Few vegetables announce spring quite like asparagus. With its tender green spears and delicate flavour, asparagus is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated seasonal treasures. Paula Sharp introduces this spring star, including gardening tips, recipes and nutritional benefits.

‘Chemical poisoning’ is how a long-time cleaner describes her severe reactions to using workplace cleaning products she thought would be safe. J Simons talks with Emma (name changed for privacy) to find out more.

July and August is a great time in the garden, as we have just passed the new year, the shortest day, and the preparation and groundwork for the summer abundance is underway. Now is the perfect time to change arrangements, be it infrastructure such as trellising, pathways, irrigation, or even move around existing garden beds and create new ones.

Dr John Flux’s neighbour once called to see if he had died – because the grass had grown so long! The Lower Hutt ecologist is an advocate of the no-mow movement because of its many environmental benefits, and describes here how he has implemented it for the past four years in his garden and on the footpath verge.

Diana Noonan discovered a surprising bonus while following a plant-based whole food eating plan. She also shares her super-easy and delicious recipes for bliss balls and whole-grain crackers.