Farming and Horticulture

Farming & Horticulture Articles

Blooms for change with Rebecka Bjelfvenstam Keeling

18 Jan 24

Rebecka Bjelfvenstam Keeling is not just a grower and a champion of local seasonal flowers; she is also an educator with a strong commitment to cultivating a greener tomorrow

Going underground to the root of it all

18 Jan 24

Roots, the essential ‘engine room’ of a plant, is the determining factor of health and growth. But roots may not be where you expect. David Whyte delves down into how our trees behave underground.

Spelt: the benefits and challenges of an ancient grain

18 Jan 24

An ancient grain that’s enjoying a modern revival is being grown organically near Bulls in Manawatū. Theresa Sjöquist talked to Harry Russell-Bowen of Ratahi Farm about the benefits and challenges of growing spelt.

Healing the earth through biodynamics

25 Aug 23

A philosophy that transcends all cultures, religions, or science has been practised in Aotearoa for nearly a century. It’s a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition that is gaining recognition worldwide.

The soil improver: transforming forestry slash with biochar

27 Jul 23

Kev Dowman tells Paula Sharp why we should be producing biochar on a commercial scale. He says it is an investment for our future, specifically the future of New Zealand’s land quality and how we can contain carbon.

Accounting for the future

05 May 23

A recent article in a farming magazine, bemoaned that an estimated $55 million has been spent comparing organic/regenerative to industrial (named conventional) farming – with the conclusion that regenerative farming produced less profit and more GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions.

Funding the future with biodynamics

28 Apr 23

Practitioners are convinced biodynamics is the way of the future – and are financing the research to prove it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Redefining weeds for the post-herbicide era

17 Aug 22

If non-chemical weeding is the only way forward, how do we manage troublesome weeds, and what exactly is a weed anyway, asks Charles Merfield.

Forever farming in Southland

21 Jun 22

Philippa Jamieson visits an organic sheep and beef farm where crop rotation, diverse pasture species and natural fertilisers contribute to the production of a premium product that prioritises soil and climate.

Where do regen and organics stand on soil?

26 Apr 22

Diverging focuses on soil health and chemical inputs is illuminating a gap between regenerative and organic practices. But adherents say it’s an opportunity to come together and find a way forward, says Desmond Finlay.

Cider house rules with CoralTree Organics

26 Apr 22

Rebecca Reider visits a family-owned apple cider vinegar company on the Kāpiti Coast that has been perfecting the art of fermenting for more than 25 years. The secret? Letting nature do her thing.

Meet the locals: gorse-munching goats

18 Feb 22

In the first of our new series that gives us snapshots of people treading lightly, we visit a lifestyle block in Upper Hutt where a herd of goats has made tasty work of troublesome weeds.

Cultivating a climate of change with the Earthworkers Programme

18 Feb 22

Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, the powerhouse behind urban-farming programme For the Love of Bees, talks about Earthworkers – a new course nurturing photosynthesis and microbe farmers.

Climate-smart farming with Dr Tim Jenkins

15 Dec 21

Dr Tim Jenkins explores the ways that organic farming practices, including resilient agro-ecosystems, can help prevent and adapt to the major challenge of our times: climate change.

Farming & Horticulture Articles

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