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1866 days ago

How one couple transformed a bare block into a fernery in all its finery

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

When Kathy Lanagan and Neil Scarlett bought a bare block of land in North Canterbury back in 1993, they weren’t sure what they would do about a home.

But Lanagan, an enthusiastic gardener from an early age, started planting a garden anyway.

So when they bought the old stationmaster’s house in nearby Kaiapoi several years later and relocated it to the block – the garden had already begun.

“It’s definitely a house in a garden,” says Lanagan. “We’re not really indoor people so you mostly find us outside.”

It’s easy to see why. A 3-metre wide wooden verandah spans the length of the house, its wooden ceiling made from the repurposed sarking from the original roof. It’s punctuated with skylights to allow natural daylight and there are lights for the nighttime. There’s a serving hatch and wooden bar by the kitchen window and a green couch and chairs surround a coffee table against the backdrop of pale green weatherboards.

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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6 hours ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 58.8% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    58.8% Complete
  • 41.2% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    41.2% Complete
17 votes
28 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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