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Did you know that a third of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators? That’s a big number! Unfortunately our pollinators are under threat, facing pressure from loss of habitat, climate change, and the widespread use of pesticides. It really highlights just how important our bees and other pollinating insects are, and the growing need to look after them.But how do we help? The good news is, there are things we can do to make a difference. One simple way is to grow wildflowers! These colourful, fun blooms are not only beautiful and super easy to grow - but they provide a range of benefits for our pollinator friends: food, nectar, pollen, and shelter.Wildflowers come in many varieties, and in all colours, shapes and sizes. Californian poppies, borage, cornflower, calendula, and lavender are just a few examples. These can be stunning additions to a garden (or any green space), that can be enjoyed by both us and the bees. If you can get your hands on native NZ wildflowers, even better!Instructions for planting wildflower seeds:  Choose a spot: your wildflower seed should be sown directly onto soil - they are unlikely to grow on grass or weeds. You’ll want to choose a sunny spot that gets direct light for at least 4 hours a day. Sprinkle about 1 gram of wildflower seeds per square meter, then sprinkle a light layer of soil over the top. Make sure your seeds are covered by no more than 2-3 mm of soil. Keep the soil moist for 6-8 weeks until germination, then continue to water as needed. Most wildflowers are happy with normal rainfall, but they will benefit from some extra water during summer. TIPS: Here in NZ, the best time to sow your wildflower seeds are the spring and summer months (September to February). When sown during these times, you can expect to see flowers in as little as 8 weeks! There is no need to fertilise your wildflowers, as this could encourage weeds. After your wildflowers have finished flowering they may start looking a bit untidy. At this stage, you can mow or cut the old plants down. You can leave the cuttings on the ground to naturally sow their seeds for the next season. Happy planting, and enjoy your wildflowers - we know the bees certainly will!

Maybe you’ve considered getting a water tank, just to have that little extra supply on hand over the summer months. As record-breaking periods without rain become more frequent, Aucklanders in particular are becoming all too familiar with ongoing water restrictions. Many of us across New Zealand are becoming increasingly conscious of where our water comes from, and how much we use. But is installing your own water tank worth it? Do the benefits of having a water tank outweigh the costs? Collecting rainwater is a clever, simple way to utilise a free and renewable natural resource. While there is an upfront investment, you’ll be reaping the rewards for years and years to come. The good news is that there are a variety of water tanks available to suit a range of budgets, installation is relatively cheap and easy, and if you’ll be using the water for non-potable (not for drinking) purposes you shouldn’t need council consent. Note: If you are intending to use the water for drinking or bathing, you may need to check with your local council’s requirements first, as some require water used for these purposes to be treated. Although we can often forget about the issue while water is more abundant during the winter months, now is actually the perfect time to install a water tank. Installing one while there’s plenty of rain means that you’ll have water ready for summer, when droughts and restrictions are more likely.  What are the benefits? Having an additional supply of water can really impact your dependence on the mains supply. A lot of purposes we need extra water for do not require potable water - this is where collecting your own rainwater can step in! A huge benefit is for use in the garden. Even during periods of drought and restriction, you can ensure your garden doesn’t have to miss out on water and can thrive all year round. Your lawn, veggie patch, and other garden plants will all benefit from having as much water as they need, even when rainfall is scarce - a great way to make sure your hard work in the garden is preserved. Rainwater is also useful to have on hand for a variety of other purposes. From washing the car or boat, waterblasting, doing the laundry, manually flushing the toilet & more, with a water tank you don’t need to worry so much about your water usage (especially during those dry summer months!). It can also be a money saver to be less reliant on the mains water supply, if you’re in an area where water usage is taxed. Those reduced water bills add up over the long term, meaning you’ll slowly make back the money spent on purchasing a water tank - a quality tank should last for many years to come. However being able to keep your loved plants alive during a drought with water restrictions just might be invaluable! Along with all of these practical purposes, having a water tank is not just beneficial for you & your family; it’s also a sustainable choice. Taking pressure off public utilities puts less stress on those resources, and also lessens the amount of water we waste. It’s a simple and smart way to make the most of a natural resource - every little bit helps! Plus, if there is ever an emergency you can rest easier knowing you’re likely to have water on hand. Choosing the right water tank Which water tank you choose depends on a few factors: what you intend to use the water for, and the amount of water you are wanting to collect. The water tanks we stock are suitable for non-potable water collection (water that is not used for bathing or drinking). Remember that your water tank will need to be connected to a downpipe to collect rain run-off. We have a range of water tanks available, with sizes up to 300 litres. This size range is great for tucking away in your garden as they take up minimal space, making them ideal for urban and residential properties. If you’re after something a bit bigger, the 220l Jardin Water Tanks by Keter can be connected to each other, in line, for double the capacity. These water tanks are a top pick as they come with everything you need already included: downpipe converter, tap, hose connector & stand.  Maze water tanks come in a range of sizes and styles to suit any space, with downpipe converters, stands and other accessories available to purchase as extras. These tanks can also be connected to each other for increased collection capacity when you purchase connector kits! The Frenzlife Guttertank comes in a useful 250L size, with a downpipe diverter and hose linking kit available to purchase as extras. Made in New Zealand from food grade plastic, the water collected by this tank could be used for potable purposes. You can view the full water tank range here, along with various accessories. Everything you need to get set up & ready to collect your own rainwater - install one now and you’ll be thanking yourself later!

