A publication

Knowing
your drills and bits
On a roll
with paint
Two $
hom 500
Mid winter e
sets enterta
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Jaso
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dining - S E be
E PA w ing
G E 1 on
3 .

Growing
citrus
H
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Making your home

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safe for junior

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July 2011 • $5.90

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 S
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elD t May A publication

Fi s1 Volume 6, Issue 6
alid
V Mitre 10 Projects How To magazine is

14
published 11 times a year by
MMS Publishing Ltd.
www.nzprojects.co.nz
info@nzprojects.co.nz
Managing Editor:
Scott Wilson • Phone 021-725 061
Email: scott.wilson@nzprojects.co.nz
Editor:

Power to Price ratio:

Shaun Evans • Mobile 021-1529136
Email: shaun.evans@nzprojects.co.nz

30
Unbeatable 22 Sales Manager:
Chris Yates • Phone: 027 573 2005
Email chris.yates@nzprojects.co.nz
Contributors:
Scott Wilson, Sandy Johnson, Soraya
Nicholas, Je t’aime Hayer, Shaun Evans.
Marketing:
Juliette Bavister – Muse Marketing
juliette@musemarketing.co.nz

48 52
Design and Layout:

contents
Bernadette Tipene, Twist Design
Phone 021 323 904
Printer:
Nicholson Print Solutions
4 MID WINTER DELIGHT Enquiries:
In the winter months sometimes the best thing to do is … party! MMS Publishing Ltd
14 WARM UP TOP P O Box 14069
No more delays, we get up in the ceiling and make your home warm and dry.
Five Cross Roads
Hamilton 3252.
20 THE GEAR YOU NEED 0800 NZPROJECTS (0800 697 765)
So what equipment do you need to install insulation in your ceiling?
Join us on Facebook (How To
22 A BIT ON DRILLS Magazine) and Twitter (NZHowTo)

How To take a comprehensive look at power drills and bits. New Zealand Subscriptions:
30 TODDLER INVASION! www.emags.co.nz/projects
The How To guide to child proofing your home for toddlers. 0800 624 700
1 year (11 issues) - $49.00
38 ROLL ON THE PAINT (save 24% off the cover price)
How to use a roller for that professional finish.
NZ Projects magazine is a monthly publication,
42 PROTECT YOUR PAINT FINISH produced 11 times a year ISSN 2230-4770 (Print)
We look into damage free hooks and accessories. ISSN 2230-4789 (Online). MMS Publishing reserves
the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising

navara St-X ‘450’ 4wD 44 SIX WAYS

Control winter weeds in the garden with our six How To tips.
material. No part of NZ Projects How To magazine
may be reproduced without express permission of the
publisher. All rights rved.

$50,995
FROM All letters to the magazine will be considered for publication
46 CHECKLIST unless clearly marked to the contrary. NZ Projects How
Potatoes, fruit trees, flowers and more. To magazine accepts no responsibility for the return or
condition of unsolicited manuscripts, art or photography
48 CITRUS TANG STARTS NOW material.
Limitation of liability: NZ Projects How To
Great How To tips on setting up your backyard orchard. magazine has been produced to provide the basic
+ ORC and general information required when undertaking
52 SUPER SIMPLE SEEDS home improvement projects around your home. It is not
The full cycle from seed to seedling to planting – here’s How To designed to replace the advice you may require in certain
applications around your home. The contents of any
56 WINTER PROTECTION article may need to be modified for a particular site and
circumstances pertaining to some projects.
How To install weed mats and frost protection.
NIS3365\TBWA

Local bylaws pertaining to certain construction or home

improvements should always be adhered to and we advise
61 HEAT ON THE GO contacting a suitably qualified tradesperson when you
How To heat your home the right way with portables. require expert services or advice.

Visit nissan.co.nz for more details.

1
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How To Mid Winter Xmas

Mid winter Most of us would never give up our

cheer
Kiwi Christmas: the BBQs at the
beach, the snapper fresh from the
line, strawberries and cream... But
there’s still something special about
a traditional Christmas dinner, with
turkey and all the trimmings. July is the
perfect time to gather with friends and
by Je’taime Hayer family to throw a mid-winter Christmas
dinner. Sure, it’s not really Christmas,
but what’s not to love about a fantastic
food celebration with good friends?

4 5
 How To

If you plan on preparing food in

advance, be prepared with plenty
of food storage containers. Sistema
Klip It Plasticware is BPA-free, NZ-
made, airtight and microwave,
freezer and dishwasher safe and it
won’t leach toxins into your food like
some plastics can.

A dinner party doesn’t have to be daunting – make a list

of your favourite party people, find some food you know
how to prepare and add in a few decorations to transform
your soiree into something special.
If you’re new to the mid-winter Christmas dinner,
The equipment
Winter is the time to get the oven cranking and bring out
a feast of epic proportions. Culinary skills are one thing,
but having the right equipment plays a key role in your
success. Whether you want to cook with gas or radiant

our guide will talk you through how to celebrate in
style.
The guest list
Six guests is a good number to start with. Keeping a
manageable number allows your guests the opportunity
to get to know each other without dividing off into
small groups. It helps to make the guest list a group
that you think will get along. Send out invites three
weeks in advance, to allow time to RSVP.
heat, Classique offers a range of high-quality ovens to
meet your needs.
When it comes to the tools, Mitre 10’s extensive range of
cast iron cookware offers options in sauté pans, fry pans,
casserole dishes, grill pans and more. Cast iron cooking
vessels retain heat better than stainless steel, which
means more even cooking and power savings. If stainless
steel is your cookware preference, consider Wiltshire’s
Majestic saucepans and non-stick frying pans. Wiltshire
also offers a range of enamel roasting pans, ideal for that
turkey or ham.

6
 How To
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Menu inspiration The table decorations

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festivities and can be prepared several days in advance

Nat Davis, Judge

Before planning a menu, check if any of your guests and kept in the fridge. Table setting sets the theme for your dinner party and brings from TV2’s Dreamh
explains the ins
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if your main is the traditional meat and three veggies. 7

a menu with meals that can be made in advance to A plate of cheeses, olives and crackers would suffice inspired red and white is fresh and modern, cream and gold is
save you some stress and allow you to spend time with for some nibbles. Fruit mince pies can be made days in classic, silver and purple is contemporary cool and red and gold
your guests. Ideas include: roast pork belly, lamb rack advance and mulled wine can be left to its own devices sings of Christmas. Stick with two colours – one as a main colour
or turkey, drizzled with cranberry and port sauce. in a slow cooker. and a complementary shade to accent and you can’t go wrong.

