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Parsley: More than just a garnish
There are some foods that quietly get on with the job without demanding much attention. Parsley is one of them. Paula Sharp shines a light on this humble hero.

Growing Vegetables: Mid spring — hardening off
By mid spring, you should have some lovely healthy seedlings. However, don't be tempted to plant them out — not yet. We Sarah O'Neil, author of Growing Vegetables, shares her tips.

Mandarins: Winter vitamin boost
Easy to peel, naturally sweet and perfectly portable, these vibrant little citrus fruits are a biodegradable package of winter nutrition, as Paula Sharp writes.
Members-only Articles

Moon Calendar September-October 2026
One of the most satisfying elements of being with the land is learning new tasks, and folding them in in their entirety over the seasons. We have been growing kūmara on our block for a number of years now, but last year was the first time I grew our own tipu (slips).

Worm juice and soil fungi: why compost alone isn’t enough for juicy lettuce
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If your lettuce beds already get compost and still look a bit thin by midsummer, new research suggests the missing partners may be sitting in your worm farm and in the fine white threads of soil fungi.

2027 Calendars
Our Calendars are coming back for 2027. Right now we're calling for submissions, and asking you to fill out a feedback survey about them...

Parable of the paddock edge
We are the ones who live beside the paddock. No one asked us whether the new substance belonged here.
The question is: who is made to carry the cost? A parable for our times, by David McNeill

Kiwifruit: Treasures in red, gold and green
Kiwifruit has become so woven into our national identity that it’s easy to forget it isn’t actually native here at all, and its journey from a fuzzy Chinese curiosity to a backyard favourite is a story worth knowing, as Paula Sharp finds out.

Moon Calendar July-August 2026
As we pass through the natural ‘new year’ in the southern hemisphere, now is the perfect time to witness the tohu (signs) of the coming seasons. As the stars reappear on the horizon at dawn, take note...

The Queen Bee of Ōhope
One woman. Thirty hives. Thousands upon thousands of bees, and a lifelong love affair with some of nature’s most essential pollinators. Paula Sharp interviews beekeeper Jewelle Lloyd.

Aubergines
The aubergine or eggplant is grounding, nourishing and incredibly versatile. Paula Sharp explores its origins, growing, nutrition and shares some recipes.

Moon Calendar May-June 2026
As we descend into the cooler months, the time has come to start to envisage our gardens for the following seasons. I remind people when they are starting out growing their own food, to plant what you love to eat.

Fantastic feijoas
With its unmistakable perfume and tangy-sweet flavour, the feijoa is more than just a garden staple, writes Paula Sharp; it’s nutrition packed in a fibrous skin, and it has a firm place in childhood memories and Kiwi culture.

Alone in the world
After years in Aotearoa NZ's wilderness, Miriam Lancewood sets off to Bulgaria, the Himalayas, India, Turkey, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. She lives off the land and her wits, and includes practical advice for preparing for the unexpected.

Passionfruit: Small fruit, big benefits
Wrinkled on the outside, vibrant and jewel-like inside, passionfruit is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive summer fruits. Beyond its distinctive aroma and tangy sweetness, passionfruit offers impressive nutritional benefits, as Paula Sharp elaborates.

Moon Calendar March-April 2026
Successful food and flower growing starts well before seedlings or seeds are planted in the ground. Planning, preparation, soil care, and nutrition are all endeavours undertaken in the seasons before.

Soil & Health Auckland – Meeting Announcement
Come and hear Savannah Carter-Green talk to the Auckland branch of Soil & Health

Summer’s juiciest hydrator
Few foods say ‘New Zealand summer’ quite like watermelon. Crisp, refreshing and naturally sweet, the watermelon is more than a picnic staple: it’s a nutritional ally for hydration, heart health and skin vitality. Eat it by the slice or in these recipes Paula Sharp shares: in a salad with and feta, or in a slushie.

Loving soil, but also learning soil
Jenny Lux, market gardener and former Soil & Health chair, tells her story of growing vegetables and continuing a path of lifelong learning.

Peace lilies
The peace lily is a favourite among indoor plant enthusiasts. In this excerpt from The Plant Book, author Tammy Huynh offers tips for care of your peace lilies: watering, light, fertilising, dividing them and more.

Small, sweet, and mighty
Nutritional therapist Paula Sharp enthuses about the nutrition and flavour of the humble potato when in its seasonal ‘new’ incarnation, and shares a delicious potato salad recipe.

Moon Calendar January-February 2026
Seed saving is one of the most beautiful acts of resilience and nourishment we can do for ourselves, our communities, our future, and the ecosystems we find ourselves in.

Sopa de Tortilla – Tortilla Soup
This tortilla soup is from the book Provecho: Real Mexican Food and Home. The recipe is simple but delicious, combining the different textures of crispy tortilla strips, soft avocado, chewy cheese and a dollop of cream, with a rich and flavourful tomato base.

