Articles

Free Articles

Tribute to Hazel Berryman

27 Jun 24

Hazel Berryman was a life long gardener who believed in two cardinal credos: ‘you are what you eat’ and ‘eat food that goes bad, but eat it before it goes bad’. With these two credos, Hazel lived to the ripe old age of 100.

Miner’s Lettuce – Claytonia Perfoliata

20 May 24

It is prolific, grows just about anywhere with minimal care, and self-seeds for the following season. Anna-Marie Barnes describes an easy-care plant that provides fresh greens all winter long.

Life Underground – A Guide To Aotearoa’s Soil Food Web

16 May 24

Without the diverse organisms within our soil there would be no land- dwelling life on Earth. Duncan Smith describes the creatures and critters that underpin our plants, and ultimately, ourselves.

Critical Thinking on Gene Technology Regulation

08 May 24

Layers of manipulation and obfuscation are being used to package deregulation of gene technologies as a net positive. Bonnie Flaws outlines how, and why one of New Zealand’s leading biological science professors considers regulation the best tool we have to prevent risk.

An Aunty to all: supporting those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

26 Apr 23

When disaster strikes, the basics of food and shelter become challenging. Meghan Read hears from Arohanui Lawrence about how her spray-free community garden demonstrates the strength of local food resilience.

Conquer the cold: seasonal gardening tips and tasks for late autumn

26 Apr 23

With autumn settling into winter, what better advice than turning to the sun and letting the shadows fall behind you could gardeners take? Especially those who have lost so much in recent weather events. Wherever you are in the country, make the most of the little heat that still lingers, by trapping it in cunning ways

Making soil: turning food scraps into food production

21 Apr 23

A climate action enterprise uses bokashi and no-turn composting methods to create carbon-rich, nutrient-dense soil. Theresa Sjoquist talks to those who are diverting landfill to profitable crops.

The farm-to-kitchen model bringing food sovereignty to India

22 Mar 23

Food sovereignty is an important issue in a world of increasing centralisation, and in our documentary ‘The Worm is Turning’ it’s one of many subjects we address.

Bringing seaweed back into the food chain

22 Feb 23

Nutrients and minerals from the earth’s crust flow into the sea and are absorbed by seaweed. Duncan Smith outlines the benefits of closing the loop and bringing seaweed back into your food chain.

Beauty and business on borrowed land

22 Feb 23

You don’t need land to have a garden. Nor capital to start a business. Diana Noonan finds out from an innovative artist how she turned her life around to create a satisfying organic lifestyle and income - without land or start-up capital.

What we know about chronic and post-COVID fatigue

22 Feb 23

Chronic fatigue has been around for a while, and there is renewed interest due to one of the main triggers being viral infection. It might be too soon to tell, but the recent outbreak of COVID-19 could be a trigger. Holistic nutritionist Laura Hett looks at what we know about chronic fatigue.

Medicinal fungi at Ora’s Farm

22 Feb 23

Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Piopinno, Enoki, Shiitake. Intriguing names for delicious mushrooms that science is revealing are beneficial to our health. Crispin Calidicott talks to two growers who are excited about their therapeutic potential.

Azolla: a simple and sustainable biofertiliser

22 Feb 23

It is the ultimate fertiliser for your garden. It is free, only needs a bucket of water, removes greenhouse gases, fixes nitrogen, and enriches your soil. Sheryn Dean describes a simple and sustainable biofertiliser.

Growing organic hazels

22 Feb 23

Hardy hazels are well suited to organic growing in New Zealand, and the nuts are nutritious and versatile. Philippa Jamieson profiles Otama Hazels in Southland as an example of a successful small block and looks at the opportunities for more growers to enter the market.

Growing good food: seasonal gardening tips and tasks for autumn

22 Feb 23

March and April are such surprising and exciting months in the garden. Just when it seems the world is winding down and our edible beds are readying themselves for sleep, a whole new season of opportunity presents itself. That’s because, apart from a few of the coldest spots in the country (and even then, there is potential for growing undercover or indoors), nature never sleeps. So while autumn is very much the season for harvesting and storing, it’s also a time to be out with the fork, the seeds and the seedlings – and to start growing all over again!