Skaza is a design and manufacturing company based in Slovenia, specialising in the creation of sustainable, eco-friendly home & garden products. Sustainability is at the core of their vision and mission - they are striving to set a new trend for the plastic industry. We are so pleased to be bringing Skaza’s range of Organko bokashi bins to NZ shores for the first time! Skaza began by identifying some of the biggest challenges our society and planet are facing, and started to develop unique solutions to help address these issues. One pressing problem is poor waste management. The amount of waste currently going to landfill is unsustainable for our planet - methane released from landfill is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, causing untold damage to our environment. In light of this distressing issue, we’d all like to strive towards a zero-waste lifestyle! Skaza’s Organko bokashi bins are designed to help us do just that. Bokashi bins are a convenient, effective way to reduce your waste output. Not only that, using a bokashi bin provides you with lots of amazing benefits too. All of Skaza’s bins are manufactured using recycled plastics, and are designed to last the distance.  Bokashi bins work by turning kitchen waste into nutrient rich compost through fermentation. The process works by using natural, beneficial microorganisms (sprinkled on as a bran or a liquid spray) to initiate the fermentation process. Unlike traditional composting methods, where you have to wait for waste to decay, a bokashi bin ‘pickles’ your kitchen scraps. This makes it up to 50% faster! Along with this, organic waste that has been fermented retains essential nutrients that would normally disappear during decay. This creates a top-quality compost and liquid fertiliser for your garden. You can also put almost anything in your bokashi bin - even traditionally non-compostable foods like meat, dairy, small bones & citrus! Once fermented, your bokashi bin can be emptied into your compost, where it helps to speed up the compost process, or buried in your garden. The Skaza Organko bokashi bin Essential Set in grey and black has a volume of 15 litres.  A family of four would fill one bin in approximately 30 days - you can then begin filling the second bin while the first completes the fermentation process. The Bokashi Organoko Essential Set is complimented by the Organko Daily in grey and black Skaza’s Organko bins are real stand-out products for sustainable living. Composting your kitchen scraps is a great way to reduce your landfill waste, and it is made that much easier with a bokashi bin. Plus, who knew a bin could look so good! Find out more about each of the Skaza Organko ranges below.          

