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Eco Drain allows you to collect rainwater

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Steep Sites


As bare land becomes more scarce steep gardens are becoming more common. Here are some ideas on how to successfully develop these sites.
To make use of as much of the site as possible terrace using small retaining walls or rocks (remember that any wall over 1 metre requires engineering advice). Use local rocks if possible as this will give a more natural effect.
To ensure plants do not dry out, plant them in hollows dug into the slope. These hollows will collect rainfall. A deep mulch around each plant will keep it moist and help prevent soil erosion.
It is often better to lay lawn turf, as lawn seed can be washed away. If necessary secure turf in position with pegs until established.
Chicken wire pegged across site can help to hold soil and mulch in place. Plants can be planted through it.
Green garden

Creating a Food System for Your Space


Fresh produce from the gardenNo one can be entirely self-sufficient in the city but it is possible to grow a sizeable portion of the food your family needs.

Regardless of what kind of urban space you have available - a rooftop, balcony, staircase, garage, storage space, windowsill, or bench top - you can probably utilise it for food growing. Many of us may be ‘growing space challenged’ but this does not have to limit our imaginations! It is possible to produce good, fresh, organic food for yourself and your family, even from tight spaces.

By growing some of your own fresh fruit and vegetables you can make a difference to your pocket, your family’s health and the planet, not to mention the immense satisfaction you feel when you tuck into a meal produced from your own garden!

At  www.greenurbanliving.co.nz you can learn how to grow vegetables, compost, make organic fertiliser sprays or living green manure crops to feed your soil. If your plants are being munched by pests learn how to make your own pest sprays and collect seed to grow vegetables year after year. By keeping chickens and using them to do your gardening you can cut down on the time you have to spend on weeding and fertilising your garden.

If you yearn for the taste of fresh, spray free, tree ripened fruit, we can show how easy it is to grow small growing fruit trees at home, to fit any urban orchard.

Bees, bugs and butterflies are important in any garden. By planting particular shrubs you can create a low allergy or insect mecca garden in your own backyard.

One of the best sorts of harvesting is harvesting wild foods. Flowers, seaweed and many common weeds can become fresh food on your dinner plate.Nasturtium

Quinn with BroadbeansOne of the main reasons why I garden is to get my three boys outside and being closer to nature. Gardening for kids teaches them where food comes from and creates an environment fun for kids to be a part of. We grow gourds to make birdhouses and grow popcorn to eat.