8
 How To
A striking table centrepiece is deceptively easy to
create. Consider bunching a group of thick church
candles in the centre of the table and tie a name tag
to individual Christmas tree baubles for name cards.
Consider a statement piece made using edibles in your
chosen colours – a bowl of metallic foiled chocolates, red
cherries, candy canes or apples. Elements of nature can
also bring a festive atmosphere – think bundles of pine
cones or pine branches around a large pillar candle. Tea
lights are economical and can be bunched in groups for
a pretty effect. Try setting them on a small mirror for
maximum impact.
You might like to gift small presents to your guests –
these can be wrapped and form the centrepiece of the
table, and be given out at the end of the dinner. A word
of warning – don’t make your centrepiece so high that it
obstructs your guests’ view.
10
The place settings
Now is not the time to bring out chipped, clunky,
mismatching crockery; fine dining calls for fine
dinnerware. Mitre 10’s range of Jason Bone China
dinnerware can be purchased as a starter set, then added
to individually, so you can choose exactly what you need
– and replace anything that gets broken.
Provide each guest with a dinner plate and bread plate
or soup bowl. Each guest will also have glasses for water
and wine. If you really want to go the extra mile, impress
your guests with Grosvenor wine glasses (white, red and
champagne) and tumblers, which can be tailored to your
guests’ choice of drinks. classique.co.nz
Invest in some elegant cloth napkins such as Jason
Freestanding & Wall Ovens | Gas, Ceramic & Induction Cooktops
Boston Damask Napkins, which match the Boston
Rangehoods | Dishwashers | Refrigeration | Microwaves | Laundry
 How To
Damask Tablecloth and are available in a range of neutral
colours to suit any occasion. Neatly fold the napkins or
roll into elegant napkin rings. If you don’t have napkin
rings, tie with elegant ribbon in a colour that matches
your settings.
As the food will be served to the guests at the table,
the right platters unify your theme and lend a sense of
elegance. Jason Classic square and rectangular platters
are a worthy investment to show off your food in style for
many dinner parties to come.
Formal cutlery settings
Fine dining also calls for a little more forethought into
your cutlery setting, so consider purchasing a quality
set such as Albany Cutlery by Stanley Rogers. If you’re
going to serve soup as a starter, place the soup bowl on
top of the dinner plate. Place the forks directly to the left
of the plate, with the fork for the earliest course (usually
salad) furthest from the plate, and the next fork in for
the next course. The dessert fork is placed above the
dinner plate perpendicular to the other cutlery with the
handle pointing towards the prongs of the other forks.
The dinner knife sits to the right side of the plate, with
the sharp edge facing the plate. If you will use a fish
knife, place that to the right of the dinner knife.
12
TWO TO
BE WON
$
A soup spoon (if required) is placed to the right of the
dinner knife or fish knife. A dessert spoon is placed above
the dessert fork the opposite way round.
The bread plate sits to the left and slightly above the
dinner plate, with the butter knife resting across the
plate. Place the water glass slightly above and to the
right of the dinner plate, directly above the dinner knife.
Wine glasses (one for white and one for red) sit to the
right and just below the water glass. The champagne
glass sits slightly above and to the right of the wine
glasses. If there’s no space on the table, bring out the
coffee cups after clearing the dinner table. At this stage,
the coffee cup is placed slightly below and to the left of
the bread plate.
Place the napkin either folded on top of the dinner plate
(or across the rim of the soup bowl), to the left of the
forks, or in the water glass.
Finally, music always helps to set the scene at a party.
Instrumental music works well in the background and
won’t drown out your guests’ conversations. Feel free to
bring out the Christmas carols if a sing-along could be on
the cards.
Have fun and a merry midwinter Christmas
from the ‘How To’ team.
500 each
Home entertaining
maDe eaSY
Do you need to bring some style and grace to
your home entertaining? Jason Products has an
extensive range of home entertaining products that
can solve all your table worries. These products are
now available through Mitre 10 and Mitre 10 Mega.
In the prize you will get a table solution from their New
Zealand made cork placemat and coaster extension
to their stylish white dinnerware, essentials that can
help you set the scene and “make the occasion” at
every gathering.
For more information on these great products call
- NZ Free Phone 0508 452 766
How To EnTEr THE draw
Go online to www.nzprojects.co.nz and click on ‘Competitions’ to
submit your entry or send your name, physical address, daytime
phone number and email address on the back of an envelope
to: Projects HOW TO – Jasons Competition, 15 Berne Place,
Birkenhead, Auckland 0626 before 31 July 2011.
You must include the missing words in this phrase:
Jasons – Home entertaining made _ _ _ _
A publicAtion
The Prize Pack includes:
• Porcelain white dinner set x 2........... RRP$119.96
• Porcelain white rice bowls x 4 .......... RRP$27.92
• Porcelain white milk jug.................... RRP$9.98
• Porcelain white tea pot – 4 cup ......... RRP$19.98
• Rectangular serving platter .............. RRP$29.98
• Kiwiana classic mugs x 4 .................. RRP$31.92
• Jason large tray ................................. RRP$28.98
• Set of 6 Jason placemats .................. RRP$40.00
• Set of 6 Jason coasters ..................... RRP$19.98
• Set of large Jason placemats ........... RRP$24.98
• Kiwiana classic tea towels x 2........... RRP$15.96
• 100% cotton 6 seater tablecloth ....... RRP$49.98
• 100% cotton set of napkins x 6 ......... RRP$29.88
• 100% cotton set of placemats x 6 ..... RRP$59.88
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CondITIonS oF EnTrY:
You may enter only once. There are 2 prize packs as out-
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redeemable for cash. The winners will be notified by phone
or email by 31 August 2011. Employees of MMS Publishing,
Jasons and their immediate families and agencies are not
eligible to enter. All entrants with a valid email address will
be notified of the winners of this competition. Prices quoted
in this promotion were accurate recommended retail prices
at time of publication. Projects HOW TO and Jasons accept
no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred from the
use of these products.
 How To Ceiling Insulation

Warm it up
by Shaun Evans

New Zealand has more than it’s fair share

of cold and draughty homes. The reasons
are a combination of under investment,
poor design and poor maintenance. Home
insulation only became mandatory in 1978;
so if your home was constructed before
then, it’s likely you are in need of insulation.

14 15
 How To

Build in your energy

savings now...
and save up to a further 17% on your heating costs*
Building or renovating is the best time to include insulation that will future-proof your home. By using
Pink® Batts® thermal insulation you can reduce the amount of heat loss from your home. This diagram
explains where the heat is lost from a home, and what products to use where.

Go beyond the minimum and save Consider sound as well

Install insulation with higher R-values to future proof your
home against rising energy costs. An R-value measures
a products resistance to heat flow. By installing insulation
with a high R-value such as Pink® Batts® Ultra™ into
walls, ceilings and under your floors, you can create a
significantly warmer and more comfortable home that’s free
from mould and condensation. Also, you can reduce your
home’s heating costs by up to 17%* compared to installing
the minimum levels required by the NZ Building Code.
Use Pink® Batts® Silencer® acoustic insulation strategically,
by building into internal walls wherever you wish to
decrease sound transmission between rooms; such as
bedroom and bathroom.
*Test results illustrate estimated energy savings for particular scenarios.
Savings will vary dending on factors such as building design, construction
and location. Building Workshop Architectural Consultants 2005.

Licence No 2504017.
Thermal (resistive type)
building insulants.

42% through the roof

® ®
Use Pink Batts Ultra
TM
We’d love to help
24% through the wall
® ®
Use Pink Batts Ultra
TM you further
Our Comfort in Style
brochure is full of
tips and how to’s
for planning, buying
The monetary price we pay for un-insulated houses comes • A minimum of R3.2 blanket insulation or R4.0 and installing the
in the form of wasted energy from heating homes that segment insulation if your home is in the South Island correct insulation.
are unable to retain heat. The damp and the moisture
or Central Plateau.
also have negative effects on the structure of our houses, Where does For a FREE copy, email us on
but more worrying still is the toll it can take on your
family’s comfort and health.
Combine this with advice from trained professionals the heat go? savings@pinkbatts.co.nz.
at Mitre 10 and online resources and choosing your Include your name and
Installing insulation in your ceiling is a first best step to insulation is a breeze. postal address and we’ll
retaining heat and starting the process of having a warm send you a brochure.
and healthy home. Ceiling insulation can be made from Insulation is available either as segments, which fit
polyester, wool, fibreglass and a range of other materials – between the joists in your ceiling, or blankets, which
some are good and some are great (always choose great!).
are designed to be rolled out across the top of the
Insulation choices are made easily these days with the ceiling joists. If you are using segments, ensure you Internal wall
use of R-values:
use Pink® Batts®
select a higher R rating to make up for the loss of heat 10% through the ®
Silencer to
®
through the joists themselves. Blanket insulation can floor® Use Pink ® reduce noise
• A minimum of R2.8 blanket insulation or R3.4 transmissions
Batts Cosyfloor
segment insulation if your home is in the North Island still be effective at lower R ratings, but only slightly

Energi 83151
www.comfortablehomes.co.nz
(excluding the Central Plateau); or lower (to achieve an R3.3 use R3.2).

