Gardening in Porirua means working with one of the Wellington region's most distinctive environments. We have a relatively mild coastal climate, good summer sunshine, fertile soils in many areas and an extraordinary natural landscape surrounding our suburbs. But Porirua gardeners also know the challenges: strong winds, heavy clay, exposed hillsides, wet winters and surprisingly dry conditions through summer.

The conditions can also change dramatically across a relatively short distance. A sheltered garden in Whitby can behave very differently from an exposed property in Titahi Bay, while gardens in Paremata, Plimmerton, Aotea and eastern Porirua each have their own microclimates.

The key to a successful Porirua garden is understanding the ground you're working with and creating a garden that belongs here.