There’s something special about the cooler breeze, changing colours and fragrance of autumn in the garden. There’s also a lot to do before those icy days sneak up on us, which is why we’re sharing our autumn planting to-do list with you:
Just in case you do not have enough to do (ha, ha!), there are a few other jobs you could consider doing during these autumn months too, including:
Our tree nursery has a variety of NZ native trees, fruit and flowering trees all ready for your garden, or the garden of someone special. If you have a spare moment, take a read of our list of the top three autumn gardening projects while you’re here.
]]>Imagine stepping outside your door and being greeted with an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Well, it certainly isn’t a pipe dream any longer, as many people now enjoy having an edible backyard. Whether it is formally designed or planted wherever there is space, an edible backyard can be yours too.
Back in the ‘olden days,’ it would be unusual for a residential garden to not have the obligatory plum or apple tree. Some had more exotic stone fruit trees, others had the good old lemon tree. Then there was the large vegetable patch from which at least part of dinner would be coming from.
Today is different, with many people not having the space to grow a garden, the time, energy or know-how to grow their own food. But it doesn’t have to be that complicated, as you’ll see from these key points:
You can get started on your edible garden today by ordering one of our, fruit tree gifts.
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There are several things you can do to encourage bees to visit and stay within your garden. These include:
You may have heard of insect hotels, ‘man-made homes’ containing nooks and crannies that bugs love to live in. While the introduced honeybees do live in hive colonies, the native bees are solitary and like to live in the soil in small groups of nests. Rather than creating a bug hotel, you would be better off having a wide variety of flowering plants, and especially the native Mānuka and Kanuka trees!
]]>By following these steps, you can give your tree a healthy new home and help it thrive for years to come.
It’s that time of year to start thinking about client and customer gifts, so we decided it was time to share this year’s corporate gift trends too. From living gifts to delectable yummies, we’ve got all the information you need for choosing the best corporate gifts.
It will come as no surprise that the days of business branded pens and mouse pads are disappearing. Both businesses and gift recipients are instead preferring eco-friendly and functional gifts. The latest corporate gift trends can be placed into five main categories:
If you are on the fence as to which gifts would be best to give to your clients or customers, or need more information about how we can help, get in touch with our team today.
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Growing a lemon tree can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, providing fresh, fragrant, and delicious fruit right in your own backyard. With a little care and attention, you can have a thriving lemon tree that will produce bountiful harvests for years to come.
There are several varieties of lemon trees to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and growing requirements. Some popular choices include the Eureka, Lisbon, and Meyer lemon trees. Before planting, consider factors such as climate, space, and desired lemon flavour to determine the best variety for your needs.
Planting and Soil Preparation
Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for your lemon tree. Mix the soil with organic matter, such as compost, to improve fertility and drainage. The ideal pH for lemon trees is between 6.0 and 7.0. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so that the tree sits at the same level as it did in the nursery container.
The best time to plant a lemon tree in NZ is Autumn, Winter (where frosts are not prevalent) and Spring.
Watering and Fertilizing
Lemon trees require consistent watering to prevent the soil from completely drying out. However, avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Fertilize your lemon tree with a balanced citrus fertilizer.
Pruning and Pest Control
Regularly prune your lemon tree to promote healthy growth, maintain its shape, and encourage fruit production. Remove dead or diseased branches, as well as those that cross or rub against each other. Keep an eye out for pests, such as aphids and scale insects, and treat them promptly using eco-friendly methods.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Lemons
Lemons typically take six to nine months to ripen, depending on the variety. Harvest your lemons when they are fully yellow and slightly soft to the touch. Enjoy your homegrown lemons in a range of recipes, from lemonade and cocktails to desserts and marinades.
By following these steps and providing your lemon tree with the proper care, you can enjoy the beauty and bounty of your very own lemon tree. With patience and dedication, you'll be rewarded with fragrant blossoms and delicious fruit for years to come (the neighbours will love them too!).
When Jack Frost comes nipping at your garden gate this year, you can send him on his way without fear of any damage. That’s because you are going to be super prepared and ready to go by following these nifty frost damage prevention tips:
If you are too late or forgetful, and Jack Frost has already paid you a damaging visit, there are a few things you can do to minimise the consequences:
As prevention is better than cure, when selecting plants such as our single trees for your garden, be sure to check if they are frost hardy or likely to get easily damaged. This way you’ll be forewarned and that is certainly the best policy.
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From the family Sophora, the Kōwhai tree is renowned for its bright yellow flowers in spring, whose nectar attracts our native birds the tui and wood pigeon. Having obtained its name because of the yellow flowers (Kōwhai being yellow in Te Reo), it has two unusual features for a native tree.