16
 How To
Run through this checklist
to assess
your ceiling insulation statu
s:
• Do you have ceiling insula
tio
• Is your ceiling insulatio
n 120mm thicker than
your ceiling joists?
• Is your insulation gap fre
e?
• I s your insulation dry?
• Do you have any vermin inf
• Does your insulation cover
the
• Is your insulation 150mm
cle
other heat sources?
All of these questions will need to be answered and
addressed, the first being the easiest with the easiest
solution – just visit Mitre 10 and order enough for the
job!
18
Ceiling Insulation
So, let’s pop the manhole cover for your ceiling cavity and get to work:
1 Use a sharp knife to cut the segments in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,
allowing for good friction fit.
2
Gently push the cut segments into the ceiling space over the ceiling battens. Ensure there
are no gaps around the outer edges and no folds. If you need to use two segments in one
3
space, make sure there is no gap between the two.
There must be total cover in your ceiling and this must extend to at least 50% of the exterior
wall top plate, except where there are obvious obstructions.
4 Keep a minimum of 25mm clear space between your insulation and the roof underlay or roofing
material if it is exposed. This is because insulation products can expand after insulation.
5 If you are installing insulation up into a first storey ceiling cavity before lining, you may need to
use strapping to hold it in place until the lining is fitted.
6 It’s a requirement to attach a label from the insulation product to a ceiling rafter or truss with
bale weight, R-value, thickness (mm), date installed and product installed.
7 Once you have installed your insulation, it’s best practice to check for and repair any visible gaps,
tucking in or folds. Use off-cuts to fill in small gaps around doors, windows or double stud cavities.
There are many fixtures and fittings in your ceiling cavity of where the access hatch is located so you do not back
that you must be careful of when installing insulation. into it and fall.
The first and most dangerous are electrical cables and
There are many great installers available if you are
lighting. It’s a good idea to turn the power off to avoid
unsure about your skill level for this project and the
any accidents.
n? team at Mitre 10 has a list to help you. There is one thing
Heat sources like down lights, fire flues, fan units and that is for sure is that once your insulation is installed,
vents should all be avoided by 150mm. When working you and your family will notice the difference in terms of
in the roof cavity of your house, always remember to comfort, warmth and saving on your power bill.
watch where you are putting your weight and be aware
estations?
whole area?
Bata footwear... Hero
• Leather upper
Sonic (Einstein) • Steel toe
• Acid/oil and slip resistant
ar of down lights and • Full leather upper dual density PU sole
• Rubber outsole • “Tunnel System” energy return
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• EVA midsole for comfoort • Approved to AS/NZ 2210.3
approved
• Steel toe approveed to • Sizes 5 to 13
AS/NZ 22210.3
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• Siz
It is easy to install insulation in your ceiling with two or
three people. Doing it alone is possible; it just requires
more time and logistics. Getting the job done right is
important. Use any advantage you’ve got at your disposal.
Available at
 How To
Installation
equipment & safety
As with all DIY projects, installing ceiling
insulation requires concentration, a steady
hand and the right equipment. Safety
equipment is paramount, as you are dealing
with a product that can irritate your skin
and eyes. Also, the ceiling holds potential
dangers such as electrical cables, timber
splinters, exposed nails and, sometimes,
plumbing.
20
Here is a list of How To safety products you should have
for installing ceiling insulation:
• Dust mask: Ceilings are a dusty place and the
irritation from dust particles poses a health risk, so
using a disposable cotton pad mask is the very least
you can do to protect your lungs. If you are going to
be installing a lot of insulation, then it would pay to
invest in a more robust respirator.
• Clothing: Loose-fitting clothing will lessen the
chances of skin irritation from the insulation material.
• Footwear: Good shoes will make the difference in
terms of grip, comfort and the prevention of abrasions
or damage to your feet. The range of Bata products are
ideal and can be found at Mitre 10.
• Lamp and extension cord: An adequately lit work
area is essential; make sure you have an extension
cord about 15m long.
• Installing sticks: These should be about 1.5m long,
50mm wide and 5-10mm thick. They will allow you to
push the insulation into the corners, where the pitch
of the roof prevents you from doing so by hand.
• Knife: The sharper the knife, the better, as it will slice
through insulation for a clean edge. This edge will
give you the friction fit you need between the joists,
ensuring a professional and effective finish.
• Goggles: Due to the irritation caused by insulation it
is always a great idea to wear eye protection to ensure
your eyes are saved from unnecessary aggravation.
Use full enclosed goggles for this job.
Equipment
• G loves: Protect your hands from nails and splinters
and your skin from the irritation caused by insulation.
A good set of gloves will last you for many years and
they will be useful for many other projects.
• Ladder or steps: Access to the ceiling manhole is
essential and a good sturdy set of stairs or a ladder will
make your job that much easier. Measure the height
you need and try to get a set that match.
There are some important safety precautions that are
worth mentioning, specific to the installation of ceiling
insulation:
• Always have sufficient lighting. This is the key to being
aware of your surroundings and of threats to your
safety. It also helps you carry out a professional job.
• When you are working in your ceiling, it is a priority
that you only stand on ceiling joists. Standing on the
actual ceiling will crack it, requiring a large amount of
maintenance work. Worse still, if you go through the
ceiling, it is a long fall to the floor and injury is certain.
• Electrical hazards are everywhere in your ceiling and
accidentally interrupting the flow could put your life
in danger. Be aware of where the electrical cables are
and mark the areas where hidden cables lay.
• Beware of applying your weight to loose timber or pipe
work. It may not hold your weight.
Installing insulation is a great project for winter and the
tools you need are easy to find. Should you need more
information, talk to the team in store at your local Mitre 10.
21
 How To
In most instances, having both a corded electric drill and
a battery drill/driver is ideal. Even though they are both
quite similar in many respects, there are advantages
each offers over the other.
A battery drill has one major advantage over a mains-
powered electric drill and that is its mobility. The
disadvantage is that the drill is only as good as the
amount of charge in the battery.
Cordless drill batteries need to be charged regularly,
which could mean it’s out of action for a few hours while
charging – although most modern types have a one hour
turnaround charge time. Investing in a second battery or
buying a cordless drill kit with two batteries is one way
of getting around this.
An electric drill with a cord plugs straight into a power
point and can be used for long periods without ever
having to worry about losing charge or needing to replace
a battery. In most cases, a corded electric drill will also
offer significant power and torque advantages over its
battery-powered cousin.
Think about the size and type of jobs you will be using
your drill for when deciding what to purchase:
The hole story
by Scott Wilson
A drill is one of the most commonly used power
tools and should be one of the staple items in
any workshop. But the range is huge and the
choice is quite extensive, so how do you decide
which one you are going to buy?
22
Drills and Bits
Cordless drills are available in a range of standard
voltage sizes, from as little as 7.2 volts through to 18
volts, or even as high as 28 volts. Usually the higher the
voltage, the higher the power and torque and, as with the
mains power units, your choice will be dictated by the
jobs you have in mind.
Corded electric drills have motors measured in watts,
anywhere from 500 watts through to 750 watts is fairly
standard, but you can also obtain heavy-duty drills
upwards of 1000 watts.
Think about speed and torque, which can often be
more indicative factors than the power rating of the
motor. To give you some indication of the different
characteristics, think of high speed being good for
drilling small holes, while torque is good for larger
holes that require more ‘grunt’ to keep the bit twisting.
Usually, the higher the torque, the lower the speed, but
many drills – both electric and cordless – come with a
dual-speed gearbox that will allow you to shift between
the two settings.
A number of drills also offer variable speed dials, which is
good for situations where you need a slow speed to start
a hole.
23
 How To
When considering a drill, think about getting one that
has a clutch, especially if you are looking for a cordless
drill that you’ll be using to drive screws.
This setting will allow you to adjust how deep the screws
are driven before the clutch cuts in, which is especially
useful when working with plasterboard or similar
material where accurate ‘setting’ of screw heads is
essential.
Another useful feature is a reversible action, which
allows screws to be removed as well. This isn’t something
that’s just handy on a cordless drill, it can also be a very
useful feature on an electric drill when larger bits need
to be ‘backed out’.
24
If you are drilling into concrete or masonry, select a
drill with a hammer action, which will make this task
far easier. Not too long ago, you had to really search to
find a drill that had a hammer setting but these are now
commonplace.
The size of the chuck on your drill will determine what
size bits can be used in it, so take this into account when
looking at both corded and cordless drills. Most commonly,
you will find drills with either a 10mm or 13mm chuck,
which allows drills or bits with a shank of up to 10mm
or 13mm respectively to be fitted to the chuck. However,
heavy duty drills may come with a 16mm or even a 20mm
chuck, but these aren’t nearly as common and may need
to be specially sourced.
Hot Water
WELDED CARBIDE TEETH
GREATER LIFE & DURABILITY
SUPERIOR SPEED & FINISH
LONGER LIFE*
* vs. original MARATHON® blade
Also look at the type of chuck on each drill. Some are
the more traditional ‘keyed’ types, which need a key to
tighten and loosen them, while other are keyless and can
be tightened by hand, allowing for quick change outs of
drill or driver bits.
Some drills even come with a removable chuck to allow
a driver bit to be fixed directly into the ‘driveshaft’ at
the head of the drill. This driver bit then slides into a
housing on the inside of the chuck, so the chuck can
be replaced over the top of it. This allows for a drill bit
to be fitted to the chuck and then the chuck removed
to drive screws into place, making for a considerable
time saving.
www.irwintools.co.nz
25
 How To
Recommendation
If you are planning to outfit your workshop with a couple
of drills, we suggest a corded electric drill with a 13mm
chuck and a motor of minimum 500 watts, although a
750-watt drill does provide more versatility. Also, add an
18-volt battery drill with a second battery, which will be
a complementary tool to the electric drill. Useful, but not
essential, is a second cordless drill, which can be of lower
power than the 18 volt model.
Together, these tools will provide a well-rounded drilling
power tool package.
26
Twist bit
A twist bit is the most common type of drill bit and is
designed to give a clean and sharp cutting action at high
speed.
Twist drills use a sharp point to position the drill on the
cutting surface, with two sharp cutting faces (known as
lands) followed by the spiralled flutes that remove the
debris from the hole as it’s being drilled.
These come in a wide range of sizes and are available
for drilling both timber and metal, depending on which
option you choose.
Low carbon steel bits are the cheapest, but tend to dull
fairly easily even when used on softwoods. High-
speed steel (HSS) lasts longer and can be used
on hardwood and soft metals. You can also get
titanium-coated bits and carbide tipped bits,
which are more durable and will last longer.
The hole story
Drilling a hole seems like and easy enough job, right?
After all, you’ve already got yourself the right drill. But
have you got the right bit? Using the wrong bit to try and
drill a hole won’t just make things difficult, it can also
make a complete hash of the project you are working on.
This ‘How To’ guide to the more common types of drill
bits available gives you some idea of what you should
(and, just as importantly, shouldn’t) be using to drill your
holes:
Drills and Bits
Brad point bit
The brad point is a variation on the standard twist drill
and is also called a spur bit or dowelling bit. It has a
central point for extremely accurate positioning and
spurs on the outer edges of the lands, which are designed
to slice through the timber, preventing splintering.
Because they provide such clean drilling in timber, brad
point bits are especially suited for applications such as
dowelling.
Masonry
bit
These look very much
like a standard twist drill
bit, but are effectively useless
for drilling into anything
other than masonry, concrete,
brick or stucco. Masonry bits are
mostly made from HSS and have a
tungsten-carbide tip brazed into the
tip and lands.
These bits are typically used on a drill with
a hammer setting or in a rotary hammer drill.
Spade bit
If you need to drill larger diameter holes in timber, a
spade bit is one option open to you. With its wide, flat
blade and triangle-shaped pilot point, it’s designed to be
used in power drills. It is ideal for timber or composite
materials such as particle board or MDF. Many have
outer spurs (much like a brad point bit), designed to
score the hole as it’s being cut.
Auger wood bit
These are designed for cutting through timber and use a
central screw to pull the bit into the timber for accurate
drilling. They can be used in either a power drill or
with a traditional brace and bit and have wide lands for
accurate cutting, plus a cutting spur to scribe the hole as
it’s being bored. The wide flutes are designed to funnel
chips away from the inside of the bit.
Because they efficiently pull the debris out of the hole
as they bore into it, auger bits are really useful when
drilling deep holes into or through timber.
27
 Drills and Bits

