Whether it’s a farm, lifestyle block of 5-10 acres, a quarter acre residential section or a tiny patch of lawn, most try to turn their personal space into a place for relaxation and entertaining. Some may even aspire to a burgeoning veggie garden, a few chooks, dog run or perhaps the inclusion of a spa where space is short or a palm-edged pool where space abounds.

Now, The Kiwi Backyard Handbook helps property owners to create a space that works for them and can assist them to successfully complete many handyman jobs. The Kiwi Backyard Handbook is an essential book especially when planning a garden makeover. It contains 25 easy but impressive projects with step-by-step photographs to stir up creativity, along with a wealth of good advice to get started.

From laying pavers or building a compost bin to growing fruit and vegetables and tackling DIY sculpture projects, there’s plenty of inspiration and practical instruction on how to make the most of any backyard.

Author Justin Newcombe has designed these easy weekend projects to be ‘do-able’ for all levels of skill. There is something for the experienced, all the way down to the novice DIYer.

The Kiwi Backyard Handbook also includes great advice for your garden – including soil structure, layering and testing, mulching, crop rotation, companion planting, seeds and lawns.

Justin, himself, is an Auckland-based professional landscape designer, whose projects have included everything from pools to schools, large-scale commercial projects as well as small residential makeovers.

Besides writing a weekly newspaper column, Justin’s media roles have included being the presenter and designer for the popular Ground Force television series, the Garden Guru and for TV One’s Breakfast. He has also written for New Zealand Gardener magazine and is a presenter on the Saturday Garden Show on Radio Live.