Gardening

Get the kids outside and into the garden with these fun activities.

Your winter māra may be resting, but that doesn’t mean you can do the same! July and August are preparation months, and the mahi you put in now is essential if you are to reap rewards down the track. Act without delay because spring is just around the corner.

What do you do when your passions are photography, food and the environment? If you’re Sophie Merkens you quit your job, buy a van and set off on a road trip around Aotearoa to interview and photograph 35 inspiring wāhine growers and gatherers. Then you turn it into a beautiful book. We chatted to Sophie about her inspiration behind this project and get a sneak peek at some of the incredible women featured in it. 

As autumn rolls on into winter, it’s so easy rest on our laurels and leave the edible beds and orchard to their own devices. But I find that activity now, brings the reward of fresh produce right through the coldest months, and healthy food-bearing trees in spring. 

As we head into the cooler months, there couldn’t be a clearer warning of what can happen if we neglect our autumn māra tasks. So, while it’s tempting to wind down the edible beds at the end of summer, try sowing and growing all over again for months of bountiful harvest at a time when store-bought veges are commanding a premium price.  

Maanu Paul feels two responsibilities keenly and they are intertwined: to provide food for his whānau, and to do it with the utmost respect for Papatūānuku, Mother Earth. 

Summer gardening tips and tasks, by Diana Noonan The content below is available with a print or online reader subscription The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Nathan Shiu has created an oasis of plenty in his steeply sloping garden on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, including many Asian vegetables not seen in most back yards. This grandad has hit upon a great model to make gardening easier for older people while also supporting the health of the younger generation. Dee Pignéguy pays a visit to find out more.

There is an unfortunate trend online of people recommending using salt as an organic weed killer. Yes, salt is natural, but it’s not healthy for the ecosystem to add salt. David Whyte finds out why, and suggests some organic solutions to weed control. We hope you enjoy this free article from Organic NZ. Sign up…

Tips and tasks for the November-Decembermāra, by Diana Noonan The content below is available with a print or online reader subscription The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Anyone can be a farmer! Worm farming is a great way process your food scraps in a small contained space, and create garden fertiliser more quickly than a normal compost heap. Here are some tips from the Compost Collective. The content below is available with a print or online reader subscription The following content is…

As Diana Noonan has discovered, quinoa is a hardy and versatile plant. She shares her growing experiences and gluten-free recipes.   The content below is available with a print or online reader subscription The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.