Of course
you can make it
because GoldenEdge makes it easy with
Easi-Planks, Easi-Panels and Primed HMR Mouldings

Easi-Planks Easi-Panels Primed HMR

Made from 18mm
GoldenEdge MDF in a range
of convenient lengths and
widths to suit the DIYer.
Can be painted or stained.
Sizes (mm)
1200x600, 1200x900, 1200x1200
1800x300, 1800x400, 1800x600
2400x300, 2400x400, 2400x600
These come in a range of Mouldings
thicknesses from 4.75 to
This range of mouldings are
18mm, ideal for all sorts
machine coated with a
of projects.
premium acrylic undercoat.
Sizes In 5.4m lengths.
4.75 and 6mm
Bevelled Architrave
9, 12 and 18mm
1200x600, 1200x900
Bullnose Architrave

Forstner bit Countersink

Splayed Architrave

Colonial Architrave
Square Dressed
GoldenEdge Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is
the ideal material for a wide range of interior projects.
Whether you are making kitchen joinery, bookcases,
storage cabinets, furniture or toys, you’ll make it
easier with GoldenEdge MDF.
Incredibly versatile because of where they can be used,
Forstner bits allow the boring of really precise, smooth,
Bevelled Cornice
flat-bottomed holes in hard or soft woods. These bits have
a sharp central point, which makes it perfect for drilling
into the edge of a block of timber, for cutting overlapping
holes or for making partial arcs.
Hole saw
When you need to cut holes larger than a standard drill
bit will allow, a hole saw is the next option. These consist
of a saw-toothed cylinder fitted with a central pilot bit,
which can be removed to allow different-sized cylinders
to be fitted for different sized holes.
A countersink is a specialty bit, which is used for drilling
a tapered space for the head of a screw to sit below the
surface of the timber. Many countersink screws have ribs
on the underside of the head that will allow them to ‘self-
sink’ into softwoods, but in hardwoods they may need to
have the countersink cavity pre-drilled.
Countersinks come in a variety of styles and sizes and
need to be selected based on the size of the screw being
used. For example, a 10mm countersink won’t work with
a screw that has a head wider than 10mm.
The range of drills and drill bits available at Mitre 10
is extensive and caters for all of your needs. The staff
will help with any questions you have and their expertise
extends beyond drills and drill bits into the hardware you
need to do the job right.

from your nearest

Mitre 10 or Mitre 10 Mega
CLAUDE 14612

29
 How To

Child-proofing your home – playing it safe with Dreambaby®!

Toddler proof
So what steps can you take to locks &
latches

your home
toddler proof your home?
The most important thing to begin with is cupboard safety. You don’t need to
lock every door in the house, but kitchen cupboards and drawers should be
made impossible for little hands to open.

Think about any drawers with knives or sharp objects, breakable items
by Soraya Nicholas and personal things you don’t want your toddler riffling through! Medicine
cabinets and cupboards that hold household or other dangerous cleaning
products are also important to keep secure.
Many parents eagerly anticipate their
baby’s first steps, only to realise that with
walking, comes exploring! In the home, kitchen
this can be particularly dangerous,
safety
especially in the kitchen, laundry and
bathrooms, as well as around stairs.

stairways

For more information,

visit: www.tee-zed.co.nz
ph: 09 274 8788 or
email: sforster@tee-zed.co.nz
30
How To Toddler Proof

Dreambaby produces a clever range of products to

do exactly that, meaning you can be safe without
compromising on aesthetics. It has a range of locks,
latches and catches, even going so far as to devise
different types of safety products to ensure your toddler
doesn’t figure out how to use them all!

Children learn by watching, so if you purchase the same

latches for every cupboard, it might not be long before
they figure them out. Dreambaby recommends you use
a combination of its safety and slide catches, flexi-loop
locks and multi-purpose latches, which all provide safety
when it comes to cupboards and drawers throughout the
home.

