https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/rss NZME Sun, 10 May 2026 11:15:32 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/pretty-but-toxic-watch-toddlers-around-these-houseplants/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/pretty-but-toxic-watch-toddlers-around-these-houseplants/ When visiting friends or family who have both houseplants and young children, I've been compared to "Aunt Bonnie" from the Geico commercial "Aunt Infestation." Tue, 24 Jan 2023 21:28:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-gardening-tips-for-2020/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-gardening-tips-for-2020/ People are heading back to work, but as the weather stabilises and summer really begins, there's still plenty of time to get stuck into your garden. Sun, 12 Jan 2020 02:26:41 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/how-growing-demand-of-almond-milk-is-killing-billions-of-bees/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/how-growing-demand-of-almond-milk-is-killing-billions-of-bees/ A University of Maryland survey has found that just last winter in the United States, 50 billion bees were wiped out and of the main reasons is the high demand for almond milk. Fri, 10 Jan 2020 03:26:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/peter-wolfkamp-summer-diy-and-what-work-requires-consent/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/peter-wolfkamp-summer-diy-and-what-work-requires-consent/ With much of the country taking time over summer, that means there is more time for people to get stuck into their DIY projects. Sat, 28 Dec 2019 02:51:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/ruud-kleinpaste-gardening-tips-for-your-summer-break/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/ruud-kleinpaste-gardening-tips-for-your-summer-break/ Summer is upon us, and for many, the warm weather and sunny skies means it is the perfect time to head into the garden. Sat, 28 Dec 2019 02:16:05 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-labour-day-gardening-tips/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-labour-day-gardening-tips/ As the weather continues to heat up, it's the perfect time to get stuck into your garden after a long, cold weather. Mon, 28 Oct 2019 01:52:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-innovative-ways-to-garden-this-summer/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-innovative-ways-to-garden-this-summer/ The summer break is coming to an end for many around the country, but that doesn't mean there isn't time to get into the garden. Sat, 05 Jan 2019 21:47:14 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-on-summer-gardening-tips/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jo-mccarroll-on-summer-gardening-tips/ Summer is a great time to tuck into your garden. Sat, 29 Dec 2018 22:33:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/gardening-tips-for-the-christmas-break/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/gardening-tips-for-the-christmas-break/ It's the time of year where everyone is spending time in their garden. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 22:09:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-a-salute-to-bees/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-a-salute-to-bees/ September is NZ Bee Aware month, so today it's a salute to bees! Sat, 16 Sept 2017 20:38:17 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-top-tips-to-deal-with-a-shady-garden/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-top-tips-to-deal-with-a-shady-garden/ Got a tricky shady spot? No problem! As sections grow smaller we're bound to have shadier gardens created by neighbouring buildings, fences and large overhanging trees and shrubs. The trick is learning how to deal with it. Sun, 06 Aug 2017 01:07:15 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-tips-for-gardening-newbies/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-tips-for-gardening-newbies/ New to gardening? You’ve just taken up a hobby that may become an addiction, plus it’s really good for you and it helps makes the world a nicer place.  It can be a bit overwhelming though, so here are some of my top tips for beginner gardeners. Sat, 22 Jul 2017 23:06:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-the-queens-birthday-honours-list/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-the-queens-birthday-honours-list/ Seeing as it’s Queens Birthday Weekend, seems only right and fitting to dish out a few awards in the garden, on behalf of her majesty of course… Sun, 04 Jun 2017 01:47:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-camellias/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-camellias/ Just when you think nothing much is going on in the garden, along come the camellias! The ones you see flowering first are the autumn Sasanquas - which are more sun hardy and drought resistant, and make really good hedges. Sat, 27 May 2017 23:11:11 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-how-to-have-your-own-feijoa-grove-at-home/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-how-to-have-your-own-feijoa-grove-at-home/ I’m going to risk public condemnation, and just come out with it. I DO NOT like Feijoas.  It’s almost un-kiwi to admit it.  I wasn’t even going to talk about them until I chatted with Andrew [Dickens]’s producer Alex, who says he adores them so much that he eats them skin and all. No time for scooping or peeling for our Alex, he just cannot wait to shove that perfumy green lump in his gob.  He absolutely LOVES them, as do most people it would seem.   