Biocontrol: natural pest management

22 Feb 23

Nature is an ongoing war. A battle for survival, for dominance, and resources. ‘Pests’ are when one species are winning and are having a detrimental effect on our desired outcome. Charles Merfield explains how we can change the balance and allow nature to regulate itself.

The Therapeutic Products Bill: A step forward for natural health products?

22 Feb 23

Natural health products are included in the Therapeutic Products Bill which was presented to Parliament at the end of last year. Dr Sandra Clair looks at the reasoning behind it and says that, if executed well, this could be a step in the right direction for pluralistic medicine in New Zealand.

Tourism doesn’t have to cost the earth

21 Dec 22

The tourism dollar is coming back, but at what cost? Claire Brunette investigates how New Zealand can, and does, balance the effect on the environment while still reaping the rewards in our economy.

Drink smart: the impacts of alcohol

21 Dec 22

Always wondered what that glass of wine does to you? Holistic nutritionist Laura Hett breaks down how alcohol impacts the body, deals to some classic myths, and leaves us with a few tips and tricks.

Nourished for Nil’s mission to turn waste into food

20 Dec 22

New Zealand’s yearly food waste produces 409,234 tonnes of carbon emissions. To offset this we would need to take 150,453 cars off the road for one year or plant 163,693 trees. Rescuing this waste to feed people is a win-win. Christina McBeth tells Bonnie Flaws how she co-ordinates Hawke's Bay businesses, government assistance, sister organisations, and volunteers to redirect waste into food for over 1200 families.

Get into intercropping and living mulch

20 Dec 22

Nature endeavours to cover bare soil with a succession of plants. Science is understanding why and learning that the benefits of roots can outweigh even the best of inputs. Charles Merfield says we need to recloak Papatūānuku with a diversity of living plants and discusses how we can put this into practice amongst our crops.

Successful summer gardening: hot composting, time away, and seedling tips

20 Dec 22

Mid to late summer in the garden is a hectic time. All the edibles are coming ready at once, the weeds are running to seed, and you really need that summer break you planned back in September! But don’t fret – we’ve got your back, with some fail-proof plans to keep the garden ship-shape and super- productive!

Help our native butterflies

20 Dec 22

There are 26 different species of pēpepe butterflies in New Zealand. Most of them are endemic (found only in New Zealand) and some are struggling to survive. Jacqui Knight explains how and what gardeners can do to provide the habitat and food they need.

Humus is dead, long live MAOM!

22 Oct 22

Compost and manure certainly contribute to soil health, says Charles Merfield, but new research shows that root exudates from living plants are the true drivers of soil health – and that plant diversity is everything.

Free Articles

Tribute to Hazel Berryman

Miner’s Lettuce – Claytonia Perfoliata

Life Underground – A Guide To Aotearoa’s Soil Food Web

Critical Thinking on Gene Technology Regulation

Members-only Articles

An Aunty to all: supporting those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

Conquer the cold: seasonal gardening tips and tasks for late autumn

Making soil: turning food scraps into food production

The farm-to-kitchen model bringing food sovereignty to India

Bringing seaweed back into the food chain

Beauty and business on borrowed land

What we know about chronic and post-COVID fatigue

Medicinal fungi at Ora’s Farm

Azolla: a simple and sustainable biofertiliser

Growing organic hazels

Growing good food: seasonal gardening tips and tasks for autumn

Biocontrol: natural pest management

The Therapeutic Products Bill: A step forward for natural health products?

Tourism doesn’t have to cost the earth

Drink smart: the impacts of alcohol

Nourished for Nil’s mission to turn waste into food

Get into intercropping and living mulch

Successful summer gardening: hot composting, time away, and seedling tips

Help our native butterflies

Humus is dead, long live MAOM!

Proudly published by the Soil & Health Association NZ