The bathroom is another area that parents need to be

particularly vigilant about. Aside from being responsible
and watching over little ones when they are in the bath,
you need to carefully monitor the temperature of water
and ensure they don’t have free access to the bathroom
on their own.

The toilet is one item that has the potential to be fatal,

as does water in the bath, because it doesn’t take much
water for a small child to drown. Once again, latches can
be used on the toilet to keep it safe and it is recommended
to never leave water in the bath unattended.

32
How To Toddler Proof

Staircases have the potential to be equally

dangerous should your child be left to play
on them alone. If you live in a house with
steps or stairs, the best practice is to teach
your child to ascend them holding on to a
rail or adult’s hand and to come down the
stairs on their hands and knees – and not
head first!

While it’s a great idea to teach your child

to be careful when using the stairs, they
should never be allowed to do so on their
own. To prevent this, the safest option is
to install a correctly sized gate for the top
and bottom of the staircase. Dreambaby
produces a variety of different gates and
extensions, which will suit your space and
décor.

It’s not just the obvious safety factors that

can harm your young child, there are plenty
of other health-related risks in the home.
At this time of year, when the weather is
cold and often wet, dampness can affect
you and your toddler’s health. An easy
and relatively inexpensive product that
can significantly help to reduce moisture
is DampRid. For a stylish alternative look
for the dehumidifying egg from Dreambaby,
constructed from water glass it is super
absorbent and looks good enough to leave
out as decoration.

34
 SAVE
Toddler Proof

%
The purpose of this clever creation is to

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VE
moisture to create fresher, healthier air.
Other ways in which you can keep your
SA

home environment healthy and safe for

your children is to close curtains before
dark to retain warmth and to try to keep
your house above the World Health
Organization recommended minimum
A
publicAtion indoor temperature of 18ºC.

On the AT l A Talking about heat, make sure pot handles

Level Staying straig

FoR S Tool
g A R yo U R S
dEn
- SE
E PA
g E 51
are always turned in when they are on the
stove and cords from hot items such as jugs
ht and true and irons are out of reach of children. Burns
Vanity affa are one of the most common household
Adding valueir
in your bathr
oom accidents involving little ones.
In the gard
Adding cotta
ge colour
en: Preventative measures are always best
Make your ow
n..and save
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 How To Paint Roller

It is essential to use clean equipment. A good-quality

roller will hold more paint and give you a better finish
than one clogged from previous projects. Choosing a
roller will depend on the area you intend using it for.
This will dictate the width you need. Ask your local Mitre
10 staff for help if the choice is too daunting!

Before you start, ensure you have

everything you will need for the
project:
• Paint • Paint tray • Roller
• Roller extension handle
• Step ladder • Masking tape
• Drop cloth

When you bring your new roller home, give it a good

rinse in water (waterborne paints) or turps (for solvent
borne paints). This will remove any loose fibres or dust.
If your roller handle has been used before, make sure to
check the bearing. If it does not roll smoothly, apply oil
at either end.

This is your essential painting companion. A tray allows

you to measure out the correct amount of paint thanks to
easy-to-read levels. The ribbed section of the tray allows
you to roll the excess paint off your roller, ensuring you
have consistent coverage every time.

Rolling out
by Shaun Evans

Want a professional paint finish? Need to get the

job done right, first time? Then you need to get to
grips with your paint roller. A roller is by far the
fastest and easiest way to control the application
of paint to large flat surfaces. The fabric pile
on the roller is the key to the effortless yet
professional finish you can achieve.

38 39
 How To
One roller load of paint should cover about
half a square metre.
Avoid overfilling the tray, as this will lead to too much
paint on your roller, uneven coverage on your walls and
the increased chance of spillages.
Wall application
Achieving an excellent surface finish is easy when you
know how. When you are painting a ceiling or a wall,
always paint across the shortest distance. If your wall is
2.7m high and 4m long, you should paint up and down to
get the better result.
Here’s ‘How To’ paint your wall with a
roller:
1. Cutting in
Use a paintbrush to cut into the edges of the wall, as
well as your windows and doorways. ‘Cutting in’ refers
to painting the areas where the roller sleeve won’t reach
effectively. Cut in the entire wall or ceiling area before
you roll. To prevent unwanted overlaps, 3M has a range
of Scotch Blue masking tapes that are fit for purpose.
2. Applying paint
Load your roller with paint and remove any excess on the
ribbed section of your paint tray. Start from the top left
of the wall and apply the paint to an area approximately
2m high by three roller widths wide.
40
Roll the first stroke upwards on the wall to help control
any dripping and then continue using a rolling ‘W’
pattern. Roll over as much of the cutting in as you can to
ensure a more uniform finish, as brushed areas will look
different than rolled areas. Use the leading edge of the
roller to get as close to the cutting in as possible.
Continue until you reach the skirting board at the base
of the wall. You should use about three or four roller
loads to achieve this result and you may also need to thin
your paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ensure the roller is wet with paint the whole time you
are painting as a dry roller will lead to a patchy finish.
3. Laying off
You should lay off once you’ve painted an area
approximately 1.8m wide. Roll any excess paint on your
roller onto the next area you will paint, or newspaper if
you have nearly finished.
Letting the weight of the roller run down the wall, start
50cm from the bottom and roll lightly to the bottom.
Keep your hand and the handle close to the wall, as this
will help avoid applying too much pressure. When you
have reached the bottom, return the roller to the 50cm
mark with the same amount of pressure and repeat the
process, overlapping each lay-off motion.
Your
helping hand
with colour
Need to match an existing
colour or material but you
have no idea of which Resene
colour might be closest?
Apply paint by using the rolling ‘W’ pattern.
The new Resene ColourHelper is
here to help. Simply take the Resene
ColourHelper, push it down to ‘read’
Now start 30cm from the top and roll lightly roll upwards. Let the
the target colour three times and it
weight of the roller run down the wall slowly, pulling the roller
will let you know three Resene colours
away from the wall as you reach the 50cm mark near the bottom of
closest to the colour you have measured.
the wall.
It can also suggest complementary colour
Roller care options, tell you the difference between
two colours so you can see how similar,
If you need to take a break from your painting, try to stop at a or different, they are and suggest other
natural junction on the wall like a corner. Put your roller in your
colours.
paint tray and then put a plastic bag around its entirety and seal
it as best as possible. This will keep your roller wet and ready for The Resene ColourHelper is self
painting when you come back. sufficient so can be used in store or
on the job. Contact your local Mitre 10
Wash rollers and paint trays immediately after use. Roll out as
MEGA or Resene ColorShop to try out
much excess paint as possible and immerse the roller sleeve in a
bucket of water and work through the pile with your fingers. You the Resene ColourHelper for yourself.
may need to repeat this process to clean the sleeve. Once it is clean,
dry naturally. Dispose of soiled water in your garden, not in the
drain.
Roller sleeves that have been used to apply solvent-based paints are
best discarded, as they are difficult to clean.
www.resene.co.nz
 How To
Protect your
professional
paint finish
Now you’ve finished painting the walls and
are admiring your handy work, you will
need to get your artwork and organisers
back on the wall. The last thing you want
to do is damage your professional paint
finish, so the clever people at 3M have
designed a range of products to help.
The Command range of products is fantastic. Forget nails
and screws, tacks or messy adhesives, with Command
strips you can decorate and organise your home, while
protecting your professional paint finish.
The patented stretch release technology of command
strips provides an amazing level of hold, while giving you
the protection of damage-free removal.
Use Command hooks to put up short-term decorations
for birthday parties and special occasions without leaving
holes in your walls. Use the Command Key Holder to
stick near your front door, so you can hang all of your
keys in one area. While you’re at it, use a Command
42
Damage-Free Picture
Hanging Solutions
Hook to hang your jackets and bags there too.
If you’ve been painting in the laundry, bathroom or the
utility room, Command has solutions there too. Bath
caddy, soap dish, wire hooks and spring clips can hold just
about anything, from ladders and dust pans to shampoos
and hair driers.
Your kid’s room is a must for the Command solution; get
them to hang their school bags, jackets, headphones and
even their calendars. Poster strips will save your walls Command™ Sticky Nail Metal Picture Command™ Picture Hanging Strips
and allow them to put up pictures of their favourite band, Hangars – for wire-backed or – one click tells you they’re locked
as their ‘taste’ dictates. sawtooth picture frames. in & holding tight.
To remove any of the command products from your Effortless decorating can be yours with Command™ Picture Hanging Solutions from 3M.
walls, just pull the stretchy tag at the bottom and the They’re easy to apply and remove with no damage and let you rearrange as often as you like.
Command product will pull away without leaving a sign
Take command of your space.
it was ever there – brilliant!
There is a multitude of ways to use Command around
your house and the trained staff at Mitre 10 have Available at:
all the information and products at their fingertips.
For more information on ideas and products, go to
www.command.com.
www.commandstrips.co.nz
 How To
Six ways by Sandy Johnson
Weeds are here to stay, but, with a little
help from our ‘How To’ tips, you can keep
them under control.
The seeds that bring weeds arrive in your garden in
various ways, by sticking to your shoes and clothes, being
carried by birds or on the wind.
Often just cultivating the soil can bring seeds that have
lain dormant for years to the surface, where they will
germinate. The trick is to keep them to a manageable
level.
1. Mulching
Spreading a material around the base of your plants
and over bare soil acts to smother the weeds before they
emerge. As well as adding valuable nutrients to your
soil as it decomposes, mulch encourages earthworms
and conserves moisture. The differing types of mulching
material include bark, compost and pea straw. However,
you need to be careful with straw as it may bring its own
weeds along. Newspaper can be applied under a nicer
cover of bark or straw.
2. Weed mat
Applied correctly, a good weed mat covers the soil to
prevent weeds from gaining a hold. There are two types
of weed mat material – one is a heavier spun fabric and
the other is a woven fabric.
They do vary greatly in cost and performance, although
the woven version is the best performer and will last for
approximately fifteen years before it starts to tear. Spun
fabric weed mat will give you four years before it starts
to break down.
44
3. Competition
Effective and fun, simply crowd out weeds with desirable
shrubs and flowers. This will starve them of essential
light and space, giving the weeds less chance of taking
hold.
4. First strike
Take your garden hoe to any weeds when they first pop
their heads up and spend five minutes to lightly push the
hoe through the soil, which will cut the weeds off at the
head. Leave them to rot into the soil; this method takes a
few minutes and saves hours of work in the future if they
are left to grow.
5. Remove flower heads
The very least you can do if you are pushed for time is to
remove the flowers by pruning or pulling them off. This
will stop the weed from producing seeds that will fall to
the ground and start the growing cycle over again.
6. Weed killers
These work in various ways. The poison enters the
plant’s system and gets to work destroying the green
foliage. There are many sprays on the market and if
you are not sure which spray to use, consult your local
Mitre 10 store or download the Yates application for your
iPhone or iPod.
Spraying in windy conditions is wasteful and ineffective,
as the spray can drift and kill healthy plants or giving you
spotty coverage. Weed killers do not provide better results
by doubling the amount of concentrate and spraying
within five hours of rain will reduce the effectiveness.
www.masterpet.co.nz
 How To Checklist