Firstly, some of the eight native species are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter. The flowers also appear before the leaves in spring. Secondly, it’s seed pods are very hardy and excellent at floating. Saltwater resistant, the Kōwhai tree has established itself in neighbouring Pacific islands simply by natural dispersal via sea. This was something that fascinated Charles Darwin, so he studied it in detail.
Long used by Māori for traditional medicinal properties, the Kōwhai tree is so prized that the cutting down of one is considered tapu. Infusions made from bark were used to treat dandruff, scabies, gonorrhoea and even pain from a seal bite. It was also used for broken bones, bruises, cuts and rashes by Māori tribes too. It’s important to know though, that this tree contains the toxin Cytisine, which can make people seriously ill or even die.
Kōwhai wood was used by both early settlers and Māori. Crafted into paddles and spears for hunters by Māori, and fence posts and tool handles by Europeans, it was renowned for its beautiful wood-turning capabilities and flexibility. The yellow flowers have and still are used to make natural dye, and the flowering of the tree was used as a signal by Māori to plant potatoes.
Te ura o te Kōwhai, or the glow of the Kōwhai, is a common saying amongst Māori. A strong part of the Māori culture and tradition, it features within songs, folk law and legends. As a Kōwhai-turanga ora or Tree of Life in the Waikato, it refers to authority and powers held by people to whom we look to for help and life.
While there’s nothing we could find historically as to the meaning of gifting a Kōwhai tree, we know it is a tree of incredible importance. We believe that when you give a Kōwhai tree to someone, you are showing you have trust in their abilities and judgement, and that you respect both them as a person and the choices they make. It’s also a lovely native tree gift which shows the recipient that miracles are possible for them, as like the Kōwhai who flowers before leaves appear!
To order your Kowhai Tree Gift head to our online store now, tree gifts anyone would be thrilled to receive!
]]>Traditionally flowers have been the sympathy gift given to acknowledge the bereavement they are now facing. While when gifted flowers look beautiful, they are already beginning to wither and last only days in a vase. Wouldn’t it be better to give a sympathy gift which lived on as a memorial for those whom have passed? Something loved ones would be able to care for, visit and see often? Today we’re sharing with you our sympathy gift giving ideas to help you find the perfect gift to give to those who have suffered a loss.
When someone is grieving, it’s never easy to know what to say or what to do. You want to be able to convey that you are thinking about them, while acknowledging the immense pain and grief they will be feeling. Sometimes the words are hard to find which truly demonstrate you concern, which is when actions speak louder than words.
With the advances in social media, our lives are often on display. However, it is not appropriate to comment on the passing of someone online, even if it was first discussed by relatives. Nor is it okay to make light of their grief, saying comments such as “I know how you are feeling,” or “Aren’t you over it yet?”
Modern etiquette states that acknowledging the passing of someone is the most important thing to do. While the cooking of a meal, giving a hug and simply spending time with those grieving are common actions, due to time pressures, commitments and distances between us, they’re not always possible. Therefore, bereavement cards and flowers have been traditionally given instead. But what else could you do if they are not enough?
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Whether your lawn makes squishing sounds as you walk on it, or it has a new and unwanted water feature, there are several things you can do to improve its drainage. Here are our top 5:
Of course, you’ll need to wait until it stops raining first, so while you are waiting, come find out what the top 3 autumn gardening projects are!
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So, we thought it was time to share with you our top three recommended garden projects in case you haven’t already completed them.
You’ve likely already got a rough idea as to what you want to achieve in the garden during autumn. In fact, it is probably a huge list! Each autumn, the Tree Gifts team works hard (on top of all our other jobs) to ensure we get:
Those warmer autumn days are also ideal for enjoying a last glass of bubbles or a coffee in the garden before winter arrives. So, make sure you add this to your to do list too!
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Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a species of plants which do not require soil or organic matter to grow into. There are over 700 different species of Tillandsia, do not have a root system and in the wild are found attached to the trunks and branches of trees. There are some varieties which do have a red flower, but air plants are mostly prized for their short, spiky foliage.
Originating from Mexico, South and Central America, Tillandsia are a part of the Bromeliad family. They absorb water through their leaves, and often don’t have a root system at all. If there are roots, these are mostly used as an anchor for the plant, not water absorption. Nutrients are also absorbed directly through the leaves from the air too!
As mentioned earlier, soil is not required for an air plant. This means that your plant is not limited to being displayed in a pot on your desk or table. Instead, you can hang an air plant upside down, rest it on a stand (like our air plants), or put it on a saucer. Small in size, they are ideal for homes and areas where space is limited. They’re also ideal for giving as a gift to someone in hospital or in a tiny house!
