Flourish: New Zealand Women and Their Extraordinary Gardens by Barb Rogers; Juliet Nicholas

$55.00 NZD

Category: Gardening

This book celebrates the endeavours and achievements of women gardeners who are responsible for some of the most-admired gardens within New Zealand. Often starting as a home-based hobby, fitting around child care and other domestic tasks, the gardens developed by the women featured in this book have evo lved into living works of art. Scattered from the far north to Stewart Island, these gardens have a few things in common. Each one has been developed by a woman responding to her own landscape and locale with energy and verve. Often an outlet for a creative urge, the gardens portray a wide cross-section of styles. The stories of the gardeners also share common bonds - hard work and a passion for the landscape - but also stories of combating isolation, loss and joining a sisterhood of gardeners. Some gardens are well known and justly celebrated both here and overseas- Bev McConnell's Ayrlies in Auckland, and Margaret Barker's garden at Larnach Castle in Dunedin. Others are undiscovered gardens worthy of wider attention. Gracious country rose gardens, inner city courtyards and edible gardens all feature. ...Show more

The Animal's Companion: People and Their Pets, a 26,000-Year Love Story by Jacky Colliss Harvey

$39.99 NZD

Category: Animals

The earliest evidence of a human and a pet can be traced as far back as 26,000 BC in France where a boy and his 'canid' took a walk through a cave. Their foot and paw prints were preserved together on the muddy cave floor, and smoke from the torch the boy carried was left on the walls, allowing archaeol ogists to carbon-date their journey. And so, the story unfolds, from these prehistoric days all the way up to the present, of ourinnate and undeniable need to live in the close company of animals. In this startling new work, acclaimed cultural detective and lifelong pet owner Jacky Colliss Harvey uses her compelling storytelling skills and keen eye for historical investigation to examine our role as animals' companions, in this exploration of the history not of the pet, but of us as pet owners. Drawing on literary, artistic and archaeological evidence of our relationships with other species, over thousands of years of human experience, she examines the when, the how and the why of our connection to those animals we take into our lives, assessing these against the latest scientific thinking on this complex and enthralling subject, and suggesting new insights into this most long-standing of all human love-affairs. ...Show more

The New Zealand Horse by Deborah Coddington

$90.00 NZD

Category: Animal Biographies

A magnificent tribute to the New Zealand horse, documenting its pivotal role in the development of the early colony, in farming, transport, war, sport and in our affections. Writer Deborah Coddington and photographer Jane Ussher capture the strength, beauty and mystery of the horse across New Zealand, from bareback beach riders in the far north and huntsmen in Hawke's Bay, to the Otago high country, the stud farms of the Waikato, the wild horses of the Kaimanawas, film horses, dressage horses and many, many more. Warmly and expertly written, and including a range of historical images, this magnificent book is brought to startling life by the astounding photographs of Jane Ussher. ...Show more

Dahlias - Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden by Georgianna Lane (Illustrator); Naomi Slade

$45.00 NZD

Category: Gardening

Dahlias is a celebration of the dazzling colors and flamboyant forms of one of the world's favorite flowers. Dahlias are back in vogue. Professional gardeners, florists, and hobbyists around the world are falling in love again with this (lower's eccentric charm. From sumptuous petals to floral fireworks , dahlias are taking over as the focus piece in bouquets of every kind. This stunning collection profiles over 65 types of dahlia. From the billowing beauty of Café au Lait and the luminously delicate Platinum Blonde to the spiny Black Narcissus and cheerful Pooh, you'll discover a splendid selection of classics, as well as the best modern varieties. Lush photography augments the expert commentary and no-fuss advice on how to grow these botanical beauties and fill your home with spectacular cut flowers. Whether you have a lavish garden or a simple container, lose yourself in the enduring charm of dahlias. Book jacket. ...Show more

Root, Nurture, Grow - Ro Co's Guide to Propagating and Sharing Houseplants by Rose Ray; Caro Langton; Erika Raxworthy (Photographer)

$32.99 NZD

Category: Gardening

You've created your own house of plants, so what's next? The authors of House of Plants follow up their successful debut book with Root, Nurture, Grow - a practical and detailed guide to propagating and sharing indoor plants.   The stylish handbook shows you how to make the most of your favorite houseplants through simple, beginner-friendly propagation techniques (such as stem cutting, rooting in water, runners, offsets, grafting, division and more), as well as resourceful DIY projects including homemade rooting mediums, seed-bombs, and a self-watering plant pot.   It shows you how to look after and nurture your new plant babies, and how to share them with friends by making beautiful gifts and displays. ...Show more