Watching birds in your garden can bring a lot of joy. Our beautiful feathered friends make any yard come alive with their colour and song!Attracting birds to your garden by feeding them not only allows you to enjoy their company, but it can help provide valuable sustenance for them over the winter months in particular - this is when their normal sources of food become scarce. If you are wanting to attract more birds, read on for a few handy tips on turning your garden into a bird haven. The first thing to do is establish regular food and water sources in your garden. If you want to go the extra step, you could create nesting sites too! It is important to keep these areas higher up off the ground so visiting birds are less exposed to predators (and on that note, if you have a cat it’s a good idea to keep them inside when birds usually feed, particularly at night and during early morning hours). Take note of which birds are around in your area, or identify which birds you would like to attract, and put out food accordingly. Keep the feeder or feeding station topped up regularly, as your local birds will come to remember it as a reliable food source.Natives like Silvereye (Tauhou), Bellbird (Korimako), and Tui feed on nectar, fruit and insects. Using a nectar feeder and cut-open fruit, such as an orange, can help to attract these birds. You can fill nectar feeders with homemade sugar water (dissolve 100-200g of white sugar with 1L of lukewarm water), or you can go the extra step and purchase a wild bird nectar mix. These mixes are specially formulated to provide nutritious and balanced meals for nectar feeders, and are great for keeping them healthy during winter. A great tip is to place the feeder somewhere the birds feed naturally so they can find it (e.g. for Tui, a Kowhai tree would be a good choice). For nectar feeders in particular, it can also be helpful to use a feeder with a bright red or orange colour - this mimics the colour of their favourite flowers! If you have a clear nectar feeder, try adding a drop or two of red food colouring to the nectar mix.Providing wild bird seed is good for attracting goldfinch, greenfinch, yellowhammer, sparrow and chaffinch. Don't use bread, as although many birds will devour it (it's like junk food for them!) it can cause malnutrition and a variety of other issues, as it is high in calories but not nutrients.It is essential to clean bird feeders regularly - food that has started to rot or has been sitting for too long can be harmful for birds. Apart from that, our biggest tip is to give them time! Be regular, and be patient while birds find your garden. If you’d like to go the extra mile, there are a variety of native trees and shrubs that birds love. Planting some in your garden is one of the best ways to attract native birds; Flax and Kowhai are two plants that are often frequented by Bellbirds and Tui. Choosing plants that produce berries and seeds throughout all seasons is ideal.Something else you can do is make your garden pollinator-friendly! Encouraging pollinators and beneficial insects is great for your garden, and for the environment as a whole. Providing safe spots for your local bugs to hang out, planting wildflowers, and leaving your lawn slightly longer for pollinators to burrow down in, all helps to keep your garden in natural balance. Letting a few piles of leaf litter pile up (you can rake them out of the way under bushes etc.) can be very helpful for insects. Not only that, but more insects means more birds! You’ll be more likely to attract insect eating birds such as Fantail (Pīwakawaka) and Kingfisher (Kōtare).If you would like to enjoy more of our beautiful feathered friends, our Birdcare & Wildlife section has a wide range of products that will help transform your garden into a bird and insect sanctuary. From nectar feeders to nectar, bird seed to bug huts, check out the range and treat your local birds. 

The days are shorter, the air is crisper, and we’re starting to pull out the winter woolies! Autumn has well and truly arrived. This picturesque season is the perfect opportunity to give the garden a good tidy-up, so come springtime you’re ready to jump in and get growing. Taking the time to maintain things at this time of year will save you a lot of hard work later when the weather warms up. Take a look at the tidy-up tips below before you roll up your sleeves.Clear out the oldA good place to start is tidying up vege and flower beds: now is the time to remove old vegetable plants, and any annuals that have finished blooming. Removing them now reduces the chance of pests & diseases for your next crop. Compost these old plants, or simply bury them in your garden to add some healthy organic matter (just remember not to compost or bury any diseased plants!).Taking the time to weed is also a good idea, even if there aren’t many growing at this time of year - it will make weeding much easier come spring and summer. Remove any other intrusive debris from the rest of