The low maintenance requirements of this popular indoor plant are another reason for their popularity. Requiring only a short soak once a week, plus some bright indirect light, they are ideal for those of us which forget to water our pot plants. In a warm or dry area, you may wish to mist the leaves once or twice a week with water from a spray bottle. A good tip to remember is that your air plant is most probably in need of a drink when you notice the leaves starting to curl inwards. Be certain to completely dry the air plants before putting them back upon their stand or bowl to avoid mould growth.
As a part of our tree gift range, we sell air plants on stands, hand crafted right here in house at Tree Gifts. To learn more about our air plants or any of our tree gifts, feel free to contact our friendly team today!
]]>We’ve put together a short guide on planting native trees to help you give yours a great start in their new home.
No matter whereabouts in the country you live, you’ll always find native trees that thrive in your area. While hardier than most, some native trees do have clear preferences regarding frost, salt spray, drought, and humidity, and will respond accordingly. The best thing is to firstly do your research and choose the best natives for your conditions.
Consider the width and height of the tree, what protection there is for it or what it will provide to other plants in years to come, how closely it can be planted to existing plants, and the location of any underground services or overhead powerlines.
Then comes time to prepare the site in which you will be planting. If you are planting in lawn, mow and then lift the turf where the tree will go. Add compost and dig in, keeping the site weed free until planting time. Weeding doesn’t finish then though, as the area will still need to be weed free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture.
While you can plant year-round, late autumn, late winter and spring are the most suitable seasons. Keeping the ground well-watered is crucial, as well as having the soil moist before planting begins. Dig a hole which is twice the depth and width of your tree’s root ball. Place into the hole and cover the roots with soil, aiming to plant at the same depth as the soil line it had in the pot. Water thoroughly and mulch around the stem of the plant. You’ll find that the mulch helps keep moisture in the soil while providing great plant food, as well as helping to keep the weeds down.
There are many so wonderful native trees for urban spaces, some which are suitable for container planting! We’d love to help you choose natives to plant in your garden, so drop us a line and let us work our magic.
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This Christmas, we think you should gift a tree – or four! They’re the ideal Christmas present for so many reasons, and we’re sharing our top nine with you today.
Do you still play with that little plastic doll or toy car you were given for your first Christmas? Do you even know where it is? We’ll take a punt and say the answer to both is no.
But what if your parents were gifted a tree to plant to mark the occasion of your first Christmas? Chances are that it will have grown up with you in the back yard and is now big enough for you to picnic underneath.
Trees are the ultimate Christmas gift not only because they are long lasting, but because they are memorable, appreciated and more! Here is a list of our top nine reasons why everyone should gift a tree this Christmas:
So, this Christmas, gift a tree that will be remembered as the best Christmas present and talked about for years to come. And still be going beyond that!
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We think that's pretty cool... that we've helped you to create an Urban Forest with your gifts, sending your love to family and friends as well as supporting the environment in which we all live here in Aotearoa NZ.
We've moved away from cut flowers (that lets face it are ridiculously expensive and die within a week or two at best!) and started to green our gifting - thinking sustainably and making a conscious decision in our gift giving. We're proud as punch to be part of it all.
To celebrate we are giving you the chance to win one of ten to plant at your place - just head on over to give our Facebook page a like and enter.
You’ve got something to say and an advertisement on social media just won’t cut it. Well, no matter because there are some amazing promotional products you could use instead. In fact, we sell plenty of these ourselves, right here at Tree Gifts!
We’ve got heaps of other ideas for your marketing giveaways, competitions and end of year client gifts. Make sure you take a look through our current corporate gifts selection and remember that we are more than happy to create the bespoke gift just for your business – just ask!
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Whether you’ve got a tiny garden in town, a container garden on your balcony or the good old quarter acre section, native trees always look great and work perfectly. We have compiled a wonderful guide on the planting of native trees in urban spaces to help you pick the best ones for your home.
When people think of native trees, often they picture towering Kauri, sprawling Rimu or giant Pohutukawa in parks, on roadsides or at the beach. Yet native trees deserve to also be a part of our urban gardens, and not all require large planting spaces. Some in fact can even be planted in large containers, great for if you rent and want to take your trees to your next home.
As to the choosing of your urban NZ natives, we’ve arranged them in groups to help you make some decisions – buy all the trees (just kidding, not!).