July checklist by Sandy Johnson

It can be difficult to get enthusiastic about your garden

at this time of year, especially in the vegetable plot.
The soil is too cold and wet for many plants, but it is
still a busy time of the year, especially in areas of the
country where July is a lot warmer.

Home grown
• Maintain your tools by cleaning off dirt and mud.
• Sharpen the blades of your pruning gear, ready for the
spring.
• Cabbage, spinach and onions can still be planted at
this time of year.
• To prevent the spread of bugs, clean and disinfect your
greenhouse ready for the coming season.
• Finish your entire pruning on fruit trees or grape
vines.
Fruit trees can still be planted:
• Choose an open, sunny site with good drainage.
• Prepare the hole to be larger than required and dig
through your compost.
• Be sure not to plant a new tree where an old one has
been.
• Stake well at time of planting.
Citrus trees will benefit from a preventative spray,
remember to follow the instructions on the bottle and
wear protective clothing.
When to apply What to apply
Winter at 3 - 4 week intervals Copper Oxychloride
Winter as a cleanup spray Spraying oil
Seed potatoes will now be arriving in • It will take about two to three weeks for them to come up.
stores: • Apply potatoes fertiliser every 2-3 weeks to the side of the
crop and water well in avoiding the foliage.
• P
 lanting can start in late winter in warmer regions.
• As the potatoes grow, you can mound up the soil around
• C
 older regions will require planting to be delayed until
them to protect them from insects, wind and disease.
the danger of frost is over.
• B
 ase your choice of potato on the potatoes you buy
from the supermarket.
Flower garden
• S
 eed potatoes need to sprout before they are planted, • Sweet peas can be planted now for a colourful display in the
so purchase them one to two months before planting. spring.
• R
 emove the seed potatoes from the bag and spread • Winter stocks of deciduous trees have arrived in stores and
them out in a dry, airy place, allowing the sprouts to it is a good time to plant them. Prepare the ground with
generous amounts of compost and stake the trees firmly.
form.
• T
 he sprouts need to be about 1-2 cm in length before • Prune your roses to maintain an open, symmetrical shape,
they are ready to plant. encouraging strong new growth.
• D
 on’t plant any that show weak growth. • Remove all dead, damaged and diseased wood from your
• P
 repare your garden well one month prior to planting roses and open the bush by removing any branches that
cross.
by adding green manure or quality compost.
• C
 hoose a well-drained, sheltered spot and plant your • Thin out the centre of the bush to let in air and sunlight and
already sprouted potatoes about 15cm deep with the facilitate spraying.
sprouts facing up and at least 25cm apart.
• Look out for any growth that occurs below the bud union at
• P
 lant carefully and take care not to damage the
the base of the plant and remove them by pulling them out
sprouts.
firmly (wear gloves for this).
Disease or Pest
Verrucosis and brown rot. • Cut back all previous season growth by at least one-third
Scale, aphid, mealy bug and thrips the length of the new growth.

46 47
 How To Citrus Trees

If you are planting more than one citrus tree at

the same time, plant them at least three meters
apart.

When you are choosing your tree, look for vigorous top Mix a couple of handfuls of blood and bone to the bottom
growth and a strong framework. If there are two trunks of the hole and lightly mix it into the soil.
branching out from the bottom forming a “V” shape,
Use the soil level that is in the bag as a planting depth
stay away from it. If there is any fruit on the tree when
guide and try not to exceed this level as having the trunk
you buy it, take it off, as this will give the tree a better

Bearing fruit
buried in soil can encourage rot.
chance of establishing itself, rather than wasting energy
on developing and stunting its early growth. Use only topsoil to fill in around your new citrus tree. If
you are a little short of soil, mix the top soil with a little
Planting citrus can be done at most times during the
planting mix.
year, but wait until frosts have passed before planting
new trees. Choose a warm, sheltered, sunny site, as they Leave out the subsoil that you took from the hole. This
by Sandy Johnson
don’t like to be exposed to a prevailing wind. Use a shed, will often be hard and heavy, providing little or no benefit
fence or hedge to give the tree the protection it needs. to your new tree.
Of all the types of fruit trees you can choose
Citrus trees have a lot of surface roots and require a bit Tamp the soil down well and give it its first watering.
from, citrus trees can be the easiest to grow. The
of room around them to get the nutrients they require.
undisputed health benefits and uses of citrus
fruit, in everything from cooking to preserves,
Competing plants should be kept well away.
Feeding
Drainage is also important to your citrus trees. Heavy Fertilising your citrus trees is necessary, as they require
make them an extremely versatile addition to
clay soils will waterlog the roots in the winter and a healthy, balanced diet. Often a poor crop will be due to
your garden and your kitchen.
cause them to dry out in the summer, either of which is insufficient feeding. Use a prepared citrus fertiliser twice
undesirable. a year, first in August and then again around February,
always water the fertiliser in well.
Planting Citrus trees will sometimes need an extra boost during
Prepare the hole by digging it a little deeper than the the season to balance any magnesium deficiencies. This
length of the bag and half as wide; this will make filling deficiency is evident by a yellowing of the leaves and can
it easier. be corrected by using Epsom salts.