your garden, raking up leaves and fallen fruit. Turning leaves into mulch or compost can be a useful trick that your garden will thank you for down the track! If you choose to compost your fallen leaves, make sure to add enough “green matter” such as food waste or grass clippings, which are nitrogen-rich. Dry leaves are “brown matter”, which are carbon-rich. The ratio of your compost pile should be about 2 parts green to 1 part brown. We should note that leaving a pile or two of leaves around your garden is not always a bad thing - they can provide welcome and valuable shelter for pollinators over the colder winter months. Just rake the pile into an out-of-the-way place, such as underneath a hedge. Remember to clear out gutters and any drainage too, if necessary.Replenish soil & protect plantsNow is also the perfect time to revitalise tired soil. Doing this during autumn gives any added nutrients time to break down and become active. It’s also a good idea to take advantage of your compost (if you have your own compost heap or bin) after the summer heat, as it’s likely ready for use after sitting through the warmer months.When removing old plants and annuals from the garden, loosen the soil with a gardening fork and mix in a handful of compost. This will ensure the soil is refreshed and ready for replanting in spring. You can also pack a layer of compost around the base of shrubs and perennial plants - just make sure to leave a gap of a few centimeters between the compost and the stem. If you have manure, adding this now will help to nurture the soil as well. By the time we hit spring, your soil should be refreshed and ready to go another round.This is also the time to use all those leaves you raked up! Mulched leaves can be used to prevent weeds, to protect the soil beneath from cold conditions, and to help retain moisture. Simply shred the leaves (running a lawn mower over them a few times is an easy way to do this), and they are ready to use as mulch - you don’t want them to fully decompose as you would when composting. If you don’t have an abundance of fallen leaves on hand you can use straw or grass clippings instead. A layer of mulch will ward off pests and weeds, and help keep the soil temperature from fluctuating too much. When it eventually breaks down, your mulch will enrich the soil too. Remember to weed before laying down your mulch, and be sure to leave a gap between the mulch and the plant stem. Wet mulch that is laid too close to stems could cause rot.Lawn CareAn obvious one is to give the grass a mow! Grass clippings can be added to your compost heap or even used as mulch (see above). If possible, don’t cut your lawn too short - soil-enriching bugs often like to burrow down in the grass over winter. Some of these beneficial insects to have around include Ground Beetles, Praying Mantises, and Ladybugs. These helpful critters eat many unwelcome garden pests such as aphids, keeping their populations at a manageable level. Keeping the lawn slightly longer over winter will help them to help you!Aerating your lawn in autumn also comes with many benefits, and if done regularly will make lawn maintenance much easier. Aeration helps to strengthen and stimulate grass root growth, preparing it for colder conditions. It will also prevent water from pooling by allowing it to run off. Clean and store toolsProper garden tool maintenance and storage is essential for the longevity of your equipment. Cleaning your tools should be done year-round, not just in the autumn, but your annual autumn tidy-up is a good excuse to check everything is in ship shape! For an in-depth guide on garden tool cleaning and storage, you can read our previous blog post here. Plant spring-flowering bulbsAfter removing old plants, now is the time to plant your favourite spring-flowering bulbs! Here in NZ, autumn is the ideal time for this. Not only will they provide a happy burst of colour to your garden once spring arrives, they will also provide a nice, early food source for pollinators after winter. Feed the birds...and our final tip is: remember to keep feeding your backyard birds! Although it may soon be too cold to enjoy the garden with them, they will still appreciate a bit of extra nourishment. Keep your bird feeders topped up and ready for your feathered friends to visit over the cooler months. Enjoy your autumn garden!If you’ve managed to tick off all of your autumn garden preparations already, well done! If not, we encourage you to dig in (literally) and get started. While we still have the coldest months coming up ahead, spring will be upon us before we know it, and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards of the ‘hard yards’ put in now. Doing an annual autumn garden tidy up will make for a flourishing garden that’s easier to maintain - sign us up for that! You can check out our website for heaps of handy garden tools and accessories - from rakes, to tub trugs, garden bags & more - that will make your autumn clean-up a breeze. 

