It’s a wrap
As a rule, it is best to grow plants suited to your particular climate. However, there are always some plants we feel we just have to have – for a variety of reasons – and which will need protection from frosts. In my book, this includes black passionfruit and young citrus trees, which are easily saved by a timely throwing over of frost cloth. Even a sheet or blanket will do on those nights frost threatens – just remember to remove in the morning. But if that daily chore and afternoon angst of worrying whether there will be a frost is too much of a drag there is a solution – microclima, a cloth that can be left on all winter.
In areas prone to frosts, many perennials are best cut back to just above ground level and covered with a blanket of pea straw or compost. These are those that die right back in winter, such as monarda, daylily and peony. Alternatively, let them die back naturally, then cover.
Cardboard toilet paper rolls slipped over leek plants will help prevent soil getting into the inner leaves while they grow.
Tying the upper leaves of caulifl owers together over the white heads will protect them from rain, hail and even possums and rats.
Old pieces of carpet, coffee sacks or even a tarpaulin can be thrown over compost heaps to keep them warmer over winter and aid decomposition. They will also allow rain in – whereas plastic lids can keep them too dry to break down speedily.
Landscape 101
This story is from the June 2022 edition of Your Home and Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2022 edition of Your Home and Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Banana & cinnamon upside-down cake
SERVES 10
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Help from friends and family and treasured heirlooms added heart and character to this bungalow's makeover
RUG UP
Walk this way if you're looking to add warmth, character and personality to your home
FAMILY TREES
Creating a child-friendly backyard was a priority for an Auckland couple
CONJURING UP...MORE BATHROOM STORAGE
We asked the experts for their reno-free tricks to stash our bathroom stuff
AIR IT OUT
Laundry trends you'll love, plus washing hacks for all sorts of spaces
INSPECTOR GADGET
Did someone say soy milk latte? Coming right up, as we test the Breville Barista Touch Impress
The fine art of apologising
Why saying sorry is an act of courage and not a sign of weakness
Go with the flow
Flow Studio’s Staci Coble shapes her clay using the gentle currents of the ocean as her muse
Magic of mushrooms
Follow gardening editor Mary Lovell-Smith’s fun guide and conjure up your own edible delights