One of my Dutch irises - a white one - is out today. π Also, two more new additions to my garden. π
Photo 1: My white Dutch iris, the first one open this season. π
Photo 2: My two newest additions to my garden - two blueberry plants of two different varieties, both of the Rabbiteye type. It's a small bush, which grows to 1m x 1.5m at the largest - so is the easiest to keep in a tub/barrel, like I have them both in here. π
Photo 3: Blueberry Tasty Blue variety - of the Rabbiteye type. π
Photo 4: Blueberry Blue Dawn variety - also of the Rabbiteye type. π Rabbiteye type plants ARE self-fertile, but you will need at least two different varieties of the Rabbiteye type to cross-pollinate and increase crop yield and fruit size, so I've bought two compatible types from Mitre 10. Check the labels on the plants when choosing which varieties to buy, so that you know which varieties will go with which. Plant them at least 1.5 metres apart if planting them in the ground, as this is how big these plants will grow, and position them no further than 20 metres apart, so that the bees can find them and share the pollen between them so that they will cross-pollinate.
Blueberries like acidic soil to grow in (so that they will produce fruit), so that's why you're best to plant them in tubs or wooden (or other material) barrels like I have (that, and they're awesomest to plant that way!!! π). I put Tui compost in the bottom, Tui strawberry mix/potting mix at the top, mixed with Hauraki Gold peat moss and sheep pellets. I watered it in well with Yates Thrive liquid seaweed citrus food & Seasol seaweed solution, diluted with water in a watering can. Blueberry plants take a while to fruit, so by the third year, when they get big enough, you should have fruit. π
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealandβs best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealandβs best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: π€ What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: thereβs no such thing as a βsafeβ job anymore ππ
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.6% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.8% Critical thinking
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29.9% Resilience and adaptability
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2.7% Other - I will share below!
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