It’s a tough time of year for us feijoa haters, because the fruit are everywhere – and the good news (for you lot anyway), is that they are really easy to grow. Sat, 29 Apr 2017 23:02:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-chocolate-and-marshmallow-garden/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-chocolate-and-marshmallow-garden/ Who needs the Easter bunny? If you’re truly chocolate obsessed (and there’s nothing wrong with that!), then why not try growing chocolate in the garden. Sat, 15 Apr 2017 21:56:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-see-ya-daylight-savings-hello-autumn/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-see-ya-daylight-savings-hello-autumn/ As soon as the clocks go back you know summer is over for real. But on the upside, it kicks off a really productive time in garden.  They don’t call Autumn nature’s planting time for nothing!  Sat, 01 Apr 2017 20:49:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-designing-with-herbs/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-designing-with-herbs/ We normally confine our herbs to little raised beds near the kitchen or vege patch, or in pots, but why not integrate them into your garden? Lots of herbs make great garden plants as well. Sat, 18 Mar 2017 23:31:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-time-for-a-light-bulb-moment/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-time-for-a-light-bulb-moment/ Bulbs....they love the element of surprise. Plant them now, you forget all about them until spring then Whammy!  Gorgeous flowers everywhere.  Sat, 11 Mar 2017 19:44:05 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-the-soundtrack-of-summer/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-the-soundtrack-of-summer/ Jacque Tucker talks to Andrew Dickens about her love/hate relationship with Cicadas.  Sat, 25 Feb 2017 22:00:53 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-edible-flowers/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-edible-flowers/ Nothing glams up a salad or meal like a colourful mix of edible flowers, so  why not fill your garden with flowers that not only look great but you can harvest as well? Growing edible flowers in your garden bed saves space in the veg patch, or use them to pretty up your productive garden and bring in the beneficial insects and pollinators  as well – it’s a win win! Sat, 18 Feb 2017 21:53:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-design-tips-for-a-sporty-garden/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-design-tips-for-a-sporty-garden/ * Keep your borders narrow (.5 to 1m) so plants don't get stomped on to retrieve the ball.  Straight borders make for a better pitch shape. Sat, 28 Jan 2017 20:20:50 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-canna-power/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-canna-power/ If there’s one group of flowers that knows how to throw a summer party, it’s the Canna lily! Right now they are hitting their straps, and nowhere are they more gorgeous than at the Auckland Botanic Gardens when I went for a visit last weekend. Sat, 21 Jan 2017 22:09:53 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-cheap-tricks-for-christmas/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-cheap-tricks-for-christmas/ If your garden is embarrassing and you have visitors coming over Christmas, it’s time to get sneaky... Sat, 10 Dec 2016 23:01:48 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-in-praise-of-pohutukawas/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-in-praise-of-pohutukawas/ In praise of Pohutukawas – NZ’s own Christmas tree! Sat, 03 Dec 2016 22:09:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-beastly-bugs-and-where-to-find-them/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-beastly-bugs-and-where-to-find-them/ This is the time of year when hordes of insects come to feast on juicy new growth. Here are some you might be seeing at your place… Sat, 19 Nov 2016 19:39:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-eat-small/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-eat-small/ Sometimes I long for a bigger vege garden, but truth is you don’t actually need a lot of space to have a productive patch. This week I’ve got tips on how to grow more with less, even if you only have a balcony. Sat, 12 Nov 2016 22:24:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-top-tomato-tips/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-top-tomato-tips/ Yes, every Labour weekend I get excited because it’s tomato planting time. For most of us the danger of frost has passed, soil and air temperatures are warmer and there are more sunshine hours. Tomatoes like it hot, and it’s a sure sign summer is on the way! Sat, 22 Oct 2016 23:01:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-put-some-spring-in-your-step/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-put-some-spring-in-your-step/ If you really want to get a taste of spring, nothing beats visiting a garden where it’s in full swing. There’s bound to be an inspiring spring garden or two right around the corner from you! Sat, 17 Sept 2016 21:10:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-how-to-make-your-garden-smell-great/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/home-and-garden/jacque-tucker-how-to-make-your-garden-smell-great/ A couple of sunny days under our belts and suddenly we’re thinking about sitting outside again. Now is the time to add a whole new layer to your outdoor living areas with fragrance – it can elevate an ordinary space into somewhere quite special. Sat, 10 Sept 2016 22:06:33 Z