48 49
 How To
R

You can use mulch around citrus trees, like grass clippings,
leaf mould and compost, as they will add nutrients to the
Bugs and diseases TYPE GROWING NOTES FRUIT
soil and will help conserve water in the summer. Pull These do affect citrus trees, but, in conjunction with a
Lemons
back the mulch when feeding with fertiliser and make good feeding and watering programme, spraying can
it is not sitting around the trunk, as this creates moist be kept to a minimum. The table below outlines a good Hardy and will grow in most
Medium-sized fruit with a
conditions, especially suited to cooler
conditions that are ideal for bark diseases. basic spray programme and the two sprays mentioned Meyer milder flavour and a thicker
climates. It is smaller than other trees
are considered to be environmentally friendly. and is free of thorns.
skin. Crops during winter. Pick up your free copy
Pruning For smaller gardens, there is always room for a lemon
Large, vigorous tree with an upright Firm skin with a sour juice. of the LATEST edition of
Foreno’s UNPLUGGED
Lisbon growing habit and few thorns. Hardy Crops late winter to early
Citrus tree pruning is fairly straightforward. Early tree. For those of you that have the room for more citrus but not as hardy as the Meyer. spring.
pruning is usually done to improve the shape of the tree, trees, this following guide features the most popular.
Villa Franca
Less thorns and a smaller tree than a Bears fruit at an earlier age Magazine in store...
while pruning as the tree ages is for health and fruit Lisbon. and crops during summer.
Tricks of the trade:
UNPLUGGED
production. Citrus wood is a soft wood, so it is essential Smaller fruit with excellent
A small tree that produces fruit all year
Yen Ben juice and acid levels. Fruits
to make sure any cuts or damage to the wood is cleaned, round. Excellent juice levels.
• T
 o do a quick drainage check, fill your pre-dug hole to all year round. de
sealed and protected with a pruning paste to prevent Tapware Buyers Gui
the top with water. If it doesn’t drain away within an Mandarins
ISSUE 3

borer.
hour, then this is probably not the best place for your
Sweet and easy peeling LOV
your kitchen
E
• Prune to keep the tree open to sunlight by removing citrus trees. with no pips. Fruit is small ... get what you reall
y want

branches that overcrowd the centre of the tree. Satsuma A vigorous tree with a plentiful crop. and shouldn’t be left on the
• L
 emons are excellent for natural disinfectant for tree too long as it will dry
• Remove damaged or badly infected branches and out. Harvest June to August. Bold Ba throoms
wooden bread boards – simply wash your bread board Add the WOW factor
to your bathroom

reduce long branches by half. in hot soapy water, then cut a lemon in half and rub Sweet, easy to peel fruit
A more compact tree with a plentiful
• As the tree grows ensure the start of the branches are the surface of the board and leave it out in the sun to Silverhill with no pips. Harvest June
crop.
to August.
at least a metre from the ground, this will protect the dry. The astringent in the lemon will leave the wood
Sweet, easy to peel fruit
branches from the mower. clean, white and smelling fresh. Miagawa A vigorous tree with a plentiful crop. with no pips. Harvest June Plus n
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• Remove shoots that grow from the trunk below the • Autoflo - Electronic
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 good way to store lemons is to leave them on the tree,
Easy to peel fruit that is a
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as the quality of the fruit pulp and juice will continue Richard Special A larger tree with a plentiful crop. little larger. Ripens June to
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limb or cross over the centre of the tree, as these will
• A
 lways pick your fruit by using secateurs or scissors,
Grapefruit With MORE products,
rub together cause damage to the bark.
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Seedless and can be left to
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• C
 itrus fertiliser can also be used to feed your Hibiscus, Best Seedless
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Better suited to warm climate. from August through to Nat’
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November (when the petal Copper Oxychloride Verrucosis, brown rot and thrips fruit, which will turn yellow
from TV2’s Dreamh
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May Copper Oxychloride Verrucosis, brown rot and thrips frosts
knobbly. Also suited for
June Copper Oxychloride Verrucosis, brown rot and thrips growing in a container.

50
 How To

It seems like an obvious point to make, but follow the

instructions on the packet. The guide to the planting
depth of each variety of seed will vary. If your seed is
planted too deep, it will decay without germinating.

Seed trays
Start your seeds by sowing them in a seed tray or peat
pot first. This will give you a better chance of success,
as it protects the seed from harsh weather and potential
pests. It is also best to use seed raising mix; the lighter
soil mix is perfect for tender shoots to push through.

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Let it grow
by Sandy Johnson

Growing your plants from seed is both frustrating and

rewarding. However, there are a few simple guidelines that
can make your efforts more successful and productive. It
is important to remember the three principle components
that are essential for seed germination – heat, air and Larger seeds such as beans and peas should
moisture. be planted in their final position in the garden.

52
 How To
Instructions for planting seed trays:
• Fill the seed tray or pot with seed raising mix to 1cm
below the top of the container.
• Level off the soil and firm it down with your hand.
• Place seed evenly over the surface and then cover the
seeds lightly and evenly with seed raising mix.
• Once covered, gently firm down the surface.
• Cover the tray with plastic, glass or a sheet of paper,
as this will keep the seed moist and warm during
germination.
• Water the seeds using a mister, a finer spray and
prevent soaking the seed.
Seeds do not require light to germinate, but they
do require light once they have germinated. After
germination (when you see green growth), take the
cover off and move the tray to a warm, sunny, sheltered
position. Remember to also protect them from the cooler
night temperatures.
54
Transplanting Tricks of the trade
Referred to as pricking out, transplanting your seedlings • If too many seeds germinate at one time, thin them out by hand.
into their new home in your garden requires the seed to
• Choose only the strongest plants to transplant in to your garden.
produce two to four true leaves first. Once you have this,
follow these instructions: • Slugs and snails love tender young seedlings, so protect them with
Blitzem or Baysol from Yates.
• Using a pencil, gently dig beneath the seedling and lift
it out carefully. • Use Yates seed tapes, as these are pre-spaced seeds on a
biodegradable tape that can be laid out to any length you require.
• Make a hole in your garden’s moist soil big enough for
the seedling. • Label your trays, so you know what you’re growing.
• Place seedling in the hole and firm soil around it. For easy and even distribution of your seeds, try making your own
seed mat. This can make sowing easier and reduce waste. On a
• A cloche or plastic tunnel will help protect the
single kitchen paper towel, lay out your seeds, spaced as per the
seedlings, allowing them to acclimatise.
directions on the back of the packet. Place another towel over the
• Maintain protection from slugs, as they love tender top and lightly mist with water. Place this on your prepared seed
young seedlings. tray and cover with the rest of the seed raising mix.
Larger, hardier seeds like beans and peas can be planted
straight in to the ground, right where you want them to
grow. Attention needs to be paid to preparing the soil, so
that you give them the best chance to germinate. C
• Prepare the soil by digging in generous quantities of
Y
peat or compost.
CM
• W
 ork the soil to a fine grade to ensure the MY
soil is free from large clumps. CY
CMY
• Level and smooth the soil surface
K
using a rake, or your hand.
• F
 or best results, always sow
seeds into moistened soil.
• When seedlings appear, thin
them out to give you the
desired spacing.
• Use a cloche or plastic tunnel
to protect seedlings from
frosts or harsh weather until
the seedling is large enough
to fend for itself.
 How To Weeds and Frosts

Combat weeds
by Sandy Johnson
and frost
A weed mat covers the soil, preventing weeds from
gaining hold, but they also let air, light and moisture
through, so that seedlings will flourish under the fabric.
There are two types of weed mat to choose from – non-
woven or woven – and they vary in cost and performance.