Clean. Sharpen. Protect. Repeat. There’s a certain quiet pleasure in keeping your tools in good working order. It’s a small act of care — for the things that care for your garden. And much like mulching your soil or pruning at just the right time, tool maintenance is one of those jobs that pays you back in spades. A well-loved pair of secateurs, snips or shears doesn’t need to be replaced — it just needs a little TLC. With the right tools and just a few minutes, your gardening kit can stay sharp, rust-free and ready to tackle the next round of garden tasks. Start with a clean slate Dirt, sap and surface rust can build up quickly, even on the best-quality tools. The Niwaki Crean Mate is our go-to for gentle but effective cleaning — it’s a Japanese-made block designed to remove grime without damaging your tools. Add a few drops of water or Camellia Oil, and rub away the buildup on your blades and handles. If you’re dealing with surface rust, reach for the Rust Eraser. This flexible, rubbery block works like a dream to lift oxidation from carbon steel blades, especially around hinges and hard-to-reach edges. It’s surprisingly satisfying to watch the clean metal come back to life. Time to sharpen A sharp blade is safer, easier to use, and better for your plants. The Sharpening Stone is made for high-quality secateurs, loppers, and shears — just soak it briefly in water and gently glide it along the edge of your blade, following the original bevel. A few swipes is often all it takes to restore a clean, crisp edge. We recommend the #1000 grit for general sharpening — it’s the sweet spot for regular maintenance. Just take your time, and don’t rush. This is a moment to slow down and enjoy the process. Finish with protection Once your tools are clean and sharp, it’s time to protect them. A light coating of Camellia Oil keeps rust at bay and helps moving parts glide beautifully. This traditional Japanese oil is plant-based, non-toxic, and safe for use on all steel and wooden surfaces. Wipe a little onto your blades and joints with a soft cloth — think of it as a moisturiser for your tools. The ritual of care Caring for your tools isn’t just about extending their life — though it absolutely does that. It’s also a way to slow down, connect with your gear, and appreciate the role it plays in your garden. A clean, sharp tool turns a chore into a joy. It cuts where you want it to, leaves tidy wounds on your plants, and feels like an extension of your hand. So next time you come in from the garden, don’t just drop your secateurs on the bench. Give them a quick wipe down. Maybe a sharpen if they’re feeling a bit dull. Your future self (and your plants) will thank you. Explore our tool sharpening range here Tool Maintenance.

There are several good reasons to compost your food scraps and garden waste and return them to the soil. It doesn’t have to be hard, it certainly doesn’t have to be stinky or take a long time, and it can even be fun! The benefits for you, the environment and your garden are many...read on! For some, the goal of providing the right nutrients for a lush garden and bumper veggie crops is the key driver. While for others, it's the desire to do their bit and reduce household organic waste from going into landfill. And for a lot of people, it's both reasons - growing your own food and producing your own compost saves money, reconnects you with the land and your food sources, and gives you an element of control over how many chemicals are in your food and garden. Reducing household organic waste - why is it so important? It's been estimated that the average Kiwi household throws away the equivalent of 3 shopping trolleys of food waste each year. And it's sad to say that a lot of this is not scraps off the dinner plate, but excess-to-requirement or food that hasn't been stored properly and has gone "off". Add to that green and brown waste from the garden - lawn clippings is a huge one, garden trimmings, fallen leaves, plants pulled out from veggie gardens - it all accumulates. The problem with tossing this organic material in the bin instead of recycling it is the ever-growing issue of landfills. Nasty piles of vast combinations of rubbish that give off toxins and harmful gases and liquids that leach into the environment and do no good. When organic material is added to the landfill, it gets compacted down, removing the oxygen that's required for it to effectively decompose. This leads to the production of methane gas - a very potent and much more harmful gas than carbon dioxide from an environmental point of view. And comparatively, where composting can return organic scraps back into the garden in a matter of weeks or months, in the landfill the waste sits stagnant for years becoming a big problem for future generations. But with a little effort, this organic waste could be turned into nutrient-rich material that feeds the earth and gives back to where it came from. With the right composting set-up your household could reduce and recycle most of your organic waste. Even apartment dwellers can compost kitchen scraps! What are the main benefits of composting? Apart from the environmental landfill-reduction aspects, producing compost for the garden is beneficial in many ways. Whether you have a vegetable garden, flower garden, or trees, shrubs and lawn they all require some kind of fertilising to prosper and flourish. Compost is a mild, natural and nutrient-dense fertiliser that provides your garden with all the valuable minerals and goodies it needs to grow. Composting regularly - with solid matter or a liquid compost - and you'll notice a dramatic improvement in the quality of plant health and growth, size of vegetables and blooms, and also a reduction in disease and pest infestations. Happy, healthy plants are far more resilient to pest attack, reducing the need for chemical interference. Compost also enhances the condition of your soil. It can improve the structure of your soil, helping to maintain moisture levels and also a healthy ph level. Compost can be mixed into the soil before planting, placed on top or dug in around trees and plants, used as a topical mulch, sprinkled onto lawns, and compost liquids or juice can be diluted and used as a liquid fertiliser. Even though it's milder than chemical fertilisers or even fresh animal dung, when first completed, compost can still burn new or young plants, so it's best to make sure it's mixed in or diluted well before applying on or around seedlings and new lawns. These days there are so many options available for home composting - you don't need a lot of space, you don't need to wait for months and months for the end product, and it can be as easy or as complex, as you want it to be. Some types of compositing methods even accommodate a greater range of organic materials like meat, citrus and dairy! Keen to know more about home composting and which method may suit your place best? Read our article: Home Composting: How easy is it? View our range of compost bins and accessories.

