Take a quick stroll down your local street on a warm summer’s day. While you’ll surely see plenty of people outside doing something fun, you’ll see even more dripping with sweat, swearing at their petrol mower, wondering why the 20th pull start didn’t work. You may also see clouds of smoke dissipating into the air after it has finally coughed and spluttered to life in the most dramatic way possible.

That’s the reality for many people who mow their lawns and don’t hire someone to do it for them. They spend 90% of their time tinkering with the mower to start, and 10% actually mowing their lawns. What if robots could change that?

Imagine this for a scenario: you’re sitting on your deck in the sunshine, enjoying a cold beverage. You might even be pool-side. Next to you is a lush piece of grass with a robot silently cutting it without anyone to show it how. Imagine no more. That’s now a thing.

Robots are Taking Over…and We’re Okay with It

In 2002 when the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner hit the market, consumers were in awe. They couldn’t believe that a robot would actually vacuum their floors without them having to do a thing!

In time, the novelty wore off, and it was a common sight in many homes. But over that time, people began to wonder if they could take that same technology and create a lawnmower that could effectively do the same thing. It turns out they could. After some years, robot lawnmowers hit the market, and, they too, are now a common sight in homes across the world.

Think about the benefits of having a robot lawnmower for yourself. While they won’t be as detailed, passionate, or particular as a lawn care expert, they can certainly tick all the boxes on the convenience front.

You can effectively set and forget. Some robotic lawn mowers will even return to their charging station to stock up on energy before they set back out to take care of the rest of the lawn. You can also spend more time doing the things you love, which is certainly bound to be a nice change.

Are Robots the Future of Lawn Mowing?

At the beginning of 2019, the East Devon District Council allocated a small sum of money to a trial run of robotic lawnmowers to cut specific sites in Exmouth. Their goal was to save time, effort, and manpower at the council. 

During the trial, many of the mowers weren’t able to complete full nights of mowing due to interference. According to locals, children had been using them for joyriding and target practice. Once stopped, they had to be reset again.

In places where mowers were able to be used without tampering or vandalism, they were classed as successful trials. However, while robotic lawnmowers could be the future of lawn mowing, they are not able to reach their full potential if people will not respect them to do their job.

Robotic Lawn Mowers for Home Use

While commercial robotic lawn mowing may not be a perfect option just yet, there is no reason why you can’t invest in one for home use. There are many excellent options on the market, such as these below.

Robin Autopilot

The Robin Autopilot is an electric lawnmower that contributes to less noise and air pollution than most mowers for sale. It’s also one that’s used in a residential and commercial capacity.

This mower is part of a subscription-type service where users pay per week for the use of the mower, rather than having to fork out an upfront cost of thousands of dollars. You don’t own the mower, but you receive the convenience of a lawn mowing service that’s entirely unmanned.

Husqvarna Automower

Many people like the idea of a robotic lawn mower but don’t believe their lawn will be suitable for such an advanced piece of technology. If you have sloping lawns, a few inconsistencies or even little berries and obstacles dropped by trees; then this mower could be for you.

The Husqvarna Automower is capable of tackling gentle slopes, uneven lawns, and even pinecones that happen to get in its way. What’s more, it’s quiet enough that you can (apparently) use it overnight.

If you’re worried about your mower taking off to a neighbouring property while you sleep, then you don’t have to. Thanks to technician-installed boundary wires, this mower knows where home is.

Honda Miimo

No one likes spending a fortune and dealing with the hassle of picking up lawn clippings and taking them to a waste centre. That’s why many people rely on lawn care services. However, if you’ve been interested in robot lawnmowers for some time, then the Honda Miimo could be for you.

This machine mulches your lawn clippings as it goes, delivering them back into the lawn for vital nutrients. You can also control it via smartphone and send it to its home dock whenever you feel like it.  

Could There be Robots in Your Backyard?

Robots are the future of lawn mowing. While there will always be a place for lawn care services, there is also a growing number of Kiwis who see the value in purchasing a robot to take care of the grass for them. Could a robot be in your future?

Nearly half of Kiwis don’t know their neighbours, don’t get on with them, or would prefer they weren’t there. Sometimes, it’s a lack of privacy that causes frustration, and other times, it’s noise. It might seem like the only way to escape your neighbours is by moving, but there’s actually another way. It could be time to look at your hedging options – such as Lilly Pilly.

Lilly Pilly is hands down one of the most popular hedging plants in NZ, and it’s of no surprise to anyone why. It grows quickly, doesn’t sulk in winter, and has everchanging foliage that can make every time you go outside a surprise.  

It also makes for an effective noise barrier when trimmed and shaped correctly, and acts as a privacy screen at the same time.

Lilly Pilly is a broad term for a range of plants in NZ, but some are better than others. Eugenia Ventenati would have to be one variety that almost walks out the door as soon as it arrives in a nursery. It’s dense, stunning, and can handle a little bit of neglect if you haven’t had time to call your friendly local gardener.

You can plant Eugenia Ventenati at around 0.75 metres apart and watch as the hedges grow up to between 1.5 and three metres tall. They thrive in full sun and free-draining soil and love it when you treat them to some organic matter as well.

