The camera-shy writer and founder behind Sage Journal.
Sage was born from a desire to feature real, well-loved gardens by everyday people. More than 10 years ago, when my husband and I bought our first home, I struggled to find what I needed: real, attainable and local garden inspiration; gardening advice that was relevant, engaging and easily digestible; and connections with inspiring and knowledgeable gardeners, new and old.
So 4 years ago I started collecting, documenting and featuring stories of real, hands-in-the-dirt, soil-on-the-clothes gardeners who were sometimes failing, many times succeeding and always asking questions.
I wanted to create a place to share knowledge that otherwise might be lost.
Not everyone comes from a line of avid gardeners like me (super grateful), where ringing up my mum or nana for advice on how to get rid of the aphids in the garden or find out why my buxus is turning its toes up is a regular thing.
So when I started Sage, I wanted it to be New Zealand’s go-to gardening resource. A place where you can learn, be inspired, and find a like-minded community to share our collective knowledge.
A textured, free-flowing garden in Hawthorn that brings natural beauty and subtle urban influences together, creating a distinctive family retreat inspired by New York’s High Line.
Overlooking Tauranga’s Wairoa River Valley, this restored 1930s home combines historic charm and modern comfort, featuring English-inspired gardens, a travertine-paved pool area, 17 potager beds and expansive river valley views.
At Clifton Glamping, Tom and Lucia Gordon balance luxury accommodation with their dedication to sustainability and reforestation, creating a unique retreat immersed in nature.
Take a walk through the garden-to-table experience that is St Georges Restaurant - a family run affair where ingredients are sourced direct from the gardens onsite.
Paula Kelly, gardener at Pegasus Bay Winery, transforms its grounds with decades of horticultural passion and experience, creating stunningly beautiful gardens in North Canterbury.
For Jannine Rickards, gardening is more than just a hobby, it's a connection to her whakapapa—a practice steeped in tradition, sustainability and spirituality. As a winemaker and the founder of Huntress Wines, Jannine weaves her love for the land and her passion for kai (food) into every aspect of her life.
Don’t let the cooler weather put you off getting outside. Winter is the best time to plant and prune deciduous trees and shrubs. And there's plenty in the edible garden to do!
For Camilla Jørvad, the surrounding environment of her new home profoundly influences her, sparking a desire to transform the garden into a sanctuary of beauty and abundance.
Blossoming flowers dance in the gentle breeze, while lush greenery provides a sense of serenity. This garden, by Ashley James, is straight out of a fairytale book, where nature and imagination intertwine.
3 May | May is a last chance to give the garden a good tidy up before temperatures plummet — lots of weeding, feeding and protecting. It's also the last chance to get your spring bulbs in, and a great time to plant veggies for spring harvest in the veggie patch.
In the quaint settlement of Lauder, Central Otago, Gillian Swinton and her partner Hamish have cultivated a lifestyle that seamlessly blends their love for gardening, hospitality and rural living.
In the North Canterbury country town of Amberley reside quantity surveyor Keeley and chef Jen Pomeroy – two garden enthusiasts whose journey into gardening reflects a deep-rooted connection to family, food and community.
