Electric vehicle experience to be aware of.
A couple of years ago my wife and I bought a new well-known and respected brand of hybrid car. We decided on a hybrid because of the advantages offered by electric vehicles coupled with the extended range of a petrol motor. It has been a gem of a car - until last weekend when it refused to start. No warning. No alarm. NOTHING. It just would not start. By absolute chance the local AA rep was across the road on a separate call-out. He was extremely efficient, explained the problem, and was able to start our car so we could get home. He then came to our home and fitted a new battery. It transpires that while the car is in the electric mode, the auxiliary battery is unable to be charged. As in conventional cars there is an alternator connected to the petrol motor, but not in electric. So, just a heads-up for hybrid owners: Be aware - save money, petrol and the planet by going electric, and be prepared for a great deal of inconvenience and annoyance and to pay out between $250 and $600 for a replacement auxiliary battery which could (and did) fail with no warning after about 35000 kilometers. Or just use the petrol mode. Maybe I'll just go and buy a horse.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.6% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.5% A week before Christmas
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33.2% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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