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Get-well-soon soup

19 May 25

This super flavourful and nourishing soup is the hearty winter pick-me-up of choice for Philippa Jamieson.

Dr John Flux’s neighbour once called to see if he had died – because the grass had grown so long! The Lower Hutt ecologist is an advocate of the no-mow movement because of its many environmental benefits, and describes here how he has implemented it for the past four years in his garden and on the footpath verge.

Neem: Nature’s healing gift to humanity

15 Apr 25

The neem tree has many benefits, including as a natural pesticide, fertiliser and it's a plant with various healing qualities. Katherine Smith reviews this book by Klaus Ferlow of Neem Research.

Hot cross buns

14 Apr 25

This spicy, fruity and delicious hot cross bun recipe is by Isabel Pasch, who ran Bread and Butter Bakery in Auckland.

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!

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.

Hydroponics: can it count as organic?

22 Oct 22

Ahead of the government passing the Organic Products Bill, the Soil & Health Association’s general manager Pete Huggins talks dirt and water with horticulturists.

Eco-friendly period products

21 Oct 22

The average menstruating person uses up to 15,000 sanitary products in their lifetime, with the majority of them ending up landfill, waterways and the ocean. Claire Brunette investigates planet-friendly alternatives

Meet the locals: Organic Pantry by Shakti

20 Oct 22

Organic Pantry is a social enterprise in Ranui, West Auckland, run by Shakti – an organisation that supports migrant and refugee women in vulnerable situations. We talked to its founder, Farida Sultana.

Add daylilies to your plate

20 Oct 22

Herbalist Sara Mertens celebrates the day-by-day delights for the palate and health of daylilies (hemerocallis).

Introduction to biodynamics

20 Oct 22

Biodynamics is a holistic organic practice that views a farm as an entire organism. Rebecca Reider explains the fundamentals of this earthy yet cosmic system of growing.

Summer gardening: maximising space, plant protection, and more

20 Oct 22

Most māra around the country are now in full swing, and keen gardeners are keeping up with succession sowings and plantings. While that’s wise, it also behoves us, as sustainable growers, to look for new ways to make the most from every plant we already have in the māra. Through meticulous maintenance and careful coaxing, we can all hope to increase production from our allotted growing space, while at the same time, reducing waste.

Ethical omnivorism: a case for eating meat

20 Oct 22

Meat is a divisive subject for ethical, environmental and health reasons. As part of an ongoing conversation we'll be running on this topic, Bonnie Flaws shares her view on why planetary and human health is compatible with ethical omnivorism.

Free Articles

Get-well-soon soup

Join the No-Mow movement!

Neem: Nature’s healing gift to humanity

Hot cross buns

Members-only Articles

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

Humus is dead, long live MAOM!

Hydroponics: can it count as organic?

Eco-friendly period products

Meet the locals: Organic Pantry by Shakti

Add daylilies to your plate

Introduction to biodynamics

Summer gardening: maximising space, plant protection, and more

Ethical omnivorism: a case for eating meat

Proudly published by the Soil & Health Association NZ

Proudly published by the Soil and Health Association NZ