Woven weed mats are best. They are UV stable and will
last around 15 years before they start to show signs of
wear and tear. Spun weed mats are made from a stronger
form of fabric and are a lot lighter. However, they will
only last 3-5 years.

56 57
 How To
Prepare the ground well before laying the weed mat.
This will give you better and longer-lasting results.
• Remove all weeds or lawn from the area that you are
intending to cover, either by spraying or digging out.
Watch out for the persistent Kikuyu, as this will just
grow along under the mat till it finds a place to pop
out. A second spraying maybe required to combat this.
• Level off any lumps and fill in any hollows in the
garden. This will give the finished product a better
look.
• Lay out the weed mat on your prepared soil. If you
need more than one piece to cover the area, slightly
overlap the two pieces.
• Using metal weed mat pins, anchor the fabric down
in the soil. These pins are especially useful on a slope.
• Planting can now take place. Put out your plants in
their final position. With a sharp knife or scissors, cut
an ‘X’ shape a little larger than the size of the plant.
58
• Fold back the edges to open the hole up and plant in
that spot.
• Fertilise, then fold the weed mat back around the plant
stem.
• Now cover the weed mat with a more natural-looking
product of your choice such as stones, crushed shell,
nugget or strip bark.
• Aim for approx 5-6 cm depth of top cover.
Tricks of the trade
• Freshen up the top mulch every few years, as this will
extend the life of your weed mat.
• Keep the weed mat covered from the sun.
• For a neat edge, especially with the woven cloth, fold it
under itself before pinning it down.
Weeds and Frosts
How to use a frost
cloth
Most areas in New Zealand will experience frosts to
varying degrees and although they can cause enormous
damage, they are also beneficial to the garden; especially
in the control of insects. The best way to avoid damage
is to cover plants that are susceptible to frost damage by
giving them a blanket at night to keep them warm.
Frost cloth is available in Mitre 10 stores and will help
protect your plants from frost between 2-4 degrees. It is
a lightweight polypropylene fabric that lets air and water
in but insulates from the cold at night, as the frost settles
on the cloth and not your plants.
• Cold, windless nights usually mean a frost or, at the
very least, temperatures just about freezing, which
will also damage newly planted seedlings.
• Keep the frost cloth a little off the plants, especially
in areas that are susceptible to very hard frost, as the
cloth can freeze to the plant.
• Use garden stakes or nearby trees or fences to give the
cloth some height.
• Anchor your cloth using clothes pegs, clips or simply
tie the ends together.
• Remove the cloth as soon as the sun is on the garden.
• Always dry the cloth before storing it away to prevent
mould.
Tricks of the trade
• If you have frost damage, you can leave the frosted
parts on the shrubs and climbers and only remove
when all danger of frost is over. When you do this, any
new growth is held off until all frosts are over.
• If the cloth has become stuck to your plants, give it a
light sprinkling with water to loosen the fabric.
• Frost cloth is an excellent fabric for making clothing
or toy patterns, as it maintains a firm shape when dry
and does not fray.
59
 Portable Heat

Warmth
weedmats &
frost protection on the move
Selecting portable heaters for your
home is easy when you have the right
information. Looking at the space you
need to heat, when you want to heat it,
how long for and how much it will cost on
your power bill is the important first step.

Available at

61
 How To
You want heaters that work quickly and efficiently;
getting a large heater to heat the room quickly is the right
way to save power. Heating a cold room takes longer than
heating a slightly warm room, so draft prevention is key.
There are a number of
options available:
Convection heaters
These are designed to provide background warmth, as
they warm the air near the element or body of the heater.
The warm air circulates by natural convection around
the room, although many have a fan, which provides
faster, more even heating.
The most popular type of convection heater is the upright
oil-filled column heater. Less popular, but cheaper, is the
box type with a heating element in the bottom and a
grille at the top to let the warm air out.
Panel heaters
These are popular convection heaters that mount
permanently to your wall and are designed to provide
background heat. They are permanently wired and
usually use electricity at the normal daytime rate.
Micathermic heaters
These combine technology from convection and reflective
heating. This type of heater will reach its maximum heat
output within 60 seconds. They are extremely quiet and
there are no glowing parts. This is a very safe type of
heater.
62
Portable Heat
Night-storage heaters
These are permanently installed convection heaters
but they use off-peak night-rate electricity. They store
the heat for slow release during the day. Therefore, as
a background heating option for a living area, they are
more suitable for people who are home most of the time.
For a bedroom area, a night-storage heater in the passage
can spread warmth into several rooms.
Portable fan heaters
Fan heaters squat on the floor and provide a blast
of warm air directly onto your body. They’re not as
good as convection heaters for providing general
background warmth, as the fan can be noisy and
cause draughts.
Radiant heaters
These have glowing electric elements with reflectors
to radiate heat directly onto you. They provide quick
directional heat to a small area of a room and also provide
some convection heat.
Example:
What size heater?
Where? A well-insulated bedroom 3m x 4m x 2.4m
A useful guide to calculating the size you need is:
Lounge/family room high has a volume of 28.8 cubic metres.
• Allow about 44 watts per cubic metre of room volume. These areas need background warmth and although heat
Multiply by 44 to get 1267 watts, and again
pumps are the best long-term choice, panel and other
by 1.2 to get 1520 watts (1.5kW).
• Add another 10% for each large window and another
convection heaters are also suitable. You might also want This shows more accurately the capacity of
10-20% for partial or no insulation.
some specific spot heating – if you’re watching TV or heater you’ll need to maintain a comfortable
• If it’s your lounge, multiply by 1.5. If it’s a bedroom, standing at the kitchen sink, a portable fan or radiant temperature.
multiply by 1.2, and for other areas multiply by 0.8. heater will do the job.
63
 How To
Bedrooms
These require less heat than living areas, so you only
need to keep the chill off. Choose from a panel or oil-
filled column heater with thermostat and maybe a timer.
A night-store heater in the hallway is also an option.
Garage or workshop
These areas are best heated by a portable fan or radiant
heaters, as the area is large and will need all the help available
to maintain a healthy and comfortable temperature.
Key features
Thermostats
These allow the heater to intelligently register the
ambient temperature of the room and switch the heater
on or off to help maintain an even temperature and
conserve electricity.
Timers
Leaving heaters on for too long is a waste of money, so a
timer allows you to turn your heater on to warm up the
kitchen before you get up, or to turn a heater off after
you have gone to bed. If you do not have a timer built into
your heater, you can purchase a timer – these are found
in the electrical aisle.
Fans
Turn on the fan to help a room warm up faster, distribute
the air more evenly and prevent heat build-up near the
ceiling.
64
Energy meters
This is a great tool for showing the level of energy
or power your heater is using at any given time,
allowing you to monitor your energy use throughout
the winter.
What are the safety
issues?
All heaters can be dangerous, especially if they are
used incorrectly or not properly maintained. Surface
temperatures can be high enough to burn skin if contact
is sustained.
Oil-filled column heaters have lower surface temperatures
than most other types, especially the styles with wide
or shielded fins. All styles of column heater are tall and
heavy and can cause injury if they fall on a child; again,
the wide-finned versions are safer in this respect.
All new heaters have to pass stringent safety tests to
ensure that fires don’t occur if the heater overheats due
to air inlets being covered or blankets or towels falling
on the heater.
A tilt switch is a good safety feature – it will turn the
heater off if it tips over.
Bosch Hot Water.
Delivering Peace of Mind.
Bosch has been delivering hot water to New Zealand households for over 50
years. Pioneering continuous flow water heating in the late 1800’s, Bosch has
secured a name synonymous with quality and innovation that continues to
drive the company today. As a result, Bosch now offers the largest range of
continuous flow gas hot water systems on the market today.
One such product, the Bosch Highflow 25e is compact, space-saving and is easy
to install. It has been designed for maximum energy efficiency and environmental
protection making it a smart choice for New Zealand homes.
Call Bosch on 0800 54 33 52 or visit www.bosch.co.nz/hotwater for more
information.
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66