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In this week’s issue we say August is the ideal time to sow eggplants. Plus keep your guard up against cold weather, choose flowers to grow from seed, get a move on with chillies and capsicums, start sowing basil and trick coriander seedlings.
Follow our guide to spring soil preparation and … View moreIn this week’s issue we say August is the ideal time to sow eggplants. Plus keep your guard up against cold weather, choose flowers to grow from seed, get a move on with chillies and capsicums, start sowing basil and trick coriander seedlings.
Follow our guide to spring soil preparation and nominate a gardening hero for Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Plus go in the draw for $35 vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries and sensational new peace lilies from Gellert’s.
Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:
Head to the @hamiltoncentral Facebook page to enter!
With 17 businesses located within the lane the winner will be spoilt for choice with the range of food outlets, fashion boutiques, hair & beauty salons, art supplies, professional photography, jewellery, books, gifts & more!
A healthy home retrofit will make your home easier to heat in winter and cooler in summer - plus reduce your power bill!
If you’re a super gold card holder and are thinking about getting retrofit double glazing check out this great special! All you need to do is request a free quote in August and book a summer install and you can get a free upgrade! Get your free measure and quote here or call us on 0800 658 658. … View moreIf you’re a super gold card holder and are thinking about getting retrofit double glazing check out this great special! All you need to do is request a free quote in August and book a summer install and you can get a free upgrade! Get your free measure and quote here or call us on 0800 658 658. Terms apply click here to view
If you’re a super gold card holder and are thinking about getting retrofit double glazing check out this great special! All you need to do is request a free quote in August and book a summer install and you can get a free upgrade! Get your free measure and quote here or call us on 0800 658 658. … View moreIf you’re a super gold card holder and are thinking about getting retrofit double glazing check out this great special! All you need to do is request a free quote in August and book a summer install and you can get a free upgrade! Get your free measure and quote here or call us on 0800 658 658. Terms apply click here to view
The familiar signs and messages promoting social distancing have returned to Hamilton Airport as the…
Use plastic animal figurines to make fun and easy projects for your home painted with Resene testpots. Colourful bookends and fun jar lids.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.
Find out how to create your own
Hi everyone, I'm Mikaela, a Stuff Homed reporter. We're doing a story on what granny flats are like as a housing option in retirement. For those of you that are either living in a granny flat, or are the family who built/bought a granny flat to add to your property for an elder family … View moreHi everyone, I'm Mikaela, a Stuff Homed reporter. We're doing a story on what granny flats are like as a housing option in retirement. For those of you that are either living in a granny flat, or are the family who built/bought a granny flat to add to your property for an elder family member, we'd like to hear about why a granny flat was right for you. What was the process of getting one and learning to live together like? If you're happy to share your story and be featured in the article, please email mikaela.wilkes@stuff.co.nz or let us know in the comments below, your message may be used in our story.
Linen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, bedding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it … View moreLinen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, bedding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it down into manageable steps.
Plant 1 kg. fibre flax seed in a 6m x 6m plot - One plot will give you enough fibre to make a shirt from line (long linen fibres) and tow to weave a couple of towels. Your actual yield will depend on growing conditions, how well you weed the plot and how perfect your retting and hackling techniques are.
Broadcast the seed thickly, over well tilled ground and then walk on it to firm the seed in.
Weed it well about 4 weeks after planting - Your flax will take about 2 weeks to germinate in a cool, wet spring. When it reaches just over 5cm in height you should walk into the plot and weed it well. You can step on the plants without damaging them when they are between 5cm and 30cm tall.
Admire the blue flax flowers as the linen grows - Once the bed has been weeded well, you can just admire it as it grows. About 60 days from planting the flowers start to open. It is very beautiful watching the blue flowers swaying in the breeze. Each flower is open for only one day. Each stock produces several flowers and each flower turns into a seed boll with 6 to 8 seeds.
100 days after planting, harvest the flax - The stocks of flax will be 2/3rds yellow and 1/3rd still green when it is ready to harvest. The flowering will be finished and each slender flax plant will have 4 to 6 seed bolls. You harvest the flax by hand, by pulling each plant out by the roots. Toss the weeds and place the stems of flax in order. Tie into bundles (shooks) about 30cm across, using strong twine.
Shook the flax and wait -Take the shooks of flax and put them, standing upright, under cover to finish maturing the seed and drying the fibre. The whole stock will turn brown as it dries. This takes a month in dry weather, a bit longer in wet weather.
Ripple the flax - Open each bundle of flax, take the flax by the root end and draw the seed end through wide toothed combs or a board with nails acting as teeth. This removes the seed heads. You can begin the retting process now or retie the bundles and wait till Spring.
The seed is edible and has a good oil content. You can crush the seed bolls and separate the seeds from the chaff by winnowing. Save about 1 kg. of seed to replant the field next year. If you don’t want to clean the seed by winnowing, you can feed it to your back yard chickens. They will take care of the seed bolls for you.
See our website for the full tutorial with pictures: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
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That should read $5,600 dollars sorry wrong amount put in before.
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Uninsulated underfloors are often the main reason why a home is damp, unhealthy and difficult to heat. An average sized underfloor allows 40 litres* of moisture to be uplifted into the home every 24 hours.
Hi neighbours,
On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there were four new Covid-19 cases in the community.
Auckland moved into level 3 at midday on Wednesday, and the rest of the country into level 2.
Kiwis outside of Auckland can still continue to go to work and school, with… View moreHi neighbours,
On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there were four new Covid-19 cases in the community.
Auckland moved into level 3 at midday on Wednesday, and the rest of the country into level 2.
Kiwis outside of Auckland can still continue to go to work and school, with physical distancing, and are advised to wear masks in public.
Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which includes physical distancing and record keeping.
In terms of gatherings, New Zealanders must not travel to events with more than 100 people. This includes weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.
The Government advises all Kiwis to practise good hygiene and stay home if sick.
For more information on what the different alert levels mean for you, click here.
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