In short? Very easy! There's a bit of a myth that to compost effectively at home you need a big space in your yard - or even a yard to start with! - and that it's messy, hard work, needs constant attention and will take forever and forever to work. Well, some of that can be true, but not all of it. In fact, composting methods and techniques have come so far that even homes with little courtyards or nothing more than an apartment balcony can be turning their food waste into valuable compost right now. Compost - why would we bother? The issue of food and other organic waste ending up in the landfill is a growing problem. The majority of household waste comes from the kitchen and Kiwis are throwing away truckloads of it each year. Not only does this lead to increasing greenhouse gases from the methane that is produced when food waste decomposes anaerobically (no it's not just burping cows that are to blame!), we're also wasting a magnificent opportunity to return what came from the earth back to the earth in the form of nutrient-rich, highly valuable organic matter.Compost Bins - all is not equal! When it comes to choosing the right composting method for your home there are a few things you need to consider as all is not created equal when it comes to what and how you compost your organic waste. Firstly, consider how serious you are about the whole thing. If you like the idea of it but have never given it a go, then something simple, small and easy like a bokashi bin might be the thing for you. Similarly, if you don't have a lot of space, or a big yard and a lot of garden waste to dispose of, bokashi is brilliant. If you have a yard, regularly collect lawn clippings, fallen leaves and have a large family producing loads of fruit and veggie scraps, then a large outdoor compost bin might just be the ticket. If budget is not such an issue and speed of composting is important, a tumbler could be the go. And if you're a dedicated reduce/reuse/recycle warrior then a combination of compost bin, worm farm and bokashi bin may suit you down to the ground. Add to that a few chickens and you’ll be generating enough compost to provide for your neighbor's garden too! Let’s take a look at the different methods of home composting…The Good Old-Fashioned Compost Bin Traditional compost bins are a great place to start if you have space for one in your yard and are looking for a fairly low-maintenance and budget-friendly setup. Compost bins require 3 things to work well - moisture, heat and a good flow of oxygen to break-down the waste effectively. They require aerating and turning of the pile regularly to encourage efficient decomposition. A DIY compost bin can be fashioned out of recycled timber pallets, you can buy a timber boxed-shaped open bin or you can try a simple, easy to assemble plastic model. Timber ones are great because they are usually cheap, easy to fill allow for good aeration and if big enough can generate quite a good bit of heat inside. The plastic versions are usually dark coloured to absorb heat from the sun, come with aeration holes to encourage oxygen flow, a lid to keep out critters, and sliding hatch doors for easy access to the decayed material at the bottom. They are generally quite large and can accommodate a lot of waste. You can also buy a handy compost aerator tool to help churn and aerate the contents. Typically, depending on the temperature (decomposition of waste is quicker in warmer months, and slower in cooler months) and other conditions being ideal, a regular compost bin will produce a lovely compost within 3-6 months. They are generally not mobile - where you set them up is where they will stay until you empty them.Try a tumbler You can up the ante a little with a tumbler composter and this speeds up the whole process, plus reduces the amount of effort required to aerate the pile. Tumblers literally do what they say, tumble the compost in an enclosed bin tossing it all around, adding in heaps of oxygen and mixing it thoroughly to break up the waste as it goes. These are also quite large and some even have two compartments so you can keep adding waste in one while the compost material in the other matures. Tumblers can churn-out compost a little quicker than their static cousins simply because of the amount of mixing and aeration they afford to the waste. All conditions being ideal it could be as quick as a couple of months. This is most likely in warmer summer months when the tumbler can generate a good deal of heat. In cooler months, unless they are insulated the tumbler won't retain as much heat and decomposition will be slower.BokashiBokashi is a convenient and quick method of composting. The word bokashi translates to ‘fermented organic matter’. Instead of allowing food to decay as with traditional composting methods, the