Milkwood by Kirsten Bradley; Nick Ritar

$49.99 NZD

Category: Gardening

The skills that we learn bind our lives together. Do you want to know how to grow your own food? Or how to keep bees? How to forage for edible seaweed along the shoreline, or wild greens down by the stream? Maybe you're curious about growing mushrooms or how to grow the perfect tomato. You're invited to make these skills your own. Designed to be read with a pot of tea by your elbow and a notebook beside you, Milkwood is all you need to start living a more home-grown life. From DIY projects to wild fermented recipes, the in-depth knowledge and hands-on instruction contained in these pages will have your whole family fascinated and inspired to get growing, keeping, cooking and making. Milkwood is the name of Kirsten Bradley and Nick Ritar's first farm as well as their school where anyone can learn skills for down-to-earth living. Kirsten, Nick and a team of educators offer courses on topics contained in this book as well as permaculture design, natural building and much more. Kirsten and Nick live on a small regenerative farm near Daylesford, Australia, where many things from the sprouted grain they feed their chickens to ingredients that make up dinner is homegrown. ...Show more

Keeping Chickens: Choosing, Nurturing & Harvests by Tracey Smith

$12.99 NZD

Category: Animals | Series: Digging and Planting

In the last few years, poultry-keeping has enjoyed massive growth, with heavy TV coverage featuring chefs such as Jamie Oliver. It is another symptom of our weariness of mass-produced, tasteless supermarket food - the appeal of being able to nip into the back garden to get fresh eggs for breakfast, know ing that the hens have been well kept, fed and loved. This highly practical book is aimed at beginners to the hobby and will explain everything you need to know to get started keeping chickens, from how to choose, house, feed and handle them to how many eggs they will lay, their affect on the local ecosystem and protection from foxes. ...Show more

The Ornamental Edible Garden

$9.99 NZD

Category: Gardening

Horses & Ponies (100 Facts) by Richard Kelly

$8.99 NZD

Category: Pets | Series: 100 Facts

100 Facts Horses and Ponies is bursting with fantastic images, fun activities and amazing facts. Kids learn more easily with bitesized information Photographs and artworks aid children who learn through visual prompts Activities allow children to put what they have learned into practice 100 Facts Horses and Ponies includes key topics about these hooved mammals in simple numbered facts. Every page features beautiful illustrations and photographs that support a child's understanding of the text. This non-fiction title is a perfect horse book for kids aged 7+ who want to learn more about these majestic animals. ...Show more

Keeping Bees: Choosing, Nurturing & Harvests by Pam Gregory

$12.99 NZD

Category: Animals | Series: Digging and Planting

Beekeeping is a fascinating and rewarding activity and is hugely important to the survival of our declining bee population, as much covered recently by the media. This attractive book offers practical and informative advice on how to get started, how to achieve and collect good harvests, beekeeping thro ugh the seasons, troubleshooting, queen rearing and more. It even suggests ways of encouraging bees for 'non-beekeepers'. Written by well respected experts Pam Gregory and Claire Waring, it provides accurate and reliable information on this increasingly popular pastime and is the ideal giftbook for the budding beekeeper. ...Show more

Art of Racing in the Rain (FTI) by Garth Stein

$22.99 NZD

Category: Animal Biographies

The New York Times bestselling novel from Garth Stein-a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of a dog's efforts to hold together his family in the face of a divisive custody battle. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obs ession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. ...Show more

Kindness for All Creatures - Buddhist Advice for Compassionate Animal Care by Sarah C. Beasley; Anam Thupten

$35.00 NZD

Category: Animals

Are you doing all you can for the well-being of your pet? Many pet guardians struggle with this question in relation to adopting versus buying, how best to raise and train animals, and how to approach the aging, sickness, and death passage. Structured around the Six Perfections of Mahayana Buddhism, thi s book provides answers to these questions and more with heartfelt guidance on how to apply mindfulness and spirituality to our relationships with animals. As well as being a practical resource, this book serves as a form of advocacy to encourage readers to think and feel more deeply and naturally about caring for the creatures--both pets and wildlife--that we share our world with. ...Show more