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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 month.
The 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’, 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 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,” she says.
“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.”
For more information, visit www.nationalgardeningmonth.co.nz
Giveaway
New Zealand’s gardening industry has put together a hamper containing seeds, a propagator, fertilisers, a selection of perennials to attract pollinators and a garden gift card – valued at over $300. If you would like to go in the draw to win the hamper, email gm@localmatters.co.nz. Please put Garden Comp in the subject line and don’t forget to include your name, suburb and phone number. Competition closes on October 22 at noon.
