GreenFootprint

Wall of Life

22nd September 2017 12:45PM

Can you ‘grow your own’ retaining wall?

Every slope is different. There are situations when an engineered retaining wall is required. Other times we find that a living, green retaining wall of native plants looks great and works beautifully.

It’s all about choosing a diverse range of plants that are self sustaining while needing minimal maintenance. Fast growing, short lived native plants are fine, as long as their replacements (the next stage) are planted at the same time. Ideally, there will be two layers of plants growing under a dense upper canopy: that’s 3 layers of plants between sky and soil.

Email us if you'd like to know more.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/wall-of-life/

Wonderful Winter

20th August 2017 9:02PM

An hour’s gardening in August is worth three hours gardening in November. We love winter: soft soil, weak weeds, a steaming compost heap..

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/wonderful-winter/

Fantastic Ferns

4th August 2017 9:53AM

Ferns are so useful and lovable; they manage to look architectural, ethereal, and Jurassic all at the same time. And most backyards can find room for a fern garden, because all they ask is a cool shady zone that is out of direct sunlight.

If you didn't catch our recent article on cultivating ferns, read online here or email us for a copy.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/fantastic-ferns/

Dig In

22nd June 2017 12:15PM

Winter downpours give gardens a real hammering, because heavy rainfall can wash away our most precious resource - topsoil.

Busy earthworms and microbes are vital to healthy topsoil. They make humus, the amazing sticky substance which binds the soil together and helps hold water and nutrients. Between now and spring, take a few steps to protect and feed the soil:

Shake all the soil off the roots when you're pulling out weeds and crops, or better still, dig them back in.
Sow a cover crop (such as buckwheat). A cover crop doesn't just protect the soil from erosion, it's a living carpet which adds nutrients and suppresses weeds.
Spread woodchip mulch to feed hungry microbes and kick start the humus factory.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/dig-in/

Compost fundraiser

4th May 2017 2:40PM

Feed your garden with locally made organic compost and support OrganicFarmNZ's local organic certification programme

Top quality unscreened compost made from tree chippings. This batch is well rotted after almost a year, still warm and starting to develop white fungal threads. Manufactured at Goodwood by local microbes

cost: 1 cubic metre $50.00 plus delivery

Pick up by appointment, courtesy trailers available (1 and 4 cubic m)
Minimum order: half a cubic metre $30

to place an order, please email tim@greenfootprint.co.nz or phone 0211035755

20% of compost price will be donated to OrganicFarmNZ Waikato to support organic certification and education in our region

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/compost-fundraiser/

Hedge fun

20th April 2017 11:35AM

Hedges are versatile, beautiful, sustainable, fashionable..and a big investment. Do you want edible, native or evergreen? Tall or short?

In this photo we're planting a hedge of totara (Podocarpus totara). Totara is slower to establish and a little prickly, but makes a nice thick hedge and depending on the cultivar you choose, comes in tones of green, yellow or even blue. Read our other picks for great 'living walls’ and tips for keeping them in shape here or email info@greenfootprint.co.nz for a copy.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/hedge-fun/

Don't make me sick

2nd March 2017 9:04AM

Spot, rot, rust and mould…if you had brown peaches or rusty celery this summer, you wouldn't be the only one.

3 tips for a healthy garden:

1. Choose wisely

Some varieties of fruit and vegetables are more resistant to ailments than others.

2. Water wisely

‘Wet leaves spread disease’. Keep humidity levels low around plants by watering the soil not the foliage.

3. Be tidy

Pick up that rotten fruit and hot compost it or bury 30cm deep.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/dont-make-me-sick/

Love Plums

14th February 2017 5:56PM

This fittingly heart- shaped Omega plum fruits in late summer and is easy to grow in home gardens. The longer this variety stays on the tree, the richer its flavour becomes. Pollinated by Santa Rosa and Duff's Early Jewel.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/love-plums/

Wriggly Worms

23rd November 2016 2:27PM

Having a worm bin is a great way to recycle kitchen and garden waste into rich plant food. A simple worm bin is easy to make; basically you need a container which has a lid and drainage, plus something to collect the liquid that drains out.

Tiger worms and red wigglers are examples of compost worms which you can either buy or simply find in your garden. These worms pop up in the right conditions; where fresh organic matter is present, and where toxins (e.g. slug bait) aren't used.

Tips for creating good living conditions in the worm bin :

Avoid anything that will go mouldy, such as bread
Mix the fresh material in as you add it. Mixing helps the waste to break down rapidly, and also discourages flies
Add a light sprinkle of lime. Worms need calcium for their 'teeth'

Read more worm wisdom in November Urban and Country

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/wriggly-worms/

A Seat at the Table

8th November 2016 2:19PM

Planting a successful summer vege garden takes a bit of forward thinking. Similar I imagine, to planning an important dinner party. Who grows well together? Which one needs support? And what about that character who tends to smother its neighbours? Not to mention dietary considerations.

You need to know a little about the ‘guests’ so you can settle them into their happy place and see them shine. Read our companion planting tips in Urban and Country on Neighbourly or email us for a copy.

http://greenfootprint.wordjot.co.nz/posts/beyond-companion-planting/