As to what conditions native trees require to grow well depends upon the type of tree you have chosen. Generally, natives prefer lots of mulch, moist roots and a light dose of fertiliser one or two times a year. They also like having friends, so why not plant two native trees at the same time! Trees also make fabulous gifts; so much better than being given a virtual tree you’ll never lay eyes on…
Read our next blog: 5 Tips on Attracting Birds to Your Garden
]]>The thing is though, while all gifts are much appreciated, babies do grow and soon those adorable little outfits are too small. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to receive something that would last for longer?
It’s time to spill the beans and share with you our tips for the top five ultimate baby gifts in the country. Drum roll please….
If you’d like us to create a customised gift for a special new arrival and their Mum, just ask! We’d be more than happy to.
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Chocolates are tasty and flowers are dandy, but native trees are the gifts that count (even though they’re not candy). Ok, so poetry isn’t our strong point, but tree gifts are our area of expertise, and that includes native trees.
We’re lucky here in NZ in that we have some gorgeous native flora and fauna that thrive in so many different locations. It makes it even better knowing that when planted in the garden, these trees are highly likely to thrive, whether it is one you have chosen for yourself or given as a gift.
But wait, that’s not all. There are many other exceptional reasons as to why native trees are truly the gift that counts…
When choosing a gift, there’s a lot to consider. Will they like it? Is it something they’d enjoy? Will it keep on providing pleasure? Native tree gifts do all those things and more! Here are a few of our favourite reasons as to why they are the ultimate gifts that count:
We also thought it would be worth mentioning that native trees are low maintenance and are pretty laid back. Well obviously, they don’t lie down, but they are easy going in that you don’t need to plant them in straight rows or prune them into specific shapes. Just the right fertile soil conditions, location and adequate moisture is all they need.
We’d love to help you choose the perfect trees for your garden or as a gift for someone special. Just sing out if you’d like some help, and we promise we we’ll only share our knowledge with you – not our poetry!
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For some, simply the act of planting a memorial tree brings them peace, while others specifically choose a tree based upon its characteristics or symbolisms. To help you with your decisions, we have collated information about a variety of exotic and native tree gifts to consider.
When selecting a memorial tree, you will need to consider the site it will be planted and if you want a flowering tree or not. You may wish to consider selecting a tree gift based upon its symbolism or characteristics. Here are some of the details for a few of our remembrance tree options:
A remembrance tree will not fade away like cut flowers, but instead will be something tangible to see and touch to remind you of a loved one who has passed. The dedication can be as simple as writing a few words of sympathy in a card along with the tree gift, the reading of a poem as the tree is planted, a plaque displayed at the base of the tree or the taking of photos of the tree as it grows over the years, capturing and remembering special memories and occasions.
If you need any help with selecting a living gift, choosing heartfelt words to include in a gift card or to pass on your sympathy to loved ones when you can’t be there, we’re here to help.
]]>When it comes to the choosing of environmentally friendly corporate gifts, there are several things to consider including:
Let’s take a look at each point to help you select the ideal sustainable corporate gifts this year.
We consider there are six key factors to consider when choosing eco-friendly corporate gifts:
Our focus at Tree Gifts, is to provide New Zealand businesses with eco-friendly corporate gifts which meet their needs, and those of their recipients. We invite you to view our range online, or get in touch with our team to discuss your exact requirements.
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Words cannot take away the sadness and pain they’ll be feeling, but they can offer some comfort. We’ve made a list of sympathy card messages you could use or personalise to help make things a little easier during this sad time.
From sharing your condolences to offering to help, telling your memories of the deceased through to offering ongoing support in the weeks and months to come, there are many different messages you can add to a sympathy card. While we are sharing some generic messages with you below, it’s a lovely touch to be able to use them as a starting point in creating a personalised message. Here are some ideas to consider writing in a sympathy card:
When writing a sympathy card message, it’s important that you never imply that you know how they feel. Grief is a personal experience and you don’t know how they are felling. Offering advice is also something to avoid doing, so give support and comfort instead.
Saying that it happened for a reason or is the will of God isn’t that appropriate either. Death isn’t something that anyone wants, and hearing it was for a reason isn’t helpful.
Along with sending a sympathy card, consider sending one of our sympathy gift boxes. Each contain a living gift which the recipient can grow and care for in memory of their loved one. If you’d like help in choosing an appropriate sympathy gift, please get in touch with us.
]]>We certainly don’t want you to become sick working in and around the garden. So, we’ve put together a handy guide to help keep you safe and reduce your risk of contracting legionnaires disease when spring gardening this year.
We’ve got plenty of jobs on our spring gardening to-do list. Pruning, weed removal, mulching, tidying up the lawn and fertilising are just some of them. But there are also those high-risk spring jobs where undertaking them poses a risk of contracting legionnaires disease.