When you bring your Lilly Pilly plant home from the nursery, give it as much care and love as you would a newborn. Plant it in a hole that’s twice as large (and deep) as the pot it’s in, and fill it with soil, compost, and sheep pellets. If your soil is a little on the heavier side, you might want to complement that mixture with some gypsum and water deeply.

Lilly Pilly in NZ might love a lot of sunshine, but young plants require plenty of water during those warmer days. It also helps to prune it often, especially during its early growth, so that you can help build the density of the bush. The thicker the hedge, the more privacy and noise control it can offer.

I’m Not a Gardener

Lilly Pilly is a popular plant type in NZ for anyone, not just gardeners. If you need privacy and a little noise dampening, then Lilly Pilly is going to be a superb choice. However, the thought of growing a hedge from scratch can put a lot of people off. Yes, it does need a lot of love and care, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be you who gives it.

Talk to your local gardening expert about hedge growing and trimming. Not only can they offer helpful advice, but they may be able to provide a regular tending service to help your hedges grow up big and strong.

What About Monkey Apple?

Avid gardeners or shelter seekers who are on the hunt for Lilly Pilly in NZ may be confused by all the hate it gets online. Surely, this beautiful evergreen hedge plant is not an unwanted species? Lilly Pilly is a common name in the plant world but is also used to refer to Monkey Apple.

Monkey Apple is, indeed, Lilly Pilly, but it’s classed as a pest plant here in New Zealand. It doesn’t require the best environment to thrive and can also outgrow native trees if it finds a large enough light gap. Given how invasive it is, and that birds can quickly spread its seeds into native forests, it’s banned nationwide.

Nurseries can’t sell it, although some will try, and it can be incredibly hard to kill once you have it. The Auckland City Council recommend a few different approaches for taking care of Monkey Apple – the lesser loved member of the Lilly Pilly NZ family.

• Pull or dig out the Monkey Apple seedlings

• Drill holes in stems and fill with two grams of metsulfuron herbicide in 50mL of water

• Spray in spring and autumn with penetrant and metsulfuron

• Cut and use stump paint

Go Silly for Lilly Pilly

If you’re in the market for an evergreen hedge that will grow quickly and provide as much privacy and protection as you need, then Lilly Pilly varieties in NZ can deliver. They are hardy, beautiful, and exciting to watch them grow to their full potential.

Be careful with the varieties you select, especially if someone tries to sell you Monkey Apple, and talk to a gardener if you need some advice or assistance. It won’t be long until you’ve got a beautiful, bushy, and well-formed hedge gracing your backyard.

In this two-part series, we’ll discuss how you can go about raising chickens in your backyard.

As chicken farmers struggle to gain consents for free-range systems that become compulsory in 2022, consumers see not only a lack of eggs on supermarket shelves, but an increase in pricing as well.

By January 2019, the price of chicken eggs had risen by an average of 11.84 percent. In April 2019, a dozen eggs were $4.43, up from $3.89 in April 2018. Before long, eggs could become unaffordable for many average New Zealanders.

What’s stopping you from raising chickens for fresh eggs every day? Caring for these backyard animals is easier than you think.

The Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations can differ from one local council to the next. Most councils provide loose guidelines, such as making sure they don’t cause noise or hygiene problems. Like dogs and cats, there is also a limit on how many you can own. If you require a more detailed set of requirements, get in touch with your local council before you bring your new feathery friends home. 

Caring for Chickens in NZ

Auckland Council requires any backyard chicken owner to provide an enclosed rainproof chicken coop for chickens to sleep and lay in. It should have a roost or perch for each chicken and a minimum roof height of 60 centimetres. The coop needs to have a pecking and scratching surface and a secluded nesting area as well.  

You must also follow all the rules surrounding hygiene. Line all floors and nesting boxes with hay or untreated wood chips, clean them out regularly and remove waste at least once per week.

If your section is smaller than 2,000 square metres, you may not be allowed any more than six chickens. However, chickens require company, so you should have a minimum of three in your flock.

Some councils also recommend that you keep them a minimum of two metres away from neighbouring properties. Make sure they are confined to your section to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to neighbours.

How to House Chickens

Because more and more people are seeing the value in keeping chickens, it’s not all that challenging to find a chicken hutch for sale. These can vary in price, depending on the quality and size. The hutch needs to have nesting boxes, a sheltered place to sleep, roosting perches, and protection from the elements.

Alongside a chicken hutch, they also need an ideal outdoor environment. Chickens love nothing more than to forage, take dust baths, scratch, and roam around. Make sure you have enough space for them to go about their natural chicken business! As a side note, chickens love to make a mess. So, if you have prized peonies or a beautiful garden, pet chickens might not be for you.

What to Feed Chickens

Healthy chickens produce delicious eggs, so you need to be quite careful with your new feathery friends’ feeding regime. Provide them with fresh food and water every day. If you find any mouldy, old, or stale food, throw it away to reduce the risk of rodents taking up residence nearby.

How to Feed Chickens

Head along to your nearest farm supplies store and stock up on commercial layer hen pellets. These pellets contain plenty of the vitamins and minerals your chickens need to remain in tip-top shape.

