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Gardening is getting a little more room to grow, with New Zealand’s long-running National Gardening Week expanding into National Gardening Month this October.
The month-long celebration reflects the growing role gardening plays in New Zealanders’ lives – from growing fresh food and creating havens for birds and bees, to transforming balconies, courtyards and backyards into places to relax and reconnect.
With the theme ‘Grow a piece of paradise’, National Gardening Month encourages everyone to get involved, regardless of the size of their outdoor space or gardening experience. Whether it’s planting herbs on a sunny windowsill, creating a colourful flower bed, growing the family’s vegetables or establishing a native sanctuary, the month celebrates the idea that paradise looks different for everyone.
NZ Plant Producers Inc spokesperson, Debbie Pascoe, says extending the event to a full month recognises that gardening isn’t something that happens over a single weekend.
“We wanted to give New Zealanders more time to be inspired, visit their local garden centre, attend a garden festival or plant something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching it grow.
“Creating your own piece of paradise doesn’t have to mean a large garden or a big budget. It can start with just one pot and one plant. Gardening is one of the few activities that benefits our wellbeing, our communities and the environment all at the same time,” says Ms Pascoe.
To celebrate National Gardening Month, readers have the chance to win a hamper of gardening goodies to kickstart their little piece of paradise. The prize comprises a collection of premium plants, seeds and gardening products, valued at $300 and generously donated by New Zealand’s gardening industry.
National Gardening Month runs throughout October and a calendar of activities can be found at nationalgardeningmonth.co.nz
The prize includes a selection of Yates Small Gardens vegetable and herb seeds, along with the hugely popular kids’ range including Pop Star Strawberry Popcorn, Little Ted Fluffy Sunflowers, Rainbow Team Power Carrots and Behemoth Giant Pumpkins.
In addition there is an Egmont Humidity Dome designed to create the perfect environment to germinate seeds or get cuttings off to a great start, as well as Thrive liquid plant foods, Thrive Natural Blood & Bone and Lime and, to bring even more life and colour to your garden, there’s a Living Fashion pollinator pack, featuring six perennials chosen to encourage bees and other pollinators.
And there’s a $30 Give a Garden gift card, redeemable at participating garden stores.
Win a hamper this Gardening Month!
To enter, email hibiscusnews@localmatters.co.nz with ‘National Gardening Month giveaway’ in the subject line with full name, phone number and address by October 29.