The legionnaires' bacteria thrives in warm and moist environments, such as the one bags of potting mix or compost (even homemade compost) ca provide. An airborne bacterium, it is released into the atmosphere when a potting mix or compost bag is opened, or potting mix or compost is moved around.
To keep yourself safe, experts recommend that when working with compost and potting mix, a gardener:
There are additional hazards a gardener can face besides legionnaires disease when spring gardening. Here at Tree Gifts, the safety of our team members is paramount when we are gardening or preparing your order. Some of the hazards we face are likely to be the same for any gardener, including:
By being aware of the hazards, we can all mitigate the likelihood of us obtaining any illness or injuries. Vigilance is key here and we can all play a role. For further information on the legionellosis bacteria specifically, we recommend consulting the Ministry of Health’s website for advice.
]]>If you’re not already enjoying seeing plants in pots or in the garden around your home or office, be prepared to be. Growing plants both indoors and outdoors can offer numerous benefits, including:
Well, we’re guessing you’ll be wanting to know which plants can provide the most benefits for you? The answer is all of them! They provide these five benefits regardless of their size, colours and shapes, making choosing the right ones for your home or office a personal decision. As for a gift for someone else, we suggest taking a look at our Gift Hamper Boxes, all include the living plant of your choice along with a few treats or body care products for them to enjoy. If you need any assistance in choosing, just ask!
]]>Other reasons to plant a remembrance tree include:
If planting a memorial tree is right for you or someone you know, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you.
When selecting a tree, you will need to consider:
If you need assistance in selecting a memorial tree, we’d be honoured to help. Feel free to contact us for advice.
Often a recipient of a memorial tree gift will plant it in their garden or in the garden of a family member. If they wanted to plant it in a public place such as a park, they would need to seek permission from the local authority to do so.
Some trees would be perfectly happy to stay in a container, which would allow them to move with the recipient if required. Others want a permanent place, and in this case, decorating the area around the tree with shells and pebbles would be a lovely idea. Involving children in the planting and care of the tree is a wonderful way to remember the loved one who has passed too.
]]>We thought it was time to put together a list of top public gardens to visit throughout the country, for you too to enjoy and benefit from visiting.
In no particular order, we’ve collated a list of beautiful and well-worth visiting public gardens throughout the country. They are:
Have we missed out your favourite public garden? Let us know in the comments over on our Facebook page so we can add it to our list!
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If you already have a garden of some shape, form or size, then you are halfway there already! A child-friendly garden is easy to accomplish when you understand that it must be:
With those things in mind, you can begin to make a plan of specific areas or activities you would like to include within it. As our aim is to help you do this within a weekend, keep things relatively small and achievable. Some of our best weekend child-friendly garden creation ideas include:
It’s no surprise that we love trees, and we’d be thrilled if every child in New Zealand became passionate about them too. The next time a child you know needs a present, why not give them their very own tree to care for? A lemon, a lime or even some seed bombs to let them grow their own little piece of green outside.
]]>There’s nothing quite like hearing birdsong and seeing a fluttering of feathers amongst the leaves. We’re huge fans of our native birds, as well as the many imports we see each day. We are concerned though, about the shrinking number of bird habitats due to urbanisation. Luckily, we (and you) can help do something about that by making your garden attractive to birds and other wildlife. Here are five tips on how to make your garden bird-friendly.
Why not start attracting birds to your garden today by ordering your native Kowhai Tree or Cabbage Tree direct from us today!
Next Blog>>- Your Guide to Native Trees for Urban Spaces
]]>We think everyone should have a bee-friendly garden (exceptions for those with severe allergies, of course), and today we’re going to explain how you can make your own.
Before you can create one, you really need to have a solid grasp on what one is. So, a bee-friendly garden is an outdoor space where you have planted trees, flowers and shrubs which bees rely upon. Providing nutrients and energy, as well as pollen to collect, they truly are a bee’s lifeblood.
It’s also important to realise that some sprays and chemicals used in the garden can accidentally kill bees. If you do use sprays, look for certified bee-friendly options to use instead.
When planting your garden, take note of the plants' bees like best and add more of them if you can. This includes sunflowers and lavender (yellow and purple are bee-favourite colours), fruits and vegetables such as brassicas, blackberries and pumpkins, plus perennials including dahlias and gladiolus.
Bees just don’t magically appear every time a flower is near. In fact, they have specific preferences as to where they like to hang out and what they like to eat. So we've put together some ideas on how you can transform your garden into a hive (yup, a pun on purpose) of buzzing activity:
What are you waiting for? It’s time to buzz off and get your bee-friendly garden created!
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