Time to get the kids outside

Do you find your kids hang about inside even when the weather is fabulous?

Let’s get them inspired to play outdoors:

• get into some outdoor games
• learn a sport
• dig in their own garden
• try some outdoor crafts
• read a good story under a tree with a picnic.

Kid’s say they’re bored of their books? Try searching a reading list for other authors that write stories like their favourites and they can join the Summertime Reading Club where they may win a prize!

Teens can check out The Pulse for what’s new and happening. Garden City SummerTimes is here and the World Buskers Festival is just around the corner so there’s no excuse for not getting out this summer!

Time to spring into your garden

Spring is a great time to get enthused about your garden. Regardless of the size of your section, balcony or paddock we have load of gardening resources for you.

If your soil is still a bit cold for such things as tomatoes, you can start planning what goes where, and when to plant. Some frost-tender plants can be started in glasshouses, cloches or on your windowsill.

Vegetable gardens are very popular in spring. Start putting nutients in your soil now while you decide what to plant.

Before outdoor summer entertaining, you could renovate your courtyard or garden room, or make new garden furniture. How about garden sculptures?

Got no room? Container gardens  can thrive in a small space. Got loads of room? How about planting an orchard and  large trees and hedges.

Through the Source you can access Gardening, Landscape and Horticulture. A collection of more than 100 journals focused on key issues in gardening, landscaping, and other areas of horticulture. You can access it with your library card number and PIN.

Don’t have a PIN? Ask at one of our libraries or call us. PINs allow you to access your library account information and place holds on items through the online catalogue. Your PIN also gives you free access to  the Source — paid services the library subscribes to.

What are you growing this season? Any good tips to share?

Time to get the kids keen on gardening and the outdoors

It’s nearing the end of the school holidays and the sun is shining. This is a perfect time to get the kids outside without having to drive them to the beach or for a walk in the hills. Let’s get them outside in our own backyards.

There are many books on gardening with kids in our libraries. We have some great books for parents about how to provide kid friendly gardening spaces and about encouraging them to participate. Children’s gardening books are written in a style appealing to them.

If your child is really not interested in gardening at all try books on outdoor activities.

Cool caravans

I love camping.  However I am not talking the small tent, one burner and a torch variety.  Oh no,  I like to camp in comfort.  I have comfy chairs, a lounger, gas fridge and a lovely big tent which becomes a home away from home.

At present though I have a yearning for a caravan, and the reason that this has come about is because of this book:  My cool caravan : an inspirational guide to retro-style caravans by Jane Field-Lewis. Filled with the cutest and snuggest little caravans, it is enough to bring out the traveller in all of us.

However the cost of a caravan is prohibitive at the moment so I will be content with my trusty tent.

Discovering a new camping cookbook has helped ease the pain. The camper van cookbook: life on 4 wheels, cooking on 2 rings by Martin Dorey has some great cooking ideas for both inside and out, and a trusty old favourite Blue sky kitchen : creative cookery for Kiwi campers by Nicola Saker is always a good standby.  Damper over the fire anyone?