuts lead topoor results and even more work later.

Turf grasses need moisture, gooddrainage, and a nutrient-rich soil toproduce a thick sward. A minimum of10cm of topsoil is also required.

Start by removing all weeds fromthe site. Then give the soil a thoroughcultivation, by either digging it or

using a rotary hoe.Finally, go over it again several

times, raking it to remove anyremaining clods and weeds andtreading it to consolidate the surface.

If you start your lawn preparationearly, you will have many months forraking and treading. To improvedrainage in heavy soils, add somecoarse sand and mix it in thoroughly.

If the soil is light, sandy or peaty, orsimply insufficient, consider bringingin additional topsoil. Make sure it is ofgood quality and free from couchgrass (twitch) and oxalis – two weedsthat are very difficult to eradicate.

To level the prepared ground, use alevelling board on small areas and aroller on large areas. But be careful notto over-do your use of the latter.

The centre of the lawn should beslightly raised, to allow rainwater torun off. Dips and hollows allow

puddles to form and also makemowing difficult.

You can add superphosphate(7g/m3) to promote good root andleaf growth, and sulphate of ammonia(14g/m3) as a ready source ofnitrogen. Mix them evenly into thesoil with a rake several days beforesowing the grass seed.

Compost can also be mixed into thesoil, but only if it is well rotted. Bulkyorganic compost can pack down later,creating soft areas in the lawn andresulting in hollows.

Sow the lawn in April/May, after therains arrive. Spread the seed lightlyand evenly, and gently water it in. Atop-dressing of NPK fertiliser can bebeneficial after three to four weeks.

■ Albert Bodell can be contacted forgardening work on 353 7540 or 0210251 3290.


GARDEN

Perfect spot: Paths and walkways allow access to all parts of the garden.

From bare paddock to paradise

Latecomer: This wisteria’s late blooming, during the height ofsummer, is unusual and is attributed to the unsettled weather.

Old favourites: Dahlias and phlox provide a riot of colour. In tune: The garden has been created to complement theHirschbergs’ ranch-style home.

Just off the main road, at the northern end of Woodville, Sue Emeny discovers a hidden treasure called Te Matau.

Lonely bloom: Heather Hirschberg displays a solitary hydrangea bloom. Normally,the bush is smothered with flowers. But bad weather put paid to this year’s display.

Continued page 11

Transforming a bare paddock inWoodville into a beautifulgarden has had its challenges,not the least of them being theweather.

But Heather and Bill Hirschberg haveovercome all obstacles.

They moved off their 364ha(900-acre) sheep and beef farm inPohangina Valley and into Woodville 13years ago. They wanted to build ahouse, run sheep and lambs, and feedcalves on their new 8ha (20-acre)property.

Heather also wanted to establish agarden to rival the one she had createdat their former home.

She had completed a gardenlandscaping course, which had provedhelpful as she pursued her interest.

The garden was created in stages,and has evolved over the years as it hasincreased in size.

‘‘I keep my eyes skinned for ideas thatI can adapt to my garden. The garden isalways evolving, and that’s why it’s soenjoyable.’’

For the past 10 years, the garden has

been open to the public.Initially, Heather approached the New

Zealand Garden Trust and asked to have

her garden included on the trust’sregister. But four years later, when theanticipated crowds of visitors still hadn’t

materialised, she decided to go it alone.Over the years, there haven’t been a

lot of visitors. But the people who haveviewed the garden have found theirvisit worthwhile and enjoyable.

One thing the trust did teach Heatherwas that gardens have to be maintainedto a high standard.

‘‘You can’t have a garden full ofweeds. I don’t like asking people to payif the garden is not up to scratch.’’

As Heather has arthritis, and finds thegarden harder to maintain, she isdownsizing some of the beds. But shehas no intention of giving upgardening.

‘‘We are pretty well self-sufficient,’’she says.

There is a good-sized vegetablegarden, apple and citrus trees, feijoasand raspberries, and red and blackcurrants.

A granny smith apple tree has itsdays numbered.

‘‘We bought a tree that had threedifferent apples grafted on to one rootstock. Apparently, the green apple willtake over and affect the fruiting of the

other two apple trees by taking all thenourishment from the soil.’’

The garden is virtually organic asHeather uses only Neem Tree,Perkfection, seaweed and other organicproducts as needed.

Vegetables receive a handful ofsheep pellets and blood and bonewhen they’re planted, and that’s it.

‘‘I don’t like sprays. I think they causeall sorts of health problems.’’

Frosts are one problem. The wind,which has at times ripped vegetablesout of the ground, is another.

‘‘It is a challenge, working with thefrost and the westerly wind, but youlearn to cope with it.’’

Shelter belts have largely taken careof the latter, Heather says. This year,conditions have been unusual, and haveeven included some snow.

‘‘The soil is beautiful to work with.Everything seems to grow extremelywell. August was great. Everything wascoming along well. But then, in October,we had four horrible frosts.’’


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GARDEN

Picture perfect: A beautifully kept lawn is framed by trees and shrubs of all colours.

Self-sufficient: A lush vegetable garden provides food throughout the year.Courgettes and cucumbers are planted inside old tyres, which provide support asthe plants grow.


This is the fourth garden that Heatherhas created over the years.

Leaving a garden she has createdcan be a wrench. But as time haspassed, she has learned to deal withit.

‘‘I never go back to a garden I’vemade. Everybody puts their ownstamp on their garden. I don’t want toknow what’s been pulled out.’’

She feels the important thing is toleave something behind.

‘‘We always leave a place as goodor better than when we came,’’Heather says.

It’s a philosophy she has carriedover to their farm.

‘‘We only have top-quality stock,and leave a place after having madesomething of it.’’

When they moved to their currentproperty, there were only fourpaddocks. Over the years, paddockshave been divided, fences put up anda woolshed built.

Because it has become harder forHeather to work in the garden, shefeels it might be time to shut the gateon garden visits.

‘‘I enjoy sharing it with people; so ifsomeone wants to visit, they have toring first and take it as they find it.’’


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