You can also supplement this feed with fresh food such as green leafy vegetables and the occasional helping of table scraps. Don’t give your chickens anything that you wouldn’t eat yourself.

Feeding Chickens in Winter

During winter, chickens may require additional nutrients to keep them in the best condition. They often lose their feathers and stop laying for a time. Ask your local vet or farm supplies store worker what they recommend.

Chickens also require plenty of calcium to produce quality eggs and to keep their legs strong. You can purchase soluble calcium grit for your chickens to peck away at, or you can dry crushed eggshells in your oven. Crushed oyster shell is also a preference by many chicken owners as well.

Where to Buy Chickens

Many people decide to hatch fertile eggs themselves so they can rear friendly hens. The problem is, at least half of those eggs that hatch will be roosters. If you live in an urban area, roosters are not permitted and can be exceptionally difficult to find a new home for.

The Type of Chicken to Buy

If you’re ready to bring chickens onto your property, consider purchasing hens that you already know are hens. Pullets are young female hens that are almost ready to lay, and hens at 21 weeks or older should already be laying. You can purchase chickens from breeders, local farmers, or even from the SPCA or another rescue group that may have hens to sell or give away from time to time.

What Now?

If you’re fed up at paying a premium for eggs from the supermarket, and you wouldn’t mind a new pet, then looking after a chicken or three could be for you. Check with your local council, purchase or create a hutch, fit it out with everything you need to keep them happy and healthy and bring them home! Chickens are sweet, nice-natured creatures that will produce beautiful eggs almost every day.

When something is out of sight and out of mind, you often don’t spare a thought for it. For example, every time you flip your couch cushions, it’s not uncommon to find crumbs, wrappers, and even coins, that may have sat there for months.

The same concept applies to your guttering or spouting. If you can’t see it, you don’t think about it. Unlike couch cushions, however, not checking your gutters can end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. If you can’t recall the last time you checked it out, then it’s probably long overdue.

Read on to discover why gutter maintenance and spouting cleaning is imperative, how to do it, and what you need for the job.

Why Gutter Cleaning is Important

Gutters or spouts serve an essential purpose. They control the rainwater flow, protect your landscape, and ensure that water stays as far away from your roof, walls, and foundations as possible. When they are clean and functioning at their best, they do this job well. When they’re not, they are a costly nightmare with a flow-on effect that leaves you with an empty bank account.

Gutters can quickly and easily fill up with debris, sticks, leaves, and other foreign matter and muck. They then become a haven for birds, rodents, pests, and insects. Before you know it, water is trying to flow through, only to get stuck and begin to flood over the edges of the guttering instead.

That water has to go somewhere, and it’s not down your drainpipe. It flows onto your roof, down the sides of your home – and everywhere but through your guttering. Stagnant water then promotes algae and mold growth, which is a whole new issue altogether.

New Zealand is known for its reasonably mild climes, but some regions are more prone to rainfall than others. During the wet season (which, depending on your area, can be all year!), it’s imperative that your gutters are obstruction-free, clean, and ready to tackle rainfall head-on.

How to Maintain Your Gutters

As we established, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is one of the main reasons why homeowners fail to maintain their gutters. A lack of understanding of how to do it is another. Cleaning out your spouting is easier than you think, so set aside a sunny day to get the job done.

Remove leaves and debris and throw it into a bucket or the ground so that you can clean it up once you’ve scaled your entire home. Secure any loose gutters into place with a cordless drill. The best hardware for this job is gutter screws.

If you notice any leaks along the seams and joins, then clean the gutter section and apply silicone caulk. Finally, make sure that any water flowing down your guttering is diverted away from your home. You should have a downspout extension or irrigation pipe to take care of the job.  

Around one in 15 people are scared of heights, which can mean even a simple job like gutter maintenance can be terrifying. If that sounds like you, then you should call in gutter cleaning professionals to lend a helping hand.

If you haven’t cleaned your gutters or spouting for some time, then you’ll likely find the first time you do it is a monumental undertaking. Regular maintenance from that point onward won’t be so bad. However, if you would prefer to spend more time on the ground and less on a ladder, then why not invest in some gutter cleaning tools that make it easier?

The first thing you can buy to make life easier is a gutter blaster. These tools extend out to around 1.7 to 2 metres and fit onto any standard hose fitting. You can adjust the water pressure, rotate the nozzle, and clean out the debris from your gutter without seeing it from a great height.

Alternatively, you can purchase shields which stop leaves, debris, and other grime from setting up camp in your gutters in the first place. These vary in price and style, depending on what you require. Some are a mesh that goes over the top, while others are thick tubes which allow water in, but nothing else.

Decide what’s more relevant to you – clean gutters all the time with a small investment, or not spending any money, but dedicating an hour or so every few months to removing potential blockages.

Conclusion

Gutter cleaning or spouting cleaning is an essential task that protects your property and can save you thousands of dollars. Dedicate time every few months to gutter maintenance to ensure your gutters and home remain in tip-top condition. Alternatively, you can ask your trusted Crewcut operator if they can recommend someone who can take care of gutter cleaning for you.