Question 1

How often should I mow my lawn in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the season and your grass type. From spring through to late autumn, most Kiwi lawns need a cut every week to ten days because they grow fast. In the middle of summer, raise your mower height and let the grass sit a bit longer to hold moisture, and over winter most lawns slow right down so you might only mow once a month or not at all.

Question 2

What's the best time of year to lay a new lawn?

Accepted Answer

Autumn is the sweet spot for laying turf or sowing seed in most of New Zealand. The soil is still warm from summer but the air is cooler and you get more reliable rain, so the grass roots in well without drying out. Spring is the next best option. We avoid laying new lawn in the heat of mid-summer because it needs constant watering to survive.

Question 3

Why does my lawn have so much moss?

Accepted Answer

Moss usually means the soil is staying damp and the grass is struggling to compete. The common causes are shade, poor drainage, compacted soil and a low soil pH. We can sort it by aerating to let air and water move through, applying lime if the pH is low, and trimming back anything casting heavy shade. Killing the moss without fixing the cause just means it comes straight back.

Question 4

Do you offer garden design as well as maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do both. Garden design covers planning the layout, choosing plants that suit your soil and aspect, and setting out paths, beds and lawn areas. Maintenance is the ongoing work like mowing, pruning, weeding and feeding to keep it all looking sharp. A lot of our clients start with a design or makeover and then keep us on for regular upkeep.

Question 5

What plants work well in a low-maintenance Kiwi garden?

Accepted Answer

Hardy natives like flax, hebe, corokia, pittosporum and grasses such as carex are tough and need very little fussing once established. They handle our wind and dry spells, feed the birds and don't need much watering after the first year. We pair them with a good layer of mulch to keep weeds down and lock in moisture, which cuts the upkeep right back.

Question 6

How much does a typical garden makeover cost?

Accepted Answer

It varies a lot depending on the size of the area, the condition it starts in, and what you want done, so we always quote on site rather than guess. A simple tidy-up with fresh mulch and a few new plants sits at the lower end. A full makeover with new beds, paths, irrigation and established plants is a bigger job. We'll walk the section with you and give you a clear written quote before any work starts.

Question 7

Should I use mulch, and what kind is best?

Accepted Answer

Mulch is one of the best things you can do for a garden. It keeps weeds down, holds moisture in the soil so you water less, and slowly feeds the soil as it breaks down. Bark and wood chip look tidy and last well in ornamental beds, while a finer compost or pea straw suits veggie gardens. We lay it about 70 to 100mm deep, kept clear of plant stems.

Question 8

Can you help with drainage problems in my yard?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Boggy lawns and beds that hold water are usually a sign the ground can't drain away, often from clay soil or compaction. Depending on the cause we can aerate the lawn, dig in subsoil drainage or a soakage pit, regrade the surface so water runs off, or build raised beds to lift the planting above the wet. We have a look first to find where the water is sitting and why before deciding the fix.

Start with a garden plan

Advice before you spend

Consultation

Design and Plan

Plant and Build

Thoughtful spaces for real life

Design services to guide your garden journey

Garden Design and Plans

Landscape Construction

Planting and Garden Beds

Garden Care and Maintenance

A look at recent gardens

Formal courtyard garden

Designed garden from the plan

Outdoor living and beds

Seasonal planting scheme

Let's create a garden that feels like home