bokashi fermentation process pickles food waste - this means you can compost almost any kitchen scraps! Raw or cooked meat, eggs, onions, small bones and cheese can all be swiftly dealt with by a bokashi bin. Plus, the whole process is up to 50% quicker than regular composting, and you won't get any smelly odours as the waste is not decaying. You can find out more about  bokashi by reading our blog posts: how bokashi works and how to do it. Tips for getting the most from your compost bin As previously mentioned, to decompose effectively a compost bin requires 3 things - air, heat and moisture. Air we’ve covered off - regular turning and mixing adds oxygen into the waste and helps it break down more efficiently. Heat is an interesting one. Heat in compost is mostly generated by the microorganisms that are working hard to breakdown the waste material. In addition to this your outdoor heap gets extra warmth from the sun, and ultimately a good amount of consistent heat is required to destroy any weed seeds, pathogens, the eggs of parasites and fruit flies that might be in your pile. You don’t want it baking hot though, the good-guy microorganisms operate at temperature ranges between 45-70 degrees, any hotter than this they can become less effective. Aeration of the pile will help cool things down a little. Lastly moisture is also required to boost the ideal conditions for decomposition. The beneficial microorganisms require moisture to survive, and a dry heap will result in the biological activity decreasing and eventually ceasing, and in these little creatures dying. Most kitchen scraps contain enough water to provide all the moisture you need, however if the heap is a little dry, you can add a little water to sort this out. Particularly important when you are adding quite a bit of brown waste - dry leaves, shredded paper, cardboard will impact the moisture levels .Ready to start composting? Check out our expansive range of compost bins & accessories.

Scratching your head for the perfect gift for a gardener who has everything? Or perhaps looking for a lovely adornment for your own home, bach or shed? One of our quality weathervanes could be just the ticket! A weathervane, or wind vane, is an architectural ornament that combines both practical function and decoration. Traditionally placed on the highest point of a building and used to tell the direction of the wind, these days they feature as more of a decorative embellishment in the garden or home. Not a recent invention, the weathervane (according to Wikipedia) was independently invented in China and Greece around 2nd century BCE. An effective and important measurement of the weather conditions, weathervanes were widely used by shipping fleets, fishermen, farmers, Armies and Navies.  From elaborate designs to simple arrow pointers, since their creation, weathervanes have been proudly displayed on everything from church steeples to prominent city buildings and humble homes and barns.How does a weathervane work? Weathervanes are carefully designed to effectively catch the breeze and evenly distribute airflow on either side of the vane, rotating the body and allowing the pointer or front of the wind vane to point towards the direction that the wind is blowing. How are they made? Gubba weathervanes are proudly Made in New Zealand and handcrafted from premium quality aluminium and brass using a traditional sand casting technique. Finished with black powder coating for protection against the harsh NZ climate, and to give a lovely finish highlighting the intricate details of the designs, our weathervanes are rust free, solid and excellent value for money. Our weathervanes are compromised of the following components - main body and pointer of the vane, North, South, East and West points of the compass, a stem and welded base plate for easy installation. The provided ball bearing ensures smooth running movement.13 weathervane designs in our range Without a doubt, the classic Rooster weathervane is the top-selling favourite with our customers. But with many Kiwis being mad-keen fishermen it's not hard to understand why the Snapper and Trout are close seconds. With 13 designs in the range, there's something to appeal to everyone! Most of the designs feature a classic brass fleur-des-lis as the pointer, but take a close look and you'll spot the cheeky mouse with the Cat design, the fly-hook on the Trout, and the tiny fish on the Snapper, Whale and Marlin.Our designs are: Rooster Weathervane Snapper Weathervane Arrow Weathervane Trout Weathervane Marlin Weathervane Yacht Weathervane Dog Weathervane Cat Weathervane Kiwi Weathervane Kangaroo Weathervane Whale Weathervane Bull Weathervane Horse Weathervane The weathervanes are nicely packed in a cardboard gift box and shipped FREE to New Zealand addresses.