Lambs, daffodils, blue skies. Spring has sprung at Harlow
Spring has arrived at Harlow Lifestyle Village in Rangiora, and with it comes the first issue of The Harlow Holler - our monthly newsletter sharing life in the village, seasonal tips and what's on across North Canterbury.
Fresh lambs in the paddocks. Snow still on the Alps. Crisp mornings and clear blue skies. And Stage Three is springing too.
September at Harlow is the month the whole place shakes off its winter coat. The gardens go from polite to enthusiastic almost overnight, walking groups rediscover the long way round, and the barbecue gets its annual once-over whether it needs it or not.
What is The Harlow Holler?
The Harlow Holler is a free monthly newsletter from Harlow Lifestyle Village in Rangiora. Each issue brings you a garden column, a seasonal recipe, five minutes with someone worth knowing, and a guide to what's on across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Ōhoka and Oxford. It's written for residents, future residents and anyone curious about lifestyle village living in North Canterbury.
What's inside the September issue?
- The Potting Shed: six garden jobs for a Canterbury September
- Five Minutes With Chris: our maintenance man, and former circus acrobat
- The Harlow Kitchen: asparagus, feta and a very good spring salad
- Downsizing without the drama: practical tips for the big clear-out
- Spring travel special: somewhere to go once the boxes are gone
- What's On: events across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Ōhoka and Oxford
A taste of The Potting Shed
At Harlow, we look after the lawns and the landscaping, so our garden column is for the bit that's yours - the pots, the patio and the sunny courtyard corner. Here are three of this month's six tips:
- Hold your nerve on tomatoes. A Rangiora frost in late September is not a rumour. Sow indoors now, plant out after Labour Weekend, and let the neighbours be the test crop.
- Sow the easy wins. Lettuce, radish, spring onion, rocket and coriander in a sunny pot by the door. Salad you can reach in slippers.
- Plant herbs for the kitchen. Oregano, thyme, rosemary and mint. Mediterranean herbs love a dry Canterbury summer.
The other three tips are waiting in the full issue.
Five minutes with Chris
Chris keeps everything at Harlow running - and in a past life, he was a freelance juggling acrobat who dabbled in trapeze and stunt trampolining. His favourite time of day in the village? Golden hour, when Harlow is quiet and the light turns everything to honey. Read the full interview in The Harlow Holler.
What's on in Rangiora this spring?
Spring in the Waimakariri district is full of things to do. Regulars include the Rangiora Farmers' Market at Victoria Park every Sunday morning, the Ōhoka Farmers' Market on Fridays and the Kaiapoi Saturday Market. The full September issue lists more than 20 local events, from the Rangiora Cultural Festival to the Ashley Forest Rallysprint.
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About Harlow Lifestyle Village, Rangiora
Harlow Lifestyle Village is a modern lifestyle village for over-55s at 14 Oakville Close, Rangiora, in North Canterbury - around 30 minutes from Christchurch. Unlike many retirement villages, Harlow residents own their own homes and keep any capital gains when they choose to sell. Residents pay a weekly body corporate fee for the shared facilities. New homes are available now in Stage 2 with Stage 3 scheduled to commence in October 2026.
