Winter Gardening in July: Finding Beauty in a Christchurch Garden

   It’s tempting to stay in doors on cold July mornings, wrapped in a blanket with the heater humming away. But I’ve found some of my favourite moments happen when I pull on a warm jersey, wrap my hands around a hot coffee, and wander slowly through the garden.

Winter invites us to slow down.

Without the busyness of summer flowers demanding attention, it’s easier to notice the little things—the details that might otherwise be missed. The tiny changes from one day to the next. The promise that spring isn’t all that far away.

On my morning walks around the garden, the fantails (pīwakawaka) are never far away. They flit from branch to branch, following closely as I work or simply wander. Their cheerful company makes even the chilliest mornings feel alive.

The chickens are still faithfully laying eggs, despite the shorter days, and there’s something deeply comforting about collecting warm eggs on a frosty morning before heading back inside.

Just outside my kitchen window, the winter jasmine has begun to flower. Its sweet fragrance drifts inside each time I open the door—a gentle reminder that even in the middle of winter, the garden has plenty to offer.

Elsewhere, the hellebores are beginning their beautiful display, quietly blooming while much of the garden sleeps. Tulip shoots are poking through the soil, tiny green spears full of promise for the season ahead. Among the garden beds, self-sown hardy annuals are appearing too. I always smile when I spot little larkspur seedlings popping up exactly where nature decided they should grow.

The vegetable garden continues to provide as well. The broccoli is almost ready to harvest, proving that winter can still be wonderfully productive.

One of my favourite winter rituals is bringing a little of the garden indoors. A few sprigs of rosemary, fresh eucalyptus, or lemon geranium placed in a simple vase can fill a room with beautiful fragrance. Even without flowers, these leafy stems bring life, texture, and the calming scent of the garden into the home.

Winter is also the season when many couples begin planning their weddings. While flowers may seem months away, this quieter time is perfect for dreaming, gathering inspiration, and talking through ideas for a garden-style celebration. It’s when many of the conversations begin that eventually become bouquets filled with locally grown, seasonal blooms.

The garden may appear quieter in July, but it is far from asleep. Beneath the soil, roots are growing. Bulbs are preparing for spring. Seedlings are establishing themselves. Nature is gently getting ready for the season ahead.

Perhaps this month, instead of rushing past the garden on your way inside, take five minutes to wander with a warm coffee in hand. Look closely. Listen to the birds. Notice the first shoots emerging, breathe in the winter fragrance, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm that only this season brings.

You might be surprised by just how much is happening.

At Blooming Local, I believe every season has its own kind of beauty. Winter simply asks us to slow down enough to see it.